Are Higher Gas Prices Really Bad for America?

In 1999, I remember seeing regular gas on sale in New Jersey for 89 cents.  89 cents!  For a gallon of liquid that had to be pumped out of the ground, piped or shipped to land, refined, loaded into a truck, and driven to a gas station.  I can't believe big oil made any money (they did). 

Those days are long over.  Due to a number of factors, including natural disasters, exploding demand,  and economic calamity, the average price for gas in today's America is around $2.85 (Jersey is a bit cheaper).  Still, that's better than the peak in 2008.

Paying more for gas always stinks, but I have the feeling that some good came out of it.  Back in the roaring nineties, cheap gas and a booming economy meant everyone, everyone, was driving around in a gigantic SUV that got 10 MPG.  Soccer moms eschewed pedantic minivans for chic Navigators and Escalades.  I recall seeing such a mom load her two young kids into a Ford Excursion, with a V-10 engine, 8 MPG, and a curb weight of 7,000 lbs.  The low point came with the introduction of the Hummer H2, the automotive mascot of waste, avarice, and poor taste.

The driving public has sobered up a bit since then.  Hummer is dead (yay!), Escalades and Navigators sell in vastly fewer numbers, and more and more compact cars are being sold.  Fuel economy has become the new buzzword on the showroom floor, instead of horsepower and off road capability.

I'm sure there are plenty of people out there lamenting the end of cheap gas, especially in dour economic times such as this.  But considering most Europeans easily pay double for gas than in the states, we should manage.

[Flickr]

Wrangler to get New Motor in 2012

The V-6 in the Jeep Wrangler is pretty awful.  In fact, its likely one of the worst motors you can buy in any new car.  At 3.8 liters and 202 horses, it's not only weak, but inefficient as well, considering it has to push the boxy Wrangler around.

Some were hoping for a respite in 2011, when the Jeep received a nice new interior and trim changes.  Unfortunately, folks will have to wait until 2012 to get the new, excellent Pentastar V-6, good for nearly 300 horses.  Improvements in fuel efficiency are also likely.

Considering the Wrangler continues to sell in respectable numbers, I guess Chrysler figured they could hold off on the update a little while longer.

Charger / 300 Will Not Get 8 Speed Auto - Yet

Car and Driver took out the new 2011 Charger for a spin, and the word is that the car will not receive the enticing new ZF 8-speed automatic at the outset.  Rumors about this transmission have been around for quite some time, including spy shots of a new Charger with a unique shifter and ZF testing equipment. 

That's all too bad, since such a transmission would be a boon to performance and fuel economy.  It's especially needed by the Grand Cherokee, which unfortunately is quite slow, despite have an excellent new V-6.

[Caranddriver.com]