Tarmac - Automotive Blog

An Update...

2010-07-24T16:31:00.003+01:00

Apologies to anybody who has been following Tarmac regularly for the complete lack of updates in recent months.

The reasons for this are numerous, but predictably a complete lack of time has been mostly the cause thanks to several other (and more pressing commitments).

The good news is that the writer behind Tarmac, Antony Ingram, is now writing for the excellent motoring website www.allcarselectric.com, doing his best to keep you up to date with all the latest news from the world of electric cars.

The other good news is that you can still follow our ramblings on Tarmac's Twitter, which is significantly more frequent and less formal, but hopefully equally as interesting.

For the time being then, Tarmac is on hiatus, and it may not be updated with regularity again for quite some time. I have to express my appreciation for everyone who has visited the page in the past and hope you've enjoyed reading as much as I have writing.

Cheers,

Tarmac

EV distance record beaten... again

2010-05-24T22:25:00.003+01:00

...by the same team who beat it last time.

Yep, the Japan EV Club have taken their electric powered Daihatsu Mira van to a massive 623 miles, a full 278 miles further than the last record, a figure they themselves had snatched from two Aussies in a Tesla Roadster.

The significantly more efficiency-honed Mira has benefitted from even lower rolling resistance Toyo tyres, as well as a carbon fibre seat to reduce weight. Average speed throughout the journey was 25mph, so although impressive the record probably isn't representative of real-world conditions. That said, the record is probably more akin to the typical inner-city driving conditions that many EVs will be particularly suited to.

Last time, Tarmac asked you to place your bets on how long it would take for the record to be beaten. We'd be honest and say that nobody expected the same team to beat it, let alone so comprehensively...

Anyway... place your bets, anyone?

Driven: Nissan Leaf

2010-04-30T17:56:00.003+01:00

Having announced that they were to be building the Leaf EV at their Washington plant in the UK, Nissan have been taking the car around the UK on a whistle-stop tour of Europe.

Whilst the car was on display at one of the few public showings, Tarmac managed to get a drive in the prototype. Whilst the test car is based on the Tiida model, the running gear is very similar to that which will be seen in the production Leaf in a few years time.

First impressions of the concept car are good. It looks, too all intents and purposes, like a regular car. This of course is for good reason, as regular cars are what people actually want. With the best intentions in the world, electric quadricycles like Reva's G-Wiz will never become commonplace as they can't offer the space and pace that people accept from the cars they're used to.

To this end then, the Leaf is off to a good start. It's a five-door hatchback with space for five, a good boot, and an inoffensive shape that manages to retain a bit of character. The front is modern and equipped with large headlights similar to those on the Ford Fiesta, and the rear has a hint of the last-generation Renault Megane about it. Even the interior is much like a normal car, with normal controls and two hooded instrument clusters. Only the large digital display in the centre console really hints at the Leaf's high-tech drivetrain.

From this point, the package starts looking quite different from regular cars. The shape has been specially designed for aerodynamic efficiency - those lights split airflow over the mirrors to reduce drag, and thanks to LED technology consume less power, too. The large Nissan badge on the nose sits on a hinged flap that opens up to reveal two charging points, one for quick chargers that can provied up to 80% charge in half an hour, and the other for a more leisurely charge. Range is around 100 miles which doesn't sound like a lot, but most research seems to suggest that the majority of journeys in the UK are over fewer than eight miles, so even if you didn't put the car on charge every night most people would still have enough for ten journeys.

The batteries themselves are stored under the cabin floor. The electric motor they power delivers 80kw of power, or around 107bhp. They also give a huge 280nm (206lb ft) of torque from zero rpm.

Sitting behind the wheel of the Tiida-based test car and moving off, this torque is immediately noticeable. Movement is instant and remarkably smooth in a way that even the best automatic transmission in a regular car can't manage. Throttle response can't be faulted. The silence is rather eerie at first but it makes the car seem supremely relaxing to drive - I suspect that the utter silence and smooth power delivery would make even the worst city driving seem far less stressful. As would the controls, which are simplicity in themselves - a tiny joystic selects drive (left and back), reverse (left and forwards) and a little button on the top selects park.

The test car didn't have regenerative braking but the production Leaf will do. As such, the brakes felt quite sharp, having probably been beefed up in the test car to make up for the lack of engine braking. Normally, simply backing off the power would see significant braking from the motor - to the point where using the car's brakes would be an uncommon occurence in town.

Propulsion aside, it again feels just like a regular petrol or diesel powered car. It's difficult to make too accurate a judgement on the finished product given that I only got a three laps of a very short circuit in which to test the car, but both ride and steering seemed fine - presumably no different from the petrol-powered Tiida. Again, this is important in attracting the buying public to the car - all the benefits of EV technology but with none of the drawbacks of cars like the G-Wiz.

Overall, I came away very impressed with the Leaf and itching to have another go. Electric cars are rapidly getting to the point where they can be considered serious alternatives to petrol and diesel cars for many people.

Of course, this is very much price-dependant. The number being thrown about at the moment is around £27,000 which is a lot for a small family car, but as with any technology the early adopters will bear the brunt of higher prices and this will bring down the unit cost for the manufacturers.

The Nissan Leaf is a good car even at this early stage, and a serious indication by Nissan that electric cars can walk the walk as well as talking the talk.

You can follow updates on the Nissan Leaf on their twitter page: https://twitter.com/UKNissanLEAF

All photos: ©Tarmac 2010

Autocar reveals first picture of Murray T25

2010-04-26T14:39:00.004+01:00

Autocar have published the first picture of Gordon Murray's city car proposition, the T25.

The car has been seen testing in Surrey, and Murray expects the first cars to be ready for production in two years time. The T25 is smaller than a Smart and weighs in at only 650kg.

Judging by the photo it's not the prettiest of vehicles (though you can't go too far wrong with matt black paint...), but if the car lives up to expectations it could bring about a change of thinking in the city car market. We're already starting to see smaller vehicles being put forward for serious production, such as Renault's Twizy, which will form the basis of the next Smart itself.

Full story here. Autocar are, as yet, the only magazine to have driven a prototype of the revolutionary city car.

Image: Autocar

Smart saved with Renault partnership

2010-04-06T18:39:00.003+01:00

A recently announced deal between Daimler, and Renault-Nissan will see the next generation of Smarts sharing platforms with the French marque. The alliance also sees each company taking three percent of the other's shares.

This news is good for Smart, as the company has long been struggling to turn a profit and the deal guarantees its future. A short wheelbase platform being developed by the new pairing will underpin the next generation Smart, as well as the Renault Twizy and a new Nissan small car to take on Toyota's iQ. A longer wheelbase will also be used, which could provide a replacement for the short-lived Smart ForFour.

The move also increases the chance of a full production electric Smart, given that the Twizy is currently an electric-only concept.

Source: AutoExpress
Image: Tarmac

EVs present at Newcastle low carbon congress

2010-03-24T00:07:00.002Z

The Baltic centre for contemporary art hosts the first Green Vehicle Congress this we ek.

Only a week after the announcement that the Niss an plant in Sunderland would be manufacturing Nissan's new EV the Leaf, the Baltic gallery and Gateshead will be hosting a conference on green vehicles, focusing on EVs, hydrogen vehicles and hybrids. Visitors will be arriving from all over the world, from as far away as Japan, Korea and the USA.

Tarmac stumbled across the conference today and was able to grab some photos of the alternative-fuel vehicles on display.

The congress has been organised by Cenex, the UK’s Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies.

Hot on the heels of the announcement that the North East of England will be building Nissan's new EV and benefiting from over a thousand new re-charging points, the conference will discuss the importance of alternative fuels and low carbon transport.

More information is available here.

(All images ©Tarmac 2010)

Tarmac Twitter

2010-03-23T17:23:00.001Z

Tarmac can now Tweet. Find us at https://twitter.com/tarmacblog!

Nissan Leaf to be built in the UK

2010-03-19T15:51:00.005Z

Nissan's upcoming electric car, the Leaf, has been confirmed for production in the UK's Nissan plant at Washington, near Sunderland, Tyne and Wear.

The announcement is fantastic news for both jobs in the North East of England and the UK car manufacturing industry as a whole. Production is expected to commence in 2013.

Not only has the Leaf been confirmed, but it has been announced that there will be a Government investment of £20 million into the region to develop an electric recharging infrastructure, with up to 1300 charging points to be installed over the next three years. The 1300 points will stretch from Teesside to the Scottish borders, and are expected to be located as follows:

250 in public car parks
240 at workplaces
240 will be available for people's homes
90 will be in retail car parks
50 in leisure centres
50 at on-street parking points
30 at transport hubs

The majority will be centred around Teesside, Tyneside and Wearside, but others will be placed at locations around further afield for convenient recharging at some of the North East's more popular attractions.

The production and the Leaf accelerate the North East to being the leading location in the UK for electric car use and development and the Government has declared the area the UK's first low carbon economic area.

MINI E at 20,000 miles

2010-02-16T21:57:00.006Z

Adding weight to the evidence that cars with electric powertrains can go the distance, a driver from New Jersey who signed up to MINI's EV leasing program has amassed twenty thousand miles in the last eight months in MINI E #250.

Apparently oblivious to the claims that EVs can't tackle the sort of driving that a normal, combustion-engined car can, driver Tom Moloughney, a restaurant owner, averages over 130 miles per day seven days a week. Charging with MINI's 220-volt charging stations takes around 3.5 hours which is apparently proving perfect as the car can be left to charge whilst Tom is working, and charged again when he gets home.

Tom says that the car can cope with 99% of the jobs he'd expect from any car, and even enjoys driving it, with none of the range paranoia that's often mentioned in relation to the short distances EVs can currently manage compared to regular cars.

After 21,000 miles the car is costing around 3c a mile to run (total charging cost has been $650 so far) and Tom expects to make 35,000 miles by the end of the year's lease.

(Image: MINI)

Edit: 7 March 2009 - Tom has his own blog - you can follow his progress trialling the MINI E at http://minie250.blogspot.com/

Facelifted Elise - lower drag, new engine

2010-02-16T21:25:00.004Z

Autocar brings news that Lotus has given the Elise a mild facelift and some new mechanicals. The new look brings the car in line with the styling of the Evora, but importantly also reduces drag which, combined with the new engine option, improves fuel economy and reduces emissions.

That new engine is a VVTi Toyota powerplant similar to those currently used in the Elise, but in a new 1.6 litre displacement. The new motor will power the basic Elise S model, and reduces emissions to 155g/km of CO2. As a conservative estimate, fuel economy should be in the early forties mpg, yet coupled to a new close-ratio six-speed gearbox, performance even from the basic 1.6 should be as impressive as ever.

The car is expected to start arriving in showrooms in April.

(Image: Autocar)

New VW Touareg sheds 200kg

2010-02-12T19:28:00.007Z

Following in the Polo's footsteps, Volkswagen has revealed that the next version of their Touareg will shed as much as 208kg in the base model and offer up to 20% improvements in economy.

The weight saving amounts to as much as 10% removed from the kerb weight of the previous Touareg, and coupled with improved aerodynamics and updated engines, including a new hybrid motor, the new Touareg promises to be one of the most efficient large SUVs on the market.

According to Volkswagen's press release (available on ABG), the new Touareg also offers more space, more equipment (including stop/start technology) and more off-road biased options packages. Visually, the new car shares Volkswagen's family face first seen on the Scirocco, and it works well with the slightly more chiselled body, making the car look much smaller and more dynamic.

Of course, the weight savings on the Touareg will be reflected in the upcoming Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, which share the same platform. Perhaps Volkswagen's step onto the treadmill will encourage other manufactures to do the same with their larger vehicles - the biggest gains can be found from improving the efficiency of the biggest vehicles.

(Image: Volkswagen)

"Scrappage scheme" nonsense strikes again

2010-01-26T14:13:00.004Z

In the style of scaremongering papers like the Daily Fail, weekly car magazine Auto Express has revealed the latest "blow" to the scrappage scheme. According to the magazine, they have discovered that...

"Vehicle recylers have been selling powerplants from models ditched under the Scrappage Scheme via salvage outlets - effectively putting the polluting units back on the road"

Unfortunately, the writer has somehow managed to miss the blindingly obvious point that engines with no car around them aren't going to do much damage to the evironment at all. In fact, a salvaged engine will do no more damage to the environment sitting on a shelf than a salvage gearknob will. Even if or when the unit is eventually fitted into a car, it will likely be replacing a unit that was in an even poorer state of health and that unit will then be scrapped. Net increase of engines actually on the road: Naught.

Friends of the Earth have also inevitably stuck their nose into another matter they don't understand:

"The initiative should encourage drivers to replace older models with cleaner cars. This is keeping polluting vehicles on the road" (FotE's Richard Dyer)

Even aside from the fact that these salvaged engines will likely be used to replace engines in worse condition, Mr Dyer clearly believes that the production of a whole new car, rather than gaining further use from an existing one, is better for the environment too, and he also appears to be making the mistake of assuming that it's easier to afford a whole new car than it is to replace a few defective engine parts.

Tarmac admittedly isn't a great fan of the scrappage scheme, though we will admit that there are benefits in terms of keeping the industry afloat and keeping people's jobs, but it's clear that a well rounded view on the scheme is clearly beyond the reach of magazines looking for a quick controversy.

(Image: Auto Express)

Honda CR-Z - video emerges

2010-01-21T01:32:00.003Z

Continuing Tarmac's coverage of the Honda CR-Z, we felt it necessary to bring you the video that recently emerged from Honda about their pursuit of driving pleasure in the small hybrid.

Some interesting points to note - Honda have apparently bought a MINI, a Volkswagen Scirocco and a Lotus Elise (coincidentally, all of which appear in Tarmac's top ten of the past ten years...) with which to benchmark the sporty CR-Z. They have also apparently brought prototypes to Europe throughout the development process in order to ensure the car handles well on a variety of surfaces.

(Video: Honda, via Carscoop)

Tarmac's Top Ten 'Till 'Ten

2010-01-20T12:12:00.008Z

Okay, so we're a little late on the bandwagon, but Tarmac has finally compiled it's list of the top ten cars of the last ten years. From 2000 until the end of 2009 there's been a seismic shift in the kind of cars available to the market, and about the attitudes towards the car that have influenced the characteristics people look for.

Although Tarmac is by and large influenced by smaller and more efficient cars, the list reflects a diverse selection of cars that have all made a big impact on the automotive world over the last ten years. So, in no particular order...

MINI Cooper

The BMW Mini came in for some flak when it was released, much of it from original Mini owners who disliked BMW's cavalier use of "their" brand. The press loved it however. The Cooper version was arguably the best of the bunch (and Evo magazine would agree) because it offered fun in the spirit of the original Mini in a reliable and useable package. They're finally coming down in value on the second hand market now too, so there's never been a better time to buy.

Porsche Cayman

Porsche has done the unthinkable - they've accidentally built a car that, were it not for the (deliberate) deficit in power, completely eclipses their stalwart 911 in all areas. Car journalists barely have a bad word to say about it save for a slightly high price, and it seems to successfully win handling tests the world over. And being a Porsche, it's utterly useable day to day.

smart Roadster

The "My First Porsche"? There's certainly more than a hint of Stuttgart in the sound (and location) of the engine, an 800cc triple mounted inches behind your lower back. The styling is fantastic and it pulls the usual smart trick of a great driving position and loads of space. Unless you happen to be luggage, in which case you'd better be small. Even with the suspect gearbox it's a bundle of fun and 50mpg is there for the taking.

Jaguar XF

The car to prove that Jaguar a) still has "it" and b) still has a future. Thankfully the latter has been secured by Ratan Tata's purchase of the company, but the former is assured in the way that the XF went straight to the top of the class with great styling, supreme comfort and cutting edge technology. A welcome return to form.

Tesla Roadster

Hugely important, the Tesla. A fledgeling company (albeit one with strong financial backing) arrives in the market and immediately creates an electric car exponentially better than any other that's come before. Performance is seriously impressive and it even has a great range. The next few years will see the Model S, a pretty saloon that'll no doubt re-write the electric car rulebook once again.

Audi A2

Arriving right at the start of the millennium, the A2 was apparently ten years too early. A lighweight aluminium body, ultra-efficient engines and cutting-edge styling all went unnoticed when people saw the price, which starting at £12.5k was just too much for a B-segment car competing against Ford Fiestas. Best model was the later 90bhp 1.4 TDI that managed an average of 64mpg and 60mph in ten seconds.

Ferrari 360CS

Unlike the A2 the CS isn't the most fuel efficient car around, but it wins it's top ten slot for being the ultimate expression of one of the ultimate marques. The normal 360 was wonderful but the Challenge Stradale is like the standard model fuelled after a night of Vodka and Red Bull. Louder, meaner, more aggressive and ready to take on the world. There's never been a better car on which to paint go-faster stripes.

Lotus Elise S

Impressive though the Tesla is, the basic Elise proves that you don't need an electric drivetrain to make a sports car efficient. With 1.8 litres of Toyota power, sixty arrives in under six seconds and you're still offered an average of 37mpg when you aren't using all the revs. And being a Toyota engine, there's a strange sense of calm that models with the Rover K-Series never offered. Sublime handling? That's been there all along.

Renaultsport Clio 200 Cup

Renault have probably averaged one hot Clio each year for the past ten, but the latest is definitely the greatest. Sure, the new front end is questionable (Tarmac loves it though), but the giant killing ability certainly isn't. The 200 Cup is a true emperor in a long dynasty of Clios - 16V, Williams, 172, 172 Trophy, 182, 182 Cup, 197,197 Cup, 200...

Volkswagen Scirocco

Who'd have thought it? Trustworthy - if slightly staid - Volkwagen, bringing out one of the most attractive designs of the last decade? Yet that's what they've done with the Scirocco, and yet being based on the old faithful Golf you still get all the comfort and quality you'd expect. It's a car that makes you question the need for a 3-door Golf with style and handling like the Scirocco offers.

Here's to the next ten years...

(Images: Audi, Auto Express, Daimler-Chrysler, Ferrari, Jaguar, MINI, Porsche, Renault, Tesla, Volkswagen)

Honda CR-Z finally revealed in full

2010-01-12T13:34:00.004Z

Having been the subject of brochure leaks and other sneak previews for many months now, Honda's hybrid CR-Z has finally been officially unveiled at the Detroit motor show.

The production car, though less dramatic than the concept, still looks great and remains remarkably close to the original design. Sharing styling cues with both the first and second-generation Insight hybrids and the first two generations of CRX, Honda claims that the car will be great fun to drive despite its modest power output of 122bhp and 128lb/ft of torque (at a low 1000-1500rpm). All this is provided by a 1.5 litre VTEC four-cylinder with Honda's IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system.

The 60mph from rest benchmark comes up in just under ten seconds - not a figure that will set the world alight, but enough in a compact and lightweight hatch to have some fun, especially on UK roads. Honda's intentions for a great drive are spoken loudly by their decision to offer a six-speed manual transmission as well as the CVT typical of normal hybrids, and the CVT itself offers a paddle-shift mode. As with many modern cars with "sporting" intentions, the CR-Z offers a three-mode drive system with normal, sport and economy settings.

Economy on America's EPA cycle is estimated (in UK gallons) at 43mpg city and 46mpg highway for the CVT model and 37mpg/44mpg for the manual transmission, though this is of course determined by whether you choose to drive it like a hot hatch or like a hybrid...

The CR-Z is expected to go on sale in the Summer. If there's one car that Tarmac test drives this year, the CR-Z will be it! (Yes, those promised drives will start happening eventually...)

(All images: AutoBlog)

Past, present and future in advert form

2010-01-07T12:59:00.003Z

If you've been watching prime-time TV recently you might well have noticed two particular car adverts that stand out from the usual dross (VW and Honda adverts excepted, as they're usually excellent). These adverts come from Renault and BMW, and both run along a similar theme - that cars are more than simply just transport - they're objects that have changed our lives for the better and continue to do so.

How do you do that without sounding too cheesy? Get respected actors Patrick Stewart and Ewan McGregor (for BMW and Renault respectively) to do the voiceovers, give them an uplifting soundtrack ("Somewhere only we know" by Keane in Renault's case) and place as much emphasis on your past cars as you do on the ones you want to sell today.

Car adverts are an awkward business. Volkswagen usually seem to manage, with German and now international firm Doyle Dane Bernbach having handled most of their advertising since the original Beetle ads in the 1950s. Some of Honda's adverts in the past decade have been excellent - Cog and Choir stand out in particular, and Impossible Dream, which was possibly of some inspiration to Renault and BMW with their recent efforts.

The approach taken by Renault and BMW is refreshing. Of course, it might not be to all tastes, but both adverts seem to take a step back from the self-indulgent and glitzy unreality of normal car adverts and make both companies seem that little bit more down-to-earth.

Tommy Kaira hybrids

2010-01-05T23:37:00.004Z

Japanese car tuning and manufacturing firm Tommy Kaira have now turned their attention to hybrids, it seems, in a break from their normal line of hot Nissans. In contrast to the wild GT-Rs, Skylines and Z-cars that usually benefit from Tommy Kaira's body and engine upgrades, the Toyota Prius 3 and Honda Insight might seem a little tame, but the big wheels, beefy exhausts and squat stance used rather suits the shape of each car - especially the Insight.

Of course, one has to question the motive for performance tuning on hybrids. When manufacturers have spent so long perfecting aerodynamic shapes in wind tunnels and choosing low-rolling resistance wheels and tyres, it seems nonsensical to take several steps back by increasing drag and resistance with kits like these.

You also have to wonder who'd actually buy the kits. I certainly can't see them being popular with the Ecomodding crowd, and many car "enthusiasts" seem to take a dim view of hybrids, expecting they'll spell doom and gloom for performance motoring, so there doesn't seem to be an obvious market there earlier.

But of course, the main market is in Tommy Kaira's native Japan, where customers aren't beyond tuning tiny Kei cars, let alone relatively powerful hybrids. Perhaps there, where aerodynamics have little effect in inner-city traffic, the draw of a tuned hybrid is much greater.

And of course, a belated happy New Year to all Tarmac's readers. Best wishes for 2010!

(Images: Tommy Kaira)

Prius (Priuses? Prii?) breaking the 300k mile mark

2009-12-04T23:10:00.005Z

I was going to use this post to mention the new eco-star from the LA Auto Show, Volkswagen's Up! Lite, with it's headline 70mpg/84mpg (US/UK). Though the regular Up! will go on sale in 2011 however, there is still no confirmation that the Lite, which looks very much like the L1 concept +2, will make the cut. Until we find out for sure, I'll leave the speculation to the bigger motoring blogs and simply furnish you with a few photographs of the Lite:

Of more current interest is the discovery that, contrary to popular belief, some people are attaining stratospherically high mileages from petrol-electric Hybrids like the Prius. One owner managed to get 349,531 miles out of his first-gen Prius before it was unfortunately written off. The mileage isn't the most surprising aspect though - this is reserved for finding out that the mileage was achieved on the original battery set. This will no doubt upset those who believe that big off-roaders like Hummers and Jeeps are greener over their life-span than a Prius because they last longer (even though this was disproven, unsurprisingly, not long after).

It seems like hybrids can last for a while, which is reassuring news for those wishing to buy one second hand, now that used prices are quite tempting (in the UK, early Prius and Civic IMAs seem to be going for little over £3k now). Of course, you should always buy on condition, but it appears that a well-maintained hybrid can easily last as long as any other car - and it's worth bearing in mind that hybrid drivers aren't likely to work their cars too hard...

(Images: Volkswagen & Toyota)

Previous electric car range record already decimated...

2009-11-19T23:44:00.004Z

Not even so long as one month ago a team of two drivers recorded 313 miles in a Tesla Roadster to set a new electric vehicle distance record.

Clearly, members from the Japan EV Club (Japanese site) thought they could do better, and have gone 44 miles better in a Daihatsu Mira EV van. Sanyo provided the batteries and the whole lot is transmitted through the Mira's standard five-speed transmission. Even though conditions look less than ideal and the trip from Tokyo to Osaka isn't the flattest and most EV-friendly journey in the world, the team benefited from the Mira's light weight, a large battery and some low rolling-resistance Toyo tyres. The journey took 13 hours, and if you can read Japanese, there's probably more information on the team's own website.

Place your bets on how long it takes for another team to break the record again... News via AutoBlogGreen and Car Watch (Japanese site).

(Image: Car Watch)

Renault's ZEs... driven by Autocar, confirmed for production

2009-11-07T14:54:00.006Z

Renault will be the first major car manufacturer in the world to offer a range of zero-emissions all-electric vehicles for sale when the Twizy and Zoe go into production in 2011.

The French manufacturer is taking quite a risk given that this will leave many countries with only a short space of time in which to set up a reasonable electric charging infrastructure, though according to Autocar magazine who feature the three Renault ZE concepts this week, Israel and Denmark have both made commitments to importing 100,000 electric Fluence models by 2012. Renault will be establishing a network of "Quickdrop" centres (areas where ZE customers can take their car to have the entire battery unit changed for a fully-charged on in around three minutes) in these countries.

The Twizy

The Twizy microcar is the smallest of Renault's ZE (Zero-Emissions) concepts and has been confirmed for production in Spain in 2011. The car/scooter is a tandem two seater and is designed solely for city driving, with performance similar to that of a 125cc scooter (topping out at around 50mph). Range is short at roughly 60 miles, but realistically you don't need any more than that in a city commute and even in a city like London you should be able to get at least a couple of days' commuting out of it. As you can see in Autocar's video above, the Twizy is apparently quite fun to drive.

The Zoe

The Zoe is supermini-sized (only slightly larger than a Clio) though unlike the Twizy and the larger Fluence, the styling might well change significantly for production. Renault say the Zoe is more representative of what can be done in terms of size. Range is around 100 miles and the motor makes the equivalent of 95bhp giving a 90mph top speed.

The Fluence

Looking more production-ready than either the Twizy or the Zoe is the Fluence. Styling-wise it shares hints of Renault's 2005 Fluence concept as well as a hint of Tesla Model S. However, it's likely to look much more similar to the production petrol and diesel Fluence that appears to be replacing the old Megane saloon. The concept has the same powertrain as the Zoe and shares similar performance and range.

Renault are clearly taking a large risk putting four EVs on sale at the same time (the fourth is an EV version of the current Kangoo van) but this may well be the kick other manufacturers (and indeed customers) need to embrace electric car technology. We await 2011-12 eagerly to see if customers are ready to take the plunge...

The future of motor racing?... Or are we already there?

2009-11-04T22:36:00.009Z

Since man invented the motor car, his primal instinct for excitement and speed has always compelled him to race it against the next man's motor car.

Never before though has there been such pressure for our favourite method of transportation to become less polluting and less energy consuming. The effects can already be seen in many race series where economical diesel race cars have been competing and indeed winning for years now, and where many motorsports are aiming to cut costs and cut their carbon emissions as they travel around the globe. Even in the high octane world of motor racing, every little helps.

But what if we look further into the future? One man, Moritz Martin, has done just that with his concept for the futuristic 1 Liter Racing League. The concept is Mr Martin's degree project and is apparently inspired by "the insanity of Swamp Buggy, Land Speed Record races and the Eco Marathon". The idea is to use tactics and skill to finish the race on just a single litre of fuel. The driver's cause is aided by being able to skim the car across thin layers of water and other varied surfaces to use as little energy in movement as possible. The car can be aided in sliding by rear-wheel mounted air nozzles for "frictionless steering".

(Images: Moritz Martin)

It's a facinating concept, and one that looks a lot of fun. However... what if you want to take part in some eco-friendly racing here, and now? Your options are clearly a little limited - after all, motor racing is hardly the most eco-friendly sport in the world. That isn't to say though that it isn't possible - if you look hard enough.

Kei Car Racing

(Image: Speedhunters.com)

If you live in Japan, you've probably come across this already. Kei-Jidosha are Japan's answer to overcrowding on the roads, and thanks to their minimal proportions and even more miniscule engines (660cc and 63bhp is the current maximum limit), they're the perfect choice for low-consumption racing. There are series for Keis both old and newer, and of course you could always take one to an autocross event like this Daihatsu Copen on YouTube, where small proportions and low inertia do wonders for cornering ability.

Eco Marathons

(Image: Thinkorthwim.com)

Events like the Shell Eco Marathon are growing in popularity all the time and the records for miserly fuel consumption tumble quicker than the times at a 100m race with Usain Bolt. The current World Record is a mind-boggling average of 10,705mpg, achieved by team Microjoule in 2003. Of course - these aren't really "cars" so much as tiny engines in composite cigars with a driver filling the rest of the available space - but it's still a race of sorts and like the 1 Liter Racing League aims to use as little fuel as possible over a set distance. And you can certainly do the race on a small budget too, even if the top teams spend a little more to achieve the figures they do. You could turn up with a lawnmower-powered soapbox racer if you wanted.

Citroën 2CV racing

(Image: Maria Cooke @ 2cvracing.co.uk)

Perhaps a bit of a wild card, but even so, people do race the tree-hugger's wheels of choice and there are thriving race series for the little cars all over Europe - the UK Classic 2CV Racing Club has been around for over 20 years! The cars are cheap to buy, prepare and run, and with the weight of a feather in a helium updraught even the modest power from a tiny 600cc engine is able to provide plenty of fun without using a lot of fuel in the process. It's probably one of the cheapest and most economical circuit racing series in the World.

Okay - so none of the above are quite as high-tech as Mr Martin's concept, but they prove that even today you can take part in motor racing that doesn't break the bank, and doesn't pray too heavily on your environmental conscience...

My thanks to Mr Martin himself for his permission to use the 1 liter pictures. Tarmac wishes him the best of luck in his degree!

Most frugal car in the real world? Autocar finds out with a race...

2009-09-30T14:38:00.007+01:00

Manufacturers make big claims about their fuel economy figures. Occasionally, even these claims can be bettered, as Toyota's now closed blog for the iQ managed back in January, extracting 72mpg when Toyota themselves only claimed 65mpg. Often though, real-world driving prevents us from extracting the optimum economy from our cars.

Autocar's test then perhaps sheds a little more relevance on achieving high miles to the gallon. Armed with a Ford Fiesta Econetic, a Vauxhall Corsa Ecoflex, an Insight, a Prius, a BMW 116d and a Smart ForTwo CDi, they each hit the track at Bruntingthorpe with a single litre of fuel and a driver trying to achieve as many miles in the hour as possible. By working to distance rather than outright economy, it avoided the whole race becoming a slow eco-trundle.

The most efficient at the end of the hour? Ford's Fiesta Econetic. It achieved almost sixty miles at the hands of Matt Prior, equivalent - unsurprisingly - to roughly 60mpg. A little way short of Ford's 76mpg combined figure perhaps, but much more representative of what drivers can expect in their daily grind, and a long way from shabby.

The other cars in the test all managed to average around 55mpg, including the diminutive Smart despite being driven pedal-to-the-metal until it spluttered to a halt after 53 minutes.

The full story can be found in the 30th September issue of Autocar, out now. Alternatively, you can watch the video:

(Picture credits: Tarmac)

Volkswagen 1-litre concept one step closer

2009-09-15T11:50:00.004+01:00

News arrives via AutoBlogGreen that Volkswagen's 1-litre concept is still under development and nearing production reality.
The concept, now being named the L1, will be on display at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show and Volkswagen have released more details about the car and the engine that will be powering it in a press release that you can read in full on ABG's page.

The 1L has a 0.8 litre TDI developed from Volkswagen's new 1.6 TDI that makes its debut in the new Golf and Passat BlueMotion. Along with automatic stop-start, a 0.195 coefficient of drag and thanks to an all-in weight of only 380kg, the 1L is claimed to sip one US gallon of fuel every 170 miles, or 204mpg imperial (and only 36 grammes per kilometer of CO2). This works out at a little over the original 1l/100km that Volkswagen claimed, though I'm sure owners wouldn't complain as the eventual figure is still only 1.38 litres per 100km. Thanks to the light weight and slippery shape, the 1L also manages 100mph.
Volkswagen are now giving the car a tentative 2013 release date. Should give you time to save up...

(Image credits: Volkswagen)

Guerilla marketing for Alfa MiTo; New Multiair MiTo

2009-09-12T00:07:00.007+01:00

Take a walk through Jesmond in Newcastle-upon-Tyne at the moment and your eyes might be drawn towards the pavement. Normally, it's nothing particularly special, but recently some rather unorthodox adverts for Alfa's MINI rival, the MiTo, have appeared on some of the paving slabs.

With Alfa's baby being aimed at the younger and more fashion-conscious types, these adverts in the affluent and student-heavy area of Jesmond are a great example of guerilla marketing. The images are created using a technique that involves cleaning an sandblasting the ground through a template. There are apparently 1300 similar adverts across the UK.
The pavement adverts also coincide with a first look, via What Car?, at the new MiTo Multiair, an ultra-clean and efficient MiTo using advanced 1.4 petrol engines. Instead of a conventional camshaft, the MultiAir engine uses a series of oil-fed solenoids which can precisely meter out fuel in any given situation. As well as improving economy by 10% and reducing NOx emissions by 60%, the system apparently improves throttle response and increases power and torque, especially at lower revs.

(Picture credits: Alfa Romeo and Tarmac)

80mpg from diesel-powered first-gen Insight

2009-09-06T01:26:00.002+01:00

Yes, you read that correctly. AutoBlogGreen has released news that a company called Red Light Racing has installed Volkswagen's 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder Pumpe Düse TDI in a first-generation Honda Insight and the net result is 80mpg in US gallons - a staggering 96mpg imperial.

The engine has been taken from Volkswagen's Lupo 3 L, a model that was only available in mainland Europe and itself made 94mpg imperial, equivalent to 3 litres/100km. The Lupo however was solely diesel-powered - and Red Light Racing state that they haven't even hooked up the Insight's hybrid motor to the diesel unit yet and once they do there could be another 15-20% improvement.

The Lupo 3L was highly modified from the standard Lupo TDI - like the Insight, it used aluminium in much of its construction, and also in common with the Insight it used low rolling-resistance tyres and a stop-start function to save fuel when stopped in traffic. The engine produces 61bhp and makes 140Nm of torque, which is 9bhp less than the Insight's 1.0 litre petrol IMA unit but a useful 27Nm more torque. Coincidentally, both Lupo 3L and Insight weigh in the region of 850kg, so the engine seems ideal for use in the Insight, though according to Red Light Racing the installation naturally wasn't too straightforward.

Diesel clatter aside, the new engine should provide very pleasant driving characteristics too. The final quote goes to Red Light Racing, clearly a company after Tarmac's heart: "The main idea was to take existing hardware, hack it, and make a vehicle that could be produced by major manufacturers or individuals that would deliver tremendous fuel economy without a tremendous leap in technology. I believe we succeeded."

(Image credits: AutoBlogGreen and Wikipedia)