The high iQ to deliver top class fuel economy and low emissions

The Toyota iQ is an ultra-compact which can carry up to three adults plus a child in comfort. Emphatically proving that small does not mean basic, the iQ is a completely new proposition for urban motoring that is stylish, sophisticated, technically advanced and kinder to the environment.

Further details released by Toyota reveal that, at less than three metres long, the iQ is wider and has a longer cabin than a Toyota Yaris. It achieves a breakthrough in small car packaging to deliver unprecedented interior space, thanks to a series of interlinked engineering innovations.

Furthermore, a newly developed differential allows for a more compact engine compartment and for the front wheels to be pushed out to the very corners of the car. An ingenious steering gear design enables the engine and differential to be repositioned, giving the car a shorter front overhang.

Overall length is reduced thanks to a flat under-floor fuel tank and rear-angled shock absorbers, while a significantly smaller heater/air conditioning unit takes up less cabin room, allowing the front passenger seat to be moved closer to the base of the windscreen. The result is an extra 100mm of cabin length compared to Yaris and shoulder room similar to that offered by a Toyota Auris.

Passenger space is further helped by an asymmetric dashboard design and slim, sculpted front seats that optimise leg room for those sitting in the rear. The 3+1 seating configuration provides comfortable space for three adults – plus a seat for a child or luggage space behind the driver.

iQ has a thoroughly contemporary and forward-looking design inside and out, the interior styled on a “techno-organic” theme with geometric precision and high quality materials. The dashboard is a stand-out feature, with its floating V-shaped centre console.

Production of iQ is due to start later this year with UK sales scheduled for spring 2009. Two petrol and one diesel engine will be available, which, together with the car’s light weight and aerodynamic shape, will deliver exceptional fuel economy and low emissions. Details of the powertrains and equipment specifications will be announced later.

The upcoming British International Motor Show from 22nd July at Excel will unveil several super efficient green cars in competition including the eco-friendly ECOnetic version of the Ford Fiesta,VW's Polo Bluemotion, and that other supermini the SEAT Ibiza ECOmotive with a sub-100g/km CO2 emissions.
More details coming up soon. Meanwhile, click here to look at the exciting site for the British Motor Show

High performance car tyres that will give you 20% less rolling resistance and more miles

When it come to high performance motoring that maximises the use of fuel and therefore significantly helps to reduce CO2 emissions,Michelin can show a long time collaboration with Peugeot to combine innovative and performance enhancing developments in engineering,designing and tyre technology. The result is that Peugeot have shod its latest 308 with the new Michelin Energy Saver tyres.



According to Michelin, its technological solution generates fuel savings of nearly 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined cycle driving, resulting in a reduction in CO2 emissions of nearly 4 grams per kilometre. This represents around a one tonne reduction of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere over the entire life of the vehicle. By comparison, that same amount would take 40 trees, one year to absorb.The tyre manufacturer's technological solution generates fuel savings of nearly 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined cycle driving, resulting in a reduction in CO2 emissions of nearly 4 grams per kilometre. This represents around a one tonne reduction of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere over the entire life of the vehicle. By comparison, that same amount would take 40 trees, one year to absorb.Michelin

The Peugeot 308 HDi 110 (at top) has a published fuel economy of 60.1mpg (combined), CO2 emissions of 129g/km and Peugeot’s latest Diesel Particulate Filter System (DPFS) technology. Its Michelin all-new Energy Saver tyre,originally exclusive to Peugeot reduces tyre rolling resistance by 20% and correspondingly improves overall fuel economy and environmental efficiency. It is worth repeating that CO2 output can be reduced by up to 4g/km with these tyres, reaching a total reduction of potentially 1 tonne throughout the vehicle’s life. Michelin have now put these tyres into the replacement market and are available for a wide range of vehicles. Michelin claim lower fuel consumption,more safety, and outstanding longevity for their tyres. Details on these at Michelin

The expanding low CO2 range of cars from Citroen

Going it green its way,Citroen majored on a range of low CO2 cars at affordable prices, at the Green-Car-Guide Live! Motor Show held earlier this month. The company believes the way forward is to concentrate on reducing the environmental impact of its cars using affordable (more conventional - my words- Ed) technology within the budget of the average motorist. For Citroen this is more effective than a "few very expensive and headline grabbing hybrid cars." [at low emission cars we will encourage all options for lower CO2 and other harmful emissions-Ed]

At the recent Green-Car-Guide Motor Show, Citroen exhibited the following cars:

- C1 Rythm 1.0i 3 door city car with newly reduced C02 emissions to 108 g/km
- C2 VTS 1.6 HDi 110hp the newly launched green diesel hot hatch supermini (or "The Urban Sportscar " as it has been dubbed by Citroen) with 119 g/km CO2 emissions
- C4 VTR + 1.6 HDi 110hp DPFS EGS Diesel family car with 120 g/km of CO2 emissions (also a Coupe version)

In the above, DPFS stands for Diesel Particulate Filter System, EGS stands for Electronic Gearbox System, both systems have been designed to help squeeze that little bit more out of every litre of fuel.

As to affordability, you can be looking to put a C2 on the road from £8,625. But look around before you buy.

Looking forward, there will be no less than 5 UK show debuts on the Citroën stand (S11) at this year’s prestigious British International Motorshow running from the 23rd July to the 3rd August at the ExCel centre in London’s Docklands. These first appearances include, the C-Cactus - an electric concept car never before seen in the UK, but reviewed here last year on 18th September when it appeared at the Frankfurt car Show. More about this and many of the other amazing cars to be exhibited in the build-up to the British International Motor Show. Watch this space!

Mazda 2 show stopper with the green car capacity to amaze

Covered here last month, the Mazda 2 was one of the show stoppers at the Live!2008 Green Motor Show held in Liverpool on 12th June, so it is worth repeating the deal for those who may have missed the details. So here we go again on a great little car.

The three-door version of the Mazda2 TS 1.3 petrol starts at just £7,999, giving you a lightweight, economical car for low cost.

Low Co2 that's the Mazda 2

Already 2008 World Car of the Year, the new Mazda 2 stable adds a 3-door version to the 5-door. Economy and performance are driven by the use of lightweight high-tensile steels and new technology.


Weighing in at 100kg lighter than the previous model, the all-new Mazda 2 comes as a1.3-litre petrol engine,or a 1.4 diesel,and from July you will be able to buy a 1.5 103 ps petrol powered version. The 3-door and 5-door are the same size,and have a generous spec worth checking out, including front airbags(both sides),remote central locking,multipurpose glovebox,alarm and immobiliser, and so on.

With a high 5-star Euro NCAP crash test rating, the Mazda 2s can deliver a fuel economy of up to 65.7 mpg, and CO2 emissions from 114g/km. This is a quality ,low cost, good ,performing car. You can go for a 'Sport' 3-door from £11,399,or the TS from under £8k-there are models priced in between. Oh,I nearly forgot to mention the road tax (VED) rate at a probable £35 per annum-Band B (101-120g/km). Check it out.

For some great video coverage in a montage of Live!2008, the largest UK Green Motor Show this year go to the website of the Green-Car-Guide by clicking here.

Next-up here soon some fine cars with green credentials from the Citroen family of cars.

Green-Car-Guide Live!2008 Motor Show Report

Green-Car-Guide Live! 2008, sponsored by Masternaut Three X, took place on Thursday 12th June 2008 at the new award-winning Arena & Convention Centre in Liverpool, and was the UK’s largest Green Motor Show. On display was a range of the latest energy-efficient vehicles that can help motorists and fleet operators save money on running costs.

The low carbon vehicles exhibited ranged from city cars through to executive cars and commercial vehicles. Vehicle technology included petrol, diesel, biofuel, hybrid and electric, and there were also a number of ‘show stoppers’ including from the world of motorsport.

For details of all the vehicles that were displayed at the Show go to Green-Car-Guide. There are some super pics there also.

One of my picks of the show, the little green gem, the Mazda 2, coming here very soon.

Toyota Yaris is a Top Green Car for 2008

The supermini Toyota Yaris was a star for me at the Liverpool Live!2008 Green Motor Show. The Environmetal Transport Association (ETA) think the car is the tops,also. It has just declared in time for Green Transport Week (14th -22nd June) the Yaris to be its Car of the Year for 2008 ahead of the Honda Civic Hybrid (2nd) and Toyota Prius (3rd), with the Renault Modus coming in at 4th place.

The other placings were: Citroen C1 (5th),Toyota Aygo (6th),Peugeot 107 (7th),Renault Clio (8th),Toyota Auris (9th),and the Suzuki Swift in 10th place.

The ETA reviewed over 1,300 vehicles in its hunt for the winning car, concentrating on power,emissions,fuel efficiency and noise levels. Several of the top ten cars chosen are ranked amongst the greenest cars available in the UK.

The Toyota Yaris is available in three and five door versions. The 1.4-litre D-4D 90 has a frugal economy of 62.8 mpg in the combined cycle. With CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km there are further running cost benefits including a Vehicle Excise Duty of £35 per annum. What a great deal! More details at Toyota UK site

             3-in-1 post following the Live!2008 Green Motor Show



First up of a mini-series of posts,following the highly successful first Green Motor Show to be held at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, covering three of the green products featured. One,the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion proudly showed-off its green credentials. With its BlueMotion badging, it joins the Polo (also at the show) and Passat in introducing the greatly efficient management system, with software and gear ratios making for idling speeds and engine running that goes to achieving a competitive fuel economy of 62.8 mpg and CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km (and therefore a VED of £ 35 per annum). More details at Volkswagen UK

Two,represented at the show was Green Motion,the eco-friendly vehicle hire operation. Founded in 2005 by Richard Lowden,Green Motion is a stand out operation working tirelessly to meet the increasing demand for environmentally-friendlt and fuel-efficient vehicles for hire. It is most appropriate that last week, Green Motion took delivery of the first of its Golf Blue Motion (to join its sister car the Polo Blue Motion already in the fleet)extending the range of vehicles available to customers. More detail at the Green Motion site

Richard Lowden is shown above (centre) with Nick Berry (left) and Max Jacobs (right),owner of Green Motion's Oxford location where the first Golf was received. Before leaving Green Motion, we have ,three,I want to mention the partnership it has with the charity Trees4Good.When you hire a vehicle from Green Motion, Trees4Good will plant a tree.In this way the work of helping to provide sustainable future income for local people living in the now decimated rain forests of Brazil and Borneo can progress.

More car news coming-up, as promised, very soon.