DON'T LET YOUR MONEY BURN

摘要

Even at times of relative prosperity, car websites and magazines are full of advice on the most frugal motors. But in tough economic times the imperative to cut costs on cars becomes severe. The reason is simple: people are loath to spend their ever-dwindling resources on expensive cars, and with the huge sums of money involved - leasing and running a new executive machine can cost more than £10,000 a year on a typical annual mileage - it's never been more important to cut costs. Short of downsizing there's realistically only one option: burn less fuel. We're into a new fuel paradigm where energy costs are unlikely to ever decline; the same goes for petrol and diesel. Whereas £1.50 alitre was inconceivable a decade ago, it is now the new reality. And trends suggest that £2 a litre may not be far away. Fear of fuel prices has energised manufacturers who are producing more innovative and efficient powertrains, whether they are turbopetrol, the latest in diesel technology, petrol-electric hybrids or range-extenders such as the Chevrolet Volt.