A new clean, fuel efficient and sparky new mini car: the Spark from Chevrolet

Available in the Spring, in the UK, is the new Chevrolet Spark which replaces the Matiz. This is a sporty and roomy new mini, with 5-door and 5-speed manual gears. Reports are that it is likely to have greater appeal for younger drivers than its predecessor. The choice of engines is a 1.0 litre or 1.2 litre petrol engine giving on the combined cycle 55.4 mph, and CO2 emissions at a creditable 119 g/km. This is one to watch and it may only set you back about £7k with the standard package. There is a versatile 170 litres of luggage space which , with rear seats folded down ,becomes 568 litres. The interior design provides excellent leg room for both driver and passengers.

Worth looking out for in the near future. To find a local retailer you can visit www.chevrolet.co.uk

BMW's Vision for fuel efficient cars

It is a little while since we last looked at a concept low emission super car. Nothing could be more topical today than the work going on at BMW Efficient Dynamics for tomorrow. At BMW they are particularly excited about their concept sports car (as well as the electric ActivE pictured above).

BMW says,"The BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics is the most dynamic expression of the future, which marries the fuel efficiency of a hatchback with the power of a high-performance sports car. This concept car combines both diesel and electric engines to deliver 356 hp whilst only consuming 75.1 mpg at 99g/km CO2." To follow to an image of this car, and for more of this story of breathtaking performance and ground-breaking fuel efficiency, you should go to www.bmw.co.uk/vision

As I mentioned above, BMW also have the ActivE under development. This is a purely electrical concept car and a representation is given above. BMW is truly going for the fuel efficient and no or low emission cars.

Happy Second Anniversary to the Fiat 500

Can you believe it? It is almost two years to the day since the UK launch of the 500 city car, when it was exhibited in one of the viewing capsules of the London Eye. That launch of this low CO2 emitting car with the iconic design was reported here at low emission cars.co.uk on 25th January 2008 ( you can go to the right sidebar here and click on January 2008 for the archived report).

Fiat Marylebone, the flagship motor dealer has marked this special occasion with a 'gallery' viewing of a unique collection of special edition Fiat 500 models from around the world.

“Artists, architects, designers, musicians and painters have all felt moved to put their distinctive stamp on the Fiat 500,” says Andrew Humberstone, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK. “And the resulting works of art shown at these second anniversary celebrations were the products of their talent, inspiration and relationship with a great car."

He reports that more than 40,000 500s have been sold in the UK since the launch two years ago. Fiat are delighted with the sales success.

Eight uniquely designed Fiat 500s were displayed in the gallery, including the 500 Capri by Castagna, the 500 Valentino Rossi, 500 by Andy, 500 Diabolika, 500 Ron Arad and the new Fiat 500 Pink, which went on sale exclusively on-line this week. Examples of the Fiat 500byDiesel and a racing Abarth 500 were also shown.

Each of the special cars will be displayed in the Wigmore Street flagship’s showroom window, one at a time, until the end of February.

So you think you know all about low emission cars? Try the Green Car Game.

I thought I knew about low emission cars. Well, perhaps I do, but, hey, we can all learn something more. Try this out. An unusual new game devised and recently issued by the team at the Green Car Guide . I could tell you all about it, but what would be the fun in that for you? Do have a look yourself. Access is free. If you are interested in fuel efficient cars the information is for you.

Coinciding with the launch of the Green Car Game was the announcement on 21st January that Green-Car-Guide.com ,the UK's original green car news website has become part of RSK Group, the UK's largest independent multidisciplinary environmental consultancy. RSK is one of the fastest growing companies of its kind in Europe.

Green-Car-Guide.com team's already impressive environmental credentials will be enhanced further by access to RSK's 850-strong consultant knowledge base, which includes experts in such relevant fields as transport infrastructure and carbon management.

With the resources that RSK can provide, the Green-Car-Guide should continue to grow to become one of the very first points of contact for motorists, raising their awareness and helping them choose cars with lower environmental impact.

So, go on. Have a go. Play the Green Car Game here.

For the second time in three years BMW scoops the Award for the Greenest Car Manufacturer

Could a premium car manufacturer possibly have what it takes to drive to the front and take the laurels as greenest car manufacturer in 2009?

Well ,Green-Car-Guide.com is delighted to announce the winner of the Greenest Manufacturer of the Year Award. This goes to the manufacturer who in its opinion has made the biggest impact in bringing lower emission cars to British car buyers, throughout the course of 2009. Yes, that is BMW, and you can catch a full report at www.green-car-guide.com

Green-Car-Guide.com can also provide you with a vast amount amount of information on the latest green cars on the road.

There are data and reports of test drives to help you when you come to choose your new car.

CO2 'capture' project takes root with carmaker Audi's support

Hello!

Let's start with a positive piece of 'green' news in the fight to mitigate the effects of CO2 emissions. Audi has funded the planting of 36,000 oak trees in Germany to replace a forest wiped out in 2007 by an beetle infestation, The new forest will help as a carbon 'trap', and also provide an environment to encourage bio-diversity.

Audi reports that it will continue to introduce efficiency technologies in its drive to produce low emission cars.It says it already offers 33 car models worldwide with an average CO2 value below 140 g/km, and claims the brand is in the leading position among premium car manufacturers. By 2012 it expects to cut fleet CO2 emissions by a further 20%,

Audi further announces that the A3 1.6 TDI, already said to be the 'cleanest' in the premium sector with CO2 emissions of just 109 g/km, has just become available in a new version which cracks the 100g/km mark throwing-out CO2 emissions of only 99 g/km, corresponding to a fuel consumption of 74.3 mpg. These efficiencies look impressive.

Here's wishing you all a Very Happy and Safe New Year!

CO2 EMISSIONS TUMBLE TO 99 g/km IN NEW AUDI A3 TDI

The people at Audi tell me that aerodynamic measures and optimised TDI unit combine to deliver even more exceptional economy and emissions figures

• New ultra-economical, ultra-low CO₂ version of A3 1.6 TDI significantly undercuts the original 1.9 TDIe on emissions and boosts economy thanks to advanced common rail fuel injection, start-stop and recuperation, combined with aerodynamic modifications
• Available in three-door form with five-speed manual transmission only, and in Standard trim only, priced at £18,005 OTR
• Turbocharged diesel features high pressure common rail injection and delivers up to 74.3mpg with CO₂ output of 99g/km (0-62mph in 11.4 seconds, top speed 121mph)
• Revised final drive ratio, low rolling resistance tyres, slightly lowered ride height and modified under-body aid streamlining for optimum efficiency

A new, ultra-efficient version of the Audi A3 1.6 TDI - already the most economical premium sector car with the lowest CO₂ output - is available to order from this week, extending the compact hatchback’s lead by paring back CO₂ output even further to just 99g/km and boosting combined economy to up to 74.3mpg. This exceptional frugality is available in one specific A3 configuration – the three-door body style equipped to Standard specification – priced at £18,005 OTR. All other variations of the 1.6 TDI continue to offer the class-leading combination of 68.9mpg potential and 109g/km CO₂ output.

Small but significant alterations combine with existing A3 1.6 TDI features including engine start-stop and energy recuperation systems. The key elements responsible for the efficiency gains in the most focused 1.6 TDI to date include a modified final drive ratio for the standard five-speed manual transmission, a reduced ride height, under-body revisions to reduce aerodynamic drag and the use of slightly smaller 15-inch alloy wheels shod with low rolling resistance tyres.The start-stop system conserves fuel by cutting engine power at idle when the clutch pedal is released and the gear lever is in its neutral position, and then restarting when the clutch is depressed, while the recuperation function recycles a proportion of the wasted kinetic energy generated under normal braking and normally dissipated as heat, and stores this temporarily in the battery to reduce engine load when the car subsequently accelerates again.

Despite its remarkable combined economy figure of 74.3mpg and its road tax eliminating 99g/km CO₂ output, the A3 1.6 TDI can draw on the same 105PS power output and 250Nm torque peak as all other versions, and consequently can match them on performance, clearing 62mph from rest in 11.4 seconds and offering the option to continue to 121mph where conditions allow.

The A3 1.6 TDI with 99g output will be available exclusively in Standard specification, which in this specific case includes 15-inch 7-arm design alloy wheels (normally 16-inch 7-arm design), manual air conditioning, remote central locking, electric front windows and a Chorus radio with single CD player. Versions equipped to SE, Sport and S line specification, and all Sportback models, continue to offer the class-leading 109g/km output and the potential to cover up to 68.9mpg (except the A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI S tronic with 112g/km output and 65.7mpg).

These efficiency standard bearers are far from the exception to the rule for Audi. The Vorsprung durch Technik brand offers an exceptional range of models that champion the cause, the most notable being the A4 TDIe Saloon with emissions of 120g/km and 61.4mpg capability, the A6 TDIe with 53.3mpg and 139g/km and the TT TDI quattro with 53.3mpg and 139g/km. In 2010, another highlight will be launched in the shape of the all-new A8 luxury saloon, which in 3.0-litre TDI 204PS form will deliver another class best with the potential to cover up to 47.1mpg while emitting just 159g/km of CO₂.

Picture caption
Three radical from Audi - A new, ultra-efficient version of the Audi A3 1.6 TDI is available to order from this week priced at £18,005 OTR, and offering an exceptional combination of 99g/km CO₂ output and 74.3mpg economy potential. This remarkable frugality is available exclusively in the three-door manual version equipped to Standard specification.

Audi UK report it has enjoyed an exceptionally rapid rise to prominence in the premium sector. In 2000 just over 43,000 Audi models found homes in the UK, and from that point until 2008 the brand has broken annual sales records year-on-year, successfully passing the milestone 100,000 sales mark in 2007. Despite the market turmoil of 2008, Audi ended the year with a record 4.7% market share from 100,845 sales. The brand continues to maintain a steady trajectory by extending its reach into important new segments with strong offerings such as the A3 Cabriolet, A5 Cabriolet, Q5, RS 6 and R8, and by bolstering its appeal to its existing customer base with core models like the all-new A4 and A4 Avant.

May I wish you all you wish for a Happy and Safe driving New Year! Come back soon in 2010!