I have a 1968 Mustang conv that has been in the family since new. It has a 289 V8 with 86,000 miles and gets around 14 mpg. In 40 years technology has not done any of us favors as far as gas consumption.
2007 Ford Crown Victoria V8 11 mpg
2007 Ford Edge AWD 6cyl 16 mpg
2007 Ford Escape 4WD 4cyl 18 mpg
2007 Ford Escape FWD 4cyl 20 mpg
2007 Ford escape hybrid 4cyl 28 mpg
So we cut the cylinders by half, make the engines to complicated for all but the dealers to work on and except for the hybrid which at this point is not cost effective there is basically no improvement in efficiency.
Well how about the imports you say .....
2007 Honda Accord 4cyl 23 mpg
2007 Honda Accord 6cyl 18 mpg
2007 Accord hybrid 6cyl 24 mpg
2007 Honda Civic 4cyl 24mpg
2007 Civic hybrid 4cyl 40mpg
Not a lot better is it? The only efficencys were obtained by reduction in size of the motors.
All vehicles were automatic like the Mustang ....
www.fueleconomy.gov for mpg city