Toyota, Honda Roll Back SAE Horsepower Estimates

Washington DC August 17, 2005; The AIADA newsletter reported that the society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) have developed stricter tests on horsepower that has prompted Toyota and Honda to roll back estimates on several vehicles, including the Camry and Acura RL, reported The Detroit News.

For the 2006 model year, Toyota says its Camry generates 190 horsepower, rather than 210 horsepower reported in 2005.

Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong said he hopes the changes won’t be confusing. "If you drive a 2006 or 2005, it drives the same. It’s the same car. Customers are not getting anything less or anything more."

Honda is reducing horsepower ratings across its Acura brand. The flagship RL sedan will lose 10 horsepower, to 290 from 300. The popular MDX SUV will fall from a rating of 265 to 253. Less powerful models such as the Civic will see smaller reductions.

Honda spokesman Mike Spencer predicted it would take a few years for customers to understand the changes as a result of the new SAE tests. "We’ve been using SAE procedures all along, it’s just that SAE changed their procedures," he said.