Engine power has increased 112% since 1980...

[coolmazda5]

In this day and age, even the average sedan is packing some serious heat under the hood. It didn't use to be like this and there was a time when even "sports cars" were listed under 150 horsepower. For those unfamiliar with the history behind the horsepower wars, follow the jump for an infographic primer from the 1960s to the present day.

[Autoblog]

 

[coolmazda5]

[Autoblog]

 

[coolmazda5]

Interesting numbers, I still remember the good V-8s with carburetors, the Gallons Per Mile on those things were sad...

 

[Kain]

It's keeping pace with the weight increase of cars (and its passengers) over the same time period.

 

[tunersteve]

I thought this was a really clever story.

 

[jamesk]

That is a really cool article. Good post.

 

[1sty]

EVERYTHING HAS MORE POWER!!!


except the corolla

 

[Rogue]

I thought the new V6 Mustang got over 30mpg.... not 18. Or is 18 the city rating?

 

[coolmazda5]

I thought the new V6 Mustang got over 30mpg.... not 18. Or is 18 the city rating?

Yeah, city, the V8