Honey, I shrunk the car

These are the latest spy shots of Fiat’s new micro-car, dubbed the Topolino after the company’s original 1930s small car.

The diminutive Italian, which will sit below the Fiat 500, is one of a rush of new micro models being planned by carmakers looking to beat the European Union's tough new emission laws, which will take effect in 2015.

The Topolino, tipped to built in collaboration with Indian firm Tata, is also said to use a two cylinder engine, with a capacity of 900cc. Diesel and full electric power will be options, although electric power won’t be available at launch, which is slated for the middle of 2010.

Industry speculation also has Fiat collaborating with BMW on the micro car platform that would underpin both the Topolino, and a proposed BMW small car that has been dubbed the Isetta, after the original bubble cars of the same name made by BMW under license in the 1950s.

While it’s true that BMW and Fiat have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see them collaborate on new cars for Alfa-Romeo and Mini, insiders say that the deal doesn’t extend further downwards into the Isetta size range.

According to reports, the Isetta will use a twin-clutch semi-automatic gearbox that, combined with light weight and efficient aerodynamics, will lead to 42 km per litre fuel efficiency (that’s 100 mpg in the old money) and carbon dioxide outputs of less than 100 grams per kilometre.

But Toyota will beat both makers to the punch with its new iQ model, which is slated to go into production towards the end of 2008. The iQ measures 2985mm and has a 2000mm wheelbase, yet Toyota claims it will seat four due to space saving innovations in packaging. These include a flat fuel tank under the floor with angled rear shock absorbers, a newly developed differential that allows short frontal overhangs and a small heater and air conditioning unit. There are also sliding passenger seats, and an asymmetric dashboard that provides more room for the front passenger by allowing the seat to be moved forward.

Toyota hasn’t said what engines will power the iQ, however the company has said that there will be the choice of petrol and diesel power units that, combined with the car’s low weight and aerodynamic efficiency, should lead to emissions in the region of 100g/km of CO2.

Toyota estimates it will produce 100,000 units of the iQ in the first full year of production.

Hybrids great on gasoline savings but not expense, study finds

Hybrids may be tops when it comes to saving gasoline, but they're far for the best choice for budget-conscious car buyers, a new study says.

The four-door hatchback Chevy Aveo for General Motors Corp. leads the ranking of the highest quality new-car price points in terms of "total ownership cost" as intended by automotive information steady Edmunds.com, based on $5-a-gallon gas. The highest-ranked hybrid was the Honda Civic at No. 10. The Toyota Prius hybrid -- No. 1 in the government's power sector rankings -- came in 26th.
Hybrids, which are powered by both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, typically get better gas mileage as opposed to their non-hybrid counterparts but carry higher worth tags.

A 2008 Aveo hatchback amidst manual transmission lists for $10,235 and is rated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 27 miles per gallon in combined city-highway driving. The Prius, by contrast, has a combined fuel economy of 46 mpg and a implied retail price of $21,500 -- and typically transactions for thousands of dollars above that when of above average demand.

The study's purpose "isn't to discourage shoppers from obtaining hybrids," alleged Jesse Toprak, head of industry analysis for Santa Monica-based Edmunds.com. However, "consumers ought to ponder regular-engine small cars if such a goal is just to save money."

The Edmunds.com findings are at odds amongst a recent analysis by Consumer Reports, which ranked both the Prius and the Civic hybrids amongst the 10 cars that the bidder "the best gas economy for the buck."

Consumer Reports easily included vehicles that get its "recommended" rating, which is centered on reliability, safety, handling and other components in addition to dealings price and power economy. That's part of the reason the Aveo and the Toyota Yaris did not make Consumer Reports' fuel-economy cut.

"We did not want to send households to cars who are anticipated to let them down in other areas," said Rik Paul, the magazine's auto editor.

One car-shopping strategy that is basically absolute not to get sense financially is to trade in a late-model sport utility vehicle or pickup truck for a smaller, a greater number of fuel-efficient vehicle. Because of plummeting demand, trade-in values on these types of gas guzzlers have been falling fast -- some dealers won't accept them at all -- and that can wipe out the gas savings achieved by switching to a tinier car, auto research steady Kelley Blue Book Co. said in a prediction last month.

Toprak noted that many lendees buy hybrids because of the cars' environmentally friendly image or additionally reasons unrelated to economics.

"At least 50% of all automotive purchases are not founded on mortgage considerations," he said. "Its a particularly emotional purchase that doesn't constantly involve numbers."

Top 10 Pickups With the Worst Residual Value for 2008

It's worth taking the tiny bit to find out a thing or two about residual value before deciding on your next pickup. Choose a truck with a high residual value, and you'll benefit from decreased monthly bills if you opt to lease. Opt to buy one of such pickups, and you will enjoy greater amount of robust resale values.

This directory showcases the 10 pickups amongst the rock bottom visual expense for 2008 — the trucks that are likely to depreciate the numerous during the ownership period. We've argued the fee of its earliest market worth such a each truck is possible to retain subsequent to five years in an annual mileage of 15,000. Residual price level percentages are based on the nationwide True Market Value (TMV®) price, plus usual opportunities and target charge.

These trucks are not as dismal a bet as you'd think. For one thing, a couple of them come with bargain-basement worth tags, making them choices to ponder for those on a budget. Also, these kinds of trucks can be virtual steals when purchased on the used market, since you will perhaps be able to purchase a pickup on currently directory for a lot less than you'd pay for a competing car with a sturdier resale value.

1. 2008 Mazda B-Series Truck — 33.2%

2. 2008 Isuzu i-Series — 34.7%

3. 2008 Ford Ranger — 36.8%

4. 2008 Mitsubishi Raider — 37.0%

5. 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 — 37.9%

6. 2008 Nissan Titan — 38.3% (tie)

7. 2008 Dodge Dakota — 38.3% (tie)

8. 2008 Ford F-150 — 38.9%

9. 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 — 39.9%


7. 2008 Cadillac Escalade EXT — 38.4%


8. 2008 Ford F-150 — 38.9%


9. 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 — 39.9%