Ford Mondeo ECOnetic

When you’re launching a new car, timing is everything – and some makers get it spot-on.

With fuel prices firmly in the headlines, Ford’s latest model couldn’t have arrived at a better point. Joining the Focus variant – which we tested back in April (Issue 1,010) – the Mondeo ECOnetic is another more economical and cleaner version of an existing car.

On sale now, it’s based on the 1.8 TDCi Zetec. And it’s launching into a growing market – Volkswagen is pushing its Passat Bluemotion, while Vauxhall will soon have an Insignia ecoFLEX. As with the Focus ECOnetic, the Mondeo gets some aero aids to make it more slippery through the air – these consist of a boot spoiler and a flat tray under the car. It benefits from sports suspension as well, which means it sits lower to the road, reducing drag.

Under the bonnet, the 123bhp 1.8-litre TDCi engine gets a diesel particulate filter, while the five-speed manual transmission has been given a longer final ratio. There are also new low-rolling-resistance tyres and low-viscosity oil.

Inside, it’s business as usual. The only real update is the introduction of a ‘change up’ arrow on the rev counter, which highlights the most efficient point for the driver to shift gear.

So what is the result of these tweaks? Well, combined fuel economy increases from 50.4mpg to 53.3mpg, while CO2 emissions drop from 149g/km to 139g/km.

This won’t make any difference to road tax, but will save business users money, as the Ford falls from the 20 per cent company car tax band to 18 per cent.

On the move, the ECOnetic is as good to drive as any other Mondeo. It’s comfortable as well. The 215/55 R16 tyres have a chunky profile, and absorb bumps efficiently. You certainly notice the longer gearing, though. Initial response is dull, and around town the car can labour when negotiating junctions in second. This isn’t so much of an issue on the open road, where there’s plenty of shove from the torquey diesel.

The modified top ratio means high-speed cruising is even more relaxed than in the standard car, making the ECOnetic an ideal companion for motorway driving.

The equipment tally includes air-con and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity. That’s very similar to the Zetec, although the latest car costs £250 more, at £18,745. And in our book, this makes it the greenest and best value Mondeo available.

However, it’s worth pointing out that VW’s Passat Bluemotion posts slightly better economy and emissions figures, and weighs in at only £17,295.

Source : Auto Express

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Toyota Prius

One million Toyota Priuses have been sold so far since its birth back in Japan in 1997. Sold in 40 countries, the Prius was Toyota's answer to Global warming and increasing Crude Oil prices. It claims to be the most fuel-efficient vehicle sold in the U.S.A. It is also the second least C02 (Responsible for climate change) emitting vehicle in the U.K. Sounds very green!







Toyota Prius

It all started in 1994 when Toyota decided to produce a vehicle that would serve dual purposes - Cheap to run and easy on the environment. They decided the best manner to approach both the hassles was by developing hybrid technology. Some of the key aspects of the vehicle are discussed briefly:

*A smart choice of engine - The engine is operated on Atkinson cycle principle instead of the conventional Otto cycle. The engine also shuts off during traffic stops and the various accessories like the the air conditioner, which would normally run on the engine's power, are instead powered by a battery pack. The engine is used both to propel the vehicle and to recharge the batteries. Due to the assistance provided by the batteries, the engine could be downsized and tuned for fewer emissions and better fuel economy.

*Two electric motor/generators- Used to start the engine and provides counter torque for the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The motor-generators is one unit but plays two roles. It acts like a starter motor to rev the engine up to life and acts as a generator to convert the kinetic energy of the rolling wheels into electrical energy at the battery.

*A nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack providing voltage for propelling the vehicle, which is supplied by Japan's Panasonic. To increase battery life, the batteries are charged only to about 50% of the maximum capacity.

*Regenerative braking is used using motor-generators, which converts kinetic energy of motion into electrical energy that is stored in the battery. Wear on brake pads reduce and the battery also gets charged this way, doing away with plugs or wires that an electric car would usually have.

*An aerodynamically favorable shape gives the Prius a Cd value of 0.26, which is prolific. The Kammback design helps the cause along with lower rolling-resistance tires.

*Light weight materials are in used in the construction of the body and some parts.

*Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) is the heart of the car processing the inputs and producing equivalent outputs.

The Prius achieved 5 maximum stars in the Euro NCAP crash tests in 2004. It has won several awards in the past for its technology, design and environment-friendly operation.

# 1997–98 Car of the Year Japan
# 2003 Scientific American named Toyota Motor Corporation as "Business Leader of the Year" ("Scientific American 50"; December, 2003) for its singular accomplishment in the commercialization of affordable hybrid cars.
# Motor Trend Car of the Year 2004
# Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2004.
# North American Car of the Year award for 2004. Nominated in 2001.
# International Engine of the Year for 2004.
# "Best Engineered Vehicle for 2004" by SAE's Automotive Engineering International magazine.
# 2005 European Car of the Year.
# 2006 EnerGuide Award
# 2006 Intellichoice Best Overall Value of the Year, Midsize
# 2007 Intellichoice Best in Class Winner :Best Retained Value, Lowest Fuel, Lowest Operating Costs, Lowest Ownership Costs
# Swiss government named Toyota Prius the world's greenest car in a draft study of over 6,000 cars

Source : Toyota

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Honda Civic GX

The Honda Civic GX was the Japanese company's response to offer the best technology to combat air pollution and rising Crude Oil prices. Resting under the bonnet is the cleanest Internal combustion ever made. The natural gas powered Civic GX is very firm when it comes to hugging trees, thanks to the near zero emissions from its engine.

Talk about safety, and it gets a bit more interesting. The Civic GX hasn't shed any of the safety features that its gasoline engine variant boasts of. All the safety features, dual front airbags, front passenger's side impact airbag, ABS and Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering Body structure TM (ACE TM), come standard, so there is no compromise on the safety aspect.

Honda Civic GX

CNG is a safe fuel as in the event of a leak, the gas would dissipate into air rather than how gasoline drips and collects under the car. CNG has a higher Octane rating than conventional gasoline thereby allowing the engine to operate at a higher compression ratio which results in elevated efficiency.

Maintenance is cheap as carbon deposits in the engine are not present which is not the same condition observed with gasoline fueled engines. As a result, oil change is required only once every 10,000 miles. Costly overhauling jobs are avoided because of carbon deposits' absence.

The Civic GX was not a car that happened due to the success of the conventional Civic. It was in fact built and developed alongside its petrol sibling to offer customers a car that was easy on their wallet and on the environment. One of its renowned accolades was the prestigious Motor Trend Car of year award in 2006.

Source : Honda

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