BROWSE CAR REVIEWS BY:
MAKE
MODEL
Click on a car body type for search results.
 |
 |
| SUVs (two rows) | SUVs (three rows) |
 |
 |
| Crossover | Minivans |
 |
 |
| Sedan | Hybrids |
 |
 |
| Wagons/Hatchbacks | Just for Fun |
Fiat’s EcoDrive Helps Improve Your Driving
Feb 09 2009 by Emily Hansen
Many Americans remember Fiat by the acronym “Fix It Again, Tony,” but the Italian automaker has shed that reputation and now sells a lot of small, fuel-efficient cars in Europe. Fiat cars could hit the U.S. again if a proposed partnership with Chrysler works out. I hope it does because I want to try Fiat’s EcoDrive.
EcoDrive uses a USB flash drive to record information about your driving, including CO2 emissions. It also records your car’s speed, fuel consumption, gear shifts and braking.
To get all of this helpful information, you simply plug the flash drive into your Fiat’s USB port, which is part of the available Blue&Me System from Microsoft. After reaching your destination, remove the flash drive and plug it into your PC where you’ve downloaded the EcoDrive program. EcoDrive analyzes your driving and gives you tips about how to drive more efficiently. You can also use it to set driving goals like lowering your carbon footprint. There are lots of social networking features on EcoDrive that allow drivers to compete with other Fiat owners using EcoDrive.
My “that-is-so-cool” meter just about went through the roof on this one. EcoDrive is a gadgety information tool that has green sensibilities. Hopefully the Fiat/Chrysler deal has some legs, and we’ll see this technology sooner rather than later.
