Possibly stupid question alert re engine sizes.

Mint Sauce

Okay, so I know bigger engine means generally means burning more petrol. But could a newer car or different engine design be more econimical.

Basically I'm contimplating upgrading from a 03 1.2 Corsa, to a 07 1.6 Focus, and weighing up the costs. Already know that its a higher tax bracket, not sure about the insurance yet (probably more), would be hoping that a 5 year old car theres less to go wrong compared to a 9 year old car so less costs (hopefully) there, but would petrol be considerably more, or would the age and difference in engine design cancel some of this out.

Nissan doctor

There are too many variables that effect fuel economy. The gearing and power of the focus could make it more economical then the corsa at motorway speeds, but less economical in the city.

There isn't any newer technology/designs in the focus 1.6 petrol over the corsa 1.2.

dr.fuzzenstein

It also depends on the size engine within the same car.
It's hard to tell between two different cars, but if a car has a ridiculously small engine for it's size, it will do worse in mpg, because you will have to go everywhere at full throttle.
Your example is the 1.6 Focus, this might actually do better than the 1.4, because to get that to move, you will rev every gear to the redline and just have the pedal to the metal all the time, whilst in the 1.6 you can take it a bit easier.
Going from the Corsa to the Ford it's hard to tell, how relaxed is cruising around in that Corsa? Do you have to mash third to the redline to overtake?
1.6 is about right for the Ford, the 1.4 is desperate.

coylemj

irish-stew wrote: »

.... would petrol be considerably more, or would the age and difference in engine design cancel some of this out.

There hasn't been much change in the technology between 2003 and 2007. The petrol consumption will be largely affected by the engine size, the weight of the vehicle, it's aerodynamic profile and how you drive it.

I suggest you check the official consumption stats for the two vehicles, someone else can possibly suggest a link to a website where you can look them up.

CiniO

Focus 1.6 fuel consumption

Urban - 8.7 l/100km
Extra-urban - 5.5 l/100km
Combined - 6.7 l/100km

Opel corsa 1.2
Urban - 8.2 l/100km
Extra-urban - 5.2 l/100km
Combined - 6.3 l/100km.


So generally speaking, difference will be of about 0.5 litre per 100km
That gives you difference of 100 litres per 20k kilometres, so assuming you do that annually, at current prices it's going to cost you extra €166.90 per year.

coylemj

CiniO wrote: »

So generally speaking, difference will be of about 0.5 litre per 100km

At €1.67 per litre (petrol), that's €0.825 (half a litre) per 100 kms or less than 1c per km additional cost to drive the Focus over the Corsa.