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LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
By James Tate of MSN Autos
With higher fuel-economy standards on the horizon, gas prices still pinching most consumers, and a growing base of young, environmentally concerned drivers entering the car-buying market, automakers have been fast-tracking innovations in fuel efficiency. From hybrids to plug-in electrics to impressive gas and diesel engines, the options are becoming better engineered and more numerous every year. At the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, automakers showed off their latest and greatest ways to save at the pump — or avoid it all together. Click through for the highlights.
LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
Chevrolet Spark EV
This plug-in electric version of Chevrolet's subcompact Spark has some surprising benefits to offer the consumer. There is a 20-plus kilowatt-hour battery pack driving the front wheels, and a 110kW electric motor that produces 400 lb-ft of torque, propelling the EV from zero to 60 mph in under eight seconds. The Spark EV's range is promised to be among the best in its class, so presume it to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 miles. What may alleviate anxiety over going all-electric is the Spark EV's fast-charging system, which allows users to charge the battery to 80 percent capacity in about 20 minutes.
LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
Fiat 500e
The Fiat 500e will initially be available in California only as a compliance measure to the state's law that a percentage of a manufacturer's sales be electric vehicles. Seeing the 500e in the flesh makes things a bit more interesting. With bodywork that reduces drag by 13 percent, a 100-mile range under city driving conditions, and a 4-hour charge time when using a 240-volt outlet, there's a lot to like about the Fiat 500e.
LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
BMW iConcept series
The BMW i3 Coupe Concept and i8 Concept Roadster make their North American debuts at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show and are impressive on different levels. The i8 is a flat-out hybrid supercar with stunning futuristic looks, a combined 354 horsepower between the gas engine and electric motor, and an ultralight carbon-fiber body. Carbon fiber is also used liberally to aid the range of the i3 Coupe Concept, which sends 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque to its rear wheels. The fit, finish and technological intricacy of the i3 Coupe Concept alone are worth noting, as well as its projected 100-mile range.
LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
Mazda diesel engines
Not only does the LA Auto Show see the North American debut of the new Mazda6, it also brings the news that Mazda's remarkable Skyactiv-D diesel engine will be an option when the sedan goes on sale in January 2013. No official word on power or mileage numbers yet, but expect lots of torque for a little fuel, and with a fun 6-speed manual transmission option.
LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
Audi diesel engines
After years of availability only in the Europe, Audi will offer its torquey 3.0-liter TDI engine in the Q5 crossover, along with the A6, A7 and A8. With 240 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque on tap, Audi has the TDI-equipped A8 coming in at 24 mpg city/36 mpg highway. Stateside customers will start feeling the pull in early 2013.
LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
Dodge Dart Aero
The $3,300 Aero package for the Dodge Dart gives it Fiat's 1.4-liter MultiAir turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine that when mated to the available 6-speed manual transmission pushes the Dart Aero's highway mileage to 41 mpg. The combination of the Dart Aero's good looks, standard equipment and price should mean success when it goes on sale. No word on exactly when that will be, but Dodge says that the Dart Aero is already in production, so it shouldn't be long.
LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
Lexus LF concepts
Showing off what is almost surely to become the next Lexus IS, and what may go into production as a supercar challenger, the Lexus LF-CC and LF-LC concepts are bold statements of direction for the luxury brand in terms of design and performance. The LF-CC achieves 200 horsepower with a combination of electric motors and a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine. The LF-LC is powered by two electric motors, a nickel-metal-hydride battery and a 5.0-liter V8 engine good for a combined 500 horsepower.
LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
Volkswagen Beetle TDI
The styling of the new Volkswagen Beetle has been a hit with fans who like the new car's less "bubbly" look. Now those fans are getting the option of Volkswagen's 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine with the Beetle TDI. With 140 horsepower, 236 lb-ft of torque, and the ability to go nearly 600 miles per tank, the TDI-equipped Beetle was overshadowed at the LA Auto Show by the reveal of the convertible Beetle, but may in fact be the more interesting Bug.
LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
Ford Fiesta ST
Most of the excitement surrounding Ford's announcement that the Fiesta ST is heading to the United States has revolved around the small hot hatch's performance. Missing from the conversation is the fact that the Fiesta ST's 197 horsepower is coming from the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine, which is revolutionizing performance expectations from "economy" powerplants. The EcoBoost's presence in the Fiesta ST increases its desirability and value.
LA 2012: Best of the fuel-efficient cars
For more information on the cars featured in this slideshow, click the links below:
-Chevrolet Spark
-Fiat 500
-Mazda Mazda6
-Audi Q5
-Audi A6
-Audi A7
-Audi A8
-Dodge Dart
-Volkswagen Beetle
-Ford Fiesta
James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side as Senior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trendand European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911.
