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Future Chryslers to include Charger Super Bee, 40+ mpg Fiat 500

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Hatchback, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat

2011 Dodge Charger

2011 Dodge Charger – Click above for high-res image gallery

Chrysler is fresh off the introduction of 16 new or refreshed models, but Team Pentastar isn’t out of breath just yet. According to Inside Line, CEO Sergio Marchionne told reporters and analysts that there will be more changes throughout 2011.

For starters, the Dodge Charger will reportedly add a Super Bee variant. The familiar badge will likely be a mostly cosmetic upgrade, though Chrysler hasn’t yet announced any specifics. Meanwhile, the Jeep Wrangler will finally – finally – receive a new engine. The ancient 3.8-liter six will be replaced by the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which boasts 283 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in most applications. The far more powerful 3.6-liter will also come with a reported 10 percent increase in fuel economy, though the Wrangler won’t get the eight-speed auto transmission that should arrive from Getrag later in the year.

One of the Chrysler brands will also receive a rebadged version of the Fiat 500 before the end of 2011. The efficient little runt, which could be badged as a Dodge, must hit at least 40 miles per gallon to satisfy a requirement necessary for Fiat to receive another five percent ownership of Chrysler. If and when that happens, Fiat will own a 51 percent majority of the American automaker.

Team Pentastar is also looking to add more diesel models to its lineup. The oil burners will reportedly make up 14 percent of the automaker’s model mix by 2014. We know that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is getting Chrysler’s 3.0-liter CRD V6 in the coming years, and we’re crossing our fingers for an oil-burning Wrangler, as well.

Gallery: 2011 Dodge Charger: First Drive

2011 Dodge Charger

Future Chryslers to include Charger Super Bee, 40+ mpg Fiat 500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: Honda Civic Hybrid scores 44 mpg across the board

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Honda

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s not 50 miles per gallon (rest, easy Prius), but the mpg numbers for the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid impress us nonetheless: 44/44/44. That’s city/highway/combined, and it’s a nice jump – especially in the city – from the 40/43/41 numbers sported by the 2011 model.

The New York Auto Show this week has been full of “40 mpg” claims from many automakers, but these have mostly described just one of the three ratings categories (usually highway). To have Honda announce you get an estimated 44 miles to the gallon no matter how you drive deserves a bit of praise. (Golf clap.)

The reason for the fuel economy boost lies, in part, with the upgraded battery pack used in the Honda Integrated Motor Assist system. Instead of the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in previous Civic Hybrids, the ’12 version cruises along with 20-kW worth of li-ion cells. Compared to the NiMH pack, the lithium-ion battery is 5 kW more powerful and also a bit lighter. The gas engine has also been upgraded from 1.3 liters to a 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder, and the full system offers 110 combined horsepower at 5,500 rpm. There are also some design tweaks on the exterior – nothing too fancy – that you can check out in our gallery below and read all about after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid: New York 2011

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New York 2011: Honda Civic Hybrid scores 44 mpg across the board originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mazda3 with new SkyActiv engine gets 40 mpg, updated exterior

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Mazda

2012 Mazda3

2012 Mazda3 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2012 Mazda3 has officially made its debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show, and it’s brought along the first production use of the long-awaited SkyActiv fuel-efficiency tweaks. That means the newest Mazda3 is good for a whopping 40 miles per gallon on the highway thanks to the addition of a new SkyActiv-G four-cylinder engine mated to either a new six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

2012 Mazda3 SkyActiv 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine Previously, the Mazda3 has only been good for up to 33 mpg in its most efficient form, but the new drivetrain advancements will go a long way toward making the model more competitive against ever sharper metal from Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai and Honda. Mazda says that the new 2.0-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder is good for 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, which offers modest increases over the old, non-DI 2.0-liter mill.

That old lump will still be around as standard equipment on the sedan, though don’t expect to see it on the Mazda3 hatch. Instead, the long-roof will still benefit from the larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder found in the last-gen vehicle.

In addition to the newly-efficient drivetrain, the 2012 Mazda3 also wears a suitably updated exterior. Buyers can look forward to redesigned headlights and an adjusted front fascia with a slightly different grille that tones down the exuberance of the car’s trademark grin. Likewise, the rears of both the sedan and hatch have received a subtle warming-over. Follow the jump to hear it from Mazda’s own mouth.

Gallery: 2012 Mazda3

[Source: Mazda]

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2012 Mazda3 with new SkyActiv engine gets 40 mpg, updated exterior originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2011: 2012 Nissan Versa offers 33 mpg for $10,990

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Nissan

2012 Nissan Versa

2012 Nissan Versa – Click above for high-res image gallery

Revealed “simultaneously” as the new Tiida in Shanghai, the 2012 Nissan Versa drove onto the stage here at the 2011 New York Auto Show spouting some impressive numbers: 33 miles per gallon (combined, and 30 city/37 highway) for the low, low price of $10,990. Sure, 33 ain’t nothing compared to a Toyota Prius, but you could buy two Versas for the price of a Prius, and $10k buys a lot of gas at 33 mpg.

This is exactly the kind of thinking that Nissan wants car buyers to do, and the company is encouraging this train of thought by branding the Versa with its Pure Drive efficiency label – first applied to cars in Europe in 2008. The 2012 Versa, sporting a 1.6-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine and weighing 150 fewer pounds than the previous generation model, will be the first Pure Drive vehicle in the U.S. Speaking at the show, Nissan’s executive vice-president of the America, Carlos Tavares, said that this “is a real car, complete with air conditioning, vehicle dynamic control, CD/radio with aux in, electric-assisted steering and 15-inch wheels and tires.” You want more features, like satellite radio or “Fine Vision instrumentation?” They’re available of course, but they’ll cost you a bit more.

Tavares said the Versa is already the best selling car in it’s segment, and we can see Nissan selling quite a few of these if the numbers talked about today bear themselves out on the road. Check out the details in our gallery below and read plenty more in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Nissan Versa: New York 2011

Gallery: 2012 Nissan Versa

2012 Nissan Versa

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading New York 2011: 2012 Nissan Versa offers 33 mpg for $10,990

New York 2011: 2012 Nissan Versa offers 33 mpg for $10,990 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford shows off 67-mpg Focus Econetic ahead of Amsterdam debut

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Diesel

2012 Ford Focus Econetic

Ford Focus Econetic – Click above for high-res image gallery

We may have the 40-mile-per-gallon SFE trim on the 2012 Ford Focus here in the States, but European eco-warriors will soon be able to sink their teeth into the new Focus Econetic, designed purely with efficiency in mind. Ford claims that the Focus Econetic can achieve up to 80 mpg on the European testing cycle, or about 67 mpg here in the U.S.

Ford’s road to super-efficiency starts with the automaker’s 103-horsepower, 1.6-liter Duratorq diesel engine. That, combined with start-stop, smart regenerative charging, Eco mode and a revised final drive ratio allow this engine to perform as efficiently as possible at all times. For reference, the standard Euro-spec Focus equipped with the 1.6-liter diesel four is good for about 55 mpg (U.S.).

Aerodynamic enhancements consist of active grille shutters on the front fascia, as well as special low-drag wheel covers. We’re all for added efficiency, but it might be nice if these plastic wheel caps didn’t look like they were ripped straight from a 1992 Honda Accord.

The Focus Econetic makes its official debut next week at the Amsterdam Motor Show, with the first examples hitting the streets in early 2012. Both four- and five-door body styles will be available. Follow the jump for the full details.

Gallery: Ford Focus Econetic

Ford Focus Econetic

[Source: Ford]

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Ford shows off 67-mpg Focus Econetic ahead of Amsterdam debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Ford Focus officially certified at 40 mpg highway

Filed under: Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Focus

2012 Ford Focus – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has confirmed that the 2012 Focus achieves an EPA-rated 40 miles per gallon on the highway, besting many of the competitors in its class. Only the 2011 Hyundai Elantra and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco manage to reach the much-heralded 40-mpg mark. The Focus is also rated at 28 mpg in the city.

Not to rain on Ford’s parade here, but we must make something perfectly clear: The 40-mpg rating only applies to the Focus SE sedan with SFE (super fuel economy) package and the six-speed automatic transmission. In order to achieve 40 mpg, the SFE package adds unique 16-inch steel wheels with aero-enhanced wheel covers, active grille shutters, a rear spoiler and high-efficiency tires.

That might not seem like a big deal, especially when a car as stylish and well-built as the Focus puts down 40 mpg highway. However, we can’t overlook the fact that Hyundai’s Elantra nets that 40-mpg figure on all models with either transmission, and if you spec a Cruze Eco with a manual box, you’ll be running at 42 mpg on the highway. Still, keep in mind that the Focus, at 160 horsepower, is the most powerful car in the group – besting the Elantra by 12 hp and the Cruze Eco by 22 hp – which is something that enthusiasts must consider.

In any case, by adding the 2012 Focus SE SFE to its portfolio, Ford is only further expanding its lineup of vehicles that achieve 40 mpg or better. Follow the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus: First Drive

2012 Ford Focus

[Source: Ford]

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2012 Ford Focus officially certified at 40 mpg highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist will get 26/37 mpg

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Buick, GM

2012 Buick Regal eAssist

2012 Buick Regal eAssist – Click above for high-res image gallery

When General Motors debuted the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist technology at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, the automaker told us that this new fuel-saving feature would quickly spread across many other models in its portfolio. Now, GM has taken the wraps off of the eAssist-equipped 2012 Buick Regal, which makes its official public debut at the Chicago Auto Show this week.

Most significantly, the addition of eAssist to the Regal’s 2.4-liter inline-four powertrain means that the sedan is now capable of achieving 26 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Like the LaCrosse, the Regal eAssist uses a small, 15-horsepower electric motor to give assistance during acceleration, and when combined with things like regenerative braking and automatic start/stop, it means a substantial increase in fuel economy. It’s not exactly Ford Fusion Hybrid impressive, but still quite good when you consider that the standard Regal only musters up 19/30 mpg ratings.

Unlike the larger LaCrosse, eAssist will not be the base powertrain for 2012 Regals. Buick has positioned the Regal eAssist to be part of larger family, which includes the Regal Turbo and upcoming GS. Model-specific changes over the base Regal include things like lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels (smaller than the standard Regal’s 18-inch set), an eco mode for the air conditioning system, an eco gauge on the instrument panel and a powerflow readout in the seven-inch infotainment screen.

We’ll be seeing the 2012 Regal eAssist live in Chicago this week, so stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, follow the jump to read GM’s official press release, and see the new electrified Regal for yourself in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist

2012 Buick Regal eAssist

[Source: General Motors]

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Officially Official: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist will get 26/37 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mahindra TR40 pickup only good for 19/21 mpg?

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Diesel

Mahindra Pik-Up

Mahindra Pik-Up – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s hard to understand how Indian truck/SUV maker Mahindra could miss its fuel economy goal by one-third. Mahindra’s supposed U.S. distributor, Global Vehicles of Marietta, Ga. (which has been embroiled in an opera of lawsuits, name-calling and musical chairs management concerning its deal with the Indian manufacturer), has had an oft-stated goal of 30 mpg highway fuel economy for the clean diesel truck.

According to FuelEconomy.gov, however, the four-wheel-drive Mahindra TR40 crew-cab pickup with a four-cylinder diesel engine and automatic transmission has been rated by the EPA at only 19 mpg city/21 mpg highway. By comparison, the 4×4 2011 Dodge Dakota with a 3.7 liter V6 engine is rated at 14/18. The TR40’s miserable highway mileage doesn’t even match the Ford F-150 3.7 liter 4×2, which is rated at 16 city/23 highway. The 4×4 Ford Ranger, like the aforementioned Dodge, is rated at 14 city/18 highway. Mahindra’s compact pickup truck offers a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and a payload of 2,765 pounds.

Mahindra and GV had been counting on the fuel economy angle to get on truck buyers’ radar. But the current differential between the Mahindra TR40 diesel truck’s mileage and that of the gas-powered competition is unlikely to turn heads or create headlines. Global Vehicles told PickupTrucks.com: “Good fuel economy will be an important part of the truck’s appeal, and we’re eager to see the fuel economy for all of the models, especially the two-door, two-wheel-drive model, which Mahindra told us to expect would achieve close to 30 mpg.”

It’s hard to imagine Mahindra squeezing out nine additional highway miles per gallon just by stripping out the 4-wheel-drive system.

Gallery: Mahindra Pik-Up

mahindra-pickup-large_21 mahindra-pickup-large_11 mahindra-pickup-large_22 mahindra-pickup-large_12 mahindra-pickup-large_13

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Mahindra TR40 pickup only good for 19/21 mpg? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official 2012 Fiat 500 fuel economy numbers fall short of 40 mpg

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Fiat

2012 Fiat 500

2012 Fiat 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery

2011 marks the official return of Fiat here in the United States, with the adorable little 500 hitting dealerships in the coming weeks. With Fiat’s MultiAir 1.4-liter engine under the hood, you’d be right to expect top-notch fuel economy numbers. And while the 500’s EPA ratings of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway aren’t bad, it’s not exactly what we were hoping for.

For comparison, consider the fact that much larger C-segment entries like the Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze are all capable of achieving 40 mpg or higher (granted, you have to spec certain transmissions and option packages on the latter two in order to achieve it). What’s more, the 30/38 mpg rating on the Fiat 500 is only with the five-speed manual transmission. Cars equipped with the six-speed self-shifter will only achieve 27/34 mpg. Ouch.

Still, with prices starting at $15,995 for the entry-level Pop model, we don’t think Fiat will have too much trouble moving 500s out of showrooms. Besides, the majority of people purchasing the Fiat 500 will be doing so because of its style rather than its frugality.

Gallery: 2012 Fiat 500

2012 Fiat 500

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Official 2012 Fiat 500 fuel economy numbers fall short of 40 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 261-mpg Volkswagen XL1 to enter limited production

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, Electric, Diesel

Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept

Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Well, what do you know? When Volkswagen decided to show off the latest version of its so-called one-liter car, the Formula XL1, at the Qatar Motor Show, we wondered out loud whether or not the German automaker would actually manage to put it into production. As it turns out, that’s the plan, albeit at a very small scale.

According to Automobilwoche (sub. req’d, via The Truth About Cars), Volkswagen will build 100 XL1s as a small batch of regular production machines… meaning they’ll actually be offered for sale to the general populace. No word on what will power the production models, but the concept features a two-cylinder TDI engine, electric motor, lithium-ion battery pack and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. All that fuel-sipping goodness is enough to achieve an astonishing 0.9L/100 km – just over 261 mpg.

Germany will reportedly get first crack at the XL1, followed by the United States and China. Color us surprised that VW actually plans to produce a nearly 300-mpg machine, going to the trouble of putting it through safety and emissions tests and all that goes along with making it legal, for such a small batch of vehicles. Surprised, but pleased, while also a bit skeptical it will ultimately happen. Projects like these are usually the first to get cut when the global economy forces belts to be tightened.

Gallery: Volkswagen Formula XL1 Concept

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Report: 261-mpg Volkswagen XL1 to enter limited production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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