CarSeekBlog » ForTwo

10 Most Fuel Efficient Cars for 2011

Mel — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 01:39:01 +0000

It’s no secret that hybrids and EVs are the darlings of the environmental movement, but there are still a lot of vehicle options that will give you excellent gas mileage and the ease of care that comes with a standard engine. Recently, Automotive Magazine came up with a list of the most fuel efficient 2011 model-year non-hybrids on the market, according to EPA guidelines.

What are they? Here’s the list:

2011 Smart Fortwo: 33/41/36 mpg city/highway/combined
2011 Audi A3 TDI: 30/42/34 mpg city/highway/combined
2011 Volkswagen Golf TDI: 30/42/34 mpg city/highway/combined
2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: 30/42/34 mpg city/highway/combined
2011 Ford Fiesta SFE: 29/40/33 mpg city/highway/combined
2011 Hyundai Elantra: 29/40/33 mpg city/highway/combined
2011 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI: 29/39/33 mpg city/highway/combined
2011 Ford Fiesta: 29/38/33 mpg city/highway/combined (non SFE)
2011 Mini Cooper: 29/37/32 mpg city/highway/combined
2011 Toyota Yaris: 29/36/32 mpg city/highway/combined

Smart to Build Nissan-branded Five-door

Mel — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:45:58 +0000

Smart for Nissan | Source: Autonews.com | Click to enlarge

Automotive News reported today on a new deal between Smart USA and Nissan Motor Co. to produce and sell a five-door gasoline-engine small car in the United States. The “B-segment” car is targeted to go on sale during the fourth quarter of next year.

In an interview, Smart USA resident Jill Lajdziak said, “There were a lot of customer requests to offer a little bit larger vehicle.” She also said that the new five-seater is meant to be a direct competitor to the Honda FIT, in America’s growing sub-compact vehicle market.

Smart’s only model, the ForTwo two-seat mini-car built by Daimler, had its peak sales in 2008 – its introductory year – with 24,622 units sold. That year was also marked by gas prices in excess of $4/gallon. Last year, with lower gasoline prices and a collapsed economy, sales plummeted by 41 percent. Year-to-date sales this year, through September 30th, are down 62 percent more, with only 4,779 sales.

The new car will be built on a new global platform in one of Nissan’s factories in the Americas, Nissan spokesman Dave Reuter said.

Tata Nano Comes Stateside in 2012

Shorty — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:54:09 +0000

As if Fiat picking up Chrysler and a Chinese company buying Hummer weren’t enough to convince Americans that their automotive landscape has been forever changed in this recession, let’s talk Tata. Yeah, you know, the Indian outfit that now owns Land Rover and Jaguar? Well, they also make the Nano, the world’s least expensive car, which starts at $2,500 — and in three years, it’s coming to the United States.

Customer deliveries begin in India next month and company chairman Ratan Tata is already talking American — optimistically parring the timetable down to maybe two years and six months. (A version of the Nano will appear in Europe in 2011.) In addition, the automaker is working on alternative fuels vehicles, including diesel, biofuel, and electric powerplants.

The Nano is a four-seater that returns 65 mpg and in appearance is reminiscent of the Smart ForTwo. India’s cheap labor pool has helped to keep the price low, although protests over the proposed site of a manufacturing plant delayed the car’s debut. A lottery system will be used to select the first 100,000 owners.

Yesterday, while caught in traffic, I was looking at the cars around me and in addition to spotting one of the Smart cars now on Fort Worth’s streets (there’s a dealership in Dallas), I noticed three Honda Fits. Although dwarfed by the still prevalent SUVs and my own Odyssey minivan, I couldn’t help but look at these trim, efficient small cars as pioneers. A year from now, I have a feeling they will be in the majority in the traffic jam and the SUVs will look more and more like the dinosaurs they are rapidly becoming.

Quick Notes: Smart, Spiffy, Speedy

Shorty — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:00:25 +0000

A few little tidbits for your consideration . . .

Smart ForTwo

The insurance industry is regarding the Smart car as small, but safe although — as only insurance agents can do — the pros are quick to point out that smaller vehicles are riskier than big ones.

Uh, duh?

Hummer vs. Semi
ForTwo vs. Semi

You do the math.

Ford Focus Spiffier for 2009

The Focus SE coupe will get a sportier exterior for the new model year with a lower front fascia in a bid to European-esque design. There will be a new roofline spoiler and the standard wheels will be 17″ aluminum. The idea is to make the car more attractive to younger buyers. It’ll go on sale in August with a price take of $16,615 for the SE and $18,035 for the SES.

Ferrari GT California – Always Speedy

Ferrari is showing off a new eight-cylinder GT available as a convertible only with a hand-formed aluminum body. Under the hood look for a 4.3-liter V8 in the mid-front position. Estimates put the 0 to 62 mph rating at under 4 seconds. There’s a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, Brembo brakes, and a F1-Trac traction control system. The public debut is scheduled for the Paris motor show in October.