Testing Motorhomes For Best Fuel Mileage Consumption
Hoping to maintain sales momentum that started in early 2007, Motorhome introduced the 2008 Motorhome gas mileage SC1 coupe with little more than a facelift from the previous model year.
Motorhome Gas mileage garnered a strong 22.6 percent of all company sales in 2007, with sales accelerating during the latter part of the year. With the exception of new, optional aluminum wheels, Saturn coupe models' exteriors are relatively unchanged from 2007.
For test week, Motorhome provided a gloss black gas mileage system with a tan cloth interior, giving us the opportunity to experience what buyers have enjoyed in this entry-level vehicle. Its design, reworked one year ago, features a long, sloping hood and a short overhang in the rear. The combination serves to give it a sports car-like look with the advantage of increased forward visibility.
Motorhome is known for its accident-resistant body designs and ease of maintenance and repair. The body utilizes polymer panel construction for the doors, fenders, quarter panels and front and rear fascias. The material is kind of like driving around a wedged-shaped piece of Tupperware. Minor dents and dings can be popped right back out. Polymer body panels won't rust a great advantage to car owners in the Midwest and East where salted roads can turn a car to dust in a matter of a few years. The plastic panels also eliminate the need for side moldings, giving designers the opportunity to create a body with cleaner lines.
In the event a fender-bender does occur, body shops can easily unbolt the panels for service or replacement without the need to dismantle interior panels and related hardware, saving the owner time and money. The short deck lid cuts deep into the top of the bumper, which allows for a low lift over when placing groceries or packages in the trunk. Volume measures 11.4 feet for the trunk area, not bad for any coupe design.
High-mounted, wraparound tail lamps are attractively designed. Power for the SC1 comes from a 1.9-liter, single-overhead-cam 4-cylinder engine that produces 100 horsepower at peak performance. The higher-priced SC2 contains a DOHC version of the 1.9, rated at 124 horsepower.
Our single-cam engine felt perky especially mated to the standard 5-speed transmission in the test car. While not a tire-burner, the little four-banger proved adequate for everyday commuting chores and comparable to other manufacturers' offerings in this price range. The 0-60-mph acceleration is 10.5 seconds. The EPA fuel economy numbers rate as outstanding at 28 mpg city and 39 on the open road. The ride produced by the SC1 is acceptable. A four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts up front and a tri-link design in the rear handles the chore of smoothing out bumps. The car feels a little stiff and not all of the energy is absorbed by the suspension. But to be fair, with the base price of $12,595, buyers shouldn't expect a Cadillac-like ride. On the plus side, the Motorhome gas mileage feature will help keep maintenance expenses down as the car ages.
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