We’ve all heard about the new Honda Insight’s killer low price, and about Toyota’s update of its old standby, the new 2010 Prius. In Japan, the Insight has been flying out of the showrooms even more quickly than was expected. Their main rival, Toyota, has stepped up to the plate with not only a reduced price on the new model, but by keeping the second generation Prius around at an even lower price.

The base price for the new Prius will come in at about $20,750, with the old model selling for $19,130. However, if you feel like spending the money, you can still go ahead and spend the money to buy a tricked out Prius for up to $33,100 (the most expensive Insight is more than $10,000 less).

Will the pricing wars spill over to the US, where both cars will have to compete with the Ford Fusion, and eventually the GM Volt? Only time will tell, but I’m sure we’re all hoping it does.

Source: ABG

Note: Click for larger images

After months of PR, big claims, and worry over Tesla’s future, the young company is finally letting us see the specs on their new electric sedan, the Tesla Model S. For a cool $50,000, you’ll be able to get a very sleek looking sedan that will have a 300 mile range and can do 0-60 in 5.5 seconds.

The price is a bit deceptive, because the $50k number includes a $7,500 federal tax break. While that tax break is good to go for any buyer right now, it won’t be around forever, and might not be around for long enough for very many people to use it on the Model S.

Also, that price only comes with a 160-mile battery pack. For more you can upgrade that range, but don’t hold your breath if you expect that to be a cheap upgrade! Seating 7 means that you will have to stuff two kids into rear facing seats in the hatch. If you don’t find 6 people to drag around with you, the Model S should be able to haul quite a large amount.

I won’t bore you with all the details, you can check them out (and some more pictures at the end of the post).

Question: Where do you think this car fits into the market? The same high end that can afford the Roadster and the “green” price tag, or will the middle class be trying to buy this?

At a Glance: Production Model S

With a 300-mile range and 45-minute QuickCharge, the $49,900 Model S can carry five adults and two children in quiet comfort – and you can charge it from any outlet, without ever stopping for gas. World’s first mass-produced electric vehicle offers performance, efficiency and unrivaled utility with twice the energy-efficiency of hybrids, making Model S the only car you’ll ever need.

Convenience and utility bullet points:

• Up to 300-mile range
• 45-minute QuickCharge
• 5-minute battery swap
• Charges from 110V, 220V or 440V
• Seating for 5 adults + 2 child seats
• Unique hatch for oversized items
• 60/40 flat-folding rear seat
• 2nd trunk under hood
• EPA Roominess Index 121.6
• More room than station wagons
• 17-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 3G wireless connectivity

Model S powertrain includes a liquid-cooled 9-inch motor, floor-mounted battery pack and a single-speed gearbox, delivering effortless acceleration, responsive handling and quiet simplicity — no fancy clutchwork or gear-shifting required. Model S costs as little as $4 to fully charge – a bargain even if gasoline dropped to $1 per gallon. You can have affordable fun while being socially responsible.

Technical specs:

• 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds
• ¼ mile in 14 seconds
• 120 mph top speed
• Braking 60-0 mph 135 feet
• 42 kWh battery storage system standard
• 70 kWh and greater battery storage systems optional
• 9- inch liquid cooled electric motor
• Single-speed transaxle gearbox
• Curb Weight 3825 lbs
• Overall Length 196″
• Wheelbase 116.5″
• All-wheel-drive available (option available in future production models)
• Right hand drive available

At a Glance: Model S Show Car

The Model S Show Car is a drivable vehicle that exemplifies Tesla’s “no compromises” philosophy – an elegantly refined luxury sedan delivering optimal performance without sacrificing efficiency. Designed by Franz von Holzhausen, the car’s aggressive stance gives way to a modern silhouette, with minimal front and rear overhangs for maximum space efficiency. The car’s mature face defines the future of the Tesla brand and incorporates the touches from the Tesla Roadster. Environmentally friendly materials are incorporated throughout, including water-based paint for the exterior, chrome-free vegetable tanned Italian leather on interior, and 100 percent recycled PET carpeting from Futuris.

Other details:

• Panoramic roof with sliding moon roof
• Retracting door handles for improved aerodynamics
• Full-time 3G connectivity with Internet, HD and satellite radio
• Push button “gear” selector
• Brembo brakes
• Automatic rear lift gate
• 21-inch wheels, Front Tires 245/35ZR21, Rear Tires 285/30ZR21
• 17-inch haptic touchscreen and customizable vehicle information display
• Fully digital instrument cluster
• LED and neon headlight and taillights, with xenon Hella low beams
• Smart-key power and push button gear selector
• Brembo brake system with new one-piece monobloc calipers and integral stiffening bridge to optimize performance
Front brake system:
• Brembo Gran Turismo
• Brembo 6-piston Monobloc Calipers
• Brembo 405x34mm 2-Piece Floating Slotted Discs with Billet Aluminum Hats
Rear brake system:
• Brembo Gran Turismo
• Brembo 4-piston Monobloc Calipers
• Brembo 380x28mm 2-Piece Slotted Discs with Billet Aluminum Hats

Tesla unveils world’s first mass-produced, highway-capable EV
Model S sedan has anticipated base price of $49,900, up to 300-mile range and 45-minute QuickCharge capability

March 26, 2009

HAWTHORNE , Calif.– (BUSINESS WIRE) -Tesla Motors is now taking orders for the Model S, an all electric family sedan that carries seven people and travels 300 miles per charge.

The Model S, which carries its charger onboard, can be recharged from any 120V, 240V or 480V outlet, with the latter taking only 45 minutes. By recharging their car while they stop for a meal, drivers can go from LA to New York in approximately the same time as a gasoline car. Moreover, the floor-mounted battery pack is designed to be changed out in less time than it takes to fill a gas tank, allowing for the possibility of battery-pack swap stations.

The floor-mounted powertrain also results in unparalleled cargo room and versatility, as the volume under the front hood becomes a second trunk. Combining that with a four-bar linkage hatchback rear trunk and flat folding rear seats, the Model S can accommodate a 50-inch television, mountain bike *and* surfboard simultaneously. This packaging efficiency gives the Model S more trunk space than any other sedan on the market and more than most SUVs.

“Model S doesn’t compromise on performance, efficiency or utility — it’s truly the only car you need,” said Tesla CEO, Chairman and Product Architect Elon Musk. “Tesla is relentlessly driving down the cost of electric vehicle technology, and this is just the first of many mainstream cars we’re developing.”

Tesla expects to start Model S production in late 2011. The company believes it is close to receiving $350 million in federal loans to build the Model S assembly plant in California from the Dept of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program.

Building on Proven Technology

Tesla is the only production automaker already selling highway-capable EVs in North America or Europe . With 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds, the Roadster outperforms almost all sports cars in its class yet is six times as energy efficient as gas guzzlers and delivers 244 miles per charge. Tesla has delivered nearly 300 Roadsters, and nearly 1,000 more customers are on the wait list.

Teslas do not require routine oil changes, and they have far fewer moving (and breakable) parts than internal combustion engine vehicles. They qualify for federal and state tax credits, rebates, sales tax exemptions, free parking, commuter-lane passes and other perks. Model S costs roughly $5 to drive 230 miles – a bargain even if gasoline were $1 per gallon.

The anticipated base price of the Model S is $49,900 after a federal tax credit of $7,500. The company has not released options pricing. Three battery pack choices will offer a range of 160, 230 or 300 miles per charge.

“Model S costs half as much as a Roadster, and it’s a better value than much cheaper cars,” Musk said. “The ownership cost of Model S, if you were to lease and then account for the much lower cost of electricity vs. gasoline at a likely future cost of $4 per gallon, is similar to a gasoline car with a sticker price of about $35,000. I’m positive this car will be the preferred choice of savvy consumers.”

The standard Model S does 0-60 mph in under six seconds and will have an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph, with sport versions expected to achieve 0-60 mph acceleration well below five seconds. A single-speed gearbox delivers effortless acceleration and responsive handling. A 17-inch touchscreen with in-car 3G connectivity allows passengers to listen to Pandora Radio or consult Google Maps, or check their state of charge remotely from their iPhone or laptop.

Tesla is taking reservations online and at showrooms in California . Tesla will open a store in Chicago this spring and plans to open stores in London, New York, Miami, Seattle, Washington DC and Munich later this year.

About Tesla Motors

San Carlos, Calif.-based Tesla Motors Inc. designs and manufactures electric vehicles with exceptional design, performance and efficiency, while conforming to all North American and European safety, environmental and durability standards. The Roadster, which has a 0-to-60 mph acceleration of 3.9 seconds and a base price of $101,500 after a federal tax credit, is the only highway-capable production EV for sale in North America and Europe. Tesla expects to begin producing the Model S sedan in late 2011.

The Tata Nano finally released commercially in India today. It’s been a long wait for the little car, which has been upset by protests, among other things. For about a year now people have been excited to see how this little car would change the automotive world by getting a whole new class of drivers on the road, and in fuel efficient style.

The Tata Nano will cost $1,985 dollars. For that price you get a 624cc, 2-cylinder engine that is capable of putting out up to 56 MPG (US). Of course, those are not EPA specs so you can’t compare them directly to what the EPA says about cars in the US, but nevertheless, they are impressive numbers.

No doubt this release will trigger the alarms of many environmentalists and safety advocates. India has become notorious for both dangerous driving and issues of environmental pollution, neither of which will be lessened by a flood of cheap cars onto the marketplace. However, no one can yet predict the lasting impact this car will have on India or the global auto industry.

Yesterday, ABG had an interesting post about surprisingly poor fuel economy numbers with the Ford Fusion hybrid that got me thinking about the relationship between the EPA estimates and the cold. It’s no big secret that fuel economy suffers when it gets cold outside, but it’s interesting to note that not all cars are affected by the cold equally, and that differing weather patterns across the country make it difficult for some people to gauge fuel economy at the dealership.

For example, ABG points to a recent test that shows the Ford Fusion getting 27.2 mpg in real world driving, even though it’s EPA rating is 41 city/36 highway. That’s a huge discrepancy, which is due mainly to the effects of the cold. While fuel economy certainly deviates a lot depending on individual driving style, the EPA estimates are supposed to provide a real world account of driving style, which is why they were recently revised downwards. However, do they accurately depict weather conditions?

Think for a minute about the average driver in New Hampshire. When they buy a car, they look at the same window stickers as someone from New Jersey, even though it would be a lucky winter’s day in NH to see the highs reaching about 0C. Having driven in this type of weather myself, I know the 30% or greater hit that my fuel economy can take.

Think again about the average hybrid car. These cars are tuned in so specifically for mileage, and often suffer the most from inefficient drivings and weather conditions. Perhaps it’s not surprising how poorly the Ford Fusion hybrid fares in the cold because it is common knowledge how batteries react to the cold and how finicky hybrid mileage can be.

How can the EPA respond to this?

That’s the real question. Is there anything the EPA can do to try to provide more accurate results based not only on driving style, but on temperature, precipitation, elevation, or any other number of factors that significantly impact fuel economy? Perhaps regional testing with a zone-based approach could deal with some of these problems. Or should drivers just be more intelligent and more responsible for knowing these issues for themselves? What do you think?

For a few months, the Mitsubishi i MiEV electric car has been one of the new vehicles about which I have been truly excited. The i MiEV itself is being rolled out by the company over several years around the world, including in the United States.

However, one of the biggest complaints about the i MiEV is the small space and lack of styling, which is where the i MiEV Sport Air comes in. Sure, it may not be much bigger, but one thing about car buyers is that if you wrap the vehicle in a sexy exterior things like interior size seem to matter much less.

The new i MiEV Sport Air concept is not only sexier, but has a bigger engine (up to 60 kW from 47) and a range of 120 miles. We don’t yet know if the battery pack is any bigger, but according to Mitsubishi this model incorporates some solar panels to help extend the range. If it became reality, which would you pick: the standard i MiEV or the Sport model?

Source: ABG

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mevyNLB3LN8

I was just looking through some of the official Toyota videos on youtube when I happened to stumble across this explanation of some of the tech in the new Prius. I already knew that Toyota had made some changes to the engine to favor a more powerful, quicker Prius. Despite that, the car received a bump in its EPA ratings.

That’s not too strange, however. It’s common for car makers to split the difference in efficiency gains between power and fuel economy to try to please both of those desires. Usually, however, those same car makers will claim, instead of being honest about splitting the difference, that more power is somehow better for fuel economy.

Toyota is doing the same thing here with the Prius. By claiming that the engine has to work less since it’s bigger, the company is basically lying. If larger engines actually got better fuel economy, you wouldn’t see a sliding scale from small engines with good fuel economy to large engines with poor fuel economy when looking at all cars currently available.

It’s most likely that the improvements in efficiency are due to Toyota’s efforts to reduce aerodynamic and parasitic drag on the engine. So don’t be deceived into thinking that faster and bigger is all of a sudden more fuel efficient.

No one is debating that it’s been a hard couple of months for everyone in the auto industry. Some days it seems like no one is buying anything. Japan in particular has been rocked by a strong Yen and plummeting exports. This means that not only is the country sending less vehicles abroad, but that the money they receive on every sale is worth less in the Japanese domestic market.

However, there seem to be a few rays of light at the end of the tunnel. Many will (naturally) point to the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight as representatives of the new class of green car in North America, but I think last month’s sales figures from Honda paint a different picture. While hybrid sales are still doing comparably well in the grand scheme of things, small, cheap, and fuel-efficient cars like the Honda Fit are surging forward in the automaker’s lineup.

What does this mean? I think it represents a shift in the American car-buying mindset. Times are tough, and people are not only trying to save money on gas, but they’re cutting the fat. Do you really need to spend that extra $10,000 on a Prius when you could get a small car that is still among the most efficient in its class?

What do you think? Am I premature in thinking that hybrids are falling by the wayside in the face of more conventional conservation, or will Honda see a resurgence of hybrid sales with their more affordable Insight?

Toyota has been stepping up the fuel efficiency game recently, and not just with flashy hybrid models like the new Toyota Prius. Some of their efforts have been to inch up the mileage across their entire fleet with some advanced fuel efficiency upgrades incorporated into their engine design.

The new Rav4 engine is a perfect example Toyota’s advanced engine technology:

• Dual indepedent variable valve timing (VVT-i)
• Offset crankshaft
• Roller rockers
• Three-stage variable oil pump
• Reduced-tension piston rings
• Auxiliary belt drive

Perhaps the neatest upgrade, however, is the Acoustic Control Induction System (ACIS), which changes the length of the intake runners based on operating conditions to deliver the most torque and fuel economy at any given time.

The new engines from Toyota not only promise better fuel economy, but also more power.

Source: Toyota via our fuel economy forums

You may have been impressed back in 1999 by the Honda Insight’s low .25 CD. You may again have been impressed by the new Toyota Prius’s matching CD when the new model came out this year. If that’s the case, you should be even more impressed that Mercedes managed to pull off a .24 CD for its E-Class coupe.

Granted, the total drag of a vehicles is the coefficient of drag multiplied by the frontal area, so it’s likely that both vehicles have higher overall drag than the Honda Insight, but this efficient design from a vehicle marked by its attention to power and not efficiency represents what I think is a crucial shift in vehicle design.

The car is part of Mercedes’ new BlueEFFICIENCY line, which over the last few years has consistently brought smaller engines, better aerodynamics, and thriftier design without comprising what Mercedes considers the be the essence of its luxury brand, so I look forward to seeing even more improvement from the company.

Source: EM Forum

Tires are to driving like shoes are to walking. If it’s snowy outside, you want a shoe with better grip, if you’re running, you want something meant to go fast, and if you’re standing on your feet all day, you want something comfortable.

But what kind of tire is that analagous to? Well, I think the best comparison would be a low rolling resistance tire, designed to get you the most mileage for your energy (read: gas). A few years ago there were some of these on the market that came out around the time the Insight and Prius came to the US. These tires helped boost the fuel economy of these cars with the consumers none the wiser, but in the end this ignorance led to low sales a general scarcity of LRR options.

As energy issues have hit the mainstream LRRs have been brought up again and again as low-hanging fruit. These tires can easily be slapped onto all new cars or purchased when replacements are needed, and they provide a tangible, substantial benefit in fuel economy.

So, with that said, GM has decided to go with Goodyear’s latest Fuel Max Tires, which are just coming out now for passenger vehicles but have shown a 4% improvement for truckers (the original application). This isn’t special, as I said, hybrids like the Volt have been using LRRs for years, but it’s nice to see another tire manufacturer bringing LRRs to market.

Recently I was alerted to an interesting stunt pulled by Toyota itself in order to flaunt the terrific fuel economy of the new iQ: ecodriving the car around England. The goal is to beat the mileage ratings on the car while ecodriving and hopefully achieving over 500 miles on a single tank. They want to go as far as possible, though they don’t think they’ll be able to make it to the magical 600 mile mark.

With the journey partially done and the iQ filled up after 504 miles, the team was able to turn in a respectable 72mpg (which may be imperial gallons, meaning about 60 mpg US, but this isn’t made clear). Either way, that’s pretty good mileage turned out of the car, but I think we’ll all have to reserve judgment until some more real world numbers pour in.

Interesting to note, however, is that the instantaneous and average mpg figures on the iQ’s display seem to stop at an upper bound of 60 mpg. This is particularly strange considering that the British government has the car pegged at 65.7 mpg, meaning the iQ can’t even display its average mileage! Toyota, what’s up there?

I’ve been in contact with Toyota on this one and I will ask to see if I can get some more details on how they drove the car, whether they learned any tricks, and if there is a fuel economy “sweet spot” for the car.

Fiat is well known for very small cars like the above 500, but up until now that fame has not extended far beyond Europe where cramped cities and narrows roads have made small cars a necessity for many drivers. For a few years there has been a little controversy surrounding the fact that Japan’s kei cars and Europe’s similarly small sub-compacts completely outpace the U.S. vehicles in terms of mileage but are not offered in North America even by the very companies that produce them successfully in other markets.

However, it seems like that is about to change.

That’s because Fiat, the famous European maker of mini autos now owns 35% of Chrysler. How much was Chrysler worth to Fiat, you might ask. Well, it’s hard to say, because no money actually changed hands. What Chrysler gets in exchange for 35% of the company is access to Fiat’s small car platforms.

Chrysler, which is owned privately and has already put in for a government bailout, is grasping at straws. You can expect that they will have to cut down on some of their underperforming brands, but at the heart of the matter is the fact that the company doesn’t have any notable small, fuel efficient cars (they might have some but I say “notable” precisely because they have not marketed for fuel economy enough to make an impression on the market).

With Chrysler having been seriously in danger of going under recently, it makes sense that they would enter into this arrangement, but you have to wonder what Fiat will get out of it. If Chrysler succeeds with Fiat’s vehicles the company will have a large stake in a successful company. However, if Chrysler fails Fiat’s stake might not be worth anything. If this is the case, Fiat might at least accomplish the goal of spreading their platform to North America in preparation for the entrance of a Fiat brand.

Anyway, no one can say quite what will come out of this since the deal is fairly new, but hopes run high on this side of the pond at the prospect of a quick infusion of fuel efficient vehicles rather than a long run up as Chrysler tries to develop its own line of small vehicles.

Would you buy a Chrysler 500?

The trouble with auto shows is that for all the exciting news we can’t all always be there to see everything. That’s definitely the case with this year’s show in Detroit: lots of good news and interesting stuff, but we weren’t there (at least I wasn’t!). However, we have been able to cobble together some of the more interesting bits of news for all the ecomodders out there looking to see what was most important.

Detroit Auto Show News Roundup:

• 42 mpg VW Diesel Roadster: This car is exciting for more than one reason, hopefully no one drops the ball and this has a successful market roll out.
• Ford Promises EV by 2011: Of the big three, Ford is definitely in the best place to make the commitment to this technology, even though GM seems to have a bit of a head start with the Volt.
• Toyota Promises EV by 2012: Like Ford, Toyota is also promising an EV, but their EV promises to be low cost and based on the acclaimed iQ.
• Detroit Tour: GM: EcoGeek takes us on a tour of some of the sights and sounds straight from Detroit, worth a watch.
• Chrysler Releases EV Concepts: A lot of people are wonder if Chrysler will even be around in the future to produce these cars, but at least for right now they are planning on it.
• Tesla Release Roadster Sport: Pretty much a sportier version of the already sporty Roadster. Interesting move releasing a more expensive car when the trend is towards economizing.
• GM to Build Batteries in the US: Makes sense that the company trying to hold on to its government bailout money would stop outsourcing production, at least for a little bit.
• 2010 Prius: You know you want one!
• 2010 Insight: You know I want one!

If there’s anything I missed or anything you want to highlight, feel free to drop a link to a news story in the comments!

Tons of interesting auto news is coming out of Detroit right now, from automaker-saving electric car concepts to 7-passenger SUVs, but among all that is the debut of the production model of one very interesting car. We talk about Honda a lot here on EcoModder, and part of that is because we like Honda (I’ve been known to drive one), but another big part is the commitment to quality and fuel economy.

We don’t want to sound like we’re pitching Honda too hard here, but we’ve been following the new Insight story for a few months now, so it’s exciting for us to finally say “It’s here!” And it’s here with an EPA rating of 40/43 mpg, which is pretty darn good, even if it’s not matching the numbers of the previous generation of Insight. However, you have to remember that this insight is a 5-passenger sedan with a bit more of a performance focus and the ability to appeal to the masses, especially since it is expected to hit the market at under $20,000.

There’s not that much new to say about the car, at least not much more than we knew when the Insight Concept was revealed, except for the EPA ratings. However, now that all of Honda’s cards are down, we can start to ask the tough questions: will it sell? will it sell 200k units a year? will it kill the Prius? will Honda become a new hybrid leader in the world?

And better yet, which do you prefer, the new or old Insight? I vote for the old. Feel free to chime in in the comments.

Canada’s most populous province is finally following the lead of British Columbia and Quebec in permitting low speed electric vehicles (LSV’s) to be driven on public roads.  Canada’s LSV class is based on the Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle class in the U.S., where 44 states permit their use (as of May 2008).

However, Ontario vehicles and their drivers will likely face additional regulations meant to address safety concerns raised in a government study released at the end of November.

“LSVs are a new kind of vehicle and it will take a new set of standards to allow them to be safely driven on Ontario roads,” said Transportation Minister Jim Bradley.  “Based on the study results, we plan to announce LSV safety standards and the rules of the road for LSVs this winter.”

The study recommends the province require a number of additional measures for the vehicles and their drivers, such as:

• daytime running lights (failing that, drivers must keep their headlights on at all times)
• a notice affixed to the exterior of the vehicle indicating its maximum speed
• a slow moving vehicle sign
• three separate sound warning devices: horn, proximity warning system for pedestrians/cyclists, backup warning systems
• defrosting and heating systems
• three-point seat belts
• requirement that buyers sign a “Notice of Limitations” document at the time of sale that explains
  what the LSV’s performance and safety limitations are
• prohibition against carrying infants and children who require infant or child seats
• restricted to drivers with G class license or higher (ie. no new drivers in Ontario’s graduated licence system)
• no towing of any type of trailer
• on multi-lane roads, the LSV must drive in the right lane, except if making a left turn
• … and more (see NRC study pdf, below)

Both the federal and provincial governments have been under some pressure by the public and media for apparent foot-dragging on the issue of approving for sale and permitting this vehicle class on public roads.

Additional information:

Ontario To Permit Low-Speed Vehicles – Government of Ontario

Safe Integration of Electric Low Speed Vehicles on Ontario’s Roads in Mixed Traffic (pdf) – National Research Council of Canada

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjY5f4zdk-I

Suzuki, the Japanese car company that produced the ubiquitous Geo Metro back in the day, is all about their new “Live Large. Drive Small” campaign. Even though Suzuki makes a small SUV called the Grand Vitara, the company is mostly know internationally for cars like the Swift (Metro in the US) and its Japanese Kei cars.

Now, the real question is whether this gimmick is true to life or just a marketing tactic based on what Suzuki wishes was true. Having been at the LA Auto Show all day, I can tell you first hand that neither on roads nor in the showroom is the SUV dead. While many more of the SUVs featured this time around were hybrids or E85-capable vehicles, there was no shortage of them.

In fact, some of the SUVs the car companies are labeling a “new style” of SUV were on hand and still under-performing as far as fuel economy goes. A friend of mine has the pleasure of test driving a Ford Flex as part of the EcoDrivingUSA program, but was only able to manage 14.1 mpg with it. Not to trash the Flex in particular, but I don’t think we can throw the towel in on the SUV just yet?

What’re your thoughts? Will we ever be free of the SUV or will they just get lower in numbers and greener?

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In the wake of automakers like Ford preparing for the worst, the bygone days of fighting back against CAFE regulations are long over. These days it seems like the new motto is “35 MPG or bust (and hopefully not bust before 35 MPG)!” However, according to Wardsauto, Ford is looking to do more than just hit 35 MPG, it’s looking even higher.

And why not? Ford’s stock is the lowest it’s been in decades and the Japanese automakers, with their thrifty, fuel efficient cars are weathering the current economic storm a lot better than their U.S.-based counterparts. Ford needs something to set them apart, and more importantly, something to give the company that so many people want to buy from a fresh, new image.

According to Ford, that something is fuel economy:

“Our objective is to go as far as possible with the technology available that we can offer consumers at an affordable price so we can have a corporate fuel economy number that exceeds regulations.”

To that effect Ford has already begun phasing in smaller, 4 cylinder engines, developing new hybrid systems, and improving fuel economy feedback. Evidently the new engines are a hit:

“The (take rate) for I-4s is now 50%. Every I-4 we can produce, there’s a customer wanting to take it,” she says. I think consumers aren’t as concerned with the number of cylinders or the numerical displacement. I think they’re concerned with performance, how it feels to drive and fuel economy.”

It may be more corporate posturing from one of the companies that has promised change for years, but it seems to be coming during a time of aggressive change and a reshuffling of priorities, so I am apt to believe it. More than that, they don’t seem to be promising anything extraordinary; they’re going to meet and beat CAFE regulations over the next 12 years. If they were claiming to reinvent the wheel and have a 100% hydrogen line up, well…that just wouldn’t fly.

Do you think Ford can pull off a turn around? Will they even make it past the current global economic meltdown?

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Image: ucouldguess

Fuel-conscious drivers started to see their beloved Diesel passenger vehicles disappear from new car lots from about 2004 to 2007. This wasn’t because of rapid sales due to rising fuel prices, but instead “Tier II” emission regulations were being phased in quicker than car makers could engineer them. Since then, auto manufacturers have been scrambling to meet these new regs and design the engines to operate in our varied climates and conditions.

To mount a strong comeback to the market, Audi tested their latest Diesel drivetrains by setting off on a journey to from New York to LA with their newly tuned, “Clean Diesel” TDI turbodiesel engines, using Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel fuel. Twenty-three vehicles were driven in various driving conditions across the United States. The course ranged from the busy streets of Chicago, to the open highway and 11,000-foot mountain passes — this was to ensure variability in driving conditions for accuracy. To go one step further, the International Motorsport Association, or IMSA, sanctioned and provided oversight for the test (the group is most notably known for governing the American Le Mans racing series). 184 drivers from around the world motored their way across the Country and converged on Los Angeles this past Sunday. The fuel economy results were then revealed.

Four different models were tested: the Q7 Luxury SUV 3.0L, Q5 “Performance” Luxury SUV 3.0L, A4 3.0L Luxury Sport Sedan, and the A3 Sportback 5-door with the 2.0L TDI engine and “S-Tronic” automatic gearbox.

The Results:

• Q7: 30 MPG combined over 954 miles at an average speed of 50 MPH
• Q5: 33 MPG / 946 miles / 47 MPH
• A4: 38 MPG / 980 miles / 47 MPH
• A3: 40 MPG / 954 miles / 47 MPH

The full story can be found at audimileagemarathon.com.

Like this, in fact. At first, I was a bit hesitant to post these pictures because they came from a “leak” and might not have been authentic. Suprisingly, Toyota fessed up that these were the real pictures. Now the blogosphere is abuzz with rumors that perhaps the leak was intentional to hype up the new car, but I won’t bore you with that.

The new Prius is supposed to be a little sportier, but still continue the car’s legacy as a treehugging icon, while hopefully fending off the new Honda Insight. No one can say if all that will happen right now, but check out the rest of the teaser shots and let us know in the comments what you think about the redesign. One thing I notice is the lack of rear wheel covers, but oh well!

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These days, it seems like everyone and her sister has a blog, not there’s anything wrong with that (you’re still reading ours, right?). Interestingly, Honda has jumped on the bandwagon after their recent Insight Concept unveiling in order to keep us all up to date on the Insight.

You can check out the blog here to get some information for yourself. It hasn’t been up for very long, so obviously there isn’t a whole lot going on yet, but it is interesting to see an auto company being proactive about creating their own model-specific information source beyond the standard press release.

Many people who read EcoModder will certainly know other blogs such as Toyota’s Open Road Blog and the independent GM-Volt blog. Toyota’s blog does not focus on any one thing in particular, but seems more like a casual industry mouthpiece. The GM-Volt site, on the other hand, because it is not run by GM is full of speculation and, frankly, lots of fanboy gawking over ever last detail of Volt production.

I think the Honda Insight blog is an interesting idea, because it focuses more than Toyota (and sounds less like a talking head in doing so) but is still controlled by the company so it is unlikely to be overrun by internet rumors and tomfoolery like many of the independent blogs out there.

Does anyone know if any of the other automakers have taken a similar approach or is this a first?

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