On Thu, 21 Jul 2005 07:13:40 +0000 (UTC), Edward W. Thompson
wrote:

On Wed, 20 Jul 2005 10:49:58 +0100, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:

In article ,
Edward W. Thompson wrote:
Think they calim 122bhp now... but its only 78 of your real bhp though -
since the engine is the only source of power ultimately. The claimed
output can only be sustained until the batteries are low on juice. An
enthusiastic drive round some B roads ought to see to that ;-)

Not sure I understand your point/obsession with horsepower. The
horsepower required to maintain the vehicle at a constant 60 mph in
still conditions will be about, say 15 hp (maybe less but not more) so
78 hp available seems adequate.

Then why do low powered cars not sell well in the UK? Because being able
to cruise at 60 - just - doesn't suit the majority. They want *any* car to
keep up easily on the motorway up hill and down dale regardless of whether
there's a wind, or the load it's carrying. Driving an underpowered car on
today's motorways is a very frustrating experience.

Firstly what does and does not sell well in the UK is no guide as to a
product's merits. In the UK cars are marketed quite differently to
how they are in North America and North American's attitude towards
cars is also quite different. In North America, for most, cars are
simply 'tools' in the same category as a dishwasher. In the UK and
Europe it seems as cars are associated with the male macho image, all
about acceleration, horsepower and other 'go faster' stuff. What a
lot of nonsense!

I think that this is a stereotyped generalisation.

Cars certainly are marketed differently in different countries,
although in the U.S. I see plenty of car advertisements that play
towards different wants and needs. For some people it's price,
others it's style and performance, and so on. Performance isn't
always how quickly it accelerates though. For some, a big pick up
truck with large gasoline engine does it.

If anything, the approach seems to have more to do with the
manufacturer and country of origin.

For example, BMW and Merc sell on engineering quality and performance
just as they do here. French cars are not that popular, but the TV
adds tend to have some peculiar artistry aboout them that has little
to do with the car.

As you say, it is all nonsense though.






--

..andy

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