Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: EPA planning to address outlandish fuel economy claims of electric cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/report-epa-planning-to-address-outlandish-fuel-economy-claims-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/report-epa-planning-to-address-outlandish-fuel-economy-claims-o/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/01/report-epa-planning-to-address-outlandish-fuel-economy-claims-o/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The EPA is aware that range-extended electric vehicles can game the current fuel economy test to deliver mileage estimates way up in the stratosphere. It makes for impressive advertising, like General Motors' touting of the Chevrolet Volt's estimated 230 mpg, but the EPA wants to give a more realistic reflection of the fuel efficiency of these types of cars, and it's not alone.

According to USA Today, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory would like the EPA's new formula to provide buyers information about the efficiency of the vehicle on either of its two fuels, providing two different numbers. An Israeli company also wants more data, pushing for three pieces of information: electricity used when fully charged, electricity consumed to top off the batteries, and how much fuel the range-extending gasoline engine uses when pressed into service.

The new ratings are important to consumers and automakers alike. If accurate, these new ratings would give buyers more insight into what they can actually expect to get. For now, carmakers are holding their breath to determine just what they'll be able to get away with claiming when advertising... let the lobbying begin!

[Source: USA Today]

REPORT: EPA planning to address outlandish fuel economy claims of electric cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevychevy voltchevy-voltChevyVoltepaepa hybridepa mileageepa miles per gallonepa mpgEpaHybridEpaMileageEpaMilesPerGallonEpaMpgfalsehybridhybrid efficiencyhybrid epahybrid mpgHybridEfficiencyHybridEpaHybridMpgleaf mpgLeafMpgmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonnissan leafNissanLeafvolt mpgVoltMpgThu, 01 Oct 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: New CAFE standard has 'loopholes big enough to drive an SUV through']]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/edmunds-finds-new-cafe-standards-has-loopholes-big-enough-to-dr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/edmunds-finds-new-cafe-standards-has-loopholes-big-enough-to-dr/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/22/edmunds-finds-new-cafe-standards-has-loopholes-big-enough-to-dr/#commentsFiled under: ,



There are miles per gallon... and then there are miles per gallon. How do you tell the difference? One is labeled "CAFE mpg" and the other is labeled "EPA mpg." What's the difference? Well, Edmunds is taking pains to illuminate the large discrepancy that exists between the two figures: the issue, as initially laid out by Edmunds' John O'Dell in 2007, is that CAFE and EPA mileage numbers were initially based on the same formula in 1975. When consumers complained that the number didn't correspond to real-world gas mileage, the EPA determination formula was changed - twice - yet the CAFE formula wasn't.

The change meant that when a customer bought a car that listed 26 combined mpg (EPA) on the window sticker, the CAFE mpg rating for that car remained at around 35 mpg. And if you've been paying attention to the myriad CAFE stories over the past year, you'll know that the government is tweaking CAFE numbers, not EPA numbers. The NHTSA oversees CAFE numbers, the EPA keeps track of "vehicle fuel efficiency."

But the gap between the two sets of computations means, according to Edmunds:
"a vehicle that scores an EPA combined rating of 29 miles per gallon actually contributes 39 MPG to its manufacturer's CAFE average. There are 29 car models and 36 truck models that already achieve the new standard, and about a third of the cars and half of the trucks are produced by a domestic automaker."
Ultimately, it means that the formerly punitive mpg numbers that the government mandated can now be considered for what they really are: Meh. You can read Edmunds' full press release after the jump.

[Source: Edmunds]

Continue reading REPORT: New CAFE standard has 'loopholes big enough to drive an SUV through'

REPORT: New CAFE standard has 'loopholes big enough to drive an SUV through' originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 May 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cafecorporate average fuel economyCorporateAverageFuelEconomyedmundsepagovernmentgreenmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonmpgnhtsaobamaFri, 22 May 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Could compressed air lead to markedly smaller engines?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/could-compressed-air-lead-to-markedly-smaller-engines/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/could-compressed-air-lead-to-markedly-smaller-engines/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/could-compressed-air-lead-to-markedly-smaller-engines/#commentsFiled under: , ,

A 1.0-liter two-cylinder that performs like a 3.0 liter V6? On what planet? Researchers at Switzerland's ETH Zurich school of engineering are developing pneumatic hybrid engines that use compressed air to deliver big performance and efficiency from a small package. During deceleration, the engine's pistons are used to compress air, which is diverted through a special valve and into a holding tank. Rather than try to propel the vehicle directly with compressed air, like Guy Negre's hybrid system, ETH Zurich's setup uses the compressed air as an instant supercharger to gap where a turbocharger would be spinning up.

The goal is to offer much more efficient engines for less money than electric hybrids. Buyers in China or India can't afford the expensive premium that current hybrids command, so something less expensive has to be found. The compressed air systems would achieve 80% of the benefit while only costing 20% more. Dropping the cylinder count reduces frictional and pumping losses, and technologies like direct fuel injection and HCCI can offer diesel-like efficiency out of a gasoline engine. A small, turbocharged two-cylinder with a compressed air system for oomph when needed could return more than 100MPG in a small, light vehicle. Doesn't sound so crazy now, does it?

[Source: Wards Auto | Photo: Wards]


Could compressed air lead to markedly smaller engines? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>compressed air enginecompressed air hybridCompressedAirEngineCompressedAirHybridengine researchEngineResearchmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonmpgThu, 26 Feb 2009 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Prius schmius -- try an Austin-Healey Sprite and 36 mpg]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/10/prius-schmius-try-an-austin-healy-sprite-and-36-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/10/prius-schmius-try-an-austin-healy-sprite-and-36-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/10/prius-schmius-try-an-austin-healy-sprite-and-36-mpg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Of course your wallet hurts every time you have to fill the car up. Nevertheless, in these trying times we must always remember the words of Fernando Lamas: it is better to look good than to feel good. Cars That Matter has put together a list of classic automobiles that get anywhere from 21 to 48 mpg, which means you can look good while you save money.

The heaviest drinker is the Datsun 240Z, just cracking into the twenties. But plenty of cars hover around the 30 mpg mark, like the Lotus Europa, Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, and Fiat X1/9. If you want to crack the big four-oh, you've still got choices: BMW Isetta and Honda S800. And the Crosley Hotshot will get you a miserly 48 mpg.

All right, so there are some niggling issues of practicality -- almost all the cars have only two chairs -- unsuitability for winter, plus many of them are mechanical horrors. As such, we must always remember the words of dear old dad: there are no free lunches. But there are choices, and that has to count for something...

[Source: Cars That Matter, Photo by Liftarn | Creative Commons 2.0]

Prius schmius -- try an Austin-Healey Sprite and 36 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antique carAntiqueCargasgas mileagegas pricesGasMileageGasPricesmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonmpgvintage carsVintageCarsSun, 10 Aug 2008 18:04:00 EST<![CDATA[One MPG is not enough: Automakers desperate to make a gallon go further]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/22/one-mpg-is-not-enough-automakers-desperate-to-make-a-gallon-go/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/22/one-mpg-is-not-enough-automakers-desperate-to-make-a-gallon-go/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/22/one-mpg-is-not-enough-automakers-desperate-to-make-a-gallon-go/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



If anyone were to come along and do an updated version of Dire Straits' "Money for Nothing," the could change the background vocal from "I want my MTV" to "I want my MPG" or "I want my low Cd." Coefficient of drag, that is. Carmakers are taking every step they can, starting with aerodynamics, to give cars better gas mileage right now while they wait for more substantial technologies to come online in the near future.

But the tweaks don't stop with aero finessing. The 2009 Dodge Ram spent 200 hours in the wind tunnel, and it also received tweaks to its ECU, which means it spends more time in its cylinder cutoff mode. That, plus eighty pounds of weight savings, adds up to one more MPG on the EPA sheet. Said Ford's Derek Kuzak, "We need to treat every joule of energy in a vehicle like a precious commodity."

In fact, that song hook could also be "I want my XFE." The Cobalt XFE, developed over 18 months to offer the best gas mileage in the Cobalt line, is selling six percent better than expected. Fuel economy, instead of design, is the number one reason people buy a Cobalt now. And the XFE has the lowest on-the-lot time of any Cobalt model. That's how important the price of gas has become.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

One MPG is not enough: Automakers desperate to make a gallon go further originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aerodynamicscdcoefficient of dragCoefficientOfDragengineeringfuel economyFuelEconomygas mileageGasMileagemiles per gallonMilesPerGallonmpgTue, 22 Jul 2008 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Maybe you should think in gallons-per-mile instead of MPG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/21/maybe-you-should-think-in-gallons-per-mile-instead-of-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/21/maybe-you-should-think-in-gallons-per-mile-instead-of-mpg/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/21/maybe-you-should-think-in-gallons-per-mile-instead-of-mpg/#commentsFiled under:

U.S. university boffins have hypothesized that you'll get a better idea of how much you spend on gas if you start thinking in gallons per mile. With U.S. gas prices headed for the upper atmosphere, people are paying more attention to fuel efficiency numbers. Europeans already express their fuel usage in liters/100 km, which makes sense seeing that they've been paying $5 a gallon for much longer than we have.

The key is that going from 10- to 20-MPG yields higher savings -- which means less money spent on fuel -- than going from 25- to 50-MPG. The former swap yields $25 dollars in savings over 100 miles, the latter yields just $10 in savings. However, if you know that one car uses 5.5 gallons per 100 miles, and another uses 3.5 gallons per 100 miles... then you immediately know which one will cost you less at the pump.

Of course, this all depends on what kind of car you're starting with in the first place. Researcher Richard Larrick said, "We were trying to decide whether to get rid of a minivan and go for a station wagon versus getting rid of a sedan and going for a really high-mileage hybrid car. We realized in the end we were better off trading in the minivan and only gaining 10 miles per gallon then we would be trying to swap out the sedan for a highly efficient car." Thanks for the tip, Stephen!

[Source: Reuters]

Maybe you should think in gallons-per-mile instead of MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuelfuel economyFuelEconomygallons per mileGallonsPerMilegasgas pricesGasPricesmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonSat, 21 Jun 2008 16:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler says it will meet new CAFE standards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/13/chrysler-says-it-will-meet-new-cafe-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/13/chrysler-says-it-will-meet-new-cafe-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/13/chrysler-says-it-will-meet-new-cafe-standards/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Detroit's sharp intake of breath over the very real possibility of increased federal fuel economy standards apparently doesn't include Chrysler's voice. CEO Robert Nardelli has told The Car Connection that rather than waste lots of time and energy opposing the likely increase to a 35 mpg fleet average, Chrysler will put its head down and get it done. Attaining the goal will not be without pain, however. Cuts will be made, and the books are still in the red.

There is hope, though, if Chrysler and parent Cerberus Capital can stick it out. A new contract with the UAW eases some of the automaker's financial burden, allowing that money to be plowed into development of more fuel efficient vehicles. There's a new two-mode hybrid system, co-developed with Daimler, GM, and BMW, which should help lift the fleet average without Chrysler abandoning their bread and butter moneymakers. With a lineup heavy in less-frugal vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and minivans, Chrysler's acknowledged the holes in their product mix and will set about plugging product into the voids. First up is the new Journey, the company's first crossover vehicle. The CUV segment is red-hot right now, so having a model to sell is a plus. Having a good model that will continue to sell well is an even bigger plus. At this point, Chrysler's facing an uphill climb.

[Source: TCC]

Chrysler says it will meet new CAFE standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cafecerberuschryslereconomyfuelfuel economyFuelEconomyhemihybridmileagemiles per gallonMilesPerGallonmpgnardelliThu, 13 Dec 2007 11:26:00 EST<![CDATA[POLL: Over 70% of Americans want 40 MPG to be the law]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/24/poll-over-70-of-americans-want-40-mpg-to-be-the-law/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/24/poll-over-70-of-americans-want-40-mpg-to-be-the-law/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/24/poll-over-70-of-americans-want-40-mpg-to-be-the-law/#commentsFiled under: ,

So we read over this report by the Civil Society Institute that polled U.S. citizens on their support of a federally-mandated increase in fuel efficiency, so that vehicles in the U.S. would achieve over 40 MPG. A mind-boggling 78-percent answered "yes" when asked. However, the questions posed struck us as a little odd, so we though we'd enlist the help of our sage-like readership after you've come out of your tryptophanatic comas to give us your opinion.

The report also claimed that 45-percent of Americans would be more inclined to purchase either a "hybrid or other fuel-efficient vehicle" and that 76-percent believe that the Big-Two-Point-Five are to blame for their current financial and marketplace predicaments.

We're not saying that the information presented is flawed, but we were mighty surprised by the results. So we'll pose the question to you. The poll is below, vote away.

Polling is closed and the results as of 7:30 PM EST are below.


POLL: Over 70% of Americans want 40 MPG to be the law originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Nov 2006 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselfuel effieciencyFuelEffieciencygreenhybridmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonMPGpollFri, 24 Nov 2006 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Eco-friendly skills coming to drive tests in the UK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/eco-friendly-skills-coming-to-drive-tests-in-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/eco-friendly-skills-coming-to-drive-tests-in-the-uk/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/07/eco-friendly-skills-coming-to-drive-tests-in-the-uk/#commentsFiled under: ,



There are a myriad of ways to reduce fuel consumption when driving, the most obvious being what type of vehicle you choose. However, one of the most crucial factors in saving dino-juice is the way in which the vehicle is piloted. Heavy acceleration, doing an unnecessary tap dance between the brake and gas, not looking far ahead and anticipating traffic slowdowns, all contribute to burning through fuel at a more prodigious rate.

With that in mind, the UK is considering adding an eco-friendly driving section to their L-test (beginner's exam) that would grade the student on everything mentioned above, including shutting off the engine when stopped in hold-ups. All these skills are currently required of driving instructors in the UK, so it would seem to be a reasonable skill expected of novice drivers.

If and when these new criteria are enacted is up in the air, but considering the deplorable state of driver's testing here in the States, we'd like to see similar requirements put on new drivers as well as people renewing their license. Then again, if we were kings, we might include an IQ test before allowing people to get behind the wheel.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Eco-friendly skills coming to drive tests in the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Nov 2006 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drivingeco-friendlyexamfuel consumptionFuelConsumptionmiles per gallonMilesPerGallontestTue, 07 Nov 2006 09:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota to launch Eco Drive indicator]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/01/toyota-to-launch-eco-drive-indicator/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/01/toyota-to-launch-eco-drive-indicator/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/01/toyota-to-launch-eco-drive-indicator/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Beginning this month, ToMoCo will begin outfitting automatic transmission-equipped vehicles in its home market with what Toyota calls the "Eco Drive Indicator." The dash-mounted display informs the driver when they are operating the vehicle in an ecological manner by monitoring acceleration, engine/transmission efficiency and speed, all in an effort to raise fuel efficiency consciousness in Japan.

Toyota's research shows a four percent increase in fuel economy with vehicles equipped with the Eco Drive Indicator. Naturally, the results are dependent on traffic congestion, frequent starts and stops and other variables that have an effect on overall fuel efficiency.

The introduction of the Eco Drive system is part of Toyota's three-prong effort to facilitate a more sustainable motoring environment. Eco Drive seeks to address driver awareness and from there Toyota aims to make more developments in commercial transportation and also plans to expand its research into intelligent transportation systems.

[Source: Toyota Motor Corp.]

Toyota to launch Eco Drive indicator originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Oct 2006 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eco driveEcoDrivefuel efficiencyFuelEfficiencyhybridmiles per gallonMilesPerGallontoyotaSun, 01 Oct 2006 16:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Top Gear attempts 800 miles on a single tank]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/12/video-top-gear-attempts-800-miles-on-a-single-tank/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/12/video-top-gear-attempts-800-miles-on-a-single-tank/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/12/video-top-gear-attempts-800-miles-on-a-single-tank/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In this episode, we find Top Gear's inimitable Jeremy Clarkson attempting to squeeze every last drop of derv out of an unmodified diesel-powered production car in an effort to travel 800 miles on a single tank.

This is a challenging enough proposition as it is, but Clarkson isn't messing about in some oil-burning microcar, he's doing it in an Audi A8 motivated by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 diesel... not exactly a thrift-minded machine. In fact, it's a torque-monster lashed to a gigantic luxury car... something of a middle-finger to the Prius set.

Given that Clarkson doesn't resort to NASCAR-style bump drafting, aero fairings, or weight-stripping, he resigns himself to trundling about with the engine never turning over 1,200 RPM (that, friends, is discipline). In fact, Clarkson's forced to be such a skinflint that he runs around with virtually all of the A8's considerable creature comforts off, and even answers nature's call with a plastic bottle in an attempt to avoid having to stop.

So.. can he eke out 800 miles? Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of his magical miserly tour to find out.

[Source: TopGear via Youtube]

Video: Top Gear attempts 800 miles on a single tank originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jun 2006 18:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>800 miles800MilesdieselFuel EconomyFuelEconomyJeremy ClarksonJeremyClarksonmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonMPGoil-burnTop GearTopGearMon, 12 Jun 2006 18:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Live Green, Go Yellow, Get Directions from OnStar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/10/live-green-go-yellow-get-directions-from-onstar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/10/live-green-go-yellow-get-directions-from-onstar/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/10/live-green-go-yellow-get-directions-from-onstar/#commentsFiled under: , ,

OnStar will begin a service in June that can locate ethanol refueling stations for customers with E85-compatible flex-fuel vehicles. OnStar subscribers will first get an email detailing where E85 pumps are in their area and if they venture outside the comfort zone a quick push of OnStar's blue button will dial up a representative who can help with directions. Inside Line is also reporting that OnStar is planning another new service that would let vehicle owners know when their tires are underinflated, a minor maintenance issue that can have a large negative impact on fuel economy.

Live Green, Go Yellow, Get Directions from OnStar originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Apr 2006 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air pressureAirPressureE85ethanolflat tireFlatTirefuel economyfuel mileageFuelEconomyFuelMileagegas pumpgas stationsGasPumpGasStationsGMlow tiresLowTiresmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonmpgOnStarrefuelingservicesubscriptionMon, 10 Apr 2006 17:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan revises down Versa fuel economy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/nissan-revises-down-versa-fuel-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/nissan-revises-down-versa-fuel-economy/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/09/nissan-revises-down-versa-fuel-economy/#commentsFiled under: , ,



In a short-but-sweet press release Nissan announced that it is revising downward the estimated EPA combined city/highway gas mileage for its Xtronic CVT-equipped Versa sub-compact. The original estimate was 38 mpg, which has now fallen to 33 mpg. Nissan offered no explanation for the adjustment. All Versa models are powered by a 122-hp, 1.8L four-cylinder engine.

 [Source: Nissan]

Nissan revises down Versa fuel economy originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 09 Apr 2006 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CVTfour-cylinderfuel economyfuel mileageFuelEconomyFuelMileagemileagemiles per gallonMilesPerGallonmpgNissansub-compactVersaSun, 09 Apr 2006 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Five Diesels from Europe that will out-eco a Prius]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/25/five-diesels-from-europe-that-will-out-eco-a-prius/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/25/five-diesels-from-europe-that-will-out-eco-a-prius/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/25/five-diesels-from-europe-that-will-out-eco-a-prius/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Your Prius may be rated at 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg while cruising the countryside, but chances are you're not realizing those numbers the EPA obtained by strapping Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive to a dynamometer. In Europe, where fuel economy is calculated by actually operating an engine on the road while it's under the hood of a vehicle, the Prius returns a more realistic 47 mpg in the city and 56 mpg on the highway, or 5.0L/100km city and 4.2L/100km highway in the continent's native metric.

This more realistic fuel economy rating lowers the bar enough for a handful of European small cars to beat the Prius in a game at which many Americans believe it's indomitable. And guess what, these cars from the old world all use highly fuel-efficient diesel engines.

(All mileage numbers represent official European rating converted into miles/gallon via this conversion site)

Audi  A2 1.2 TDI
city: 65.33
highway: 87.11
average: 78.4







Smart fortwo CDI
city: 60.31
highway: 75.87
average: 69.18






Peugeot 107 Urban 1.4 HDi 54 / Citroën  C1 HDi 55 SX
city: 44.38
highway: 69.18
average: 57.37)





Citroën  C2 HDi 70 SensoDrive VTR
city: 48
highway: 61.9
average: 56



KIA  Picanto 1.1 CRDi EX
city: 48
highway: 31.9
average: 56







If many in this country are so concerned about eking the most amount of miles from a gallon of fuel, why hasn't the modern diesel enjoyed the same success here as the hybrid? The easy answer would be the ghost of diesel's past, particularly a bad batch of oil burners designed by Oldsmobile in the 1980's.

The more complicated response is that Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel hasn't been readily available in the U.S. like it is in Europe. This special blend of diesel contains less sulfur, which reduces emissions, but also allows for better emissions control systems to be used on a diesel engine. Fortunately ULSD will be the new standard in the U.S. come this fall. Some companies, like DaimlerChrysler, are waiting in the wings with 50-state approved diesels that are powerful, clean and get grand gas mileage. Will diesels finally become the eco-peer of hybrids? Who will be the first to marry the two in an ultra-efficient diesel hybrid production car? Time will tell, but we can all breathe easier knowing more green options are sprouting up every year.

Five Diesels from Europe that will out-eco a Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Mar 2006 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dieselfuel economyfuel milagefuel mileageFuelEconomyFuelMileagehybridmileagemiles per gallonMilesPerGallontoyota priusToyotaPriusultra low sulfur fuelUltraLowSulfurFuelSat, 25 Mar 2006 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Auto X-Prize: $25mil - 250 mpg - 10,000 units]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/15/auto-x-prize-25mil-250-mpg-10-000-units/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/15/auto-x-prize-25mil-250-mpg-10-000-units/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/15/auto-x-prize-25mil-250-mpg-10-000-units/#commentsFiled under:

Details are emerging about the upcoming auto-related challenge to be issued by the California-based X-Prize foundation. The organization's new challenge will award a prize of $25 million to the first group that sells 10,000 vehicles capable of 250 mpg.

Throwing in the caveat of moving 10K units makes the challenge very interesting, as a handful of vehicles have already been developed that achieve 250 mpg. VW unveiled a car called the 1-Litre in 2002 that achieved 264 mpg, for instance. The real challenge will be developing such a vehicle that can attract a down payment from 10,000 people.

The particular rules and goals for the competition have not yet been set and it's unclear who would or actually could participate in the challenge. The cost of developing such a thrifty piece of transportation will be significant, but the additional price of producing 10,000 copies will surely move this challenge out of the average Joe's garage. Conversely, any automaker would likely spend 10x the value of the $25mil prize trying to achieve such a feat.

Auto X-Prize: $25mil - 250 mpg - 10,000 units originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Mar 2006 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fuel economyfuel efficiencyFuelEconomyFuelEfficiencygreen car technologyGreenCarTechnologyhybridsmiles per gallonMilesPerGallonmpgx-prizeWed, 15 Mar 2006 13:00:00 EST