4 AUTOMOBILE REVIEW 4
Four Fuel Sippers and One Gasless Ride
BY GARY GIACOMO - AUTOMOTIVE EDITOR As gasoline prices rise, car shoppers may head to the
showrooms this spring with one thing on their minds: fuel economy. Although technological advances have brought us all- electric vehicles and even a domestically produced gas/electric hybrids, you will pay for all this new technology. For traditional- ists a number of compact and subcompact gasoline-powered options are out there too. Here is a look at five of the best.
Chevrolet Volt Chances are, unless you live under a rock you have heard of
the Volt, and despite its electronically inspired name, it is not an “electric” car; it is an advanced electric/gasoline hybrid. On a full charge it will travel 34 miles and then seamlessly switch over to the gasoline inline 4 for another 300 miles. However if you are like most American commuters, and you have a short daily commute, you could plug in your Volt every night and kiss fossil fuel good- bye. This whole concept gives the EPA fits since in the scenario I
outlined your fuel economy would be infinite because you'd always be running off the charged battery pack. Comedian Jay Leno, for example, one of the first Volt owners in California has his original tank of dealer gas still in the tank. Aside from the technol- ogy that the Volt employs, this sedan is the first hybrid that I have ever driven that is spacious, and has the road manners of a con- ventional American sedan. It is also stylish on the outside and doesn’t look like George Jetson designed it, or like the trunk is missing (think Prius). Don’t get me wrong, inside GM’s designers have included all sorts of electronic gizmos and gauges to help you feel green, but still operators will find the Volt familiar when it comes to driving experience. The car has picked up all kinds of awards from magazines and journalists. However, demand, until recently has been weak, partially due to the price point. Also, the fact that GM’s stable is packed with some of the most fuel-effi- cient engines on the planet (think the 42 mpg, Chevy Cruze). Sales may enjoy a spurt in California, however, since the Volt has been approved for solo diamond lane travel which is a big plus in the congested Golden State. Like the all-electric offerings from Ford and Nissan, the Volt comes with a host of tax credits and rebates that lower its cost of ownership; however like all hybrids, personal driving patterns will dictate if they make economic sense. MSRP: $39,000 (lowered with government incentives)
Chevrolet Volt
Nissan Leaf
EAT P LAY S
TAYMAG.COM • S P R ING 2012
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