Report: Gasoline engine has big bang for the fuel-economy buck

A government report says improving the gasoline engine will yield huge gains for the consumer and the environment as automakers consider ways to improve fuel economy over the next 14 years. The Obama administration's technical assessment looked at four technology scenarios by which automakers might attain suggested CAFE goals of 47 to 62 mpg for cars and light trucks by 2025. The scenarios differed by the portion of an automaker's fleet that was accounted for by electrics, hybrid electrics and plug-in hybrid electrics.

Suzuki Alto (2009): first photos

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 08 August 2008 11:26 These are the first pictures of the new Suzuki Alto, a city car with looks inspired by the funky A-Star concept. The new Alto will be unveiled at the Paris motor show this autumn and promises to be both clean and frugal. And if the Swift is anything to go by the Suzuki Alto should be a cracking drive too, plus prices should start at under £7k when the it goes on sale in early 2009.

Hyundai sets prices for Blue Link telematics

Hyundai has set annual subscription prices for its Blue Link telematics service, which starts showing up in its cars this summer. Blue Link is a technology embedded in the car. It offers safety services such as automatic crash notification and navigation, remote unlocking and concierge services.