Year: 2008

Driving Clean Diesels in Las Vegas

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Alternative Fuels and Vehicles 2008 conference attendees were in for a rare treat at the Bosch sponsored a clean diesel ride-n-drive event on Monday evening, May 12th. After opening remarks from diesel hot rodding legend Gale Banks, attention turned to the race course laid out though the parking lots of the Rio Hotel and a … Read more

2008 Chevy Malibu Hybrid MPG Review

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Chevy Malibu MPG-o-Matic Review Summary: The Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid delivers style and fuel economy, as it competes with the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Ford Fusion among others in the Family Sedan category.

The Malibu Hybrid’s Ecotec 2.4 liter four cylinder engine and 36-volt NiMH battery powered electric motor assist produce 164 horsepower (HP) and 159 foot pounds of torque.

While this obviously isn’t the Malibu you’d bring to the drag strip (the 3.6 liter V-6 boasts 252 HP), it’s more than adequate on the road for a great many folks and feels more sprightly than the Saturn VUE Green Line, which uses the identical drive train.

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2008 Saturn VUE Green Line Hybrid SUV MPG Review

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Saturn Vue Greenline Hybrid SUV MPG-o-Matic Saturn VUE Green Line Review Summary: The distinctively styled Saturn VUE Green Line hybrid competes with the Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Jeep Patriot, and Compass among others in the crowded compact SUV category.

The Green Line is powered by a Hybrid drive train with a 2.4 liter Ecotec inline four cylinder engine that produces 169 horsepower (HP) and 161 foot pounds of torque, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission.

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Saab Gas Mileage: 1979 – 2008

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Saab gas mileage ratings have remained relatively steady over the years, with highway ratings that top out in the mid-to-high twenty mile per gallon (MPG) range.

The 2.0 liter equipped 9-3 Sport Sedan (shown below) holds the current high spot in the Saab lineup, scoring 19 MPG city and 29 MPG highway. While those numbers may have been sufficient while gas was cheap, the future is clear. Saab needs to begin offering a fuel-efficient diesel option in America, as quickly as possible.

saab 9-3

Over the years, Saabs have flirted with and have exceeded the 30 MPG milestone (although under the older EPA testing standard). 1984 appears to be the high water mark, with the 2.0 liter equipped Saab 900 hitting 37 MPG when fitted with the five-speed manual transmission.

In the UK, Saab offers the 9-3 with three diesel engine options, with the most powerful of the trio delivering 8 second 0-60 times and 50.4 miles per Imperial gallon combined (in a six-speed manual equipped Saloon) … that’s the equivalent of roughly 42 MPG here in the States.

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Suzuki Offers Free Gas

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Not interested in a $500 rebate on your new car? Rather have free gas? How about ten tanks full? Hold onto your hats. Suzuki is offering up to $470 of “free gas” to folks who buy a new Suzuki car or SUV. That’s on top of 0% financing. FREE GAS PROVIDED IN FORM OF A … Read more