Reply #13: Less power doesn't always mean better fuel mileage.

[CRF450]

"Ford will introduce a V6 Mustang rated at 300 HP that the EPA has rated at 30 MPG. Okay, if 300 hp can do that what can 200 do? Or 125 in a compact car?"

If the engines are using the same number of cylinders their would be very little difference. But in many cases, their are v6 engines that get worse fuel mileage compared to a high powered v8. Usually its the high strung v6's like in the Nissan 370z and other cars that use the same motor. They get worse mileage than a Corvette, and those cars have a much more powerful 6.2ltr v8. I always hear of people getting 30mpg HWY out of a Corvette and I believe it. My 01 6 speed Trans Am has a less powerful 5.7 LS1 v8, and it once got 31mpg on a trip to Georgia. The old Dodge Magnum v6's in the Dakota's were bigger gas guzzlers than the 230hp 4.7 Powertech v8 in my 04 Dakota. I get an average of 15-16mpg in the truck, Trans Am gets me 23mpg average.

Cars could get better fuel mileage than they currently do here, but the engines are heavily restricted with restrictive intakes and exhausts to make them quiet, they're also not tuned for absolute best efficiency from the factory.