Japanese car maker NISSAN have produced an Eco-Pedal system that alerts the driver if they are not driving economically. In the present international Fuel and Credit Crisis they expect to capture customers whom are feeling the pinch the pedal has been designed to push back on the drivers foot when the system thinks the current pressure applied is too much & informs the driver they are not driving efficiently, thus saving the driver money. The eco-pedal has a driving indicator which fits to the instrument panel and able to show real-time fuel consumption. Nissan believe that drivers will now beable to save up to 10% with this new system which does also includes an off function. These Eco-pedals are expected to be fitted to cars from next year.
Here are some personal comments.
I have some questions to raise here in relation to its practical applications. Firstly, it will be outfitted to their cars as of next year so in saying, if you can afford a new car you wouldnt exactly be feeling much of the credit crunch or concerned about driving economically most of the time. Secondly, if you just drive economically from the get go the need of such an item is made comletely redundant & Thirdly, this is coming from a company that produced the Nissan GTR which is just a complete animal and the thought of including that technology in that car is just mind-blowing.
Test Case
In the last year, Jeremy Clarkson made a test using a Toyota Prius and a BMW M5. One is built to be eco-friendly and economical and the other isnt. The test involved the Prius being driven flat out around their test track over 10 laps and Clarkson in the M5 and only had to pace the Prius. The result was that over the 10 laps the M5 was the more fuel efficient and it clearly marked the point that its not What you drive But How you drive. So if you want to save on fuel simply follow a few quick points.
Dont race off from a standstill rather gradually build up the speed, turn off the air-con, brake early and softly, keep a steady constant speed at all times where possibly. Follow that and you'll cut your fuel consumption to that 10% without having to pay an additional 10% on a new priced car in order to save the 10% you could do right now in what ever car your driving.
In closing, I have to hand it to the innovation of the Japanese, by all means not a bad idea as may come handy for drivers that suffer from the leadfooted syndrome.
5 comments:
Is it really all necessary? Without the extra expense of DSG, learn to drive a manual. What's so difficult with finger-light clutches these days? I've had enough problems second-guessing when an automatic gearbox would shift first few years of driving a slush, I don't want some gas pedal trying to be smart. Make fuel consumption indicators standard, that'll go a long way.
Agreed, how you drive does affect fuel consumption to a very large degree. Adding to Mike's tips -- I often plan my routes driving roughly the same distance avoiding as many uphill roads as I can.
A Positve note: this could be a good idea for the boy racers. So long as it could be LOCKED and unable to turn it off, could be good to help make the roads safer.
A Positve note: this could be a good idea for the boy racers. So long as it could be LOCKED and unable to turn it off, could be good to help make the roads safer.
That one very handsome concept car it looks like a combination of ferarri and lambo nice blog
Really a cool concept from Nissan right there! Good job!
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