New Peugeot 207 Economique with Aero Tweaks and Engine Mods Returns 61.8MPG - 3.8lt/100km

Sometimes, a few tweaks here, a few tweaks there, are more than enough to create an ultra fuel-efficient vehicle with extremely low emissions. Such is the case with the new Peugeot 207 Economique. First shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, the Economique is based on the recently facelifted 207 hatchback. It is powered by a 1.6-liter HDI diesel with 90HP that benefits from specially developed engine management software and the addition of an EGR heat exchanger to cool the re-injected exhaust gases.

Peugeot also fitted the Economique with a modified five-speed manual gearbox with a higher final drive ratio than the standard 207 hatchback while the supermini rides on low resistance Michelin 185/65R15 VLRR (Very low rolling resistance) tires.

Furthermore, Peugeot's engineers lowered the ride height by 5mm and added a special aerodynamic package that consists of a new lower bumper trim and deeper side extensions, optimized air intakes, under tray covers and special wheel trims plus a two-part rear spoiler. As a result, the 207 Economique has a drag coefficient of only 0.274, compared to the standard 207 HDi 90 hatchback of 0.30.

The French automaker claims that the 207 Economique returns an average fuel consumption of just 74.2mpg UK (61.8mpg US or 3.8lt/100km) with C02 emissions of 99g/km.

The new Peugeot 207 Economique will go on sale in the UK in October and will be available in two trim levels, Economique and Economique + with prices starting at £12,995.

Obama Announces 35.5MPG Average for 2016 and National Standard For Tailpipe Emissions

Obama Announces 35.5MPG Average for 2016 and National Standard For Tailpipe Emissions

The Obama administration today announced tougher fuel mileage standards and tailpipe emission limits forcing automakers to meet a fleetwide average of 35.5 miles per gallon (6.6lt/100km) by 2016, four years sooner than what Congress required in 2007, when it called for an average standard of 35mpg by 2020. Under the new plan, passenger cars sold in the U.S. will be required to travel on average 39 miles per gallon while light trucks will have to return a combined figure of 30 mpg by 2016.

According to a senior administration official, the new program will add an extra $1,300 to the price of producing a vehicle (compared to the $700 forecasted by the Bush administration's 2007 fuel efficiency proposal) but it is expected that consumers will bank around $2,800 over the car's life from fuel-savings.

The new regulations are said to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 900 metric tons.

"The status quo is no longer acceptable. We have done little to increase fuel efficiency of America's cars and trucks for decades," Obama said in an address from the White House.

"As a result of this agreement, we will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles sold in the next five years," Obama added. "And at a time of historic crisis in our auto industry, this rule provides the clear certainty that will allow these companies to plan for a future in which they are building the cars of the 21st century."

Via: MSNBC & Detnews (photo:flickr)