Some people who drive flex-fuel cars know they are saving gas but they don’t always know that they are in a FFV.

Luckily, their production and use is slowly picking up in the United States.

What is A FFV?

The official name is flexible-fuel vehicles, or dual-fuel vehicles, for obvious reasons. They are alternative fuel cars using multi-fuel engines burning on gas and a second fuel source, most often ethanol.

In 2007, 17 models were listed as FFV, up from six the previous year, and only three in 2004-2005.

But American automakers are still far behind the world’s leader, Brazil, which today claims almost 72 vehicles produced there are flex-fuel.

According to Yahoo! Autos, some of today’s most popular flex-fuel 2008 models are Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Chevrolet’s Impala and Tahoe

There are 2 different kinds of flex-fuel systems

1. Single tanks which mixes different levels of bioethanol (or gasohol)
2. Independant tanks for each fuel system

Flex-Fuel Vehicles Have Been Around Awhile

It’s interesting to note that many automotive historians consider the first flex-fuel car to be a Ford Model T dating back to 1908, which had a carburetor that let the engine run adjustably on gasoline or ethanol.

Unfortunately widespread use has been slow in coming, not gaining much worldwide traction until the oil crisis of the 1970s, and in America the wait was even longer.

South American powerhouse Brazil has been pushing and selling ethanol as vehicle fuel since the gas-crisis ‘70s.

Automakers there quickly modified gas engines to allow use of ethanol by managing fuel injection and other technological advancements that help engines run better and longer.

By 2003, 4.8% of Brazilian-made cars were flex-fuel. The number has increased each year since, sometimes dramatically.

American automakers have gotten into the race. Ford claims to offer cars globally that use E85 – 85% ethanol, 15% gasoline.

Aside from the Model T long ago, Ford was one of the first domestic car producers to try flex-fuel. More recently, several Taurus sedans with 3.0-liter engines from 1995 to 1998 were FFVs.

In 2008, Chevrolet claimed to produce several flex-fuel cars in America, all with V6 or V8 engines, including versions of the Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban, Avalanche, Impala, and Uplander.

What Flex-Fuel May Mean for You

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates there are more than 6 million FFVs on U.S. roadways today.

They qualify as alternative fuel vehicles under the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and also qualify for AFV tax credits, not to mention they produce lower emissions for environmentally careful motorists.

The DOE claims flex-fuel cars are not dissimilar to vehicles that run on conventional gas alone.

Power, acceleration, cargo-carrying ability and more are comparable, whether motoring on ethanol or gasoline.

The only difference is lower fuel economy when flex-fuel cars run on ethanol alone.

The National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition is promoting awareness for flex fuel vehicles. To determine if your car is E85 compatible you can use their eligibility feature.

There’s still a way to go. For example, the NEVC’s website lists locations who sell E85. The page for California has nine locations and in Southern California only one of them were located in Los Angeles

Here is there information:

Conserv Fuel
11688 San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310 571-0039

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For months homebuilders have worked diligently to attract potential buyers and boost traffic in their models, by giving away gas cards, free tickets to amusement attractions, and the like.

Some have had contests for no mortgage payments for a year; others have pitched contests for rooms full of Disney furniture.

Saturn is Pulling Away

A recent media release by Saturn puts them to shame.

The General Motors division has launched a national photo contest, called “Kiss My Astra.”

In it, Saturn enthusiasts can kiss an Astra model, have a photo taken of the act, and then upload the photo on ImSaturn.

Whoever submits the “funniest, most creative photo,” selected by online Saturn fans, will claims a 2008 Saturn XR 5-door.

“Saturn vehicles have always inspired feelings of passion from our owners, and the Astra is no exception,” Matt Armstrong, Saturn car marketing manager, said in the release. “With the ‘Kiss My Astra’ photo contest, Astra fans can share their public displays of affection for this fuel-efficient, great-looking new car.”

Are Saturn models so popular that they attract their own online community? That’s what Saturn officials are saying.

Out-of-This-World Online Community?

To participate in the contest, people have to join the ImSaturn online network and log in. 

The release states this: “In September, a group of ‘Astra-ologists’ from Saturn will select 20 finalists. Visitors and members of ImSaturn.com will then cast their votes for the best ‘Kiss My Astra’ photo.”

Astra-ologists?

Well, taking a peek at the Astra reveals why it might be attracting a following. With an EPA-estimated 24 miles per gallon in city streets and 32 mpg on highways, Saturn claims that no five-door vehicle in its class gets better mileage than its Astra.

Its variable valve-timing, 1.8-liter engine kicks out 138 horsepower, to go along with good space inside and considerable storage capacity, according to Saturn.

A big dual-panel sunroof is nice, but options are very limited. The company mostly touts a choice between a standard AM/FM/CD player, or a six-disc CD changer with MP3 disc playback with a seven-speaker audio system.

But don’t look for satellite radio or auxiliary input, because you won’t find it.

The Astra comes in three- or five-door hatchback body styles, and with sales beginning in January 2008, Saturn plans for it to replace the Ion as its smallest model.

The Astra XE is the standard trim level; the XR only comes in the three-door style, and adds 17-inch alloy wheels.

Cute Enough to Kiss, Without the PR

A criticism of the Astra is it is barely more affordable than the next-biggest Saturn model, the Aura – and they share the same fuel economy.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the Astra is $17,425, while the Aura starts at $21,345.

Maybe that explains Saturn’s promotional push with the kissing photos.

Other small fuel-efficient vehicles appear to be going in the other direction – no special contests necessary. People are actually waiting for one to become available.

Take, for example, the Smart Fortwo. With gas prices topping $4 per gallon, interested buyers are putting down $99 and waiting up to nine months for the two-seat, pod-shaped Fortwo.

It’s parent company, Daimler AG, claims the waiting list tops 30,000 customers, and a good chunk of them choose to buy once their name reaches the top.

To get its 33 to 41 miles per gallon, one would have to plop down a bit more than $12,000 for a basic model, about $17,000 to go convertible.

And it’s cute enough to kiss – without a contest or photos.

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