Ford launches a high-mileage eco version of its Fiesta model in England. This car uses a diesel engine and aerodynamic modifications to maximize mileage. The Fiesta joins the Mondeo and the Focus in the Eco-netic line.
Toyota brings a little something for the tuner crowd to the 2008 British International Motor Show with its Aygo Crazy concept. Toyota started by removing the 68 horsepower, 1.0-liter three-cylinder and dropping in a 200hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but not where you'd expect it. Instead of under the hood, the motor has been moved to the hatch, creating a rear-engined rear-driven powertrain.
With almost four times as many ponies as in stock trim and an unorthodox drivetrain conversion, it's no wonder that Toyota calls this concept "Crazy."
With a 0-60 time of around 4 seconds and electric motors in all four wheels, the Lightning GT may be among the fastest electric cars--as well as the best looking.
Could Alfa Romeo's first all-new compact car in 40 years be their ticket back into the U.S. auto market?
The Alfa Romeo Mi.To features Blue&Me (a Microsoft technology similar to Ford's SYNC) and a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine.
The Speed version of Bentley's Flying Spur uses twin turbochargers to pump the horsepower up to 600, getting it to 60 miles per hour in about 4.5 seconds. This is the first car we've seen with the Naim audio system, a super high quality stereo with 15 speakers and an output of 1,100 watts.
Lotus launches its family car, with 2+2 seating, a V-6 engine, and an Alpine touch-screen navigation stereo unit. Lotus purists will be horrified.
At the British International Motor Show, we find a room full of supercars. Get ready to drool as we show you a Pagani, an Aston Martin, and a Bugatti, along with less well-known cars such as the Invicta and Gumpert.
The Ford Fiesta Econetic gets 76 mpg with a diesel engine.
(Credit: Ford)Working hard to improve fuel economy, Ford showed off one result of its efforts at the British International auto show this week. The Ford Fiesta Econetic uses a 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine that gives it a combined fuel economy, under the EU test cycle, of 76.3 mpg.
Along with the diesel engine, the Fiesta Econetic has other tricks up its wheel well to achieve this fuel economy. Ford made aerodynamic changes to the standard Fiesta, such as adding rear air deflectors, lowering the suspensions, and putting the car on low rolling resistance tires. The engine uses low friction oil and the driver gets a shift light, indicating when its time to upshift for optimal fuel economy. The Econetic also keeps carbon dioxide emissions low, at 98 grams per kilometer.
Along with the new Fiesta Econetic, Ford makes Econetic versions of the Focus and Mondeo in the U.K. Ford won't offer a diesel version of the Fiesta when it comes to the U.S. in 2010.
The Allied electric cab is built on a Peugeot platform and sports an all-electric drivetrain. It goes up to 60 mph with a 100 mile range. Charge time is 6 hours.
Kia reveals various trim options for its still concept but soon to be production new small car, the Soul.
