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Hyundai, Ford, Chevrolet lead 40 mpg new breed

Automakers a couple of years ago were directed to increase fuel efficiency by about eight miles per gallon between 2012 and 2016. A report on GreenCarReports.com expertly details the progress of the fuel efficiency improvement. The site reports in 2009 only one non-hybrid or non-diesel averaged at least 40 mpg — the 2009 Smart ForTwo. With 2011 and 2012 models, 10 non-hybrid, non-diesel cars available in the United States achieve a 40 mpg average. In part, this is what the wrote about the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco: “The Eco is one of the largest and heaviest cars in this group.

Hyundai Accent 2012: 40 mpg, 138 horsepower, $12,445

With the new 2012 Hyundai Accent debuting this summer, the South Korean carmaker will have an industry-leading four models expected to receive 40 mpg mileage estimates. In addition to the Accent, which had another unveiling at the New York International Auto Show, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Hyundai Elantra and Hyundai Veloster are predicted to join the 40 mpg fraternity. The 2012 Hyundai Accent, will feature a a 138-horsepower, 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine paired with standard six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission. Standard safety will include: six airbags, stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes. The Accent GLS with a

BMW 335d gets diesel car of the year honors over VW duo

BMW dominated voting over two Volkswagen models and its 335d was named 2011 Diesel Car of the Year by a global vote of readers of The Diesel Driver magazine and as announced at the New York International Auto Show. The BMW 335d received 29.6 percent of 3,669 votes cast by readers from 43 countries. Eighty-three percent of the voters were from the United States. The Volkswagen Golf TDI finished second (16.1 percent) with the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI (16 percent) third. Each year, the Diesel Driver’s readers select the Diesel Car of the Year and recognize the top three diesel

Chevrolet Volt chosen Green Car of the Year in New York

The Chevrolet Volt has been selected ahead of the BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Edition and the Nissan Leaf as the 2011 World Green Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show. To be eligible for the 2011 World Green Car* award, a vehicle had to be all-new, or substantially revised, in production and introduced for sale or lease to the public in quantities of at least 10 in at least one major market during the period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending May 30th, 2011. Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology

Aston Martin Rapide gets Design of the Year honors

The Aston Martin Rapide has joined a diverse group, including the Fiat 500 and Chevrolet Camaro, and has been honored with the 2011 World Car Design of the Year award at the New York International Auto Show. “Like a race horse standing still, you can see its power and elegance, the shape of Rapide’s rear haunches are muscular conveying the power that lies beneath while its low stance produces a powerful look,” said Aston Martin’s Director of Design, Marek Reichman. “There is a real sense of proportion with this car, akin to a tailored suit; the new double grill gives

Ferrari 458 Italia honored as Performance Car of the Year

The Ferrari 458 Italia, the replacement vehicle for the F430, has beaten out the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Porrsche 911 Turbo, and named as the 2011 World Performance Car at the New York International Auto Show. The World Car Awards jurors said about the Ferrari: “The replacement for the F430 Fiorano has been voted by nearly every possible ranking this past year as the best performer hands down. The WCA’s would love to break ranks with the crowd, but we also put the 458 Italia squarely among our top three world performance cars. “Whether on the track or on a

Nissan Leaf gets World Car of the Year honors in New York

The Nissan Leaf, the zero-emission electric car, powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged in about eight hours and has a 100-mile range, has been selected as the 2011 World Car of the Year. The Nissan Leaf was chosen from an initial entry list of 39 new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of ten, then three finalists: the Nissan Leaf, the Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series. The World Car Awards jurors, announcing the award at the New York International Auto Show, commented: “The Leaf is the gateway to a brave new

BMW unveils first electric car, ActiveE

BMW has unveiled the ActiveE, the German automaker’s first electric car that can drive about 100 miles between charges, at the New York International Auto Show. The ActiveE, based on BMW’s 1-series car, is a plug-in electric vehicle. Unlike, the Nissan Leaf or the Tesla Roadster, which are sold through dealers, BMW will lease about 700 cars out for $500 a month over two years. BMW didn’t announce the price of the care, but reported the ActiveE can accelerate from 0-60 mph in about nine seconds with its 170 horsepower engine. The Nissan Leaf can accelerate from 0-60 mph in

Dodge Grand Caravan 2011: Quick, overhauled, carlike

Some thought Sport Utility Vehicles and the newer car-based crossovers would eliminate minivans, but they remain too handy to die. While the minivan market isn’t as big as it once was, Dodge’s redone 2011 Grand Caravan minivan and redesigned minivans from Toyota, Honda and Nissan show automakers have confidence folks will continue to be drawn to minivans that provide much-needed room and a carlike driving experience. Dodge’s entries long led minivan sales, and this automaker has made major improvements to its 2011 front-drive Grand Caravan model to stay competitive with large Japanese rivals. List prices for the roomy Grand Caravan

Kia gets car commercial honors with driving, rap hamsters

Kia Motors’ driving hamsters commercial, the advertising campaign for the Soul sport utility vehicle, has earned the Automotive Ad of the Year by the Nielsen Company and awarded at the New York International Auto Show. The spot titled “This or That,” the second chapter of the Kia Soul hamster story depicts the hamsters driving through city streets to the tune of the hip-hop song “The Choice is Yours” by Black Sheep. The commercial compares “This,” the funky and uniquely styled Soul, to “That,” a number of boring and mundane appliances on wheels, cardboard boxes or hamster wheels. Together, the popular

Toyota recalls more than 300,000 RAV4, Highlanders

Toyota has announced a voluntary safety recall involving more than 300,000 RAV4 sport utility vehicles model years 2007 and 2008 and 2008 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles sold in the United States to replace the airbag sensor assembly. The recall will involve approximately 214,000 RAV4 vehicles and approximately 94,000 Highlander and Highlander HV vehicles. In the roll sensing curtain shield airbag system of the subject vehicles, two sensors in the airbag sensor assembly designed to detect vehicle roll angle. If one of these sensors malfunctions, the airbag warning light (malfunction indicator light) will illuminate and the roll detection system will

Hyundai announces used car trade-in price guarantee

For the third time in 12 years, Hyundai has announced an automotive industry marketing first. This time, the South Korean manufacturer will guarantee the trade-in price of new cars after two, three or four years. =Hyundai recently ended its industry unique Hyundai Assurance Program. It promised to buy back buyers' cars if they lost their jobs. In 1999, Hyundai became the first manufacturer of offer a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. With the new program, Hyundai buyers can only apply the trade-in value to a new Hyundai. If the assessed value of that car is higher than Hyundai's guaranteed price, the buyer

Honda Civic 2012 debuts, 4 engines, 13 trims in redesign

The redesigned 2012 Honda Civic is simultaneously debuting at the New York International Auto Show and at dealerships nationwide, with pricing starting at $15,600 for the base DX sedan extending to $26,750 for the hybrid with option packages. The eighth generation of the perennially top-selling Honda is the same size as the 2011 edition. But it’s 40 pounds because of a newly utilized high-strength steel and other weight-reducing changes. Standard for the 2012 Civic will be a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower and five-speed automatic transmission. Its manufacturer estimate is 39 mpg on the freeway. The HF model, which

Eco-Friendly Cars: Toyota Prius to Tesla Roadster, Part 2

Despite vast promotions and bright, constant media spotlights, Chevy and Nissan are not the only new green players. Tesla, the Bay Area-based manufacturer, debuted its all-electric, super-quick but limited production Roadster in 2006. About 2,000 Tesla Roadsters with a 244-mile range, have been sold worldwide. And the Tesla’s less expensive, estimated $50,000 S sedan will be available next year with three range options. Automakers carefully choose when and how they debut new models, although most often it occurs at various auto shows around country throughout the year, The buzz for hybrids and electric vehicles was particularly prevalent at the Detroit

Eco-Friendly Cars: Toyota Prius to Tesla Roadster, Part 1

Without fanfare or an exact date, there must have a collective automotive epiphany in recent years. Somehow, all major carmakers were in on it, except Toyota. It had its awakening 14 years ago. The Japanese carmaker introduced its hybrid gas-electric car in 1997 and then debuted it in the United States car market in 2001. It wasn’t the first electric or hybrid car available in the country. But it was the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid car in the U.S., and the auto industry hasn’t been the same since. Combine the increasing influence of the environmental movement, pending federal regulation for

Toyota reveals online registration plan for 2012 Prius buyers

Toyota has announced the introduction of a soon-to-launch online system for customers to order the redesigned 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The first phase of the online system, called Priority Registration, will launch April 22, 2011. Customers interested in purchasing a Prius Plug-in can visit the carmaker’s site to complete the registration. Toyota’s Priority Registration allows customers first access to the online ordering systems when it’s available later in this year. The new online service will allow customers the convenience of configuring their own vehicle from any web browser, select their dealership of choice (within 15 launch states), and track their