Apr 21 2008
AutoWeek magazine published its first issue devoted entirely to the subject of "green" automobiles 18 years ago. Today, AutoWeek remains the authority in all things automotive, continuing this legacy with a special double issue dedicated to Earth Day. The weekly magazine's green issue contains the first drive of the Audi R8 Turbo Diesel, fuel trends, green vehicle reviews, vehicle recyclability, green racing and more.
"The automotive industry is gearing up for a greener tomorrow, releasing several alternatives to decrease our impact on the environment," states Dutch Mandel, editor and associate publisher of AutoWeek magazine. "People need to be educated regarding the various fuel choices entering the market, their costs and long-term affects."
AutoWeek Special Earth Day Double Issue - April 21, 2008
AutoWeek Reports:
Green Commute
- 1100 energy-conscious commuters in California have placed orders for the Aptera, a three-wheeled vehicle that allows drivers access to the commuter lane. Classified as a motorcycle, the initial models will be electric with a range of 120 miles. A plug-in-hybrid version, which promises 300 mpg and a 600-mile range, is scheduled to be released soon after.
More B-Class Vehicles
- In comparison to C-class vehicles, smaller and more fuel-efficient B-class vehicle sales rose 30 percent in 2007 and increased another 60 percent in the first two months of 2008.
- Examples of B-class vehicles include: Mini Cooper, Honda Fit, Chevrolet Aveo, Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, the upcoming Ford Fiesta, etc.
- B-class vehicles are cars smaller than traditional subcompacts, such as: Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and the Ford Focus, known as C-class vehicles.
Greener Super Car
- The Audi R8 TDI Lemans concept has the first V12 diesel to ever be used in a sports car. If produced, the production model is estimated to receive 25 mpg.
Greener Commercial Trucks
- Manufacturers such as Volvo and Mack are researching renewable-fuel sources in commercial trucks, including: biodiesel, synthetic diesel, DME (dimethylether), methanol/ethanol, biogas, a combination of biogas and biodiesel and a combination of hydrogen and biogas.
- Four Mack hybrid-electric trucks being tested by the Air Force run diesel and electric motors with a 35 percent efficiency gain.