Autoblog

Year after year there are hucksters trying to sell miracle devices that reduce your fuel consumption. They're almost always proven to be complete shams. But now you can truly make your car greener for less than the cost of a tank of gas.

Pot your favorite flora in the Grass on the Dash planter and offset some of that carbon belched out by your gas-guzzler. If you're driving something particularly bad at conserving fuel, we suggest getting several. The GOTD's suction cup mount will stick to any glass surface, so make use of the windshield, side windows, sunroof, etc. The more greenery growing in your G-Wagon, the less guilt you'll have about the melting icecaps.

Or better yet, grow your own crops to offset the cost of gas! As far as we known there's no law against growing most cash crops in your car. We suggest several pots of corn that you can convert into ethanol.

[Source: Grass on the Dash]

Thanks for the tip, Ryan!

Nissan, like the German automakers, initially was hesitant to develop hybrid vehicles. But seeing Toyota's and Honda’s success in the fast-growing segment, Japan’s second largest automaker tentatively took steps to the ‘green’ side by licensing parts from Toyota for the upcoming hybrid Altima which is to debut later this year.

Now it looks like Nissan is further embracing the trend. According to Bloomberg, Nissan is now developing its own battery, inverter and motor for its future vehicles. Mitsuhiko Yamashita, executive vice president of Nissan, states the new components will provide nearly double the output of today’s current hybrid technology. However, states Bloomberg, the technology will not available until 2009 at the earliest.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Though Toyota has yet to issue an official press release on the subject, Dale Jewett in an Automotive News piece has revealed that the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid will start at $26,480 when it reaches dealers in May. That price is around $5,000 less than a Honda Accord Hybrid sans a nav system, which has a sticker of $31,540.

While the Accord Hybrid is somewhat of a hot-rod in its own right with a V6/electric hybrid drivetrain that puts out a combined 253 hp, the Camry Hybrid goes all green with a high-tech 2.4L four-cylinder making 187 hp in concert with its electric aid. At the Camry Hybrid’s launch Toyota claimed the green machine would be capable of returning 43 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

The base price for the Camry Hybrid will include an uplevel stereo, cruise, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power driver’s seat and automatic climate control. For a basis of comparison, the smaller yet more frugal Prius lists at $22,305 on Toyota’s website.

*All prices quotes include manufacturer’s charge for delivery, processing and handling.

[Source: Automotive News]