Fuel Efficiency
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Carmakers regularly tweak their powertrains to boost fuel efficiency or improve performance and drivability. Changes to EPA test cycles for 2017 mean that the agency's fuel-economy ratings for many new cars have fallen slightly. Knowing that, and having learned more about how its various hybrid models were used in the real world, Ford set out to modify its Fusion Hybrid and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid models for 2017. DON'T MISS: 2017 Ford Fusion Energi electric range rises to 22 miles The results have been released in stages, with the company first discussing the improved drivability last...
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More details, photos of new Kia Rio to debut at Paris Motor ShowSubcompact hatchbacks and sedans may be a minor part of the U.S. market, but they're hugely important in the rest of the world. So the launch of a new generation of Kia Rio during next month's media days at the Paris Motor Show is worthy of note, even if some U.S. drivers and dealers yawn. The new...
John Voelcker -
2017 Ford F-150 with 10-speed automatic to arrive at dealers next month
The 2017 Ford F-150 gets a new 10-speed automatic transmission and upgraded 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6.
Stephen Edelstein -
Car modifiers find EPA emission rules a useful whipping boy, politically
Car modifiers continue to push for more lenient emissions rules.
Stephen Edelstein -
Three big automaker myths about CAFE: busted by Consumers Union
Consumers Unions busts myths spread by CAFE critics.
Stephen Edelstein -
Labor Day deals on hybrid, electric, fuel-efficient cars
Check out these Labor Day deals on green cars.
Stephen Edelstein -
The 2017 Chevrolet Spark is both the smallest and the least expensive car sold by Chevy in North America. The Korean-made hatchback minicar isn't among the brand's top sellers—those would be its full-size pickup trucks and the Equinox compact crossover—but the previous generation found more than 30,000 buyers last year. A new, second-generation 2016 Spark was launched midway through that model year, and Chevy now has information on the 2017 version on its website. DON'T MISS: 2017 Chevrolet Spark - full review The new Spark has led to a modest uptick in sales, with 18,300 sold in...
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Gas is cheap; U.S. drivers use it to log more miles than ever
U.S. drivers logged a record number of miles in the first half of this year.
Stephen Edelstein -
Carmakers asked to extend CAFE comment period; EPA said no
It's probably the battle that will do most to determine the carbon emission from new U.S. vehicles over the next decade. Automakers want to modify, delay, or extend the current corporate average fuel economy standards for 2022 through 2025 vehicles; regulators don't. The mid-July release of the...
John Voelcker -
Will CAFE standards have to be relaxed starting in 2021?
The battle over CAFE standards continues.
Stephen Edelstein -
2017 Honda Fit priced, unchanged
The 2017 Honda Fit enters the new model year virtually unchanged.
Stephen Edelstein -
Australia's AAA will test emissions of top 30 cars; government won't, it says (VW diesel update)
The Australian Automobile Association will conduct its own on-road emissions tests.
Stephen Edelstein -
An automaker lobbyist group believes CAFE rules aren't realistic.
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Cruise ships start to come under scrutiny as massive pollution machines
Cruise ships are a major source of air pollution, environmental groups note.
Stephen Edelstein -
2017 Audi A4 Ultra: 31-mpg version of luxury sedan
The 2017 Audi A4 Ultra is the least-expensive and most fuel-efficient version of the A4 sedan.
Stephen Edelstein -
Transport is now biggest part of U.S. carbon emissions, first time in 40 years
Transportation is now the biggest source of U.S. carbon emissions, according to the U.S. Public Interest Research Group.
Stephen Edelstein -
Why motorcycles may not be greener than cars: missing emission gear
When looking for green transportation, does it make sense to opt for two wheels instead of four? Motorcycles weigh significantly less than cars, and generally have smaller engines. That means they use less fuel than the typical car, and they also require fewer raw materials to make. DON'T MISS...
Stephen Edelstein -
What's making cars bigger? Gas-mileage rules may be, say analysts
Carmakers are building larger vehicles so they can aim for lower fuel-economy targets, analysts say.
Stephen Edelstein -
Infiniti is likely the first carmaker to put a variable-compression engine into production.
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EU proposes deep cuts to vehicle emissions, ignores ships, airplanes
Proposed new emissions rules have drawn criticism from auto-industry lobby and environmental groups.
Stephen Edelstein -
You'll never know the EPA ratings of heavy-duty pickup trucks: here's why
The EPA doesn't require carmakers to report fuel economy for heavy-duty trucks.
Stephen Edelstein -
Best Deals On Hybrid, Electric, Fuel-Efficient Cars For August 2016
These are the best deals on green cars for August 2016.
Stephen Edelstein -
2017 Porsche Panamera shows just how complex saving fuel has gotten
The 2017 Porsche Panamera adopts many fuel-saving measures, but what are the results?
Stephen Edelstein -
Battle over CAFE standards begins now: will they change for 2022-2025?
Two weeks ago today, three federal and state agencies jointly released a "Technical Assessment Report" on how well automakers have done thus far in meeting corporate average fuel economy standards. It concluded that car companies may not quite reach the theoretical goal of an average 54.5 mpg (or...
John Voelcker
