Expect future cars to help motorists garner maximum mileage by leveraging technology like the eco-tutoring systems found in many hybrids, wider use of tire-pressure, oil life and engine-tuning monitoring systems and more-sophisticated GPS guidance that can select less-congested routes.

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Fuel consumption and emission levels can then be measured (for urban driving, say, or cruising at a particular speed) and the engine's tuning adjusted accordingly.

ECONOMIST: Car design

Spetter is a tuning maestro, an expert in the vehicle hack, one of a growing cadre of engine reprogrammers in demand all over the country.

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