Ford returns to the top of the Automotive World with the Ford Fusion. Voted Motor Trend’s Car of the Year; Ford has reclaimed title after an 8 year hiatus. Ford decided to take a page out of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry handbook; which have been the best selling cars in the mid-sized segment for the last few years. The Fusion’s main reason for winning the Motor Trend COTY is the flexibility. While the Fusion has been around since 2006, it was not until this year that Ford totally redesigned the car top to bottom, and without any bailout money from the government. The Ford Fusion scored incredibly well on six different categories such as: function, engineering, efficiency, design, safety, and value.
Starting at around $20,000 for the base model, you get a great mid-sized sedan that has a sporty ride while getting an EPA 22 MPG in the City and 31 MPG on the highway. This puts the Fusion 4-cylinder well above the pack in terms of fuel economy. Opt for the Appearance Package at just under a grand and you get a whole lot for a little including: 18-inch rims, performance tires, a rear wing, leather wrapped steering wheel, and cruise control. A great deal no doubt!
For those that need more than the 175 Horsepower the inline four produces; there is a V-6 engine 
available for added power. The Duratec 3.5L engine puts out a nice 263hp and 249lb-ft. of torque. This is the middle of the pack for the mid-sized sedan segment. The top performer of the Fusion platform is called the Fusion Sport. This nifty package adds a SelectShift six-speed auto transmission, sport suspension, dual exhaust, and body enhancements. You can also add all-wheel drive for added safety.
The hybrid version of the Fusion has been winning accolades from just about every car publication for the past few months. The Fusion is by far, the best hybrid vehicle any American manufacturer is offering. In fact, the EPA has named the Fusion Hybrid the 2nd most fuel efficient automobile for 2010! What is really cool about the Fusion Hybrid is the parallel hybrid system that allows the Fusion to operate up to 45 MPH on battery power alone. Paired with an Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine, the Fusion obtains an EPA gas mileage figure of 41 MPG in the City (the Honda Insight only gets 40 MPG) and 36 MPG on the Highway. Couple this with lighter batteries and a continuous variable transmission; the Fusion is the leader in mid-sized hybrid vehicles.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Ford Fusion. The interior is well-designed and full of features. Power everything, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated seats, dual climate control, Satellite Navigation, and Bluetooth capabilities are just a few of the options and features available on the new Ford Fusion.
The Fusion with Stability Control also made it to the IIHS Top Safety Pick’s () for the year. Helping the Fusion make this elite list are disc brakes at all four corners of the car along with ABS. Dual-Stage Airbags, a lane change alert system, and a rear view camera all aid in the safety department.
The Ford Fusion beat out some top contenders for Motor Trend’s Car of the Year. But this award is well deserved and Ford went a long way in 
updating the 2010 Fusion by addressing some of the sore spots in the first generation. And they have been rewarded for their attention to detail with numerous accolades. The New 2010 Ford Fusion represents an affordable, fully loaded, mid-sized sedan.
Stop by your local Ford Dealer to test drive the award-winning 2010 Ford Fusion.
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Mercury’s 2010 Milan Hybrid is one smart vehicle. It has been labeled the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America, getting more than 700 miles to a tank during city driving. As with most Hybrids, the engine is powered by a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor which draws power from a battery pack and never needs to be plugged in.
A regenerative braking system captures energy generated from braking and transfers it to the battery for storage and later use. The 2010 Mercury Milan is equipped with Smartgauge™ with EcoGuide technology, allowing the driver to monitor performance-related information such as fuel economy history, battery-charge status, electric mode indicator, engine output power and battery output power. Milan drivers can monitor their driving efficiency by selecting a dashboard graphic display with “energy “ leaves and vines which grow as their driving efficiency increases.
All and all the Milan Hybrid is a great choice for saving money on fuel expenses but further savings may occur at tax time. The IRS has approved a tax credit between $850 and $1,700 for those who purchase a Mercury Milan before March 31, 2010 making the Milan Hybrid one sweet and smart deal.
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The Escalade Hybrid is the best way for environmentally conscious customers to get their luxury SUV with out sacrificing quality. Maximum seating capacity in the Hybrid is 8. It is also the only full-size luxury SUV hybrid on the market. Due to its 2 mode hyrbrid powertrain, the Escalade Hybrid recieves 50 percent better fuel efficiency in city driving and 40 percent increase overall.
The Escalade Hybrid’s two mode hybrid powertrain combines GM’s Vortec 6.0 liter V-8 engine with Cadillac’s new Auto Trans. 2 electric motors help to power the 4 gear EVT transmission. The V-8 engine in the Hybrid has the brand’s Active Fuel Management System, allowing four-cylinders to shut off in light load conditions; ultimately conserving fuel. When idling at a stop, the gas engine shuts off but restarts when needed. The electric motors let the engine to run in a four-cylinder mode more often.
With light throttle, the electric motors can propel the 2009 Cadillac Escalade 
Hybrid up to 30 mph, but together the electric motor and gasoline engine produce 332 hp and 367lb.ft. of torque. Located under the second row seats lies a 300-Volt battery pack that powers all electric engines, the steering system, and the electrically driven air conditioning compressor. Regenerative braking also charges the batteries. The SUV comes available in either front or all wheel drive. The hybrid powertrain is only available on a standard length Escalade.
As far as towing capability, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid will be rated to tow up to 6000 pounds with rear wheel drive and 5700 pounds with all wheel drive. On the inside, the Escalade Hybrid has an 8-inch touch screen that showcases the hybrid drive system and informs the driver as to which mode the SUV is running in. To encourage better fuel economy, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid comes with an economy gauge that represents which zones the drivers should drive in. The TACH in the Hybrid also includes and Auto Stop indicater, letting the driver know when the motor is shut off.
Ever since the Taurus took a nose dive a few years ago, Ford has been looking for a suitable replacement to challenge the Accord and Camry in the mid-sized car segment. Since its first introduction in 2006, Ford has made many modifications to the Fusion including the new Hybrid power plant that the public have really been taking notice to. In comparison to its competitors; the Ford Fusion Hybrid gets some of the best in-town gas mileage. You can expect to get great fuel economy in city driving, around 41 MPG, which is much better than the Toyota Camry hybrid and a little better than the Civic Hybrid. The hybrid electric motor has the ability to power the Fusion up past 45 miles per hour without the help of the gas engine.
Ford has created an ingenious system which is built into the instrument cluster of the Fusion Hybrid called the SmartGauge. There are 2 LCD screens located one on each side of the speedo which display 4 different information screens. The first screen shows the fuel level and the level of power left in the batteries. The 2nd information monitor shows the tachometer and the electric mode function. The third screen displays engine and battery output power. The fourth and final data screen shows power to the wheels and accessory power consumption. The info centers in the Fusion display MGP, fuel consumption past data, a driving log, and radiator temp. A real time MPG information gauge easily displays to drivers which driving style would be best for fuel economy.
You can see the Fusion hybrid flow graph located in the navigation screen. This display will track the 5 modes of the Fusion’s Hybrid Powertrain which are the; electric drive, hybrid drive, electric boost, idle charging, and regenerative breaking.
Seperating itself from the hybrid pack, the Fusion has seats made from reclaimed fabric. The Prius and the Civic Hybrid are two of the most popular cars out today, its about time Ford designed a hybrid car.
I have been saying for years now that Diesel power cars get the same fuel economy as hybrids; but no one wants to listen. The very mention of the word “Diesel” makes people cringe at the thought of overly gross polluting Commercial Trucks and nasty Old Mercedes cars.
Well now that Diesel gas prices have fallen below the price of unleaded gas; it seems that feelings have changed. Yeah I call these people bandwagoners! Nevertheless Volkswagen has noticed a nice increase in Diesel sales over last year’s numbers.
The Jetta TDI is one hot new diesel car. All things aside the mere fact that this car gets an EPA estimated 41 MPG on the highway is a great selling point! And this number it would seem is a bit shy of the 50-60 miles per gallon that commuters have been experiencing. Nevertheless the diesel model tends to get more than 40% better fuel economy than the 2.5-liter model.
The coolest thing about the TDI is the Turbo Power you get. Turbo technology is the wave of the future and Volkswagen has been on the cutting edge for years now. This particular car puts out a respectable 140 horsepower but a pavement pounding 271lb-ft of torque which is exactly what is need to get up to highway speeds! The Jetta TDI also has the smallest Carbon Footprint of any of the Jetta models. Yes this diesel is the cleanest Volkswagen on the road. Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think? The 2009 Jetta TDI also offers all the bells and whistles such as airbags, navigation, a great sound system, power everything, and pretty much everything you would want in a mid-sized car. Now the TDI model does cost about two-thousand more than the base model but you will get a nice rebate from Uncle Sam to help close that gap a bit!
Right now as it stands Diesel gas is about $0.15 cheaper than regular unleaded gas! So driving a regular 2.5 liter Jetta will cost you about $1700 in gas every 15k miles while the diesel TDI will only cost $1150. So if gas prices remain constant you can save more than a few hundred dollars in gas just in one short year!
GMC showcased one of their top two-mode hybrid concept cars at the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, the Denali XT Hybrid concept truck. The Denali XT Hybrid is the latest feature of Professional Grade engineering and offers a 50% increase in fuel economy. It is combined with 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline capability and a more efficient 4.9L engine with 326horsepower. It also has Active Fuel Management powers and features fuel saving technology like direct injection. The engine matches the exclusive two mode propulsion hybrid system which includes an all electric drive at slow speeds. The multi-link face suspension exhibits forward mounted steering and dual lower links with ball joints. This feature in the XT provides sharper responses to the driver’s input.
The XT is rear wheel drive but is still categorized into the Sport 
Utility Truck [SUT] group. It overlaps the defining lines between the pickup and the SUV but is lighter in weight than the traditional conservative truck. To bring the Denali XT a confident road presence, this high-tech hybrid has nominal overhangs, outsized wheels, lustrous headlamps, and a low roof profile. The interior of the car is leather trimmed with metal backdrops, seats four, has large cargo bed space, and embodies the inside of an aircraft cockpit.
Sources:
http://www.gmc.com/denali-xt/index.jsp
http://www.motortrend.com/future/concept_cars/112_0802_2008_gmc_denali_xt_concept_first_look/index.html
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Over the past year or two there have been many new features available as standard options or add-ons for many cars. Some of these features are revolutionary and exciting, some have been around in one form or another for years, and then there are those that died a quick death. Below is a list of 10 from Automobile News and some thoughts on each.
1. Ignition/Push Start Buttons – The first car to my knowledge to come standard with this feature was the Honda S2000. Although you still need to put a key into the ignition, the push button start was a great idea that caught on with manufacturers everywhere. BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus wasted no time in adding this to their line-up. But now this feature is even better; you don’t even need to put the key into any ignition, just have the key in your pocket and the car will start right up with the push of a button!
2. Navigation Systems – With the popularity of Magellan, Tom Tom, and other road map systems, it was only a matter of time before the in-dash navigation system would make its way onto current cars. I look forward to the day when I can afford a new car with the in-dash nav/DVD system.
3. Gas/Electric Hybrids – This has been the future of automobiles for years. Toyota and Honda know this, but it was just this year that U.S. automakers got their act together and started producing hybrid vehicles. Soon all cars will be hybrids, then electric, then gas will be dead forever!
4. Cylinder Cut-Off systems – This is by far my favorite new wave in the car industry. Cylinder Deactivation essentially turns a V-8 engine into a 4-cylinder by cutting fuel to half of the cylinder banks. This is a great way for big V-8 trucks and SUV’s to get reasonable gas mileage.
5. Paddle Shifters – We go from my favorite invention to my least favorite. In fact I hate the idea of paddle shifters on everyday cars. I feel they should be reserved for million dollar Ferrari’s that need millisecond shifts. Now cars as lowly as the Mitsubishi Lancer will get high tech paddle shifters. This marks the beginning of the end for clutch operated, hand shifted cars. I shed a tear.
6. Rear view Cameras – This option grew out of necessity. Supercars like the McLaren F1 which has the tiniest of rear windows relied on a camera to see what’s behind. Then big trucks and SUV’s like the Infiniti FX have caught onto the trend. Now many luxury cars offer this system. It makes reversing much safer and will definitely help in the area of parking.
7. Turbochargers and Smaller Engines – Again auto manufacturers like Volkswagen have used turbocharged 4-cylinder engines to produce as much horsepower as a V-8 while getting incredible gas mileage. I have always been a big fan of turbos’, which used the wasted exhaust gasses to power up.
8. Small Cars/Spacious Interiors – Again it is the Japanese sub-compact industry that sparked the rise of these cars in America. Hatchbacks have been around for years, and the folding rear seats allow for a ton of cubic space in a hatchback style car.
9. Capless Fuel Systems – Gas can evaporate! Yup this is news to me but very true. Ford is on the leading edge with their GT Supercar which features a capless fuel system. This internal sealing feature will be a trend we see on new cars in the future.
10. Information Systems – The Ford Sync provides real time traffic reports, an On-Star like feature that alerts authorities in the event of an accident, and a vehicle diagnostic system.
With these new features appearing on more new cars, the race is on for car manufacturers to provide the consumers with the newest technology.
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General Motors has set the release date for the first E-REV car. The Chevy Volt set to go public in 2011; is an extended range electric vehicle. Really the Volt is the new generation of hybrids which will use not only a gasoline engine but an electric engine too.
What make this car different from the 2009 Toyota Prius Hybrid or the 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid is that this car can runs on electricity only for up to 40 miles. This will satisfy the daily commute for the majority of Americans. For longer hauls; the Volt has a regular gas engine that will kick in and power the car.
Of course regenerative breaking is a feature that will recharge the batteries to a predetermined level. Once the batteries are charged, the electric engine will turn back on. As you can guess the Volt will have get outstanding MPG on long trips and will emit hardly any emissions. As is stands the Volt produces no emissions what so ever with the electric motor running! My only question is too little too late? I mean the big U.S. automakers have been in jeopardy as of late. Why not get a hybrid out to the public when we wanted it 5 years ago?
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