The Jeep Renegade Concept is a flashback and a flash forward. There’s no mistaking the visual cues … this little lime green beauty hearkens back to the legendary Meyers Manx dune buggy of the 1960s. But this is no air-cooled kit car dropped on a bug’s frame … it’s a rock ‘em, sock ‘em Bluetec diesel electric hybrid … with a bold target of 110 miles per gallon (MPG).
The tiny Bluetec diesel engine does not propel the car. It’s merely a generator that recharges the Lithium-Ion batteries (a la the Chevy Volt). The Renegade concept’s battery pack has a 40 mile range.
Who could resist a 110 MPG Hot Wheels car sprung to life, complete with a pair of scuba diver propulsion devices on the rear deck lid and a hose-out interior?
The Renegade Concept isn’t just the perfect beach house accessory … it could fill a very cool niche for beach patrols looking for a maneuverable, economical and green solution to lessen the dependence on gas-hungry SUVs and pickup trucks.
Here’s hoping that Jeep gives their little green gem the green light for production …
Since its introduction to America in the 1995 model year, the popular Hyundai Accent has consistently delivered a high mile per gallon (MPG) to purchase price ratio. The Accent’s highway gas mileage figures have hovered in the mid-thirties on the highway throughout the sub-compact’s run. Although the Accent’s gas mileage ratings took a bit of a hit with the reworking of the mileage formula for the 2008 model year, the least expensive Accent’s sticker price is still under $11,000.
Both the three-door hatchback and four-door Hyundai Accent sedan are fitted with a 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine, producing 110 horsepower and 106 foot pounds of torque. All models are available with a five-speed manual as standard issue; a four-speed automatic with overdrive is optional.
The SE hatchback, designed for the entry-level boy (and girl) racer at heart, is equipped with a B&M Racing sport shifter, sport tuned suspension, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Does Hyundai fit a common rail turbo-diesel in the Accent abroad? Sure thing, but not here in the States … yet …
The compact Hyundai Elantra was introduced to America in the 1993 model year. Consistently strong gas mileage figures - with highway gas mileage ratings in the low-thirty mile per gallon (MPG) range - along with reasonable pricing have ensured the Elantra’s long run of success. The Elantra has been redesigned three times over the years, with the most recent redesign taking place in 2007.
The 2008 Hyundai Elantra is fitted with a 2.0 liter DOHC four cylinder engine. Performance specs differ slightly between the Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) and Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) versions. The ULEV engine is rated at 138 horsepower (HP) and 136 foot pounds of torque, while the PZEV engine is rated at 132 HP and 133 foot pounds of torque. The Elantra is equipped with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.
The mid-size Hyundai Sonata was introduced to America in the 1989 model year and quickly became a hit with the value conscious. The Sonata produces solid gas mileage figures when equipped with Hyundai’s 2.4 liter engine: 30 miles per gallon (MPG) highway with the automatic transmission and 31 MPG highway with the manual. The sedan represents good value for the dollar and has crept upmarket with each redesign. (The Sonata was most recently redesigned in 2006.)
American Sonata buyers can choose either a 2.4 liter four cylinder, producing 162 horsepower (HP) and 164 foot pounds of torque, or a 3.3 liter V-6, producing 234 HP and 226 foot pounds of torque.
While Hyundai Sonatas may be fitted with diesel engines abroad, diesels are not currently available in the States. In the UK, Hyundai offers a 2.0 liter common rail turbo diesel that produces 305 foot pounds of torque while delivering 34.4 urban / 56.5 extra urban miles per British gallon when mated with the manual transmission (that’s roughly 28.6 city / 47 highway).
Need a four wheel drive with the best gas mileage? Get ready to downsize. None of the best gas mileage four wheel drives (4WDs) are jumbo-sized sport utility vehicles (SUVs).
Simply put, the aerodynamics and vehicle weight of the bulkiest SUVs cause gas mileage to suffer, leading to many a painful transaction at the pump. The trick is to get small(er), lighter, and more slippery. Credit Subaru for getting the ball rolling with popularizing economical 4WD drive passenger cars in the early days. Since 1997, every vehicle Subaru’s offered in America has been all wheel drive.
These days, it’s not just Subaru. There are plenty of four wheel drive choices that are neither truck nor SUV. And forget the notion of pint-sized economy cars. You’ll find a generous helping of 4WD luxury from manufacturers including Audi, Volvo, Cadillac, and Lexus … in fact, you’ll find many of their offerings in the 2008 list of best gas mileage four wheel drives.
Purists will gladly share that there’s a difference between four wheel drive and all wheel drive (AWD). And surely there is … but for a great many folks, it comes down to two simple questions: will it go in the snow and will I go broke feeding it?
At the other end of the spectrum, the little Suzuki SX4 delivers plenty of bang for the buck, by combining the best four wheel drive gas mileage with a low sticker price (for those who don’t just think miles per gallon … but miles per dollar.)
Along with its corporate cousins, the Ford Escape Hybrid proves the exception to the rule as the highest all around mile per gallon (MPG) four wheel drive vehicle. If you can’t get a great deal on an Escape Hybrid at your local Ford dealer, take a look at the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. And if you happen to live in Southern California, the Mazda Tribute Hybrid HEV might be an option … as long as you’re able to snag one of the 350 Tribute HEVs built for this test market.)
