The Lotus Scura is now on sale packed with a mean black-finish. The Scura features carbon fiber splitters, oil cooler inlet vanes and side airscoops. And while it does look like a mean machine similar to supercars in the market, it does have a touch of eco-friendliness to go. The Lotus Scura is lightweight and should address fuel consumption concerns for interested parties. There will only be 35 of them available and each retails for about 45,000 British Pounds.

(Source) Examiner

Tags: british pounds, carbon fiber splitters, friendliness, fuel consumption, interested parties, Lotus, mean machine, oil cooler, scura, vanes

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Just as the Mercedes S400 is set to be shipped to U.S. dealers, Mercedes Benz has unveiled another future model in the Mercedes S500 Vision Plug-in Hybrid at the Frankfurt Auto Show. With the eventual coming of this new hybrid Mercedes vehicle, expect the Mercedes S500 to invade the luxury hybrid ring soon.

The S500 features economical fuel consumption, burning only 3.2 liters for every 100 KMS. Add as well the lower CO2 emissions for something as big as the S500 and a V6 petrol engine with fuel injection and you get the flexibility due from luxury hybrid cars today.

From the looks of it, while we are praising the coming of the S400, the S500 looks promising as well. The only difference is we don’t have an idea when it would come out or how much this would cost in the market.

(Source) Automo Blog

Tags: 2 liters, Blog, co2 emissions, economical fuel, flexibility, Frankfurt Auto Show, fuel consumption, fuel injection, hybrid cars, hybrid ring, market source, mercedes s400, mercedes s500, Mercedes-Benz, petrol engine, plug in hybrid

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For motorists and practical consumers, the turn towards efficient vehicles does not only cover the fuel consumption that is being discussed widely by car enthusiasts today. As we know, a lot of talk has been targeted towards the compact space that most cars (especially the electric vehicles) provide today. But don’t tell that to Toyota as they have their own share of ideal solutions such as this 2010 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD. It exemplifies the traditional vehicles for accommodating families in their transport needs.

The Toyota Sienna comes packed with the traditional Toyota concept along with great features as well. For room, there is no question that space has been thoroughly considered. This includes luggage compartment space along with foldable seats and adjustable center consoles for more passenger room. It is powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine with a 5 speed automatic transmission. The 2010 Toyota Sienna is definitely a car worth considering, particularly for families who want a sensible vehicle to use.

(Source) The Auto Channel

Tags: auto channel, automatic transmission, car enthusiasts, car worth, Cars, center consoles, compact space, consumers, efficient vehicles, electric vehicles, fuel consumption, liter, luggage compartment, motorists, sensible vehicle, Toyota, toyota sienna, toyota sienna xle, traditional vehicles

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With the shift towards electric cars still apparent, the buck doesn’t stop there. Apparently the need to properly monitor that charging of vehicles will somehow become a need in the near future and Ford is getting its act ready for such a scenario. And to spearhead their efforts, Ford launches the Intelligent Charging System for hybrid cars which will allow cars to communicate with the electrical grids.

Under this scenario, the driver or the car owner can easily control the charging station and choose when the car charges, how long it takes and at the rate it charges. Similar to how most motorists are trying to control their fuel consumption, this device aims to control the electric consumption of cars for a longer and smoother ride.

This Ford Intelligent Charging System will first show up in the all-electric Transit Connect commercial van and then the Focus Hybrid in 2011.

(Source) Slashgear

Tags: car owner, charging station, charging system, electric cars, electric consumption, electric transit, electrical grids, Ford, fuel consumption, hybrid cars, motorists

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Parting with a car (1990 Toyota Corolla AE92)you have dreamed of having since you were in college has to be one of the hardest things to do. After fulfilling everything you had wanted to do with it, ranging from mechanical, body works, interiors and simple in-car entertainment audio system, one can imagine the cost and effort a person would put into it. I realized that effort but in the end, it all boils down to practicality and needs.

The Toyota Corolla 16 Valve does not have the common problems of high fuel consumption nor major car repairs. The AE92 had nothing to fix except perhaps for some minor paint job if you really wanted your car to stand out and live to its “Car Show” finish. But you have to take into consideration the year issue. The car is depreciating in cost and while you would want to part with it at something more, you just have to admit that you will not get it for the value you had gotten it along with modifications you had already spent on it.

Why should you read this? When it comes to selling your old car, you have limited options. Especially if you have a car that is reaching the 20 year age limit, you have to make decisions. Unless you are the famed car collector, if you are going to sell it, sell it now when the market value is still acceptable. Prolonging it will only drive the car value lower and eventually you may find it outrageous.

Figures? I had sold the car for about $2,200.00. I had bought the car as well for almost the same amount and then spend over $2,000.00 in modifying it. In the end, that amount used for improvement became my means of living a dream.

In the end, it was the depreciation value that claimed that investment even if the car still looked great. The next best thing to do with such a car? Don’t sell it to the car buying business wolves. Sell it to a friend who will value it. That is exactly what I did. Now the problem is, what car will I use to replace it!

Tags: body works, car collector, car entertainment, car repairs, car show, car value, depreciation, fuel consumption, living a dream, mechanical body, paint job, practicality, Toyota, toyota corolla, toyota corolla ae92

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Toyota Motors Europe plans to start manufacturing its first European built hybrid Auris in the United Kingdom by the middle of this year. This further solidifies Toyota’s continued commitment to low-emission hybrid vehicles following their success with the famed Toyota Prius.

The Toyota Auris actually came out to the European Market in 2007 and has been decently selling to the market. However under the new plan, the new Toyota Auris will now come equipped with a 1.33-litre dual VVT-i engine and Toyota’s Start&Stop technology, reducing CO2 emissions by 17% (135 g/km) and improving fuel consumption by 19%.

‘With today’s announcement, Toyota has taken a significant step forward in ensuring that full hybrids become more accessible to a wider range of customers. Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads,’ said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and President, TME.

(Source) Press

Tags: european roads, fuel consumption, hybrid vehicles, hybrids, motors europe, new toyota auris, reducing co2 emissions, stop technology, tadashi, tme, Toyota, toyota motors, toyota prius, united kingdom, vvt

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With hard times here, one thing that motorists have to consider is the wise car to have. And while we all have certain budgets, the search to have ideal cars despite the times still plays around in our minds. Now the only question is what would that car be?

Saga Car insurance shares with us the right car to have at the moment. Now some of them may not necessarily be the ideal one for us, but then again, you just have to be wiser at least for the moment. Besides, if things pick up, you can always give them to your teenagers as their personal cars when you send them off in the motoring world.

Here are the top cars for the recession to consider:

1. Ford Ka
2. Fiat 500 1.2
3. Citroen C1
4. Suzuki Swift
5. Mini 1.6D Cooper hatchback

As you will notice, these babies are compact and economical as far as fuel consumption is concerned. Isn’t that the trend we are seeing today?

(Source) Press

Tags: 6d, babies, best cars, budgets, car insurance, citroen c1, Fiat, fiat 500, Ford, Ford Ka, fuel consumption, motorists, personal cars, recession, right car, saga, Suzuki, Suzuki Swift, teenagers, top cars

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If there is one thing that motorists have to take into consideration, it would be the type of roads that they drive on. Unlike in marquee countries which have great infrastructure, some countries like the Philippines have a rough and tumble roads that make it entirely toxic for cars when you talk about smooth driving and car maintenance.

In short, the smoother the road finish, the longer it is for that satisfying car performance. Add to the fact that better roads mean better fuel consumption since you get a silky smooth ride with no worries along the way.

Perhaps if technologies such as this one from Penetron, road conditions play an important role when it comes to smooth motoring and fuel consumption. Penetron’s Crystaline Concrete Waterproofing addresses the various conditions such as rain where concrete used can only get better. It clearly addresses the issues raised when water penetrates and causes problems for concrete roads today.

“Once the concrete has been made waterproofed,” adds Mr. Christopher Chen, North American Sales & Marketing Director, “a host of additional problems generally brought on by water is now eliminated. Penetron takes care of problems such as freeze-thaw and scaling damages seen in colder climates and corrosion from deicing salts or seawater.”

(Source) Press

Tags: better days, car maintenance, car performance, climates, concrete roads, concrete waterproofing, crystaline, damages, freeze thaw, fuel consumption, motorists, no worries, penetron, road conditions, rough and tumble, sales marketing, salts, seawater, smooth ride

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The new generation Volvo hybrid double deck buses made a memorable debut today at the Alexandra Palace, signaling the start of eco-friendly transportation that are tasked to render service to Arriva London.

A total of six Volvo B5L Hybrid Double Deck buses have recently entered service on Route 141 in the UK’s capital city and representatives from Volvo Bus and Arriva London, together with other stakeholders gathered to formally mark another historic occasion at the Alexandra Palace.

The new Hybrid Double Deck buses offer savings both in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. Evidence from test tack development and in service field trials with Arriva London show significant savings in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide (C02) emissions as well as reduction in Nitrous Oxides and particulates.

(Source) Press

Tags: alexandra palace, arriva, buses, carbon dioxide, double deck, emissions, fuel consumption, London, new generation, nitrous oxides, stakeholders, Volvo, volvo bus

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When it comes to motor sports, speed is normally what anyone would care about. But if you talk about long range races, perhaps that is not always the case. The important thing is to consider how far you can go, regardless of the speed you are driving at. And that is practically what Hypermiling is all about.

Hypermiling is the new kind of motoring event where cars are driven thousands of miles very slowly and very carefully, proving that motor sports don’t have to be all about screeching tyres, maximum revs and power slides.

The aim is to drive the car as far as possible on a single tank of fuel, as frugally as possible. That means no stereo, no air conditioning, no open windows and minimal use of the throttle. Tire pressures are inflated to their absolute maximum to reduce rolling resistance and every fuel-saving technique possible is applied – such as freewheeling down hills! Not recommended by your car insurance company.

Tips for Hypermilers:

• Accelerate as smoothly and as little as you can possibly get away with.
• Brake as gently and as little as possible; anticipating the traffic flow will help you achieve this.
• Coast up to traffic lights and stop signs.
• As you approach the top of a hill, take your foot off the accelerator; gravity will automatically increase your speed as you crest the brow.
• Avoid bumps and potholes, which reduce forward momentum.
• Install a fuel-consumption gauge in your car, so you can track your performance.

(Source) Press

Tags: absolute maximum, accelerator, car insurance company, fuel consumption, gauge, gravity, hypermiling, momentum, motor sports, open windows, performance source, potholes, power slides, sports speed, tire pressures, traffic lights

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There is something about the Toyota Urban Cruiser that makes it tick in the UK market, especially during these times when people are whittling down their transport needs. We are all aware that many are putting into consideration a lot of factors, fuel consumption which is perhaps the prime one.

However, new as it may seem, the new Toyota Urban Cruiser seems to possess something that is drawing attention. It is built in the same infrastructure as the Toyota Yaris and boasts of clever spacing for the family trips.

The car is for those who want the rugged four by four feeling without the ‘Chelsea Tractor’ image and is a softer alternative to the Toyota Land Cruiser. Aimed at singles and couples in their thirties and forties, rival models include the Suzuki SX4, the Kia Soul and the much-publicised Nissan Qashqai.

Two models are currently available; the two-wheel drive 1.3 litre petrol and the four-wheel drive 1.4 litre diesel. Both models produce around a humble 130g/km of CO2 and with the Toyota ‘Optimal Drive’ feature, official fuel figures are an impressive 51.4-mpg for the petrol and 57.6-mpg combined for the diesel.

(Source) Press

Tags: co2, diesel, drive feature, family trips, forties, four wheel drive, fuel consumption, KIA, MPG, Nissan, pentagon, petrol, publicised, rival models, suzuki sx4, thirties, toyota land cruiser, toyota yaris, waves

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Daimler finally launched its own hybrid car version, the Mercedes Benz S Class which will come either in electric or petrol. The new hybrid Mercedes is now available in Europe, options that should give aspiring car owners of choosing between fuel consumption or electric power, the latter of which has been which many are talking about as of late.

The “CO2 champion of luxury cars,” as Mercedes bills it, nonetheless cranks out 186 to 189 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer, remaining one of the biggest polluters on the road, well above the European average of around 160 grams.

“For years, the German automobile sector did not believe hybrids had a chance…..but at a certain point, under market pressure, the industry changed its mind,” said Stefan Bratzel, professor at a specialized auto center in the western city of Bergisch Gladbach.

Despite being branded as anti-environment for its continued production of fuel-powered cars, the new Mercedes Benz S Class electric version should somehow even the odds. At least this time, car buyers can be given the choice, something that is obviously a business prerogative when it comes to choosing which car is wise to buy considering the current world economic situation.

(Source) Auto India

Tags: auto center, automobile sector, car buyers, car owners, car version, cranks, Daimler, fuel consumption, german automobile, hybrid car, hybrids, luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz, new mercedes benz s class, polluters, prerogative

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Everyone knows what a Hummer brings but as far as China is concerned, it is not green (eco-friendly) enough to meet the standard of the country. Apparently the issue here is fuel consumption to which everyone knows that this GM vehicle consumes a lot. To think of it, China may not be the only country who may oppose the entry of the hummer because of this.

Prior to these issue surrounding the fuel prices and eco-friendly problems plaguing the world, the Hummer was a class act vehicle to have. In fact, being seen riding or driving one already places you in the circle of the elite who could afford to get one. But that was yesterday. Today, the theme is “Green” and the Hummer seems to be nowhere near that.

The country’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) is also concerned that Tengzhong lacks expertise in car production, the report said, but the company dismissed the story as speculative. Insiders at the company believe that negotiations with regulators are progressing well, that the Chinese government has not taken a view, and that it will assuage any environmental concerns by promising that future generations of Hummers will be significantly greener.

(Source) NZ Herald

Tags: china, chinese government, fuel consumption, fuel prices, future generations, GM, gm vehicle, HUMMER, regulators

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Each tip helps is what most people are looking for today. With traveling expected to peak this Summer, you can bet a lot of people are looking for leads and tips on how to be an economical vacationer through the use of their vehicles.

For that, the Alliance to Save Energy and its 13 diverse nonprofit, governmental, trade association, and for-profit partners in the Drive $marter Challenge fuel efficiency campaign aim to provide vacationers and everyday drivers with hundreds of dollars of money-saving gas tips, resources, and myth busters on an interactive website that responds to the call of frugal drivers.

Among the highlights for drivers include:

• Decrease your speed. Gas mileage usually decreases rapidly above 60 mph. Each five miles per hour over 60 mph is like paying an additional 20 cents or more per gallon for gas.
• Drive sensibly. Speeding, rapid acceleration (jackrabbit starts), and rapid braking can lower gas mileage by 33% at highway speeds.
• Use cruise control and overdrive gear. Cruise control cuts fuel consumption by maintaining a steady speed during highway driving. Overdrive gear, when appropriate, reduces engine speed, saves gas, and reduces engine wear.
• It’s a “drag.” Avoid carrying items on your vehicle’s roof. A loaded roof rack or carrier increases weight and aerodynamic drag, which can cut mileage by 5%. Place items inside the trunk when possible to improve fuel economy.
• Turn down the AC. Operating the air conditioner on “Max” can reduce mpg by 5-25% compared to not using it.
• Avoid idling, which gets 0 mpg. Cars with larger engines typically waste even more gas while idling than cars with smaller engines.
• Navigate with a GPS system. GPS systems can help you find your way and, increasingly, GPS programs can search for low-priced gas at nearby stations.
• Fill up before returning rental. Rental car companies charge higher gas prices if you don’t fill up the tank before returning the vehicle. Keep your gas receipts in case the company requires them to remove a gas surcharge.

Follow these simple tips and you may be surprised at the savings you will get. If you want to get an idea of how much money you are wasting on fuel, here is a website calculator that may be of some help as well.

(Source) Press

Tags: aerodynamic drag, alliance to save energy, cruise control, engine speed, fuel consumption, fuel economy, fuel efficiency, gas mileage, gas receipts, gps programs, gps system, highway speeds, jackrabbit, myth busters, nearby stations, rapid acceleration, rental car companies, roof rack, steady speed, vacationer

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If there are two factors that a motorist could point out as contributing areas for increased fuel consumption, it has to be getting stuck in traffic. Imagine yourself with the car engine running and waiting forever to advance and you can safely say that you are burning more fuel than getting places.

Who is to blame? Well traffic light programming may be one but thanks to the TrafficFlow Manager, all that may be a thing of the past. Aiming to ease traffic congestion and save the consumer some money from fuel, TrafficFlow Manager is a driver alert display that works with traffic signal timing to alleviate traffic congestion.

TrafficFlow Manager is a programmable electronic sign that can be connected directly to the signal controller or manually set to display a predetermined speed during specific times of the day or days of the week. An optional GPS timer receiver ensures synchronization between the display and the signal controls. The electronic sign can also be set and controlled remotely from a central office using either a cellular modem or Ethernet connection.

Thanks to technology, traffic in certain areas may yet improve. If that is the case, you can bet that TrafficFlow Manager may already be used to help in the daily motoring problems we have to deal with today.

(Source) Press

Tags: car engine, cellular modem, electronic sign, fuel consumption, light programming, money, optional gps, signal controller, timer, traffic congestion, traffic light, traffic signal timing

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