Suzuki's Wagon R is the new look of increased fuel economy

Have you heard that Congress has reached an accord with automakers and environmentalists to have a 50 percent increase in fuel economy over the next 12 years? It's not yet clear if such a bill will make it to the President's desk. But we've got to get our act together for long-term economic strength. Otherwise, our dependence on foreign oil will make us a 98-pound weakling in the international arena. It's difficult to picture exactly how increased fuel economy will look. With that in mind, Clark wants to tell you about the Suzuki Wagon R (pictured here), which has been the No. 1 selling car in Japan for nine months in a row. Clark first saw this vehicle during a staff trip to Japan. The closest thing Clark can compare the Wagon R to is the old Scion XB, but even that's larger than this toaster on wheels that gets 60 mpg with a traditional engine. Unfortunately, Suzuki has no plans to sell the vehicle over here.

People are also bonkers about buying the SmartCar when it arrives next year on our shores, but that only gets 42 mpg in comparison! Other ways we'll be seeing increased fuel economy at play include clean diesel vehicles, turbo boosters on engines, hybrid designs and more. There are also some things coming that you might not be able to imagine easily, such as SUVs that are not truck based. Manufacturers will simply take a regular car platform and slap on a different top. The result will be an SUV that's easier to drive and offers better fuel economy, among other benefits. Clark gets a kick out of seeing tiny women driving huge SUVs when he drops his daughter off at school. Some moms just won't be caught dead in a minivan, which is considered the height of un-cool!