Turbocharged four cycle diesel. It's the most efficient internal combustion engine in existence. I have a nine-year-old, 165,000 mile turbo diesel VW that gets ~35 - 39 MPG around town and 50+ on the highway. Plus or minus 700 miles per tank and I can re-fill it in ten minutes.
The turbo and direct EFI makes all the difference. If the little 1.5 had them back in the day it would probably make 70 - 75 MPG and perform much better.
Or just gasoline...
Turbocharged four cycle diesel. It's the most efficient internal combustion engine in existence. I have a nine-year-old, 165,000 mile turbo diesel VW that gets ~35 - 39 MPG around town and 50+ on the highway. Plus or minus 700 miles per tank and I can re-fill it in ten minutes.
Interesting the VW diesel got 50mpg day back in the 70’s. Not sure how fast it was compared to now but seems they coulda upped the gas mileage.
The turbo and direct EFI makes all the difference. If the little 1.5 had them back in the day it would probably make 70 - 75 MPG and perform much better.