When we drive normally- we dont care for FE, we listen to music, think about home or work, look at the signal and vehicles around us and keeping an eye on the side lanes to find gaps, we also get into some impromptu races and speed runs, catch that signal at yellow before it turns red- who cares for FE? One doesnt buy a Fiesta or a Verna for example, merely for its claimed FE- even if it makes huge difference in deciding in its favour. Having a car with better FE gives peace of mind in the sense that it wont be worse than a Cielo or a Palio 1.6 in FE or Optra automatic for that matter.
for a week I drove Verna very carefully( sedately) and got FE for around 18 kmpl for a commute of 80kms daily( mix of city and highway in rush hour traffic with ac at very low) and I must say it was a very stressful experience overall where I must have changed gears as given in the book based on rpm and road speed, anticipating in advance to minimise on braking- but I didnt enjoy my ride at all.
Normally, I get 15.5-16 kmpl for the same trip but I reach office/ home happier even if not quicker enjoying music and doing all that the car is capable of and so I guess most of the drivers are and I dont mind such poor FE , if that is so at all. |