Foreign automakers overestimate horsepower

2004 camry with optional 240 horsepower 3.3 liter v6

While domestic automakers were pleased to learn the new SAE rating system for horsepower resulted in power bumps for many engines, including a huge gain for Cadillac's Northstar V8 that jumps 29 horsepower from 440 to 469, many Japanese manufacturers have discovered they'll have to reduce the horsepower ratings for some of the industry's hottest-selling vehicles. The biggest fall happened to Toyota's 3.0L V6 in the Camry, which drops a full 20 horsepower from 210 to 190. As the article points out, suddenly the 235-hp V6 in the Hyundai Sonata is sounding pretty good. Though the engines haven't changed in most cases, these lower horsepower ratings could affect the purchasing decisions of consumers who put a lot of stock in that magic HP number.

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