With the new series of Top Gear having started recently over in England, the team decided that it was again time to look at fuel economy. A few years back, the show made the round trip from London to Edinburgh and back in an Audi A8 TDI on a single tankful of diesel fuel. Now, with fuel prices above $9 a gallon, they have decided to see which cars provide solid fuel economy numbers. This time around they are working on the premise that even those with lots of money to spend on a car might still want to get better mileage. Sure the premise is thin but we're talking about Jeremy Clarkson here. Rather than the usual Prius vs, everybody else routine, Clarkson and Crew decided it would be better to test some of the fastest cars in the world to see which could go the furthest on a gallon of gasoline. Literally a single gallon of gas. They took a Ferrari 599, Audi R8, Lamborghini Murcielago, Mercedes Benz SLR and an Aston Martin DBS and put in a gallon of fuel each. Then they raced them around the Top Gear track until they were empty. You can watch the video after the jump to see which was the thriftiest with its gas allotment. Be forewarned however, that none made it into double digits.

[Source: YouTube]

Lamborghini could very well be the antithesis of the green car movement. Their cars burn just about everything they can, including prodigious amounts of fossil fuels and vulcanized rubber, to say nothing of our ear-drums. And the company's CEO says he has no intention of changing that, nor that he should.

In an interview conducted while the newest Gallardo LP560-4 was being demonstrated at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Stephan Winkelmann re-opened a big can of proverbial worms. Justifying that because his company sells so few cars (it sold 2,604 vehicles last year, more than any year before) and that those cars accumulate such low mileage (most owners keep them in climate-controlled garages and only take them out on leap years), Winkelmann recognized that his company will "have to see about the social acceptance of super sports cars like ours," but that Lamborghini "will never reach the emissions that are asked for." In tangible terms, Winkelmann makes a point. The question remains whether, in our worsening environmental and geo-economic situation, cars like his can should be banned altogether or whether there is room for exemptions.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

If pedaling around in a Buick isn't enough leg power for you, check out this collection of pedal-powered machines that Oobject has rounded up. We find a true zero emission Lamborghini (pictured, and, while it's truly pedal-powered, I'm not so sure it's a true Lambo), a people-powered rollercoaster, lawnmowers (both a John Deere-type bulldozer thing and a push mower mated with a bicycle), and a pedal powered billboard. Plus more. Want to share your leg strength with others? Then give the pedal-powered carnival swing ride a try. If there's one thing that these art pieces show, it's that, when we run out of oil and li-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells are still a few years out, we won't need to walk around on our boring old feet. Punch it!

[Source: Oobject]

A look at the Lamborghini category here on AutoblogGreen will show that, besides this posting, five of the eight posts were regarding the Italian stallion's horrible emissions, fuel mileage or both. The other three were in regards to Lamborghini's recognition that they must improve their environmental impace, whether they want to or not. So, it comes as little surprise to see that the company is touting the greener aspect of their newest creation, the Gallardo LP560-4. While nobody would truly consider the vehicle green in any meaningful way, they did manage to improve the fuel economy of the machine from a dismal 14 miles per gallon to a still rather horrible 17 mpg. Additionally, the carbon emissions of the vehicle have improved 18 percent, although the 325 grams of carbon dioxide that it emits now can hardly be classified as low.

Lamborghini themselves realize the fact that they are fighting an uphill battle, with chief executive Stephan Winkelmann admitting, "Being a supersports car is all about accelerating and top speed. If you want to go fast, you consume, and if you consume, you have emissions. You will never come to the average emissions of the average car." Is anybody else thinking of Tesla right about now?

[Source: International Herald Tribune via TTAC]

Here is the general manager of the Ferrari importer European Automotive Imports Kevin Wall's response to the question would Ferrari ever make a hybrid or electric car:

I believe there is no possibility of that whatsoever. ... It just so happens that the way that the vehicles are being produced by the factory also makes them technically green, because they are so highly efficient. ... I don't think that's a prime motivator for people to purchase a Ferrari, though.

Ferrari has shown green concepts and Ferrari is aware of the "ethical" concerns of their buyers but I would not hold my breath for a hybrid Ferrari or Lamborghini, another Italian luxury car maker, because they are not coming anytime soon. While you wait, you could get a Tesla.

Related:

• Ferrari looking to cut CO2 emissions, reduce fuel use by 40 percent
• What's next for the Ferrari Millechili eco-friendly concept?

[Source: The Red Book, Reuters]

Lamborghini is ranked among the most polluting brands in Europe and the US. But, as the same way Ferrari is aware that they have to do something about their not-so-green reputation, Lamborghini has made public its intentions to improve CO₂ emissions. Of course, a brand which makes performance and looks its trademarks can only improve them by reducing weight, said Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini CEO.

The shadow of the EU's 130 g/km of CO₂ regulations is very large, coming in effect in 2010. Lamborghini's actual figure is (take a deep breath) about 400 g/km. Weight-reducing solutions to improve this figure will surely imply the use of lighter materials for the chassis and the body, although the brand won't surely reach the required figures.

Nevertheless, there is a concern about noise pollution as well, which is a nightmare in some cities. Winkelmann stated that Lamborghinis are driven mostly on weekends, which causes the least concerns for citizens. Cities in Southern Europe are currently limiting the maximum dB a car can emit while running on streets.

Continue after the jump to see the latest Lamborghini's project, the Reventón

[Source: Reuters]

The United Kingdom's Environmental Transport Association (ETA) annual awards have named the Honda Civic Hybrid Britain's greenest car for the second straight year. Finishing ahead of the Vauxhall Corsa 13.CTDi and Toyota Yaris 1.4 Diesel, the Civic won out for its superior combination of engine size, fuel consumption, noise pollution and safety impact on pedestrians.

The award for Greenest Off-Roader went to the Toyota RAV4 diesel and the Greenest Luxury Car award went to the Jaguar XJ 2.7 diesel. The wrong end of the list was dominated by luxury brands including Lamborghini, Ferrari and Aston Martin, proving that making a car really fast still requires a lot of petrol.

Top ten green cars:

• Honda Civic Hybrid
• Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi
• Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D Manual
• Renault Modus 1.2 16V VVT
• Daihatsu Sirion M300
• Citroen C1 1.1
• Toyota Aygo 1.0 Manual
• Peugeot 107 Manual
• Daihatsu Charade Manual
• Fiat Panda 1.3

Top ten worst cars:

• Lamborghini Diablo Roadster
• Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster
• Ferrari Supermerica
• Ferrari Scagliatti
• Bentley Azure
• Bentley Arnage RL
• Aston Martin Vanquish
• Aston Martin DB9 Manual
• Bentley Continental Flying Spur
• Ferrari F430 Spider

Analysis: Small, light vehicles get great fuel economy and are unlikely to mow down pedestrians while large, fast sports cars are made to go even faster by using bigger engines that suck more fuel. That's why the Tesla Roadster is such a revelation - a fast, sporty vehicle that runs on electricity and has zero emissions. By the looks of this list, it will have the other sports cars beaten hands down for environmental performance for a while yet.

Related:

• Cameron Diaz in the Tesla Roadster = porn?
• Honda Accord Hybrid to pace Indy series for 2007
• Ecorazzi highlights Q'Orianka Kilcher and her Honda FCX with video

[Source: AutoTrader.co.uk]

As Europe imposes stiffer emissions standards, the famous bulls of Lamborghini may be shut out of their own countries. Lambo's boss, Stephan Winkelmann, told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show that the Murcielago LP640 Roadster (shown) and new Gallardo Superleggera (just introduced at Geneva) will not fall in line with the EU's CO2 limitations that go into effect in 2012. The 500-horsepower Lamborghinis currently meet the emissions standards for every country in which they are sold. But the expensive supercars are also on everyone's list of worst gas hogs and worst polluters. Could some green activist group make Lamborghini their next poster child to fight global warming? Winkelmann counters that Lamborghinis are driven only a few thousand miles a year at most, and family sedans end up polluting more when all the math is done.

[Source: Associated Press via Kiplinger]

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released its annual list of greenest cars with the Honda Civic GX (powered by natural gas) at the top. Following the GX on the list are, in order, the Toyota Prius, the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Nissan Altima Hybrid and the Toyota Yaris. If you're thinking that's a pretty Asia-centric there, you're right. And that's not all. The ACEEE (don't you just want to put an exclamation point after that name?) releases Top 12 lists, and all of the greenest cars this year were made by Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Kia or Hyundai. Not a single domestic or European automaker to be seen. (the full list is here).

ACEEE also released a companian list this week, where greenest is replaced by meanest (as in, meanest to the environment) and, surprise, surprise, Asian automakers fail to make an appearance at all. The top (worst) spot was nabbed by the Volkswagen Touareg, followed by the Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI, the Lamborghini Murcielago, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Bentley Arnage RL in the Worst Five. As for cars you're likely to see in your neighbor's driveway, the Ford F-250, Dodge Ram 2500 Mega Cab and Lincoln Navigator took up 10th-12th place.

Who wants to bet that the Tesla Roadster tops the "greenest" list next year?



[Source: ACEEE]

The Toyota Prius was tops on the EPA's annual list of best and worst fuel efficient vehicles. In fact, imports took all but two of the top-10 spots and hybrids accounted for half.

The list prompted the Sierra Club's Dan Becker to charge that the auto industry has the techology to achieve better fuel economy but fails to do so. He also lashed out at the Bush administration, saying it and the automakers "are blowing smoke when they tout E85 ethanol as a solution to oil dependence and global warming."

Becker sees large gaps between the most efficient vehicles and the average vehicles in each class. Said Becker, "The best in class vehicles demonstrates that the auto industry has the technology to make vehicles get better mileage. But the low fuel economy average show that the auto companies fail to put that technology in most of their cars and light trucks."

You may have these numbers memorized, but here they are again: the Prius is rated at 60mpg city/51 highway followed by the Honda Civic Hybrid (49/51), Toyota Camry (40/38), Ford Escape Hybrid FWD (36/31) and Toyota Yaris manual (34/40). The next five were the Yaris automatic, Honda Fit manual and Toyota Corolla manual. The Korean cousins, Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio, were ninth while the Ford relatives, Escape Hybrid 4WD and Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD rounded out the top 10.

The worst offender was the Lamborghina L-147/148 Murcielago automatic with a 9/14 rating. It was followed by the Bently Arnage, manual Murcielago, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti automatic and Ferrari 599 GTB. The only American vehicle in the bottom ten was the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD in 9th place.

The EPA Web site lists the top 10 vehicles for best and worst and names the leaders in each segement category.

[Source: Sierra Club via Common Dreams]

Previously we listed the 10 most environmentally-friendly vehicles as determined by Forbes magazine. Now we go to the smoggy side to find the 12 worst polluters. Our source, this time, is the Green Book issued by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Each year, the ACEEE reviews vehicles and gives it a Green Score: the vehicle's overall environmental impact. The Green Score is based on fuel efficiency, tailpipe emissions, and vehicle gases contributing to global warming. Those with the worse scores are considered "mean" machines.

The worst top 12 Mean Machines from "least" worse to "most" worse are:

1. Dodge Ram SRT-10
2. Lamborghini Murcielago
3. Bentley Arnage
4. Dodge Durango 4.7 V8 4WD
5. Dodge Ram 1500 4.7 V8 4WD
6. Maybach 57S
7. Hummer H2
8. Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
9. Ford F-250 Super Duty 5.4 V8 4WD
10. GMC Yukon XL 2500 4WD
11. Volkswagen Touareg V8 (pictured)
    
12. Chevrolet Suburban 2500 4WD

[Source: ACEEE's Green Book Online via MSN Autos]