Start-stop

Idling engines waste fuel, but some vehicles need secondary systems powered constantly and are unable to stop their engines when stationary. A research team has found a way around this, by harnessing wasted energy from a vehicle as it slows down to power secondary systems when at a stop.

Bosch's new start-stop system shuts the engine off not only at stops, but also whenever the car is coasting. It could result in fuel savings of about 10 percent, and substantially reduce CO2 emissions.

Ford has announced its fuel-saving Auto Start-Stop system will be added to conventional cars, crossovers and SUVs in North America from 2012.

BMW will make Auto Start-Stop technology a standard feature on all versions of the M3, making it the world’s first high performance car with Auto Start-Stop.

BMW's first range of compact SUVs, the X1 series, will be available from October.

Mazda3's iStop technology saves fuel and CO2 emissions by pausing engine when vehicle is idling

A new start-stop system and an on-board computer, which gives drivers fuel-saving tips on-the-go, join Audi’s modular efficiency platform to cut fuel consumption and reduce CO2 emissions.