In October 1998 the Smart Car, jointly developed by the German manufacturer Daimler Chrysler/ Mercedes-Benz and Swatch, the renowed manufacterer of colourful watches, passed prolonged safty tests and was launched in the European market. This super-compact car soon achieved cult status and continues to envolve and meet higher environmental standards. Measuring a mere 2.7 m […]
The one to look out for in the range of New Ford Fiestas is the ECOnetic, featuring a 1.6 litre Duratorq TDCi diesel engine complete with Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). While all the petrol-engined Fiestas exceed 120g CO2/km, the upper limit for zero Vehicule Excise Tax in the UK, the 1.6 l Duratorq with DPF […]
Since 1997 has sold over a million units (first and second generation models), making in the world’s most succesful hybrid car. Building on this succes the second generation Prius incorporates the Toyotas the Toyota i-Hybrid Synergy Drive, a sophisticated combined system of energy management that finds the best fit between the drive power of the […]
For many years the Honda Insight, a hybrid petrol/electric car featuring Honda’s Integrated Motor assist (IMA) and backed with 20 years of knowledge, was the main rival to Toyota’s Prius. Today there is significant competition for both companies. Nonetheless, the Insight SE (and more luxurious ES and ES-T) four-door-family hybrid car maintains a mean performance. […]
Not all famaies can squeeze into the smaller eco-efficient car models eco-efficient car models. The Multipla Dynamic, the second generation of this-award-winning MPV, is capable of carrying six passengers in an upright high-strenght steel frame. Power unit options include a dual-fuel, 1.6-litre, 16-valve, 103 bhp four-cylinder petrol engine or 120 bhp 1.9-litre MultiJet direct injection […]
SEAT is one of the first manufacterers in Europe to exploit the 1.4 TDI 80PS diesel engine in itsIbiza range to just sneak under the psychological threshold of less than 100 g CO2/km). According to the UK governement’s Act on CO2 campaign, fuel cost savings of approxiamately £830 per year are possible on an annual […]
Equipped with a 1.4 litre TDI 80PS engine, with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), this version of the Volkswagen Polo offers a combined fuel consumption of 4.5 l per 100 km (62.8 mpg), compilies with EURO4 emissions class with just 99 g CO2/km, and qualifies for zero Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Compare this with emissions […]
As confirmation of India’s status as a global economic power, the coutry’s leading automotive manufactere, Tata, stunned everyone in 2008 with the launch of the world’s most affordable production car. Retailing at just one Lakh Rupees, (Rs. 100.000) or just under $2.500, this diminutive four-dour, rear-engine car can accomodate four adults yet still deliver good […]
The hybrid Prius has long been the green trendsetter for Toyota, built as the demand for smaller more fuel efficient vehicles increases a new challanger came out: the 1Q2 which uses Toyata Optimal Drive. The aattractions are obvious – zero Vehicule Tax Duty (at least in the UK), a carbon dioxide output of 99 g […]
The dual challenge of rising fuel and energy prices combined with the negative effects of climate change means a radical re-appraisal of our day-to-day mobility and infrastructure requirements is necessary. MIT’s Media Lab created the City Car concept as part of a larger collaborative project called Smart Cities. At the core of this concept design […]
