The 308, one of the toughest competitors in the European compact hatchback market, is getting some improvements that increase efficiency and reduce fuel consumption.

First of all, the Peugeot 308 will be fitted to a new 6-speed manual transmission which allows lower rpm at cruising speed and increases mileage. If you add Michelin's Fuel Saver tires to this transmission mated to the highly praised 110 HP 1.6 HDi, the 308 gets about 52 mpg U. S. and produces 129 g/km CO₂. However, there's also a second transmission option: a 6-speed Electronic Gearbox Control which removes the need for a clutch pedal and changes speeds in 0.4 seconds. This also creates greater fuel efficiency, which means that, when mated to the 90 HP version of the 1.6 HDi, the mileage stays at 52 mpg, but CO₂ emissions go down to 120 g/km. And, last but not least, there's a third transmission that Peugeot is installing in the 308: a 6-speed automatic with tiptronic-like controls for the most powerful diesel available, the 136 HP 2.0-liter HDi. Finally, a new base-entry low-polluting gasoline engine model has been added to the line up: a 1.4 liter VTi good for 95 HP.

Currently, Peugeot is selling up to 7 versions of the 308 which produce 120 g/km CO₂. All PSA models are guaranteed to work with biodiesel mixtures up to 30 percent (B30).


[Source: Carpages]

Later this year in the UK buyers of Fiat's Bravo can pay just £300 ($595 US dollars) for the optional "Eco" pack. What's in the "Eco" Pack? The package includes low rolling resistance tires, longer gear ratios and different setting for the car's computer. All that eco-pack-goodness adds up to an improvement of 5 MPG which brings the turbo diesel Bravo to 62 MPG.

Fiat's "Eco" Pack is probably the least amount I have seen a car company do to make a car more fuel efficient and put a label of on it. The package does nothing special like make the car Euro5 compliant but at least they don't stick a logo on the car saying it's green now. I guess it's a good thing they are offering green upgrades but why not make the "Eco" pack standard?

Hm. Am I being too hard on Fiat or is this a great idea other car companies should replicate?

[Source: Autocar]