Get in line for a Smart car....
http://www.zapworld.com/cars/smartcar.asp
The cars come with a multitude of options, accessories and sub-models, so prices may vary subject to options and availability. Our initial supply includes many with luxury features, so pricing may be in the $25,000 range.
Hmm, while in Europe the base model Smart is $12k w/o tax at today's exchange rate. Comparable to other, "larger", small cars, like the Fiat Punto, Kia, Daewoo Chevrolet ...
But you can fit 2 in the garage, so maybe someone in Boston or NYC who's shelled out $100k for a garage condo or two could make the numbers work...
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Here are the most fuel-efficient new models currently for sale in Italy:
http://tinyurl.com/o9tmz
3,4 lt/100km = 69mpg (Smart)
4,1 lt/100km = 57mpg (2 Citroen models, a Peugeot and a Toyota)
4,3 lt/100km = 55mpg (Fiat, Renault, Toyota Prius)
4,4 lt/100km = 54mpg (Citroen, Ford, Kia, Peugeot, Renault, VW)
4,5 lt/100km = 52mpg (Citroen, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Mazda)
(mpg rounded; mixed driving)
What's fascinating to me is that FORD has no problem producing not one, but two models that get
over 50mpg: the Fiesta (base price $15k including 20%IVA-- that's $12,838 w/o tax) and the Fusion ($20k -- $17k w/o tax), both with "Euro 4" emission reduction systems. P.S., these are models that run on gasoline, not diesel or other... and using today's relatively bad dollar/euro exch. rate.
Ford also has a more substantial model, the Focus (which I believe has an analog in the US).. Cost $22k w/VAT; $18k w/o.. Mileage in mixed driving= 36.7mpg!!!
The US model is listed at 26 city/34 h'way..
...the US Fusion is even worse, at 24/32 (compared w/52 here in mixed driving, 59 h'way)..!
Makes me laugh when I hear the auto mfr.s in the US saying "we can't"... They can.
anyone curious about emission std.s can go here:
http://www.dieselnet.com/standards/eu/ld.html
but you'd have to convert grams/km to PPM and I'm just not up for that before finishing my coffee.
You can search by MPG on American car models here:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/byMPG.htm
The highest mpg category listed is 40 and the only cars in it are hybrid$.