The first five examples...
The first five examples of Rolls-Royce’s Drophead Coupé have been delivered to their lucky owners – and Auto Express has been for an exclusive ride in one of them. However, the car we tried wasn’t sold through one of the firm’s six franchised outlets!
Nissan rivals will be...
Nissan rivals will be green with envy following details that the Japanese manufacturer plan to include ECO Pedal technology in future cars. And the world-first technology has been designed to help drivers to be more fuel efficient.
The ECO Pedal works by activating a push-back control mechanism if the system detects excess pressure is being applied to the accelerator pedal, which helps inform the driver that they are probably using more fuel than is required.
The complex system calculates the rate of fuel consumption and transmission efficiency during acceleration and cruising, and then calculates the optimum acceleration rate. When the driver exerts excess pressure on the accelerator, the system counteracts with the pedal push-back control mechanism.
The ECO Pedal will come with an integrated on-board computer visible in the car and help provide the driver with real-time fuel consumption levels, helping improve driving behaviour. It will also indicate the optimal level for fuel-efficient driving. And the ECO Pedal can also be turned on or off according to the driverò€™s preference.
Nissan plans to commercialise the ECO Pedal during 2009 and believe the system will improve fuel efficiency by 5ò€“10 per cent.