Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by dahfizz 1787 days ago
Its a trade-off with engine power. A small, low power engine is really efficient around town at low speeds (and scores well on EPA tests). But to drive at 80 mph, you have to put significant load on that tiny engine, making it really inefficient.

A more powerful engine consumes more gas in general, but is operating in a much more efficient range at 80mph because it is not under much load.