Hello from Ireland

[Muddypause]

a long time ago I read about a really efficient car made by VW - it just didn't take off (no pun intended! ) because folk thought it too spooky that the engine turned itself off whenever it stopped, at lights etc!

I remember something like that, probably in the 70s. Not sure it would have added greatly to the overall efficiency (though a stationary vehicle with the engine running is being 100% inefficient). Ironically, I don't think it would work on the city streets today - so much driving is stop/go that the engine would constantly be restarting. This, in itself is probably inefficient use of fuel, and I suspect the starter motor would be knackered in a very short time.

However, the idea lives on in some forms; modern fuel injection systems cut off the fuel supply completely when the car is slowing down off the accellerator, but then switching it back on again before it drops below tickover.

And I suppose a modern extension of the idea is the hybrid car (eg Toyota Prius, some Hondas, and I believe even Ford are getting into it) - a petrol engine and an electric motor combined together. When conditions are right it runs solely on the electric motor, with the petrol engine there to provide extra input when needed, and to charge the batteries. This would have maximum benefit in city stop/go traffic.

Alas, even the most efficient petrol engine today struggles to get much better than 30% efficiency - 70% of that precious, poisonous stuff that we run our cars on is simply wasted directly to the atmosphere as heat before it can do any useful work at all.

[JayBee]

...Just started reading on your car/diesel etc thingy - and that reminded me that a long time ago I read about a really efficient car made by VW - it just didn't take off (no pun intended! ) because folk thought it too spooky that the engine turned itself off whenever it stopped, at lights etc! Do you remember anything about that?...

Is this what you're thinking of Ina?

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/gw/vw1litre.htm

Looks a little small compared to the monsters travelling the roads these days. I'd feel a little vulnerable.

[ina]

It must have been the one that Stew remembers, too - as I say, it was a long time ago... There was an article about the hybrid car in a recent Sunday Herald - that looks like a promising step in the right direction.

But this little beauty looks great! You'd be less vulnerable than on a bike, push- or otherwise, I'd say. Only, where do you stick the bales of hay, and bags of feed, flat pack book cases, and the odd lamb or so? As a city car I think this should be very successful. No parking problems, even less than with a Smart car. Actually, it looks as if you could pick it up and carry it into the house under your arm! For myself, I need a car with a bit more space. If I only have to transport myself, I can walk or cycle.

Ina

[Muddypause]

I bet I'm not the only one to think this - anyone else remember these (this is actually a page of model cars)?

The original Messershmitt concept was a result of necessary frugality in the poverty ridden years after WWII. It was light and cheap to run. Now we need to consider another kind of frugality, brought about through affluence and consumption, and look - we're having to reinvent the same kinds of thing.

[Wombat]

G'Day Muddypause,

I used to see one of them whizzing around Liverpool (NSW) when I was a kid in the '60s. Haven't seen one for yonks though...........

Nev

[Lyds]

Saw one last week - on the A38 and looking jolly good for its age.

[Andy Hamilton]

Never saw one of them driving about for real, they were always in carnivals and such. (what I whippersnapper I am )

Wanted to say hi to Dave c, glad you like the site.