Fuel-efficiency gauges start appearing in non-hybrids

0 Comments | USA TODAY, December, 2007 | by Chris Woodyard

Fancy fuel-economy gauges are so popular in gas-electric hybrid vehicles that Toyota is studying whether they might provide a cheap way for drivers of its conventional cars to save gas as well.

"A group of engineers is looking at whether it makes sense to adopt to other cars," says Paul Williamsen, national manager of the product training facility for Toyota's Lexus division.

The gauge would show motorists when they are driving most efficiently, discouraging wasteful moves such as jackrabbit starts.

With automakers constrained in how fast they can bring out new engines and technologies to squeeze more economy from new models, they are increasingly looking at gauges and other stopgap measures. Many of today's cars already have indicators that show...