Chevy has its Cobalt XFE, VW its special Polo Bluemotion edition. And now Ford has joined the party, at least in Europe with a special edition Focus called ECOnetic. Manufacturers are getting this down to a bit of a formula and that's a very good thing. Better bumpers, more flush wheel covers, lower resistance tires, and in this case "lower viscosity transmission fluid" all contribute to the mileage and CO2 improvements. The benefit? Fifty-five American miles per gallon on the combined cycle (though their testing methods are considerably more forgiving than American fuel economy standards) and low enough CO2 emissions that the car will be exempt from London's congestion charge. The secret, of course, is that Ford's Focus 1.6 diesel already qualifies for exemption, but don't tell the advertising guys. Still, this is unfortunate news that perhaps the market can adapt to more intense fuel and emissions standards, albeit with limited run special edition versions of existing cars. And no, for the last time, we can't have the Euro Focus in America for a few more years because Ford hates each and every one of us.

Green Car Congress reports that GM is road testing a Saturn Aura equipped with a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine. HCCI technology compresses a lean air-fuel mixture in the cylinder, which ignites without spark plugs, creating low-temperature, flameless combustion. GM says HCCI combustion reduces NOX and particulate emissions and offers 15 percent better fuel efficiency. The 2.2-liter modified ECOTEC engine is set up to use traditional spark ignition when starting, driving over 55mph and other low-temperature or high-load circumstances. It switches to HCCI mode for most driving. The modified mill makes 180hp and 170 lb/ft of torque, with additional help from direct injection, variable valve lift, dual electric camshaft phasers and individual cylinder pressure transducers to "control the combustion as well as deliver a smooth transition between combustion modes." Props to GM for developing technology which doesn't require them to reinvent the wheel battery, but it'll be a while before HCCI is ready for prime time. That said, direct injection-- as seen on the new Porsche Cayenne and other, more prosaic VeeDubs-- had a rocky start.