NEWS: Matt Dawson Success In Shell Eco Marathon

Shell has just crowned England and Lions rugby star, Matt Dawson ‘Shell FuelSave Celebrity Driver of the Year’ after he recorded an astounding 94.86km on just one litre of fuel, pushing fuel efficiency limits to the maximum in the Shell eco-marathon.
Driving an ultra-energy efficient Shell Eco-marathon vehicle designed by students, on a challenging urban track, Matt Dawson battled it out against three other famous faces from across Europe. The head–to-head challenge put driving skills such as braking, accelerating and cornering to the test to see which celebrity could drive the furthest on the least amount of fuel.
Matt Dawson said: "I’m delighted to be named ‘Shell FuelSave Celebrity Driver of the Year’ but the real stars are the students. I’m so impressed by the creativity and skills of the student teams in approaching future energy challenges."
The celebrity challenge took place at the opening ceremony of Shell Eco-marathon Europe in Rotterdam. Shell Eco-marathon brings together thousands of young students from around 24 countries as they compete in ultra-energy efficient cars they have designed and built. The event sparks debate about the future of mobility and inspires young engineers to push the boundaries of fuel efficiency.
David Moss, Shell Retail General Manager UK and Nordics said: "It was great to see the celebrities perform and their success shows just how easy it is to save fuel and reduce fuel costs. That’s why Shell has launched Target One Million, which that aims to help one million drivers learn how to save fuel. Via a series of online games atwww.shell.co.uk/targetonemillion, drivers can discover tips to help improve fuel efficiency."
Bravo to Matt. More silverware for the mantle piece!

NEWS: Top Fuel Saving Tips

As a counter balance to all the red-hot-motorsport and wanton fuel abuse we cover in Road Magazine and with the cost of fuel still sky high and the threat of a triple dip recession hanging over us – here's some top fuel saving tips from road safety charity and award-winning breakdown cover company, GEM Motoring Assist, to eke out those extra miles per tankful.
GEM’s top tips for fuel efficient driving:
1. Engine efficiency: Get your car serviced regularly by a recognised garage to avoid a poorly tuned engine, which can use up to 50 per cent more fuel than a car that is well looked after.
2. Tyre tread: At least every month, check that your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure. If not, even with just one tyre deflated by 20 per cent, fuel consumption could rise by five per cent.
3. Lose weight: For every one per cent of the car’s weight that you add, fuel consumption could rise by one per cent, so take out anything that you don’t need in the car (golf clubs, push chairs, tool boxes etc.)
4. Eliminate short journeys: Cold engines are thirsty engines, so really short journeys will be relatively expensive if driving just a short distance. Opt to walk, or even cycle.
5. Plan ahead: Plan your journey to avoid road works, or getting lost, which causes an estimated 350,000 tons of fuel wastage each year.
6. Slow down: Most cars run at their most efficient at approximately 60 mph, and for every five mph above that you drive, you will lose six per cent of your fuel economy. Slow down to save money.
7. Air con: If not needed, switch the air con in your car off to reduce demand on the engine. However, ensure that it is on for several minutes at least every couple of weeks to prevent a build up of harmful bacteria in the system.
8. Exploring for fuel: Don’t go out of your way to make a saving, as you could spend more on getting to a cheaper dealer, so fill up when you are passing, rather than making a separate journey.

David Williams MBE, CEO of GEM Motoring Assist comments: “We believe that there are simple yet effective steps for motorists to ensure that the fuel they pay for goes as far as possible. Even as petrol prices aren’t currently on the rise, it is always good practice to follow fuel efficient driving and get the most out of a car’s fuel tank.”

Thanks for the image by staff snapper, Neil Denham.

VIDEO: Electric Cars Are Slow, Right? Wrong!

So, electric cars are slow, right? Well, no actually, as this trackside video of DC Plasma VS Lemon Juice at the NEDRA Florida Nationals clearly shows. Sure, they may not have the noise of a decent monster drag beast, or the burnout drama, but look at their quarter mile pace – especially the 60-foot times! These electric powered monsters are John Metric's Fiero "DC Plasma" (360 volts) and Shawn Lawless' S-10 "Lemon Juice" (370 volts), drag racing at Bradenton Motorsports Park Feburary 23, 2012. DC Plasma takes the 1/4 with an ET of 9.89 at 134 mph and an incredible 60-foot time of just 1.55s! Lemon Juice – a truck! – gets an ET of 10.80 at 120.46 mph! And Lemon Juice nailed a 9.80 at 132 mph on this same track a month before! Electric cars don't need to be slow, or dull, as the latest issue of Road Magazine shows: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_24s/1

NEWS: New Lexus World Premier @ Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show (march 6th) will see the World premiere of the new Lexus RX 450h and RX 450h F Sport full hybrid luxury SUV's and the LF-LC hybrid sports coupe concept. Due to go on sale this summer, the new RX will "continue to play an important role in the Lexus model range." Other highlights of the Lexus presentation at Geneva will include the first European appearance of the much-acclaimed LF-LC hybrid sports coupe concept, and the new GS 450h and GS 450h F Sport. And, sticking with the green, eco, EV, hybrid theme, do read the latest issue of Road Magazine FREE at: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_24s/1

FREE Latest Issue Of Road Magazine

Open publication - Free publishing - More eco cars

Road Magazine puts on eye on the future this month – covering Electric vehicles, eco cars and all things green. There's the 911 GT2-slaying Tesla Roadster EV, the funky Fiat 500 TwinAir and Mitsubishi's ace zero emissions i-MiEV. Also, TV stars, Neil Cole and Gemma Scott write for us. Enjoy it 100% FREE! And do please share us with your mates. Thanks, Road Editor, Phil Royle.

VIDEO: Tesla Model S & Roadster

Here's a 'neat' video from the states, of the out-going 288bhp/295lbft, 0-60 in 3.7s Tesla Roadster supercar slayer – as featured in the latest issue of Road Magazine Free here: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_24s – and the forthcoming, more mainstream Model S EV. Likey? We do... petrol-heads though we are. Impressive stuff. Thanks to www.greencardesign.com for the Tesla feature in this electric boogaloo issue of www.roadmagazine.co.uk.

VIDEO: Fiat 500 TwinAir

One of the other cars we've featured in this month's green eco EV issue of Road magazine – http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_24s – was the Fiat 500 TwinAir, reviewed by new glam Road writer, eco car tester and TV star, Gemma Scott (http://www.gemmascott.co.uk). The 0.9-litre two-cylinder turbo 500 TwinAir is the lowest CO2 producing petrol engined car on the planet, capable of 70mpg and should be put on a pedestal, for keeping petrol cars alive in our ever-greening future. Here's the TV ad, featuring Amy Macdonald's 'This is the life.'

VIDEO: Mitsubishi i-MiEV 12 Month Trials

This month's www.roadmagazine.co.uk has gone all electric boogaloo – featuring two amazing and contrasting EV's and the world's greenest petrol car, as well as Neil Cole's ace column and new writer and TV star, Gemma Scott. Read it FREE here: http://issuu.com/roadonlinemagazine/docs/road_24s. One of the EV's we featured in the magazine was Mitsubishi's innovative i-MiEV, and here's a great video from Mitsubishi about a 12 month real world trial with the zero emissions i-MiEV. See what people really think of the city car that is set to revolutionise how we drive, and find out more at: http://www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/imiev/. Please share this issue of Road with your mates.