Nissan cars to push back when drivers floor it

8/4/2008

TOKYO Nissan Motor Co. soon will sell cars that push back when drivers try to put the pedal to the metal.

The Japanese carmaker on Monday announced its new ECO Pedal system, which makes the gas pedal press upward when it senses motorists are speeding up too quickly.

Nissan says the system, which will be available next year, can help drivers improve fuel efficiency 5 to 10 percent.

It calculates the most efficient rate of acceleration in a vehicle based on how fast fuel is being burned and other factors and causes the gas pedal to push back to alert overzealous drivers.

Nissan says the system is designed to help drivers become more fuel efficient behind the wheel.

Drivers can also opt to switch the system off.