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Automakers seem to be taking time now more than ever to produce vehicles that will score high on the green ratings, whether they are hybrids or those that make use of alternate fuel or simp,y have great fuel economy.

Here are the top vehicles that score high on the green rating with respect to their emission standard, miles per gallon in the city, and miles per gallon on the highway according to GreenerCars.com.

The top 1 for this year is the Toyota Prius. No doubt about that. It covers 60 miles per gallon and its emission standard is Tier 2 bin 3/PZEV. Because of that, it has a green score of 55.

The second is the Honda Civic Hybrid with a Tier 2 bin 2/PZEV emission standard, covering 49 miles per gallon in the city, and having a green score of 53.

Toyota Yaris comes in third place as it complies with the Tier 2 bin 5/ULEV II emission standard. It runs 39 miles per gallon in the highway and 34 miles per gallon in the city. It has a green score of 47.

Honda Fit lands the fourth spot with its compliance to the emission standard set by Tier 2 bin 5/LEV II. It runs 31 miles per gallon in the city and has a green score of 44.

With a green score of 43, the Ford Escape Hybrid gets the fifth spot. It follows the Tier 2 bin 3/PZEV emission standard and runs 36 miles per gallon in the city.

Another Ford vehicle is included in the list, the Ford Focus Wagon. It complies with Tier 2 bin 4, runs 24 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles on the highway. Green score is also notable as it scores 42.

Hyundai Sonata has a green score of 39, thus it lands a spot in the 2007 green cars list. It covers 24 miles per gallon in the city and complies with the Tier 2 bin 5/ULEV II.

Like the Hyundai Sonata, sports car convertible Mazda MX-5 Miata scores 39 in green ratings. It also follows the Tier 2 bin 5/ULEV II emission standard and runs 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 on the highway.

Toyota Motor Corporation adds three more of its vehicles on the list namely: Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Toyota Tacoma, and Toyota Sienna. The Highlander Hybrid has a green score of 39, follows the emission standard of Tier 2 bin 3/SULEV II and runs 32 miles per gallon in the city. Toyota Tacoma is also proud as it gained a green score of 34 by following the Tier 2 bin 5/LEV II emission standard and running for 21 miles per gallon in the city. Toyota Sienna observes the emission standard set by Tier 2 bin 5/ULEV II, has a green score of 32 and runs for 19 miles per gallon in the highway.

Last but definitely not the least, GMC Sierra Classic C1500 completes this year’s green car list. It observes the Tier 2 bin 5/LEV II emission standard, scores 27 on green ratings, and is able to cover 16 miles per gallon in the city and 21 on the highway.

I chanced upon these gas saving tips while browsing over the Internet looking for car stuff and I want to share these with you guys. These tips would really be helpful in maximizing fuel on one’s car and even contribute in preserving the finite sources of fuel in the world. Also, these tips are helpful to most of us who don’t own a hybrid vehicle or those with innovative engines capable of burning alternative fuels. Environment would also benefit a lot from these tips. Well, on with the show.

1. Fill up with lower-octane gasoline – any fuel containing the lowest grade of octane will do with any car unless the vehicle requires for a premium type of fuel. Contrary to belief of some drivers, premium fuel does not really increase vehicle performance.

2. Don’t top off – simple, don’t fill your tank up to the lid of your gas tank. The excess fuel will just spill on the gas station’s floor and contribute to air pollution when they evaporate. Save the environment, and we save ourselves as well.

3. Tighten up that gas cap – gas tends to evaporate into the air and so to prevent it from polluting the air we breathe in, be sure to tighten your vehicle’s gas cap.

4. Go for the shade – when the sun is really high up on the sky, be sure to park your car where there is shade as heat also makes fuel evaporate. It is even believed that car owners should have their gas tanks filled up during the morning or at night when there is still no sun.

5. Use you car for your car – as mentioned above, go for the shade so better park your car in the garage where it won’t be affected by the heat or cold.

6. Pump up your tires – tires that do not have sufficient air will also affect the car’s mileage.

7. Check your tire pressure once a month – in addition to pumping up you tires, be sure to keep a digital gauge in your glove box so that you can personally check your tire’s pressure and compare it against the needed ire pressure for your vehicle.

8. Keep your engine in tune – be sure to have your car’s tuned annually and have it undergo emission testing to make sure that it passes and so you could enjoy better fuel economy.

9. Replace air filters – air is one of the elements that internal combustion engines use for power production. When the air filter that cleans vehicles is already congested with air contaminants, then your vehicle’s fuel will also suffer the consequences.

10. Use the right oil – be sure to check your car’s manual to check the recommended motor oil for your car as using the right oil will increase the vehicle’s car mileage by up to 1-2 percent.

11. Don’t skimp on maintenance – auto maintenance is still the best you can do for your car to keep it in tip-top shape. This will definitely bring better fuel economy.

For more information, visit the source, 11 Gas Saving Tips

Autoblog reports that Audi will be delaying its launch of its three new SUVs and will only be introducing them into the auto market in 2009, mainly due to marketing reasons.

Audi’s compact Q5, the diesel and hybrid versions of the Q7 Crossover were originally up for sale in the third quarter of 2008 but Audi wanted to avoid these new vehicles from getting lost in the year-end sales drives. These three will instead be marketed as 2010 models instead of initially being 2008 models.

The diesel version of the Q7 was said to have a 3-liter turbo-diesel V6 which is capable of producing 230 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. According to U.S head Johan de Nysschen, since the new engine will be 50-state compliant, it is “just a matter of formality” before this engine also gets into the future models of A4, A6 and A8. On the other hand, the Q7 hybrid is said to be able to produce 280 horsepower with its V6 engine.

Audi is saying that these three vehicles will likely make its debut in Detroit in 2009.

Japanese car maker Toyota has initiated the move on producing a plug-in hybrid with its Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid and now Swedish car maker Volvo follows suit. What Volvo has in store is its Volvo ReCharge PHEV Concept vehicle. This is based on its Volvo C30 and it is a plug-in hybrid car that brings together a flexible-fuel 1.6-liter engine and it is linked to an auxiliary power unit or APU. This APU is the one that powers the in-wheel motors.

Swedish car maker Volvo informs that when its plug-in hybrid concept vehicle is fully charged, it can run for over 60 miles. Its charging time takes approximately 3 hours on a standard power outlet. Also, regenerative braking while driving can also help in charging the battery pack. The battery pack that Volvo installed in its ReCharge PHEV Concept is a lithium-polymer battery that’s made and designed to last longer than the operating life of the car.

One good thing about the Volvo ReCharge is that drivers can opt to just make use of the back-up combustion engine to save on the car’s battery charge. Also, when the battery charge becomes insufficient for driving, the APU steps up to distribute power to the in-wheel motors when it detects the battery’s insufficiency of charge. The combustion engine also only fuels the APU, thus, it can operate in the best possible operation, both for the regulated emissions and CO2, according to a press release from Volvo.

Volvo elaborates more the specs and how its Volvo ReCharge PHEV Concept works more in its press release:

An electric motor at each wheel

The Volvo ReCharge Concept combines a number of the latest technological innovations into a so-called "series hybrid" where there is no mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels.

The battery pack of the PHEV Concept of Volvo makes use of the lithium-polymer battery technology. The ReCharge model also has four electric motors that are located in each of its wheels for independent traction power. Aside from the battery, there is a 4-cylinder 1.6-liter Flexifuel engine. This was equipped in the model for use when the battery has been depleted as this propels an advanced generator which will then power the wheel motors.

"There is a considerable difference between the Volvo plug-in hybrid and today's hybrids. Today's hybrids use the battery only for short periods to assist the combustion engine. Volvo's solution is designed for most people to run on electric power all the time, while providing the extra security that comes with having a combustion engine as a secondary source of electrical power," says Ichiro Sugioka, project manager for the Volvo ReCharge Concept.

Top Japanese car maker Honda has recently run out of its Honda Civic Mugen RR, a vehicle which is based on the new JDM Honda Civic Type R, because of the quickness of the Japanese in ordering its limited vehicle production for the said model. In just a span of 10 minutes, reservations for the Honda Civic Mugen RR run out. Honda just plans on producing 300 units of its latest Honda Civic offering and by the time the 10th minute came up upon the announcement that reservations for these vehicles are open, the 300th reservation had been placed.

This just shows how much the Japanese are excited about this model, that they did not even wait a single minute to place their reservation. The Japanese who were fortunate enough to have reserved the Honda Civic Mugen RR will be rewarded with a much lighter, more powerful, and track-tuned Civic Type R. If these models were to land in the right car owner, they’d be able to maximize out their utmost potential for road performance.

Car repairs and replacements have always been part of a car owner’s life. Try as he might to prevent car damages and repairs, car parts will sooner or later succumb to breaking down. All auto parts are not immune to wear and tear problems no matter how sturdy they were made; the only question is to how long they will last. Abused auto parts, like brake pads with the brakes constantly being engaged, may break down sooner than later. Those who are not much used, like windshield wipers, can last the life of the car.

However, car owners still need to prepare themselves for car damages that may pop out once in a while. There is no telling how much these damaged auto parts will cost to replace but with the right car parts dealer, car owners could always get discounts. What they must remember to do is to look for trusted auto parts shop that could provide them with anything they need to have for their cars. They may even get rewarded with discount couponsfor their loyalty.

Discount couponswill really be helpful in maintaining the beauty and good condition of vehicles without needing to spend a lot of cash. There are a lot of these car parts shop offering discount couponsfor their loyal customers. Others also opt to have their first time buyers take advantage of their discount coupons so that they can have a taste of quality parts but with discounted prices.

Remember, always aim for the gold, aim for discounted prices when having replacement parts for your set of wheels.

Japanese automaker Nissan has recently released its new model, the Nissan Rogue. This is a compact Sports Utility Vehicle that aims to target males, despite compact SUV of its kind like Toyota’s RAV4 and Honda’s CRV being more popular to females. This Rogue was originally launched in Detroit last January. The Rogue will have the “C” platform underpinning the new Nissan Sentra and the Rogue will get maximum power output of 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque that will be sent either to the front wheels or all four wheels, depending on the specs. According to Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., the starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the well-equipped 2008 Rogue S is $19,250 for the 2WD model and $20,450 for Rogue S AWD. Pricing for Rogue SL is $20,670 for 2WD and $21,870 for AWD. All 2008 Rogue models come equipped with a standard 170-horsepower (167 hp CAL emissions) 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and a long list of standard safety equipment, including six air bags. An available all-new Intuitive All-Wheel Drive system with yaw moment control is also offered on both S and SL models. Other standard Rogue equipment includes air conditioning with in-cabin microfilter, cruise control with steering wheel mounted switches, power windows and door locks, 60/40 split 2nd row rear seat, remote keyless entry, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, auxiliary input jack and 16-inch wheels and tires.

The recently concluded Frankfurt Auto Show saw the emergence of Nissan’s latest concept car – the Nissan Mixim Concept. This vehicle is an all-electric mini car which hopes to attract the future buyers. The Mixim has a hatchback design, rakish styling, gull-wing doors and with these, Nissan hopes to attract gamers and other young people who are more into computers than cars. It’s also Nissan’s way of showing that electric cars can also be quite attractive.

The Mixim has a 3+1 seating arrangement, making the driver sit right up front the cabin in this svelte coupe. This electric car is also fronted with a wrap-around windscreen which aims to imitate a helmet visor. Gamers can also feel at home with the dashboard that’s specifically designed to be familiar to them. This has the newly-developed “Super Motor” electric generator/motor rated at 82 horsepower to make it more appealing to young people. One propels the front axle and a second the rear axle, thus making the Mixim an all-wheel drive vehicle. The automaker’s spokesman said that the Mixim has an “unusually rapid performance” for an electric runabout combined with a usefully extended range. Top speed is given as 180 kilometres an hour (112 miles per hour) and the Nissan can travel for 250 kilometres before its lithium-ion batteries need recharging. As of the moment, the Japanese car maker has no plans yet of putting the Nissan Mixim into series production model but the development is in line with the desire of Nissan to make the mobile society a more sustainable one.

The Italian automaker for luxury sports car has released it most expensive car yet, the Reventon, during the recently concluded Frankfurt Auto Show. This is a very limited edition Lamborghini model that looks like that of an arrow because of its very sleek form. The Italian automaker decided to produce this to add more prestige than what it already has to its models. Though very expensive it may be, the automaker has already sold 20 units of Reventon that it plans to build. Chief Executive Stephan Winkelmann said, “As soon as the word got out, we sold out in four days.” He also added that they could have easily sold another 20. He added that most of the buyers of the Reventon were from the United States, the Italian automaker’s biggest auto market. Some of the buyers of the Reventon already have Lamborghinis of their own. “We have among our customers movie stars, sports stars…but the majority of our clients are businessmen. Men. Lovers of luxury goods,” Winkelmann said. Lamborghini has always been known to associate the names of its vehicles to aggressive images and so it named this car after a bull that ended the life of matador Felix Guzman back in 1943. This model is based on the automaker’s Murcielago LP640 model but it is after a fighter jet that auto engineers designed the car after. They just reworked the composite carbon body filter to emphasize the model’s sleekness and the angular edges that are usually associated with its vehicles. The engine is the same as the LP640: a 12-cylinder rocket that can propel the car from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. When it is compared with the coupe version of the LP640, the LP640 costs relatively more around 219,600 euros.