Ford Delivers Record Number of 40-MPG+ Vehicles, Industry’s Freshest Full-Line Product Portfolio in U.S.

 

"Ford is delivering more fuel-efficient vehicle choices in 2012 than ever before and a fresher new vehicle lineup than any full-line automaker in the U.S.

“Customers are starting to see the true benefits of our One Ford plan,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “With more new vehicle options and an even broader range of fuel-efficient cars, utilities and trucks, Ford is delivering real power of choice for millions of consumers who are paying more attention than ever to what happens at the pump – no matter what the price.”

Ford is offering eight vehicles that deliver 40 mpg or better by year-end – double its number versus 2011 and more than any other full-line automaker. In fact, Ford’s eight-vehicle tally is more than the number of 40-mpg-or-better vehicles Toyota and General Motors offer combined.

Ford also is tripling its electrified vehicle production capacity by 2013, growing its electrified vehicle lineup to six models – including the all-new C-MAX Hybrid. The compact hybrid utility vehicle, which arrives this fall, is expected to achieve 47 mpg, at least 3 mpg better than Toyota Prius v with more performance and technology.

Ford plans for 10 to 25 percent of its global sales to be electrified vehicles (hybrids, plug-in hybrids and full electric vehicles) by 2020, and continues to find ways to make more affordable, high-volume, internal-combustion engines even more fuel efficient." [Read more]

Volkswagen Golf R vs. Speed Rubik's Cuber

Toyota Motor Corporation Outperforms Industry in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Initial Quality Study

" Toyota and Lexus vehicles captured five segment awards and five Toyota manufacturing facilities in Japan and North America won plant awards, including one Gold, in the 2012 Initial Quality Study (IQS), more than any other automaker in both categories.

The study also found:

• Toyota has fewer problems than the premium brands industry average;
• 15 Toyota, Lexus, and Scion models ranked in the top three of the segments they compete in;
• Corolla is the highest performing non-premium model, it also ranks fifth overall;
• The all-new Prius v garnered second place in a closely contested segment; and
• The redesigned Camry scores even better than last year’s model" [Read more]

Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S Lead List of Fastest-Selling Cars

 

"Subaru and Scion dealers are having no trouble finding homes for BRZ and FR-S models. The sport coupes are ranked one and two on the list of cars that spend the fewest days on dealer lots. According to Edmunds, the BRZ takes just four days to turn, followed by the FR-S at five days. On average, it takes dealers 53 days to move new models. Both machines are surrounded by a halo of buzz and plenty of pent-up demand. Subaru began selling the BRZ in the U.S. at the end of April, while Scion gave the first 86 FR-S buyers the chance to come to California for a little track time in their new purchases." [Read more]

2012 Passat Commercial: Crash

Putting the “R” in “sporty”: Volkswagen unveils the CC R-Line

 

"When we unveiled the all-new Volkswagen CC at the LA Auto Show last November, it turned a lot of heads—and with good reason. By combining the sleek spirit of a sports coupe with the practicality of a four-door sedan, the 2013 CC appeals to a wide audience. And now, we’re making a great thing even better by introducing the CC R-Line.

On June 1st at the Leipzig International Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the R-Line version of the CC. What makes it so sporty? That’d be its 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbocharged TSI® engine, which can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

But there’s so much more: the R-Line upgrades continue inside and out. Its newly redesigned front bumper boasts a more aggressive stance than the one found on the Sport, Lux, and Executive models. It also features a large lower air intake and projector-style fog lights as well as side skirts, shaded taillights, an R-Line logo on the grille, and 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels. Once inside, there are stainless steel R-Line scuff plates and, for the DSG-equipped model, paddle shifters on the steering wheel." [Read more]

What to do if Your Engine Overheats

Subaru Legacy that spent 3 months at bottom of Finnish lake starts on first try

 

""Ja, that ice'll hold ya." Until it didn't, and suddenly a man's 1996 Legacy wagon was at the bottom of a shallow lake in Finland. Three months later, the Subaru wagon was dragged from its freshwater slumber, and while most people would just write the car off or at most turn it into a parts donor, curiosity got the better of the rescue squad.

Would it run? Just how bad was the damage? Before plunging below the surface, the owner did have time to shut the engine down and get his dogs out, so the boxer four didn't aspirate any water and electrons weren't coursing through the various circuits, two details that likely saved a bunch of damage. After removing a live fish from the engine bay, draining a lot of water from the fuel tank and crankcase, and a fresh fill of fluids and spark plugs, lo and behold, the SCUBA-ru chugged to life on the first try." [Read more]

Honda says Fit EV gets 118 mpg equivalency rating from EPA

 

"The Honda Fit EV has been given a 118-mile-per-gallon equivalency rating by the Environmental Protection Agency, the highest rating of any electric passenger car to date.

Using a 20-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, the Fit EV has a total range of 82 miles in the combined driving cycle. The EPA has estimated the Fit EV's annual electric "fuel" cost would be $500, Honda said in a release.

The Fit EV has a 92-kilowatt motor that creates the equivalent of 123 horsepower, and which also generates 188 foot-pounds of torque. Honda says the Fit EV can be recharged from a low state of charge in three hours with a 240-volt connector.

Starting this summer, Honda is leasing the Fit EV to just 1,110 customers in limited California, Oregon and East Coast markets for a zero-down, $389/month lease for 36 months, basing calculations on a sticker price of $37,415, including destination.

The EPA rates the Leaf as averaging 73 miles per charge, lower than the Ford Focus's 76 miles and higher than the 62 miles for Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s i-MiEV. The Fit's availability will be expanded to other U.S. regions in 2013." [Read more]

2013 Dart Interior Design: Pre-production Model Shown

Subaru of America, Inc. Breaks May Sales Record

"Subaru of America, Inc. today reported record sales for May 2012 of 29,724 vehicles, a 48 percent gain over May 2011.  The company also reported year-to-date sales of 136,602, a 22 percent gain over prior year.

The all-new Impreza continues to achieve triple-digit sales gains.  May Impreza sales are up more than 235 percent over May 2011; year-to-date sales represent a 170 percent gain over 2011.

"Strong demand and a great product lineup are driving record sales for Subaru," said Thomas J. Doll, executive vice president and COO, Subaru of America, Inc.  "Demand for the newly-introduced Impreza has far exceeded expectations.  With new product launches just around the corner, we know the upward sales trend will continue throughout the year." [Read more]