Senator Stabenow re-pitches $7,500 plug-in vehicle point-of-purchase rebate

Currently, buyers of eligible plug-in vehicles receive a $7,500 federal tax credit upon filing their income taxes. In some situations, that $7,500 arrives up to a year after one has plunked down cash to buy a battery-powered auto. However, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), looks to put an end to the delay with a reintroduced bill that, if passed, would provide a $7,500 point-of-purchase rebate to plug-in vehicles buyers.

Last August, Stabenow pushed for the Charging America Forward Act, a bill that aimed to expand tax incentives for alternative-energy vehicles. Unfortunately, the act was never passed into law.

Stabenow's recent pitch to modify the plug-in vehicle rebate program comes within weeks of two other Michigan congressmen proposing an expansion of the alternative-energy vehicle federal tax credit. In late January, U.S. Representative Sander Levin (D-MI), and his brother, U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), proposed legislation calling for an increase from 200,000 to 500,000 vehicles in the per-manufacturer cap on the $7,500 tax credit.

Diesel Powered Smart cdi

The 45 hp Smart ForTwo diesel - the world's smallest diesel engine - can travel over 631 miles on a single tank of fuel. Its high-tech, common diesel proficiency is a perfect match for Canadian drivers looking for unpolluted energy, implementation, and financial prudence. Driving the Smart CDI at an average speed of 30 miles per hour the Smart diesel can achieve over 100 miles per gallon on diesel fuel. The new Smart CDI diesel model has received more enthusiastic evaluations. The recent edition of the Smart CDI is said to be substantially improved from its precursor, according to a report in the Telegraph, Great Britain's leading news paper.

A road test by their reporter reports that if driven under normal conditions the Smart diesel (cdi) fortwo is able of realizing the type of miles per gallon we can only dream about.
Driving at an average speed of 30 miles per hour the CDI Smart can achieve over 100 miles per gallon on diesel fuel.

The report also states that the Smart is steadier at higher speeds with improved in handling and the Smart diesel was capable of reaching a top speed of 84 miles per hour.

For many of you who wanting a little city car the diesel CDI Smart is the perfect car. Regrettably the car will not be sold in the US.

The Smart Diesel-powered CDI model was also tested by Italian car magazine “Quattroruote” earlier this year reported that the CDI Diesel-powered Smart Fortwo’s fuel consumption is 70 plus miles per gallon. Another version not yet available for sale in the US!
This Smart Car by utilizes Bio Diesel and runs on 100% vegetable oil recycled from some of the finest restaurants!

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The Smart ForTwo CDI is a three-cylinder common-rail injection diesel engine.
The first shipment of Smart cdi cars to North America arrived in Halifax, Canada onSept. 24, 2004, and the Smart cars became available for sale in Canada in Octof 2004.

Canadian Smart Cars had an aluminum three-cylinder rear-engine 800cc motor thatdeveloped 40hp.

This turbo-diesel power plant was the only engine offered forthe Canadian Smart market and pasted all emission and safety requirementsimposed by Transport and Environment of Canada.

The Smart ForTwo cdi is the world's smallest CDI diesel. It develops a mere 40hp,thus making the Smart CDI have a fuel consumption of 70 miles per gallon. Thesame technology of the Smart cdi engine is used in the Mercedes-Benz E320diesel engine.

It has a state-of-the art common rail diesel cdi technology had lent itself to the requirements of Canadian drivers looking for unpolluted energy, implementationand financial prudence.

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TheSmart CDI CO2 emissions are some of the best available and Smart of Canada saidthe engine "is simply more efficient than gas-powered versions."

In 2007 the horsepower of their Common-rail Diesel Injection engine (cdi) wasincreased by ten percent, to 45 horsepower.

However,the Smart Common-rail Diesel Injection version will not be available for salein the United States nor Canada.

With a Smart cdi that gets 70 plus miles per gallon verses the Smart gas model that gets 40 mpg, many folks are asking why?

The latest from Daimler.

At present there is no more economical way of running a car: Italian car magazineconfirms the low consumption of the smart fortwo cdi.

On a long journey of 1,000 km the Italian car magazine “Quattroruote” measured thefuel consumption of the smart fortwo cdi and confirmed the standard consumptionof 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The current December issue of the magazine carries a report of the test drive. The smart travelled 1,000 kilometres from Rome to Salzburgon a single tank of fuelto see whether the stated standard consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100kilometres could really be achieved.

The route chosen largely consisted of motorways, but there were also detours andtraffic jams because of roadworks, long uphill stretches and city traffic inRome, Bolzano and Salzburg.

The result: the smart fortwo cdi travelled the 1,000 km on a single tank of fuel.This corresponds to average consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometresi.e. the standard consumption. According to “Quattroruote” this makes the smartfortwo cdi the vehicle with the lowest average consumption that the magazinehas ever tested in the history of its road tests.

With standard consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions ofjust 88 grams per kilometre the smart fortwo cdi is the production vehicle withthe lowest consumption and the lowest carbon dioxide emissions. For customersthis means that at present there is no more economical and climate-friendly carthan the smart fortwo cdi.

2011 Fiat Uno

2011 Fiat Uno – Click above for high-res image gallery

The crew at Carscoop have managed to get their hands on a bevy of images of the new Fiat Uno. Judging from the photos, it looks like the company will be offering its tiny hatchback in two varieties – the standard base model and the Uno Way. Expect the Way to boast a slightly taller ride height and off-road inspired looks once the cars hit markets in Brazil, Europe and Russia.

There's no word on whether or not the Brazilian-built machines will find their way to the U.S. via Fiat's new partnership with Chrysler, but judging from what's rumored to be under the hood, we doubt it. Odds are both the standard Uno and the Way will get their grunt from tiny 1.0- or 1.4-liter engines – not exactly American fare.

The new Uno resurrects a name that had been abandoned by Fiat since the early 2000's, and the company says we can expect the model to slot between the Panda and the Grand Punto when it hits the scene.

2011 Fiat Uno

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New cars from Audi

Let us find you the best new car prices for new Audi models including:

Audi A4

The Audi A4 is available in the following bodystyles: Saloon, Avant, Cabriolet (also S4 Saloon, Avant and Cabriolet) and RS 4. The range has a selection of engine sizes starting from a minimum of 1.8T to a maximum of 4.2 Quattro. A selection of diesel engines is also available.

Audi A3

The Audi A3 is available as a three-door hatchback or five-door sportback with a selection of engine sizes ranging from a minimum of 1.6 litres up to a maximum of 2.0 litres FSI or TDI.

Audi TT

The Audi TT comes in coupe or roadster form and has a choice of a 2.0 TFSI or 3.2 Quattro engine.

Audi A6

The Audi A6 is available in the following bodystyles: Saloon, Avant, allroad and S6. The A4 range has a selection of engine sizes starting from a minimum 2.0 TFSI up to the maximum 4.2 FSI Quattro. Diesel engines are also available.

Audi A8

The A8 range incorporates the Audi S8 model. The A8 has a selection of engine sizes ranging from a minimum 3.2 FSI up to the maximum 6.0 Quattro. The S8 has a V10 FSI engine offering breathtaking performance.

Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 is an all-terrain vehicle with a standard 3.0 TDI Quattro engine.

The Audi ‘S’ models within the range indicate high performance and sporty appearance.

New cars from BMW

Let us find you the best new car prices for new BMW models including:

BMW M3

The M3 is available as a coupe or convertible.

BMW 1 Series [116; 118; 120; 130]

The 1 Series is a marketed as a sports hatch and has a selection of engine sizes ranging from a minimum of 1.6 litres to a maximum of 3.0 litres.

BMW 3 Series [318; 320; 325; 330]

The 3 Series is available in the Saloon, Touring, Coupé or Convertible bodystyles and has a selection of engine sizes ranging from a minimum of 1.8 litres to a maximum of 3.0 litres.

BMW 5 Series [520; 523; 525; 530; 535; 540; 550]

The 5 Series is available in the Saloon and Touring bodystyles and has a selection of engine sizes ranging from a minimum of 2.0 litres up to a maximum of 5.0 litres.

BMW 6 Series [630; 650]

The 6 Series is available as a coupe or convertible and has two engine sizes available - 3.0 litres and 5.0 litres.

BMW 7 Series [730; 740; 750; 760]

The 7 Series is available as a saloon only and has a selection of engine sizes ranging from a minimum of 3.0 litres up to a maximum of 6.0 litres.

Volkswagen Polo 1.2L Comfortline (Petrol)

	The Polo 1.2 litre Comfortline variant has capacity to delivers an output of 75 Ps at 5400 rpm and a torque of 110 Nm at 3750 rpm. It is equipped with 5-speed manual transmission & power steering.

• Summary
• Specifications
• Features
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Specifications
Transmission Type		Manual
Fuel Type		Petrol
Seating Capacity		5
Gearbox		5 Speed
Engine Description		1.2L 75bhp 3-cyl.
Engine Displacement		1,198 cc
Maximum Power		75 @ 5,400 (PS@rpm)
Maximum Torque		11 @ 3,750 (kgm@rpm)

Features
Air Conditioner		Standard
Power Steering		Standard
Anti-Lock Braking System		Not Available
CD Player		Not Available
Power Windows - Front		Standard
Central Locking		Standard
Automatic Climate Control		Not Available
Leather Seats		Not Available
Driver Airbag		Not Available
Passenger Airbag		Not Available

Gas Friendly Car Models

With gas prices averaging over three dollars a gallon, everyone in America is looking for ways to get more gas mileage out of their car. People are making sure they have enough air in their tires, changing their fuel filter, and watching their speed to try to conserve gas. However, there are many gas friendly car models on the market today, which could really put some money in your pocket.

The days are gone where the only gas friendly car models look like toy cars, or have no horsepower. Now you can get a sleek, sophisticated car, with quite a bit of horsepower, and great gas mileage. Many cars are available now like the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Honda Insight, Lexus GS450H, Toyota Camry, and the Toyota Prius. These cars get anywhere from 25 miles per gallon in the city (Lexus GS450H) on the low end to 61 miles per gallon in the city (Honda Insight). The Insight also gets 68 miles per gallon on the highway, while the GS450H, gets 28 miles per gallon on the highway. Some of these cars have a fully integrated hybrid (gas & electric) engine, while others have a six cylinder engine that turns off three cylinders on the highway to conserve gas.

If you are looking for a sports utility vehicle, but you do not want to get a second mortgage on your house to pay for gas, then you are in luck, because many hybrids are hitting the market now. These include the Ford Escape, Lexus RX400H, Toyota Highlander, and Mercury Mariner. The gas mileage for these models ranges from 31 to 33 miles per gallon in the city, and 27 to 29 miles per gallon on the highway, with the Escape and Mariner getting higher gas mileages.

Not only will these gas friendly car models get more mileage for your gas dollars, the federal government is giving income tax breaks for buying gas friendly car models as well. Many different states are also giving sales tax breaks, parking fee exemptions, and state income tax breaks for purchasing gas friendly cars. Some major cities are also allowing hybrid cars the ability to drive in the high occupancy vehicle lane with only one passenger. The perks to owning a gas friendly car model are very lucrative, so what is stopping you from going out and buying one the next time you are looking for a new car?