Cars Review

If the Seat-badged counterpart of the Volkswagen Up!, the ultra-compact Mii, isnt frugal enough for you, the Spanish manufacturer has now announced an even cleaner and cheaper to run version called the Ecofuel.

However, dont expect a hybrid system, or a small fuel-sipping diesel, as they have gone the way of the Up! eco and modified the car to run on cheaper and more environmentally-friendly compressed natural gas (CNG or LPG).

The engine is the same as in the regular Mii, a 1.0-liter three-pot unit, which makes 68 hp and 90 Nm (66 lb-ft) of torque. Furthermore, if you happen to not find a CNG filling station, you wont have to worry, as it can also run on regular gasoline just fine.

According to Seat, the Mii Ecofuel is easily their most efficient model, using up 2.9 kg of CNG per 100 km, while emitting a measly 79 g/km of CO2. The car will also feature a Stop-Start system, low rolling resistance tires and a Brake Energy Recovery system. The very low CO2 figure will make it tax-exempt in some European countries, a big selling point in its own right.

The car is expected to cost from €12,050 in Germany, but prices will differ slightly depending on the market. Still, it is some €900 cheaper than the Up! eco, and considering the fact that it is basically the same car, it is probably the better buy.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Saab’s parent company Swedish Automobile NV said on Monday it converted the non-binding memorandum of understanding with Pang Da Automobile Trade Co. and Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co into a final agreement. However, the deal is still subject to regulatory approval from Chinese and Swedish authorities as well as the European Investment Bank.
In addition to the above agreement, Saab announced the formation of a Sweden-based joint venture company between itself and Youngman called NPJV, which will focus on the development of three new product models.
According to the Swedish automaker, these include an entry-level 9-1 and two premium cars, named 9-6X (most likely an SUV because of the "X" designation) and 9-7 (presumably a 7-Series competitor) which didn’t feature in Saab’s original plans.
The NPJV will be 50 percent owned by Saab Automobile and 50 percent by Youngman Passenger Car.
“Within the development process of these three new vehicle lines, Saab Automobile will be responsible for controlling and managing the design, the development and testing process to the start of production and providing other necessary technical and quality control support,” Saab said in a statement.
The Swedes added that Youngman’s passenger car division will be “responsible for providing the necessary financial investments in the joint venture”. Saab did not say where these models will be built, but manufacturing will most likely take place in China.
Mr. Pang Qingnian, CEO of Youngman, commented: “The agreement on the New Product Joint Venture brings together the best of both worlds, merging the industrial and financial strength of Youngman Passenger Car with the state-of-the-art technical expertise of Saab Automobile. The Saab 9-6X and Saab 9-7 will be key to enhancing the prestige of the Saab brand to an even larger group of customers in China and the US, while the entry level Saab 9-1 will appeal to urban motorists around the globe.”

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