General Motors has unveiled its Opel Agila small-car model for the European market, with claims that the diesel version will offer gas consumption of five liters per 100 km of fuel and that the lower roofline and shape accounts for a low aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.35.
Safety features include ABS and front and side airbags.
But this is the European market, and competition, especially in the small car segment, is tough. The Agila's drag coefficient, gas savings, and ABS probably are not enough to distinguish it from the rest of the pack. As Asian carmakers undercut prices, vendors here are increasingly packing their small cars with electronic and other high-end features.
Renault's entry-level Twingo--stay tuned for a review in Autopia--offers a port for MP3 players. Watch out for similar enticements in the upcoming Fiat 500 and Citroen C1, Kia Picanto and Ford's Ka refreshes.
I wonder how or if the trend will play out in the U.S.
