AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[Survey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a car]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/survey-says-fuel-economy-is-1-factor-when-buying-a-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/survey-says-fuel-economy-is-1-factor-when-buying-a-car/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/22/survey-says-fuel-economy-is-1-factor-when-buying-a-car/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota Prius C

It seems like it was just a few years ago that car manufacturers used to laugh at us when we'd ask why a new model didn't get any better fuel economy than its outgoing predecessor. "Car buyers don't care about fuel economy," was the refrain, "They certainly won't pay for it."

A few years of three- and four-dollar-per-gallon gas has apparently changed that attitude. According to a new study by Consumer Reports, 37 percent of respondents said fuel economy was now their leading consideration in car shopping, topping all others by a landslide. Quality was the second-most-important factor at 17 percent, while safety was mentioned by 16 percent, and value by 14 percent of shoppers. Two-thirds of respondents said they expected their next new vehicle to beat their current one on fuel economy. And yes, it is the economy, stupid, as 90 percent of those surveyed said high gas prices were the reason why they wanted a more fuel-efficient vehicle.

None of this is too surprising, given what has been going on both in the auto industry and in the larger economy since the economic meltdown of 2008. But we still kind of wonder how performance managed to rate number one with just six percent of those surveyed? Is that it then, there are six times as many tee-totalers than auto enthusiasts out there in the world?

CR says that it called 2,009 people across the country to get its results, obtaining 1,702 responses from adult car owners. Scroll down to read the full press release.

Continue reading Survey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a car

Survey Says: Fuel economy is #1 factor when buying a car originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 22 May 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>consumer reportsfuel economyfuel mileagempgTue, 22 May 2012 14:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242681/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20242681/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/22/survey-says-fuel-economy-is-1-factor-when-buying-a-car/20242681/article-detail.xml 20242681 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/13-2012-toyota-prius-c-fd-opt-opt1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/13-2012-toyota-prius-c-fd-opt-opt1.jpg <![CDATA[EPA launches new 'Years to Payback' feature for alt-fuel vehicles]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/epa-launches-new-years-to-payback-feature-for-alt-fuel-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/epa-launches-new-years-to-payback-feature-for-alt-fuel-vehicle/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/21/epa-launches-new-years-to-payback-feature-for-alt-fuel-vehicle/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Did you know the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is a better deal for fuel-economy-inclined car buyers than a Honda Insight? True story, but only sorta.

Using a new section of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's FuelEconomy.gov website, we can now quantify the time it takes to pay off the higher price tag of most hybrids thanks to the lower refueling costs these vehicles provide. The page lets prospective customers look up 18 hybrids and show how many years it takes to save enough money to cover the extra cost. People can customize the search according to how many miles a year they drive, what their percentage of city vs. highway driving is and what gas prices are. Only hybrids apply, which means there are no cost-benefit analysis for the Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt possible on the site - at least, not yet.

Still, some of the results are illuminating. The best deals, of course are models like the Buick LaCrosse eAssist mild hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, both of which have the same MSRP as their gas powered counterparts. That means you're in the black as soon as you drive them off the lot. As for other models, SUV hybrids had an advantage over some of more the most fuel-efficient compacts because the fuel-economy gains relative to the gas-guzzling conventional SUVs were greater.

That means that a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid four-wheel-drive, when factoring in 15,000 miles a year of driving, a 55 percent/45 percent city/highway mix and $3.75 a gallon gas prices, takes just 2.1 years to pay off relative to a conventional Escalade. That compares to the 4.6 years it takes to pay off a Toyota Prius C compared to a Yaris, and the 5.3 years it takes to pay off a Honda Insight hybrid compared to a gas-powered Honda Fit.

EPA launches new 'Years to Payback' feature for alt-fuel vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 21 May 2012 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cost benefit analysisenvironmental protection agencyepafuel economyfuel efficiencyfueleconomy.govhybrid price premiumpaybackprice premiumyears to paybackMon, 21 May 2012 13:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20241888/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20241888/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/21/epa-launches-new-years-to-payback-feature-for-alt-fuel-vehicle/20241888/article-detail.xml 20241888 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/escaladehybrid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/escaladehybrid.jpg <![CDATA[GM says the Volt has saved a supertanker of gas]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Chevy Volt

That's one small step for man, and one less really big barge full of fuel for mankind.

That's basically what General Motors' Chevrolet division is saying in its latest effort to pitch the Volt extended-range plug-in as a way for prospective drivers to save both money and the earth.

Chevrolet estimates that Volt drivers have saved more than 2.1 million gallons of gas - or one supertanker - by driving their vehicles in electric mode. Since the model launched in late 2010, Volt drivers, who, on average, use electricity 60 percent of the time and fuel from the car's on-board generator the rest of the time, have put on 40 million electric-only miles on the car, saving a combined $8 million in unused gasoline the process.

While the Volt fell about 2,300 units short of Chevy's goal to sell 10,000 units last year, 2012 sales through April tripled from a year earlier to 5,377 units. We anxiously await Nissan's own claim on how many fleets worth of gas its Leaf drivers have saved...

Continue reading GM says the Volt has saved a supertanker of gas

GM says the Volt has saved a supertanker of gas originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 19 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 chevrolet voltchevroletgeneral motorsgmplug-in hybridsupertankervoltSat, 19 May 2012 09:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240487/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20240487/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/19/gm-says-the-volt-has-saved-a-supertanker-of-gas/20240487/article-detail.xml 20240487 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chevrolet-volt-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/chevrolet-volt-628.jpg <![CDATA[California lawyer pitches class-action services in wake of overturned Honda fuel-economy ruling]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/california-lawyer-pitches-class-action-services-in-wake-of-overt/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/california-lawyer-pitches-class-action-services-in-wake-of-overt/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/17/california-lawyer-pitches-class-action-services-in-wake-of-overt/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Heather Peters 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid

There is safety in numbers, and not the kind put out by the EPA.

That's what one California-based attorney representing class-action claimants against General Motors and Hyundai is saying in the wake of Heather Peters' now-unsuccessful attempt to sue Honda over allegedly overstating fuel economy figures for the Honda Civic Hybrid.

Redlands, Calif.-based McCuneWright LLP principal Richard McCune, fishing for business, obviously, notes that, among other things, plaintiffs lose both the right for attorney representation and the right to appeal, both of which class-action members have.

"If you are filing against a big company, you are already at a disadvantage when you enter the small claims courtroom," McCune said in a statement last week.

Of course, McCuneWright has skin in this particular game, as it's representing a number of plaintiffs in class-action lawsuits against General Motors and Hyundai over - you guessed it - fuel-economy claims.

That said, TheDetroitBureau.com publisher Paul A. Eisenstein, in an AutoblogGreen editorial last week, essentially said the same, noting that class-action plaintiffs have a better record of success than those taking on large companies in small claims court.

Peters won a small-claims case worth almost $10,000 against Honda in February after a judge ruled in favor of her claim that Honda overstated the fuel-economy of her 2006 Civic Hybrid. Last week, a superior court judge reversed that ruling. The automaker had already agreed to pay out members of a larger class-action claim from $100 to $200 each and as much as a $1,500 discount on a new Honda purchase, an offer that about 1,700 Honda owners had accepted, according to the Detroit News.

Continue reading California lawyer pitches class-action services in wake of overturned Honda fuel-economy ruling

California lawyer pitches class-action services in wake of overturned Honda fuel-economy ruling originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 17 May 2012 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiacivic hybridclass action lawsuitheather petershonda civic hybridlawsuitlegalmpgsmall claims courtsuperior courtThu, 17 May 2012 07:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239592/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20239592/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/17/california-lawyer-pitches-class-action-services-in-wake-of-overt/20239592/article-detail.xml 20239592 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/heatherpeters0516_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/heatherpeters0516.jpg <![CDATA[<i>Salon</i> columnist asks, "Is it ethical to drive stick?" [w/poll]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/salon-columnist-asks-is-it-ethical-to-drive-stick-w/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/salon-columnist-asks-is-it-ethical-to-drive-stick-w/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/salon-columnist-asks-is-it-ethical-to-drive-stick-w/#commentsFiled under: ,

Manual transmission

Just don't answer. The question is neither relevant, nor is it even the crux of the column. Get past the clicky smelling headline, and what you have here is a combination of two news stories, one new and one old, both of which you've likely already come across.

We're going to play nice here and not knock over Salon columnist David Sirota's house of cards, because this is a good read and he's a talented writer - even if, off the top of our heads, we can name several popular vehicles that offer a fuel economy benefit to those willing to row their own, from the Volkswagen Jetta to the Chevrolet Sonic to the BMW 3 Series. But the guy does have a point that's probably of great benefit to many Salon readers: If a smug sense of superiority is what you're after, opting for a manual transmission is no longer a sure bet. (Locally sourced organic produce and craft beer, for the win!)

In the end, Sirota is smart enough to come to two conclusions that most of us would agree to. The first being that driving a manual is fun, and the second, that it's hard to text while steering, operating all three pedals, and working that stick.

On second thought, maybe you should answer with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. See below for our completely unscientific poll.

View Poll

Salon columnist asks, "Is it ethical to drive stick?" [w/poll] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 May 2012 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>distracted drivingfuel economymanualmanual gearboxmanual transmissionstick shiftTue, 15 May 2012 19:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20238816/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20238816/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/15/salon-columnist-asks-is-it-ethical-to-drive-stick-w/20238816/article-detail.xml 20238816 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/36-2012-chevrolet-cruze-eco-review-opt-1337111975_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/36-2012-chevrolet-cruze-eco-review-opt-1337111975.jpg <![CDATA[Mazda skewers EV technology with overseas CX-5 launch]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/mazda-skewers-ev-technology-with-overseas-cx-5-launch/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/mazda-skewers-ev-technology-with-overseas-cx-5-launch/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/15/mazda-skewers-ev-technology-with-overseas-cx-5-launch/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Mazda recently may have made the coolest car commercial in history by backing its pitch for SkyActiv technology with Bo Diddley's "Road Runner" (see here), so we're leaning toward forgiving them for this one.

The Japanese automaker, as part of the international marketing launch of its CX-5 crossover in Scotland, reinforced its caustic stance on battery-electric vehicles by injecting some humorous references to the "range anxiety" that EVs can cause, according to The Charging Point blog.

Mazda planted fake roadside signs saying things like "Abandoned EVs ahead" and "EV drivers hitchhiking," according to the blog. Mazda has pitched the CX-5 as having the best fuel economy among SUVs in North America.

Mazda continues to poke fun at EVs even as it prepares to launch its own Demio (Mazda2) EV later this year. The company, at last month's New York Auto Show, hung a banner that described SkyActiv as "Not Electric. No Hybrid. Not a Drag to Drive."

The automaker last year said it was looking to boost fleetwide fuel economy by about 30 percent over the next three years largely through its SkyActiv program, which includes models such as the CX-5 and which uses better engine, transmission, aerodynamics and lightweight technology to cut fuel use in its internal combustion engines. Mazda, which starting selling the CX-5 in the U.S. in March, has set a goal to sell as many as 160,000 SkyActiv vehicles a year.

Mazda skewers EV technology with overseas CX-5 launch originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 15 May 2012 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 mazda cx-5cx-5electric vehicleEVsmazdampgscotlandskyactivTue, 15 May 2012 11:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20238081/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20238081/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/15/mazda-skewers-ev-technology-with-overseas-cx-5-launch/20238081/article-detail.xml 20238081 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/mazdacx5_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/mazdacx5.jpg <![CDATA[Bentley Continental GT V8 hits 24 mpg highway]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/bentley-continental-gt-v8-hits-24-mpg-highway/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/bentley-continental-gt-v8-hits-24-mpg-highway/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/14/bentley-continental-gt-v8-hits-24-mpg-highway/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bentley Continental GT V8

Let's get this off our chests right off the bat: There's nothing truly efficient about the Bentley Continental GT. That said, we're at least pleased to see that the marque has decided to outfit its luxurious supercar with a smaller and more fuel efficient engine option.

The Bently Continental GT with the W12 is rated at 12 city/19 highway on traditional premium, 8 city/14 highway on E85, and easily less than that on an excited right foot. When we drove the Continental GT V8 at launch we were told that official EPA mileage could be rated as high was 24 mpg on the highway, and that, even with the right-foot factor, would be a generous improvement over the W12 for sacrificing just 67 horsepower and almost nothing in performance. It turns out Bentley told the truth, the official EPA numbers are 15 city/24 highway.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, the 12 combined mpg of the W12 is raised to 15 combined with the V8. Better yet, drivers will save $1,000 on premium unleaded every year, the V8 needing $3,400 worth of the explosive liquid, the W12 needing $4,300. On top of the fact that the V8 is roughly $18,000 less than the W12, with those annual savings you'll be able to add a couple more ties to your collection every year, or one bespoke shoe. Start with the right foot - that's where the action is.

Bentley Continental GT V8 hits 24 mpg highway originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 14 May 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bentleybentley continentalbentley continental gt v8continentalcontinental gtcontinental gt v8fuel economympgMon, 14 May 2012 08:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237319/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20237319/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/14/bentley-continental-gt-v8-hits-24-mpg-highway/20237319/article-detail.xml 20237319 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bentleycontinentalv8mpg_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bentleycontinentalv8mpg.jpg <![CDATA[Ford ready to triple EcoBoost engine production in Europe]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/ford-ready-to-triple-ecoboost-engine-production-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/ford-ready-to-triple-ecoboost-engine-production-in-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/ford-ready-to-triple-ecoboost-engine-production-in-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ford EcoBoost future demand

Ford keeps boldly moving forward with the old standby: gasoline. Just a little less of it.

Today, Ford announced it will increase production of EcoBoost-powered vehicles in Europe three-fold in the coming years. In 2011, Ford made 141,000 EcoBoost engines and this number will jump to 480,000 in 2015. To meet expected demand for greener vehicles, Ford started making the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine production in Craiova, Romania today. That's the engine that will make up the bulk of the EcoBoost vehicles: roughly 800,000 of the 1.3 million units Ford will build for Eurpoe between 2012 and 2015. In Europe, the number of Ford models that will have EcoBoost will go from five to ten by 2015.

EcoBoost is Ford's first step in greening up its fleet, as you can read all about here. The gist of the strategy is to start by improving ICE vehicles while slowly adding in hybrid and electrified components until something between 10 and 25 percent of Ford's global volume is electrified some time after 2020. In the meantime, the EcoBoost engines burn less fuel than most regular ICEs by using turbocharging, direct fuel injection and variable valve timing.

Continue reading Ford ready to triple EcoBoost engine production in Europe

Ford ready to triple EcoBoost engine production in Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 09 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.0-liter ecoboostecoboostecoboost europeford ecoboostmpgromaniaWed, 09 May 2012 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234951/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234951/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/ford-ready-to-triple-ecoboost-engine-production-in-europe/20234951/article-detail.xml 20234951 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ecoboostfuturedemand_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/ecoboostfuturedemand.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen mulling Up!-based crossover]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/volkswagen-mulling-up-based-crossover/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/volkswagen-mulling-up-based-crossover/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/09/volkswagen-mulling-up-based-crossover/#commentsFiled under: ,



We knew the three-door Volkswagen Up! was going to shape-shift into other variants, one of them being a five-door version that's due later this year. According to word in German newspaper Handelsblatt, the well-received Cross-Up!, which provided clues to the styling of the five-door Up! could actually be the follow-up.

Crossovers remain popular just about everywhere and their sales are on the rise in Europe, so it's no surprise that manufacturers are finding ways to create market-specific versions. According to the preliminary numbers, the The Cross Up! would slot in at $6,000 less than the larger Tiguan. And like every other tiny Euro crossover - well, almost - we shouldn't ever expect to see it here.

Volkswagen mulling Up!-based crossover originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 09 May 2012 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cross upupvolkswagenvolkswagen cross upvolkswagen upWed, 09 May 2012 13:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234783/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20234783/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/09/volkswagen-mulling-up-based-crossover/20234783/article-detail.xml 20234783 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/crossupcoming_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/crossupcoming.jpg <![CDATA[High-mpg Taylors drive a Volkswagen Passat 1,626 miles on one tank of fuel]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/volkswagen-jetta-goes-1-626-miles-on-one-tank-of-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/volkswagen-jetta-goes-1-626-miles-on-one-tank-of-gas/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/volkswagen-jetta-goes-1-626-miles-on-one-tank-of-gas/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Watch out, Wayne Gerdes, there's a new hypermiling crew in town.

John and Helen Taylor - Volkswagen calls them "mileage experts" and "the world's most fuel efficient couple" - recently drove a stock 2012 Passat TDI SE all the way from Houston, TX to Sterling, VA without refueling. That's 1,626.1 miles from just 19.3 gallons. Bad with numbers? VW has done the math for you: it's 84.1 miles per gallon (we came up with 84.2, but who's counting?).

The three-day trip happened earlier this month, and it turns out that the Taylors are not new to the high mileage game. They have previously set the "48 Contiguous U.S. States Fuel Economy Guinness World Record." Still, the new Passat TDI record is impressive and it mimics some of the ways that Gerdes runs his hypermiling trips. As you can see in the gallery, the gas tank was filled to the brim with gas (see here) and there was a LOT of documentation going on during the trip. These sorts of things are important, since the Taylors often run workshops on driving efficiently and have, over the years, "collected more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records from drives around the globe." They run the website Fuel Academy.

*UPDATE: Yes, we've changed "gas" in the headline to "fuel."

Continue reading High-mpg Taylors drive a Volkswagen Passat 1,626 miles on one tank of fuel

High-mpg Taylors drive a Volkswagen Passat 1,626 miles on one tank of fuel originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 08 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clean dieseldistance recordfuel academyhelen taylorhypermilingjettajetta tdijohn taylortdiwayne gerdesTue, 08 May 2012 10:00:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233323/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20233323/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/08/volkswagen-jetta-goes-1-626-miles-on-one-tank-of-gas/20233323/article-detail.xml 20233323 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/taylors-jetta-mpg-vw-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/taylors-jetta-mpg-vw-628.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mild-Hybrid Malibu Proves Only Mildly Interesting

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Don't judge a book by its cover. The sentiment certainly applies to cars as well, but doubly so. Years of driving and photographing new vehicles have taught us that you can't evaluate a new model - or even judge its styling - based on photos alone, no matter how good or bad the images or the sheetmetal might seem. And you can't really know anything until you get that car off the auto show stand and out in the wild, driving it on the street in its natural habitat.

We explain this because when we first spied the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, we didn't think much of it: Mostly carryover front fascia, grafted-on Camaro taillights, Bangle butt. Move along, nothing to see here. But a funny thing happened when we got behind the wheel of the Malibu Eco for a week. We warmed up to it. We actually liked it.

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 07 May 2012 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 chevrolet malibu ecochevroletchevyfeaturedgeneral motorsgmmalibumalibu ecoreviewreviewsMon, 07 May 2012 13:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232716/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20232716/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/07/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review/20232716/article-detail.xml 20232716 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/2013-chevrolet-malibu-eco-review.jpg <![CDATA[Prius Plug-in helps Toyota extend lead for April's alt-fuel sales]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



"Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss."

The classic couplet from the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" applies to April's alt-fuel vehicle sales, as Toyota not only continued to dominate the hybrid market, but also shoved aside the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf in plug-in vehicle sales. Last month, Toyota sold 1,654 Prius Plug-in Hybrids. That total beat the 1,462 Volts sold and dominated the Leaf's 370 units sold in April.

The new Prius variant's popularity also helped Toyota easily continue its reign as the most popular seller of alt-fuel vehicles to the U.S. while helping push total alt-fuel sales far beyond year-earlier figures despite the fact that last month's 24 selling days were three fewer than the 27 selling days in April 2011.

Overall U.S. sales of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric and diesel-powered vehicles jumped more than 50 percent from a year earlier to almost 50,000 vehicles, as Americans stepped up alt-fuel sales to cope with continually high gas prices.

Coming off its most successful single month of sales since its introduction to the U.S. in 2000, the Prius doubled its April sales from a year earlier. The "standard" Prius Liftback sales increased 26 percent from a year earlier, while the Prius C compact and Prius V wagon moved 4,006 and 3,847 units, respectively.

That success carried through to other Toyota-produced models, as non-Prius Toyota hybrids (i.e. the Camry and Highlander) tripled sales from a year earlier, likely because of the upgraded Toyota Camry Hybrid that debuted late last year. And Lexus hybrid sales were up 4.5 percent to 2,467 units. Overall, Toyota and Lexus hybrid sales doubled from a year earlier to 32,593 vehicles and, as usual, accounted for about two-thirds of the U.S. alt-fuel market.

Toyota and Lexus hybrids appeared to gain favor with U.S. consumers looking to save money amid gas prices that, until last month, had been rising all year. Regular gas prices jumped to about $3.90 a gallon in early April, up from about $3.35 at the beginning of the year, before tapering off to about $3.80 a gallon this week, according to AAA.

The effect of gas prices on sales of alt-fuel vehicles from other automakers ran the gamut. General Motors followed a monthly-record March for its Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in with 1,462 sales in April, almost triple year-earlier figures. Factoring in mild-hybrid models such as the Buick LaCrosse, Buick Regal and Chevy Malibu eAssist-powered vehicles, GM's alt-fuel sales jumped fivefold to 4,500 units.

Volkswagen, which hasn't jumped into the electric-drive market yet, boosted its clean diesel sales by 35 percent from a year earlier to 7,993 units. On a smaller scale, Porsche increased its hybrid sales by 22 percent from a year earlier to 130 vehicles, while the Mitsubishi i battery-electric moved 79 models, hitting its monthly U.S. record for the third straight month.

Not faring so well were Nissan, Honda and Ford. Nissan sold 370 Leafs in April, marking a 35-percent drop from a year earlier and a 36-percent decline from March.

Honda's Civic Hybrid sales jumped sixfold to 766 units, but that wasn't enough to offset a plunge in both CR-Z and Insight sales. Overall, Honda hybrid sales dropped 60 percent from a year earlier to 1,839 vehicles.

As for Ford, hybrid sales plunged 59 percent from a year earlier to 1,175 vehicles, as the automaker discontinued the Escape Hybrid and had sales declines for both the Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. That said, Ford is on the verge of introducing its Focus Electric to the U.S., so things could get real interesting right quick.

Prius Plug-in helps Toyota extend lead for April's alt-fuel sales originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april saleschevroletelectric vehiclefocus electricfordileafmitsubishinissanplug-in hybridpriusprius plug-intoyotavoltThu, 03 May 2012 18:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229604/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229604/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/prius-plug-in-helps-toyota-extend-lead-for-aprils-alt-fuel-sale/20229604/article-detail.xml 20229604 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/green-vehicle-sales-1332146386_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/green-vehicle-sales-1332146386.jpg <![CDATA[CBO: new CAFE rules will short Highway Trust Fund by $57b by 2022]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/cbo-new-cafe-rules-will-short-highway-trust-fund-by-57b-by-202/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/cbo-new-cafe-rules-will-short-highway-trust-fund-by-57b-by-202/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/cbo-new-cafe-rules-will-short-highway-trust-fund-by-57b-by-202/#commentsFiled under: , ,

highway trust fund outlay chart

Oh, the gas tax, always a contentious issue. We've covered it throughout the years but now the Congressional Budget Office is reminding us that the time has come to move well beyond simple discussion and politics: the Highway Trust Fund is not getting enough money to pay for the transportation infrastructure that America needs.

As you can see in the chart above, the Fund has not taken in more money than it spent since 2001, except for one time in 2006. In 2008, 2009 and 2010, the Highway Fund got money from the General Fund to pay for things like highway repairs and various mass transit programs.

Since the Highway Trust Fund is mostly paid for by the gas tax, that number plays a big roll in how much money America has to build bridges. Before we move on, though, it's time for a question.

View Poll



We've asked this before, but polls are fun. The answer, and more discussion, can be found below.

Continue reading CBO: new CAFE rules will short Highway Trust Fund by $57b by 2022

CBO: new CAFE rules will short Highway Trust Fund by $57b by 2022 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 03 May 2012 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cbocongressional budget officegas taxgeneral fundhighway trust fundThu, 03 May 2012 14:14:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230289/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20230289/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/cbo-new-cafe-rules-will-short-highway-trust-fund-by-57b-by-202/20230289/article-detail.xml 20230289 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/cbo-graph_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/cbo-graph.jpg <![CDATA[SAE Congress: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video]]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/sae-2012-magna-flex4-offers-slight-fuel-savings-land-rover-lr2/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/sae-2012-magna-flex4-offers-slight-fuel-savings-land-rover-lr2/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/sae-2012-magna-flex4-offers-slight-fuel-savings-land-rover-lr2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

magna flex4 land rover lr2

Flex4 may sound like something sold during the 3 a.m. hour on advertorial television, but it's really Magna's part-time all-wheel drive system that offers the benefits of AWD with lower emissions than standard AWD. How? Because Flex4 can disengage the power going to the rear wheels when it determines that it isn't needed, changing the vehicle to a more-efficient two-wheel-drive ride. The AWD is also engaged every time the vehicle stops and, most of the time, when the vehicle goes above 30 miles per hour, the rear wheels disengage. Whenever the system detects a slippery road, the AWD reconnects in a few hundred milliseconds. The AWD also engages if there is a "yaw event" (i.e., a hard lane change). The benefit? A fuel economy improvement of around .8 to 1 mile per gallon compared to standard AWD systems.

Flex4 on display at the SAE World Congress was just a prototype, and is being designed to be purely automatic but it could theoretically be driver-selectable. At this stage, too, there is no estimated cost for such a system, but Magna knows that OEMs will be looking for ways to add AWD capability to vehicles even as CO2 emissions regulations get tighter and tighter. As a Tier 1 supplier, Magna says it is ready to start production of Flex4 now.

Magna has been working on Flex4 for at least two years, but not a lot of information about the system is available online. We did find one video about Flex4, which we've pasted down below, but it happens to be in German. Still, you can see Flex4 at work in all it's animated glory.

Continue reading SAE Congress: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video]

SAE Congress: Magna Flex4 offers slight fuel savings in a Land Rover LR2 [w/video] originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 May 2012 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-wheel driveawdflex4four-wheel driveland roverlr2magnamagna flex4magna powertrainWed, 02 May 2012 15:50:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229160/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20229160/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/sae-2012-magna-flex4-offers-slight-fuel-savings-land-rover-lr2/20229160/article-detail.xml 20229160 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/sae-world-congress-magna-flex4-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/sae-world-congress-magna-flex4-628.jpg <![CDATA[America's obesity problem equals a billion gallons of gas per year]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/americas-obesity-problem-equals-a-billion-gallons-of-gas-per-ye/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/americas-obesity-problem-equals-a-billion-gallons-of-gas-per-ye/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/americas-obesity-problem-equals-a-billion-gallons-of-gas-per-ye/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Driving While Eating

Newsflash: Americans are fat. And no, we're not just big boned. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions over the past couple decades, and as a result diabetes, heart disease and just about every other health issue are on the rise.

The Atlantic reports that the amount of fuel we're using is on the rise as well, as heavy occupants need more fuel to get from Point A to *insert drive-thru joke here*. A 2006 study shows that Americans weigh so much more than they did in 1960 that we're using up almost an additional billion gallons of petrol every year.

That's about $4 billion a year at today's gas prices, and nearly one percent of overall fuel usage. And that was back in 2006 - as we continue to plump up, the dollars continue to pile up. Inside Line reports that each pound we gain as a population adds up to another $39 million. It's too bad we can't get stop/start tech for our appetites.

Regular readers might remember a similar story about the 2006 study that claimed the U.S. is using an extra 153 million gallons a year. That was an estimate based on actual fuel deliveries. The new number, 938 million gallons, comes from engineer Sheldon Jacobson of the University of Illinois. However you look at the numbers, the point is our waistlines impact the bottom line.

America's obesity problem equals a billion gallons of gas per year originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 01 May 2012 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fatfuel usegasheavy americansobeseobesityoverweightpetrolTue, 01 May 2012 20:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228259/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20228259/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/01/americas-obesity-problem-equals-a-billion-gallons-of-gas-per-ye/20228259/article-detail.xml 20228259 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/driving-while-eating_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/driving-while-eating.jpg <![CDATA[Gas-guzzlers will pay more at this Boston-area parking lot, greenies pay less]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/gas-guzzlers-will-pay-more-at-this-boston-area-parking-lot-gree/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/gas-guzzlers-will-pay-more-at-this-boston-area-parking-lot-gree/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/gas-guzzlers-will-pay-more-at-this-boston-area-parking-lot-gree/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



It'll cost you a little more to pahk your cah in this yahd.

That's what one Boston parking lot owner is saying to SUV and other gas-guzzler vehicle drivers planning to use a new parking lot near the city's TD Garden, according to the Boston Herald.

Dinosaur Capital Partners will adjust pricing at its new Green Park & Charge to account for either particularly good or particularly bad fuel economy. Drivers of hybrids and plug-ins will get a 10 percent discount from the $10 hourly rate, while cars that get less than 15 miles per gallon will be charged an extra 10 percent.

The lot owner, which is spending $1.5 million on the new lot, is going one step further by including eight parking stalls that will have free charging stations, though the city government is paying for the stations themselves, according to the publication. Dinosaur Capital's Scott Oran justified the extra charge for SUVs, telling the Herald that heavier vehicles tear up parking lots quicker. Especially when they start doing donuts on it after having to pay $11 an hour.

Gas-guzzlers will pay more at this Boston-area parking lot, greenies pay less originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 01 May 2012 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adjustable rate parkingbostoncharging stationdinosaur capitalgas guzzlersparkingparking lotplug-in parkingtd gardenTue, 01 May 2012 11:47:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227842/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227842/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/01/gas-guzzlers-will-pay-more-at-this-boston-area-parking-lot-gree/20227842/article-detail.xml 20227842 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/parking-lot-full-of-durangos_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/parking-lot-full-of-durangos.jpg <![CDATA[Dodge Dart will hit 41 MPG with available Aero Package]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/dodge-dart-will-hit-41-mpg-with-available-aero-package/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/dodge-dart-will-hit-41-mpg-with-available-aero-package/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/dodge-dart-will-hit-41-mpg-with-available-aero-package/#commentsFiled under: ,

2013 Dodge Dart taillamp closeup

The Environmental Protection Agency hasn't released its evaluation data for the 2013 Dodge Dart just yet, but Chrysler says the compact should be capable of returning some impressive fuel economy figures, particularly with an available Aero package. When equipped with the turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a manual transmission, the standard Dart is good for an estimated 27 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, thanks in part to active aero shutters nestled in the grille of every model. Should buyers require a few extra miles per gallon, an optional Aero package will see the highway figure jump to 41 mpg. So far, there's no word on city or combined fuel economy for the package, but there's time before the trim becomes available, as it won't be in dealerships until the third quarter of this year.

Chrysler isn't mentioning how much the Aero package will add to the bottom line or what other tweaks consumers will get for their coin. We do know that with 160 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, the Dart Aero should be considerably more engaging to drive than the Chevrolet Cruze Eco. While that model is good for 42 mpg highway when equipped with a six-speed manual, it does the deed with 22 fewer horsepower and 36 fewer pound-feet of torque. Hit the jump for the complete Dart press release.

Continue reading Dodge Dart will hit 41 MPG with available Aero Package

Dodge Dart will hit 41 MPG with available Aero Package originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 dodge dart2013 dodge dart aero2013 dodge dart fuel economydartdart aerodart fuel economydodgedodge dartfuel economyMon, 30 Apr 2012 15:57:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227561/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20227561/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/30/dodge-dart-will-hit-41-mpg-with-available-aero-package/20227561/article-detail.xml 20227561 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2013-dodge-dart-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2013-dodge-dart-628.jpg <![CDATA[Some cars to be as clean as electric train travel by 2020]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/some-cars-to-be-as-clean-as-electric-train-travel-by-2020/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/some-cars-to-be-as-clean-as-electric-train-travel-by-2020/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/29/some-cars-to-be-as-clean-as-electric-train-travel-by-2020/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chevy Volt

Ex-Ford engineer Richard Parry-Jones is now chairman-designate of the UK's Network Rail. Having looked into the futures of both car and train development, he believes that by the end of this decade the most Earth-friendly internal-combustion engine cars will be about as polluting, on a per-passenger basis, as high-speed electric trains.

Parry-Jones says carmakers are targeting 40g/km of CO2 tailpipe emissions by 2020. If the "average" occupancy of 1.6 people-per-vehicle stays the same in eight years, that would equal 25 gm per person per kilometer and put such cars in the same environmental category as the cleanest mass transit.

Since the emissions of electric cars and trains is usually given as zero, we're assuming he means diesel-electric high-speed trains; life-cycle emissions wouldn't be a valid comparison since those aren't factored into a car's tailpipe number. According to The Guardian's table of emission numbers by transport, right now you'd have to load four folks in a small diesel topped up with ultra-low sulphur fuel to get down to 42 grams per passenger per kilometer (gpkm), which would put you right with one of Virgin's Voyager class diesel-electric trains at 75-percent capacity. If you want to go all the way low, though, you'll need a 50cc two-stroke and a passenger: at that point you're rocking just 19.5 gpkm. Slowly.

Some cars to be as clean as electric train travel by 2020 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 29 Apr 2012 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>co2electric trainsemissionsmass transitnetwork railrichard parry-jonestraintrainsukSun, 29 Apr 2012 09:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20226644/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20226644/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/29/some-cars-to-be-as-clean-as-electric-train-travel-by-2020/20226644/article-detail.xml 20226644 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/voltelectrictrain_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/voltelectrictrain.jpg <![CDATA[Honda says new driving-monitoring system cuts traffic jams, boosts fuel economy]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/honda-says-new-driving-monitoring-system-cuts-traffic-jams-boos/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/honda-says-new-driving-monitoring-system-cuts-traffic-jams-boos/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/honda-says-new-driving-monitoring-system-cuts-traffic-jams-boos/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Many of us have seen the bumper sticker featuring a gun-toting Yosemite Sam and the words "Back Off." Turns out Honda wants to make them obsolete.

The Japanese automaker said it has developed the first-ever vehicle communications system geared to cut both traffic jams and fuel use by monitoring a driver's acceleration and braking habits and providing information that Honda says will encourage smoother driving.

Honda, along with the University of Tokyo's Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, has developed on-board terminals that connect to cloud-based computing systems that allow communications between cars on the same road and provide information designed to encourage the driver to maintain a relatively constant driving distance between the vehicles in front. In other words, tail-gating is bad for both traffic and fuel economy, and Honda's system discourages it. Honda will conduct the first public-road tests of the product in Italy and Indonesia starting next month.

The system differs from traffic monitoring systems that have been part of other vehicles' communication systems in that it provides color-coded displays to indicate whether the driver needs to drive smoother and make his or her acceleration and deceleration more gradual. Honda says its system, when tested in a group of cars, boosted average speed by 23 percent and increased fuel economy of trailing vehicles by eight percent. Not bad for some cloud computing.

Continue reading Honda says new driving-monitoring system cuts traffic jams, boosts fuel economy

Honda says new driving-monitoring system cuts traffic jams, boosts fuel economy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudcolor-codedhondampgsystemtelematicstrafficUniversity of TokyoFri, 27 Apr 2012 19:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20225415/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20225415/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/27/honda-says-new-driving-monitoring-system-cuts-traffic-jams-boos/20225415/article-detail.xml 20225415 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/hondatraffic_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/hondatraffic.jpg <![CDATA[2013 Ford Escape 1.6L EcoBoost officially rated at 23/33 MPG]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/2013-ford-escape-1-6l-ecoboost-officially-rated-at-23-33-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/2013-ford-escape-1-6l-ecoboost-officially-rated-at-23-33-mpg/http://green.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/2013-ford-escape-1-6l-ecoboost-officially-rated-at-23-33-mpg/#commentsFiled under: ,



When we drove the all-new Escape recently, Ford was still awaiting official EPA certification for fuel economy. Now, though, the numbers are in, and the Blue Oval can confidently state that it offers the most fuel-efficient vehicle in the small crossover segment... with an automatic transmission, that is.

The hero engine for the new Escape is Ford's new 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four, offering up 178 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, this engine is good for 23 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg highway, besting the highway numbers of the Chevrolet Equinox, Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and others. At 33 mpg, this means the new Escape is not only more efficient than the outgoing four-cylinder model, but it bests the numbers of the old Escape Hybrid, too.

But again, this only pertains to automatic transmission-equipped vehicles (the Escape does not offer a manual transmission with any of its powertrains). The 2013 Mazda CX-5 with its 2.0-liter Skyactiv inline-four and six-speed manual 'box is rated at 35 mpg highway, but opting for the six-speed auto drops that number to 32 mpg.

The other powertrains offered in the Escape are returning some pretty impressive fuel economy numbers, too. The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter base engine is rated at 22/31 mpg, and the range-topping 2.0-liter EcoBoost with 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque is good for 22/30 mpg. Scroll down for the full details in Ford's press release.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Escape 1.6L EcoBoost officially rated at 23/33 MPG

2013 Ford Escape 1.6L EcoBoost officially rated at 23/33 MPG originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 ford escapeecoboostescapefordfuel economyFri, 27 Apr 2012 09:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20225745/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20225745/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/27/2013-ford-escape-1-6l-ecoboost-officially-rated-at-23-33-mpg/20225745/article-detail.xml 20225745 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-2013-ford-escape-fd-1335452688_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/01-2013-ford-escape-fd-1335452688.jpg -1 2