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VW has announced that all models in its group are getting the all-new 1.6-liter diesel engine.  This new engine, manages to reduce both fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.  While the 1.9-liter TDIe managed to burn 4.1 l/100 km, the new 1.6-liter lowers it further to 3.8 l/100 km (a drop of 57 to 62 mpg U.S.), and CO₂ emissions go from 109 to 99 g/km.  Besides the new engine, the car gets all the standard improvements to keep diesel consumption low, like aerodynamic improvements, low-rolling resistance tires and a lowered body stance. 

But if you are not a diesel lover, Audi has a different solution for you.  Audi introduces the all new 1.2-liter Turbo engine that produces 105hp and 175 Nm of torque (129 lb-ft).  This engine, is combines with a 6-speed manual gearbox, will replace the current 1.6 liter base engine for Europe.  Fuel consumption is a very respectable 5.5 l/100 km (43 mpg U.S.) and CO₂ emissions remain the same at 127 g/km.  Both models are going on sale in Germany during the first half of 2010, with prices starting at €23,550 and €20,500, respectively. 

No word if any of these engines will make it to US (probably not).

Source: Auto News (german)

As we reported earlier, BMW 1 series will be getting new variety of engines for 2010 models. We are still not sure if they will trickle down to US models but for now we know that Europeans get them.

One of the engines will be a 2.0-liter gasoline engine that utilizes direct injection and has 170 HP and 155 lb-ft. The estimated 0-60 should come in 7.8 seconds, and top speed of 149 mph.

The second one is the diesel variant that packs 143 hp and 221 lb-ft that will bring the car from 0-60 in nine seconds. The fuel economy and CO2 emissions is where this engine shines, and it achieves 4.5 liters/100 kilometers (about 52 mpg US) and a CO2 emission rating of 119 grams per kilometer.

Here is a complete Press Release.

Click here to read more…

Although Tengzhong’s purchase of GMs HUMMER division is still being finilised and will not be coplete till October of this year, Yang Yi, the firm’s general manager already thinking in to the green future.  The plans are to produce much more economical, efficient and environmentally-friendly HUMMER.

The company is planing to invest a lot in to the biofuels, hybrid and electrical research in order to achieve the very stringent government fuel efficiency requirements.

Source:  Autocar

We may yet to see the Tata Nano on US soil in about two years according to a representative for an Indian automaker.  Before it arrives, Tata assures that the the Nano that is prices very cheap with a base price of just $2500 will be configured to meet all US emission and crash standards.  We could also see versions of this microcar running on biofuel and diesel.

No one is sure yet who will be the distributor of this car, but we will just have to wait and see.  A whole new line of auto dealer might be established all together.  But some speculations regarding the distribution of these cars through Jaguar and Land Rover dealerships have came up, since Indian automaker owns both, after all?  This idea was quickly dismissed by Stuart Schorr, a spokesman for Jaguar Land Rover, before it got out any further.

Source: Automotive News