The Auto Blog .ru

Three years (on top of the three-plus we’ve already waited) is a long time to wait for the second coming of the Acura NSX. Measured in Internet time, it’s an infinite opportunity for speculation about the whys and hows of the new car. Aside from the new supercar’s hybrid powertrain, the most shocking part of the announcement is that the car will be built in Ohio. Honda has an engine plant, a transmission plant, two assembly plants and a research and development center in the state, so this shouldn’t be treated with the same level of surprise as if, say, Ferrari announced it would start building cars in Kansas.

Yet it’s still a big change for the exotic Acura, which was manufactured in Japan during its entire first-generation lifecycle, from 1990-2005. When the NSX debuted, part of its appeal was that it represented the pinnacle of Japanese technology and quality, at a time when Japanese automakers were absolutely crushing the competition in both. Times have changed, but we still suspect that a number of fanboys might be disappointed that the second-generation NSX will be built by gaijin.

We spoke with American Honda CEO and president Tetsuo Iwamura about the decision to develop and manufacture the NSX here in the U.S., and he told us that the decision was made for three reasons. The first is that Honda is committed to building cars in the market in which they are sold. The U.S. is the largest market for the NSX, although he said the car will be exported to Japan and other markets.

When asked if there was any concern that Japanese customers might have objections to a Japanese supercar built in the U.S., Iwamura said, “You don’t have to be so modest. American-built cars have a power, even in Japan.”

The second factor was that Honda has had positive experiences with product development of other models here in the States. Iwamura specifically mentioned the North American market-only Pilot and Odyssey as examples. The third reason for the decision to build the NSX here is that Honda believes its Ohio manufacturing facilities produce high-quality products and wants to take advantage of that expertise. Iwamura also said that assigning the halo car to the U.S. would be motivational for its American employees.

Currency fluctuation, however, was not a consideration, according to the Honda chief. While he said that would indeed be the case with a mass-market model, the limited-production nature of the NSX makes the effect of a strong yen a moot point. Regardless of where its built, Iwamura said the main consideration in bringing the NSX back to market is its technology, quality and performance, just as the original did. The NSX is an important part of modern automotive history, a literal poster-child of the ’90s, so we’re certainly rooting for this new exotic Buckeyemobile to deliver on all fronts.

View Poll

Why is the Acura NSX being built in Ohio? [w/poll]

We’ve just returned from a Detroit Auto Show media roundtable with Klaus Draeger, member of the Board of BMW AG, Development, and he’s helped shed some light on both some near- and far-term developments for BMW in the States.

Draeger confirmed that BMW has absolutely no plans to expand the 1 Series lineup in the U.S. with a hatchback variant like the new generation F20 range sold in Europe. While Draeger says that the 1 Series has done a “wonderful job” for BMW, he notes that the model is positioned very differently in the U.S. and Europe. In the States, the 1 Series is a car for hardcore driving enthusiasts, but in Europe, with its fuller range of (primarily lower-power) engines and bodystyles, the 1 Series is positioned as more of a family car – an entry point to the brand (70 percent of European 1 Series buyers are new to BMW).

In the short-term, Draeger confirmed that the 740i six-cylinder model will receive the company’s xDrive all-wheel drive system before the end of the year. The system is currently available on the V8-powered 750i, but with the biggest market for the 7 Series being the New York tri-state area, not having the additional foul weather performance of xDrive in the I6 has left a vacuum in the model lineup.

In more general terms, Draeger says we can expect to see electric power steering and start/stop systems in all BMWs, and indeed, a number of models in the company’s portfolio already feature the fuel-saving technologies.

Also on the fuel-saving front, Draeger says that X5 diesel sales are going well in the States, accounting for roughly one-third of sales. Despite that, the X6 will not get a diesel variant, as the current model only has two or three years left in its life and it wouldn’t make sense to introduce one this late in life. However, he wouldn’t rule one out for the next-gen X6, nor was he willing to preclude a diesel’s inclusion in the new X3. The new generation 3 Series and current 5 Series are also likely candidates for oil burning motivation, but they won’t happen this calendar year.

When asked if BMW is happy with X6 sales, Draeger said “Yes. Absolutely.” As a followup question, Draeger was asked if it then made sense to do a similar variant on the X3, and he said “Yes. Yes.” Unfortunately, he wasn’t at liberty to elaborate.

Finally, BMW officially announced yesterday that its smallest crossover, the X1, will go on sale here soon (likely not before a mid-cycle refresh), but Draeger maintains that there is “no real synergy” to justify bringing production to the U.S.

BMW still has “no plans” for 1 Series hatch in States, X6-like X3 variant in the cards

In between debuting the Smart for-us and SL on the floor of the Detroit Auto Show today, Mercedes-Benz thought it right to bring out two brown cars that are actually green: diesel and gasoline flavors of the E-Class hybrid. In fact, the E300 diesel hybrid is so efficient that Mercedes calls it the “world’s most economical luxury-class model.” Unsurprisingly, the diesel will launch in Europe while the gas-powered E400 hybrid will arrive first in America and will later come to Japan, China and other countries. Pricing for the E-Class hybrids has not yet been announced, but Mercedes says the “extra cost involved here is only moderate.”

As we learned during the slow-burning teaser month of December, the diesel-fueled BlueTec hybrid is expected to get 56 miles per gallon (on the European scale, so around 45 mpg in the U.S.) and the gas-electric E400 Hybrid will get 27 mpg (U.S.). The numbers for the E300 are based on the sedan (saloon) versions; it will also be available in estate (station wagon) form. The E-Class hybrids use a combination of lithium-ion batteries, start-stop, regenerative brakes and the ability to “sail” to save fuel. Sailing here means that, at speeds of up to 100 mph, the combustion engine can switch off while the electric motor keeps the car moving as long as the 0.8-kWh battery has enough power.

Since this is Mercedes, the cars also perform well: the E300 BlueTec offers 204 horsepower from the four-cylinder diesel powerplant and another 27 hp from the electric motor. The gas-powered E400 gives up 306 hp, plus the 27 hp. The E300 hybrid has a top speed of 150 miles per hour and goes 0-62 in in 7.5 seconds, while the E400 hybrid can hit 130 mph and does 0-60 in 6.7 seconds. Or, as Damiler’s chairman of the board, Dieter Zetsche, put it this during the press conference in Detroit: Mercedes is “making green cars cooler and cool cars greener.”

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz says E-Class hybrid makes cool cars greener

Mercedes-Benz says E-Class hybrid makes cool cars greener

Volvo has made it a point to emphasize – surprise – the safety of its plug-in vehicles at recent auto shows. Now, at the Detroit Auto Show, the Swedish automaker has showed off the XC60 Plug-In Gasoline Hybrid Concept, a way to gauge American reaction to the idea of a plug-in CUV from Volvo. Why? Because this concept is headed to the U.S. and Chinese markets – in a different guise and with a lot of changes – within “a couple of years.” That means something like 2014-2015. Volvo’s first PHEV here could be an XC60 model, or perhaps an S60, said Volvo CEO and President Stefan Jacoby. For now, Jacoby tells Autoblog that the XC60 PHEV shows the direction Volvo is headed.

Here are the numbers: a 35-mile all-electric range, a recharging time of just 3.5 hours from a 220V outlet (7.5 hours from a more common 110V). Volvo estimates U.S. fuel economy of 105 miles per gallon equivalent and 50 mpg when the battery runs dry. 0-60 is reached in 5.8 seconds on the way to a 130-mph top speed. Oh, and there are eight gears in the auto transmission.

Gasoline is burned in a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that is turbocharged and direct-injected and has stop-start technology. This 280-horsepower powerplant moves the front wheels, and a 70-hp electric motor propels the back wheels (this is known as a through-the-road hybrid). The XC60 PHEV has a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery, but just 66 percent of that (8 kWh) is used. The driver can select three modes – Pure, Hybrid and Power – depending on which type of fuel economy and performance is desired. Details of this technology can be found after the jump, and images of the XC60 test bed are available in our galleries.

Continue reading XC60 Plug-In Hybrid shows where Volvo is headed

XC60 Plug-In Hybrid shows where Volvo is headed

The Chicago Auto Show has always sort of been known as a truck show, and because of that, many new pickups, SUVs and crossovers tend to debut in the Windy City. That in mind, it comes as no surprise to learn that General Motors plans to debut an all-new version of the GMC Acadia in Chicago next month. The Acadia, which launched in 2006 as a 2007 model, is indeed due for an overhaul, with its only major update being the addition of a Denali model (pictured) in 2011.

If you recall, the Acadia was the first of the Lambda crossovers to go on sale, alongside the now-departed Saturn Outlook. When asked about the possibility of a new Chevrolet Traverse or Buick Enclave making an appearance in Chicago, GMC Communications Manager Joe LaMuraglia stated that it “will be a GMC show,” leading us to believe that we’ll have to wait until New York or even Los Angeles to see the rest of the Lambda portfolio.

No specific details about the new Acadia were revealed at this time, nor was there any hint as to whether we’ll see just the standard CUV or whether it will be joined by a Denali version. Stay tuned for the full details next month.

Next GMC Acadia to debut at Chicago Auto Show

Audi has been known for all-wheel drive and wagon rooflines for a lot longer than it has been making crossovers. Before cranking out the Q7, Q5 and Q3, the German automaker was making Avant Quattro wagons that carved up alpine mountain passes like nobody’s business. And then came the Allroad.

Bridging the gap between a wagon and an SUV, the Allroad versions of the A4 and A6 take a similar approach to the Subaru Outback and Volvo XC70, giving the wagon a rougher, go-anywhere image compared to the standard Avant estate. We used to get the Allroad in the North American market, but after a brief hiatus, the A4 Allroad is back.

We got a chance to drive the soft-roader just last month, but couldn’t resist the temptation to snap it again for the Ingolstadt aficionados among us as it made its official North American debut alongside the new A4 and S4 here at the Detroit Auto Show. Click the thumbnails above to check it out in high resolution.

Audi heralds the return of the A4 Allroad

Honda has surpassed Toyota for the largest number of recalled vehicles in 2011. Wards Auto reports that Honda expanded an airbag recall to encompass a total of 2.5 million million vehicles last year, pushing the total number of recalled units to 3.9 million vehicles over 17 campaigns. Previous estimates put Toyota at the head of the recall pile with 13 campaigns covering 3.5 million vehicles.

The airbag recall covers some of the most popular Honda models, including Civic, Civic Hybrid and Accord sedans manufactured between 2001 and 2004, as well as the CR-V and Pilot. The Acura CL and TL were also included.

Toyota, meanwhile, found itself correcting issues with accelerator pedals and floor mats associated with the company’s unintended acceleration woes. Toyota had found itself leading the largest number of recalled vehicles for two consecutive years prior to 2011.

Airbag recall forces Honda past Toyota in total recalls for 2012

The Detroit Auto Show media days are still in full swing, but Infiniti is already looking ahead to the Geneva Motor Show with another teaser of the company’s plug-in hybrid electric sports car. Yes, we’ve seen other sketches of the car (this one) but not of this section, the general rear pillar area. You can click to enlarge the image above for a better view of what could become Prince’s favorite concept car. See, it’s purple.

The vehicle does not have a name yet, so Infiniti is calling it the “Advanced Sports Car Concept.” We do know it’s mid-engined, with a battery pack in there to extend the range. Infiniti says the purpose of this concept is, “to explore what might be the next stage in how to deliver a vivid, engaging and sophisticated driving experience from an electrically propelled vehicle.” The EV range should be respectable, since Infiniti is promising “zero emission operation in urban situations,” which we do hope means more than just a few spare miles in a lithium pack. We’ll learn more in Geneva.

Infiniti has also been teasing an all-electric luxury sedan that is supposed to launch in 2014. See what little we officially know about that car here.

Continue reading Infiniti looking ahead to Geneva with mid-engined EV sports car concept

Infiniti looking ahead to Geneva with mid-engined EV sports car concept

Audi has confirmed at the Detroit Auto Show that its 2013 A8 will be available with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 in the United States. Delivering 333 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque through all four wheels, the A8 3.0T will be sold in both both short- and long-wheelbase formats and it will be one of a growing crop of vehicles sold in North America with start/stop technology. The move follows confirmation that Audi will also market its flagship luxury sedan with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder TDI diesel engine.

Both powertrain combinations have already been offered in the A8 in other markets, and both engines have already been featured in other Audi models sold here, but these powerplants will be the first six-cylinder A8s sold in North America. Audi has not released official fuel economy estimates for these new powertrains.

Continue reading Audi confirms 3.0T powertrain for 2013 A8 in U.S.

Audi confirms 3.0T powertrain for 2013 A8 in U.S.

As much as we like the new-for-2012 Mini Coupe, some of us on the Autoblog staff aren’t won over by the low-slung hardtop. We love the standard Cooper hatchback, and while the Coupe’s driving dynamics are pure Mini goodness, we just can’t wrap our heads around the awkward styling (especially in certain color pallets), limited visibility and lack of functionality.

That said, in some weird way, the 2013 Mini Roadster makes more sense to us. If you’re going to lower the roofline and decrease visibility in the process, just lob the top off altogether and give us an open-air Mini that’s more aggressive (yet prettier) than the cutesy Cooper Convertible. The Coupe may not have been our cup of tea, but this Roadster looks to be a tasty toss-about for sun-drenched roads.

Much like the Coupe, the Roadster will be available in Cooper, Cooper S and the above John Cooper Works variant, powered by three versions of the automaker’s 1.6-liter inline-four, producing 122, 184 and 211 horsepower, respectively. We’ll be getting our first stint behind the wheel of the new Roadster in just a few weeks, so stay tuned for our full impressions. For now, click through our attached high-res image gallery of photos live from Cobo Hall.

Continue reading 2013 Mini Roadster improves upon new Coupe’s formula

2013 Mini Roadster improves upon new Coupe’s formula

Somewhat lost in the fanfare of BMW introducing a hybrid version of its best-selling 3 Series at the Detroit Auto Show was a brief mention of its new navigation technology. The 2012 ActiveHybrid 3 will be the first hybrid to use its nav system to help predict the best time to use and recharge its battery. This will go well beyond currently available navigation technology that plots economical travel routes based on traffic and speed limits, also incorporating altitude, final destination and other real-time data to wring the most out of those electrons.

For example, suppose there’s a big hill on your route. Since the 3 Series hybrid “knows” you will be descending, and thus afforded a good opportunity for recharging, it can drain more of the battery on the way up. BMW says it is still working on the system, but it will be included as a standard feature on the ActiveHybrid 3, and will eventually spread to the ActiveHybrid 5 and other hybrid models. While we don’t have much in the way of details, the opportunity here seems pretty vast, effectively allowing the car to hypermile for you.

Continue reading 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 nav system uses altitude to optimize hybrid efficiency

2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 nav system uses altitude to optimize hybrid efficiency

This afternoon at a Detroit Auto Show media roundtable event, Renault-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn unequivocally confirmed that Nissan will build a next-generation Titan pickup. “We are going to replace it. We are going to present in every segment in the market in the United States.” Previous news stories indicated that Nissan was pursuing a new Titan, but persistent reports indicated that the automaker would pursue an outside partner for the vehicle’s development.

A subsequent Autoblog discussion with a Nissan official revealed that not only is the company developing the next-generation Titan right now – internally and without another automaker as a partner – it’s not that far off. Our source confirms that Nissan will first show the truck “in about a year’s time” and the vehicle will likely go on sale as a 2014 model, consistent with earlier reports.

One of the chief issues the current Titan has faced, according to our source, has been its limited configurability versus competitors’ offerings. But the next-generation Titan won’t make this same mistake – it will offer multiple engines and cab configurations.

Nissan first introduced the Canton, Mississippi-built Titan in 2004, but it’s suffered from slow sales and limited updates. More recently, The Japanese marque entered the North American commercial truck market with its NV van line, but in 2011, it only managed to sell around 6,500 units.

Nissan’s Ghosn directly confirms next-generation Titan pickup

Sure, the refreshed 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe now looks more aggressive, but the real story is under the hood, with new powertrains that pack more punch and a few more gears, as well. The V6 Genesis Coupe now features direct injection, while the turbocharged four has a new turbo and intercooler setup. Both models are available with eight-speed automatics and get slightly better fuel economy, as well.

The 3.8-liter V6 in the Genesis Coupe now makes 348 horsepower and 296 pound-feet of torque, up from 306 and 266, respectively. The 2.0T model gains even more, going from 201 horses to 274, with torque improving from 223 lb-ft to 275. (All numbers cited are with premium fuel.) Both cars retain their six-speed manuals, but now have a Hyundai-developed eight-speed with paddle-shifters as the automatic option. Despite the new automatic, fuel economy goes up by just a single digit. More importantly, Hyundai says the new V6 is good for a 0-to-60 time in the low five-second range.

There’s plenty more to this mid-lifecycle revision, including seven new exterior colors and some new hues for the interior, which has also been improved. Other hardware upgrades include a re-calibrated, quicker steering rack, front strut camber adjustment, and revised damper settings. The Genesis Coupe also gets the Hyundai BlueLink telematics system.

It’s pretty clear from the extent of this refresh that Hyundai is playing to win in the suddenly revved-up sports coupe segment. Just a few years back, several automakers had written off these enthusiast-focused models, but with new introductions like the Scion FR-S and this much more capable Genesis Coupe, things are looking good for lovers of affordable performance cars. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe turns up the wick with big horsepower boosts

2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe turns up the wick with big horsepower boosts

The Hyundai Veloster got off to a solid commercial and critical start in 2011, and while the eccentric hatchback has only been on the market for a few months, it’s already found its fair share of friends, outselling competitors like the Honda CR-Z and Scion tC straight away.

We can see why – Veloster offers a unique mix of cut-price mix of funkiness, utility, connectivity and efficiency. However, it’s also fair to say that its direct-injected 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder skews far more eco than sport. The Veloster’s 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque is enough to have fun on curvy roads if you’re really willing to stick your foot in it, but its performance is hardly neck snapping.

Given the three-door’s sporty styling, some have suggested that there’s a bit of a disconnect between the way the Veloster accelerates and the way it looks. Hyundai has apparently heard those barbs, and they’ve turned to forced induction for the answer. Enter the 2013 Veloster Turbo seen here, which rings up 201 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 194 pound-feet of torque from 1,750 rpm thanks to the addition of a twin-scroll turbo and a unique motor-actuated wastegate. Those power figures put it in the thick of the hunt with pricier performers like the Volkswagen GTI, not to mention the Honda Civic Si and Mini Cooper S, with a better weight-to-power ratio than any of them.

Visually, there will be no mistaking the Veloster Turbo for its normally aspirated kin – the new front end should make sure of that. While the Turbo retains the same headlamps and a similar overall form, Hyundai has replaced the standard car’s modest chrome-edged grille slot and lower fascia with a massive hexagonal opening for better breathing and rearview mirror intimidation. The gaping maw extends both above and below the bumper, and it’s bookmarked by a new set of foglights.

Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo is a mighty mite

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo is a mighty mite

We got our first look at the Chevrolet Sonic RS in the flesh today, unveiled alongside two Chevy concepts – the Tru 140S Concept and Code 130R Concept – at the 2012 Detroit auto show. As much as we’ve liked the Sonic, this version looks to hit the enthusiast bull’s-eye.

While GM didn’t offer any more details about the car than what we already knew, we did get to see the upgraded interior, and it looks great. The special RS sport seats, thicker sport steering wheel, aluminum pedals and the MyLink infotainment system give this version of the Sonic a distinct personality, and we’re hoping the four-wheel discs, stiffer suspension and retuned (read: louder) exhaust seal the deal.

The Sonic RS also wears a slightly different front fascia with a new grille and fog lamps, but the change in appearance isn’t all that drastic, as the base Sonic is already pretty aggressive. Other exterior kit that’s exclusive to the RS includes a new spoiler and rocker moldings, a chrome exhaust tip, and a new five-spoke wheel design (though the wheels are still 17-inchers).

While there’s no power upgrade in the RS, we’ve found that the 1.4-liter, 138-horsepower turbo makes for a lot of fun when paired with the six-speed manual. An automatic will also be available, and Chevy says both transmissions will have different gearing in the RS, which should turn the fun dial up another notch.

Of course there’s always the possibility that Chevy could really turn up the wick, drop a turbo 2.0-liter Ecotec under the hood and slap an SS badge on the hatch. Maybe at next year’s Detroit show. Click past the jump to read the full release.

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS is the hot hatch enthusiasts have been waiting for

2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS is the hot hatch enthusiasts have been waiting for

Dodge just pulled the covers off its new compact sedan, the Dart. We’re impressed. With an official base price of $15,995, the Dart (pardon us, please, just this once) seems to be a bulls eye to the heart of the small car segment in the United States.

We’re eager to spend a few minutes behind the wheel of this Italian/American conglomeration, since its specifications appear to put it at the forefront of a hotly contested segment. For starters, there’s a very impressive available seven-inch TFT display to replace the standard analog gauges, which is paired with an 8.4-inch touch screen panel at the center of the dash. The digital cluster is customizable by the driver with two different base display options, along with nine more menu functions.

As far as styling goes, nobody is going to confuse the Dart with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta on which it’s based. There’s the expected crosshair front grille, though it’s smaller and better integrated with the overall flowing design ethos. Such impressions are helped by the massaging done to Fiat’s platform; the Dart is stretched in all directions compared to its Alfa-badged sibling.

That enlarged platform means the Dart is rather well-endowed when it comes to interior space with a total of 97.2 cubic feet. Dodge has managed to squeeze in 35.3 inches of rear legroom, which it says is more than the mid-size Hyundai Sonata sedan. Buyers looking to customize their rides will be pleased to see 14 available interior and trim combinations.

Power will come from one of three powerplants, two of which are naturally aspirated – a 2.0-liter Tigershark inline-four producing 160 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.4-liter Tigershark four with 184 hp and 171 lb-ft. Naturally, our attention is focused on the 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir four with 160 horses and 184 lb-ft, which we suspect will be the most fuel efficient engine of the three. Transmissions at launch will all have six speeds: one manual, one automatic and a dual-clutch gearbox with the turbo mill. A nine-speed automatic is in the works for 2013.

Check out the complete press release after the break, and there’s a full gallery of live images from the unveiling along with the stock shots.

Continue reading 2013 Dodge Dart is half a Chrysler, hAlf a Romeo for $15,995

2013 Dodge Dart is half a Chrysler, hAlf a Romeo for $15,995

The lithium-ion battery in the new Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid may be small (just 1.1 kWh), but it can pack a punch big enough to move the gas-electric to speeds up to 44 miles per hour using nothing but electrons. Throw in a combined estimated fuel efficiency rating of 45 miles per gallon and a class-leading 0-60 time of 9.0 seconds, and you’ve got a green Jetta that should prove to be fun out on the highway.

Of course, with only a kilowatt hour in the battery pack, you won’t get very far on battery power (just 1.2 miles, VW says) and all of those electrons will come from energy that was originally gasoline (there is no plug involved here), but it’s still enough of an electric powertrain for VW to call the Jetta Hybrid the “most fuel-efficient Jetta in the lineup.” And it is quite a line-up, since there are now a total of five powertrains available for the Jetta, offering “a German engineered compact sedan for everyone.”

The Hybrid pairs up a four-cylinder, 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with a 20-kW (27 hp) electric motor. The gas engine produces 150 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque between 1400 rpm and 3500 rpm. The Jetta Hybrid will become available in North America in 2012 and will be “competitively priced with other compact hybrids,” VW claims. This is VW’s second hybrid, following the Touareg Hybrid SUV, but the Volkswagen AG has experience with gas-electrics. The Jetta Hybrid may be the first hybrid to use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but the way the clutch decouples the engine from the drivetrain when the car is using just the battery for power or coasting is similar to how the Porsche hybrids do it.

As for visual changes, look for minor outside changes that improve the car’s aero, like “a new front airdam, a rear diffuser, and an integrated rear spoiler.”

Continue reading 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid debuts with projected 45 mpg combined rating

2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid debuts with projected 45 mpg combined rating

Along with the standard and hybrid versions of the 2013 Fusion, Ford brought something completely different – for the mid-size segment, anyway – to the Detroit Auto Show this morning with the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid. It’s the cleanest of the trio and it shows that Ford is ready to introduce a big change to the competitive (and somewhat staid) mid-size class.

Ford says it expects the Fusion Energi to get better MPGe ratings than both the Chevrolet Volt (93 MPGe, EPA rating) and the Toyota Prius Plug In (112 MPGe, but that’s on the European rating cycle). Ford won’t say for certain – the Energi isn’t due for another 8-12 months, after all – but the automaker is saying the plug-in should get “up to more than 100 MPGe.” That’s a convoluted way to say, “we think we win.”

Ford isn’t talking about all the details of this powertrain just yet, but we do know use the Fusion Hybrid’s 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine at its core, matched with a lithium-ion battery. We’ll have to wait until later to learn about charging times, battery size and all-EV range.

In a short video about the different powertrains available in the 2013 Fusion, Eric Kuehn, chief engineer of Ford’s Global Electrified Vehicles says, “With a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, it allows the consumer to be a lot more empowered.” Given Ford’s emphasis on the whole “Power of Choice” thing, we’re glad powertrains were not excluded in the options matrix. Ford representatives are also answering questions about the car today on Twitter. Use the hashtag #FordAtNAIS to join in.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV will plug-in the mid-size segment [w/video]

2013 Ford Fusion Energi PHEV will plug-in the mid-size segment [w/video]

The current Ford Fusion is already capable of taking on the Camry and Accord, but the fact is that the Honda and Toyota mid-size offerings sell better at the dealership. Ford was quick to point out at its press conference that Camry and Accord sales were down 31 percent and 28 percent, respectively, since 2007, with increased competition being a major culprit for the decline. The Fusion has taken a different route, with 2011 serving as the sedan’s best year of sales ever. Ford is hoping to add a whole lot more pressure to the Japanese stalwarts with the addition of the 2013 Fusion.

The Fusion looks like a mix of a Euro Ford Mondeo (back) and a Aston Martin (front), but the overall design is a fresh take on the mid-size sedan. Ford will offer the Fusion in three flavors: the standard model, the 47-mpg Fusion and the plug-in hybrid Fusion Energi. The standard model itself comes in several trims and boasts three engine choices. The base Fusion is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder mill, with 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. The fuel efficient offering boasts a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine with 179 horsepower and 172 lb-ft, plus fuel economy numbers of 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The highest performance Fusion will pack a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder with 237 hp and 250 lb-ft.

Ford will continue to offer optional all-wheel drive, and MyFord Touch version 2.0 will show up on the option sheet as well. Hit the jump to read over Ford’s press release, and peruse our live high resolution images from the Detroit Auto Show in the gallery above.

Continue reading 2013 Ford Fusion eager to take on Camry, Accord

2013 Ford Fusion eager to take on Camry, Accord

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… the Car of the Year awards to rule all Car of the Year awards… the definitive selection of the very best the industry has to offer has been decided. Well, we don’t know about all that, but the votes have been tabulated and the assembled jurists (including our own Chris Paukert) have selected the 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year.

The finalists were whittled down from a list of 30 candidates to include the Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra and Volkswagen Passat (on the car side of the equation) and the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and Range Rover Evoque (on the truck side, despite them all being car-based crossovers). And after (what we hope was) careful consideration, the panelists have selected the Elantra and the Evoque as the overall winners.

The awards will undoubtedly sit proudly atop the mantles at both Hyundai and Jaguar Land Rover’s headquarters, but will surely be received with particular jubilation by Range Rover, which has won the award for the first time in this, its largest market.

Hyundai Elantra, Range Rover Evoque named 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year