The size of the engine in Europe is based on a few simple things..

The gas is expensive and a small engine often uses less gas than a big
Lesser gas used equals less exhaust comming out wich helps to keep the
pollution level down which keeps the environmentalists happy enough to not
further increase the taxes on cars and gas price
It�s also easier to get good handling on a light car with a small
displacement engine and then there is no need for more horsepower - even
though the smallest cars often has 100+ hp to keep up with the "The Fast and
The Furious" image that all buyers want ( ?????? )

So - it�s more the $5.40 US per gallon than "there is no substitute for
cubic inches" that rules here

Calle
-88 Volvopower Vanagon
-92 Volvo 745
-88 Suzuki Samurai
Mullhyttan, Sweden

> Maybe cars there are taxed based on engine displacement.  I know this is
> why so many cars sold in Europe have dangerously underpowered engines.
>