| Top 10 best base models |
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Jun 14, 2013 - 10:46 AM - by ALS
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 An ode to the base model.
David Thomas - YAHOO - June 14, 2013
An ode to the base model.
Black door handles and a seat that can't move up and down /
Paying monthly for not a lot has me feeling like a clown.
Just because you might not be able to afford more than the very least in a car doesn't mean you have to sing the base-model blues. Automakers are adding more features to their lowliest trim levels to entice shoppers even if some are stuck in the stone ages before the USB port became a necessity.
Here are 10 models that we consider to be solid picks, even in their base-model version.... ... [Read More]
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0 Replies | 722 Views
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| Check Out the Special Ops Stealthy New Motorcycle That Is Nearly Soundless |
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Jun 13, 2013 - 1:26 PM - by ALS
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The all new Z-Force™ motor, with 54 hp and 68 ft-lbs of torque, the Zero MMX accelerates hard, with incredibly smooth throttle control, to allow riders to tackle bigger obstacles and corner faster.
Als - - June 13, 2013
Zero Motorcycles, the global leader in the electric motorcycle industry, today announced the arrival of its all-new 2013 Zero MMX military motorcycle. The MMX was developed exclusively for military use in the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) and provides Special Operations riders with unique tactical advantages over traditional combustion motorcycles, as the electric powertrain allows for rapid movement over hostile terrain in near silence and minimal heat signature. Zero Motorcycles’ engineering team worked under military contract to develop the motorcycle. The MMX has met the most stringent standards set forth by... [Read More]
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8 Replies | 719 Views
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| Audi announces pricing and fuel economy for 2014 Audi A6, A7 and Q5 TDI |
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Jun 13, 2013 - 11:51 AM - by seftonm
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The all-new Audi A3 sedan arriving in 2014 will also be available with a TDI clean diesel engine
Mike Sefton - CleanMPG - June 13, 2013
Audi has announced pricing and fuel economy figures for the 2014 A6, A7 and Q5 TDI models, expected to begin arriving at U.S. dealers in late Summer 2013. The TDI is priced approximately $3000 higher than the 3.0T gasoline engine.
EPA estimated fuel economy figures for the new clean diesel introductions are as follows:- 2014 Audi A6 TDI – 24 city/ 38 highway/ 29 combined MPG
- 2014 Audi A7 TDI – 24 city/ 38 highway/ 29 combined MPG
- 2014 Audi Q5 TDI – 24 city/ 31 highway/ 27 combined MPG
The 2014 Audi A6, A7 and Q5 TDI models... [Read More]
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5 Replies | 705 Views
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| Ford Focus Electric production starts in Germany |
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Jun 12, 2013 - 10:41 AM - by ALS
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 Focus Electric offers target range of 160 kilometres (100 miles), the same dynamic driving experience as fuel-powered models and a full charge in three to four hours.
Alisa Priddle - FREEP - June 12, 2013
Ford today was to start production of the Focus Electric car at its plant in Saarlouis, Germany, making it the first all-electric vehicle Ford has put into mass production in Europe.
The car will start arriving in showrooms in Europe next month.
Until now, the Focus Electric has only been built at the Michigan Assembly Plant for sale in North America.
Europeans have... [Read More]
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1 Reply | 593 Views
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| 2014 Ford Fusion’s 1.5-Liter EcoBoost Four Detailed: |
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Jun 12, 2013 - 9:59 AM - by ALS
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Less Displacement, Same Horsepower as the 1.6
Alexander Stoklosa - CARANDDRIVER - June 12, 2013
Ford recently made the surprising, yet easily explained move to add a second mid-level turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder engine to the 2014 Fusion sedan’s engine lineup. The company has revealed the new 1.5-liter engine’s specifications, and as promised, it offers nearly identical output to the other mid-level turbo engine, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost.
For an explanation as to why Ford decided to further crowd the Fusion‘s already-crowded engine order sheet, the answer is twofold: One, Ford is... [Read More]
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4 Replies | 789 Views
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| 2013 Honda Civic Hybrid |
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Jun 12, 2013 - 9:48 AM - by ALS
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 Updated more quickly than it can reach highway speeds.
Alexander Stoklosa - CARANDDRIVER - June 12, 2013
The 2013 Honda Civic hybrid might not be quick, but its lightning-strike development sure was. After a fully redesigned Civic lineup debuted for 2012 to disappointment, Honda forced a speedy update down the pike. The fruit of its hurried labor has now ripened, and impressively, the shotgun fix remedied many of the shortcomings, at least on the conventional Civic sedan. Now we’ve run the revised hybrid model through our testing to see how it was affected by the rapid relaunch.
Smile, It’s a Hybrid!
... [Read More]
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21 Replies | 1,080 Views
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| GM offers big rebates on the Chevy Volt |
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Jun 11, 2013 - 10:37 AM - by ALS
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Facing stiff competition in the more crowded electric car market, General Motors is offering huge incentives to move its Chevy Volt off of dealer lots.
Peter Valdes-dapena - CNN - June 11, 2013
Volt buyers can get rebates of $5,000 on 2012 Volts or $4,000 on 2013 models. Alternatively, General Motors is offering a special lease deal of $269 a month for 36 months with an initial payment of $2,399 for qualified buyers, the company said Monday.
While automakers don't make big profits (and often lose money) on electric cars, they are nevertheless an important part of the business. For example, California, the largest auto market... [Read More]
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55 Replies | 2,116 Views
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| Germans Create Lithium Ion Battery that Can Charge an Electric Car for 27 Years |
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Jun 10, 2013 - 3:00 AM - by frv
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battery lasts for 27 years
Frv - CleanMPG - June 10, 2013
Scientists at the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Wurttemburg have developed one of the most efficient lithium-ion batteries yet. The super li-on batteries herald a bright future for energy storage systems and in an electric vehicle they’re expected to retain 85% of their capacity after being charged every day for “about 27.4 years.”
After 10,000 complete charging and discharging cycles, with a complete charge and discharge cycle per hour, these lithium-ion batteries still retain more than 85% of the initial capacity. This means that an electric car with those batteries could be fully charged every day for about 27.4 years and still be going strong. The... [Read More]
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20 Replies | 1,335 Views
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| 2014 Toyota Corolla Overview – The Details Are Out |
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Jun 06, 2013 - 8:17 PM - by xcel
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It took 47 years but the best is yet to come.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 6, 2013
2014 Toyota Corolla – Pricing and Fuel Economy are TBA. We hear more than 40 mpg highway for the LE Eco.
Almost 40 million Corollas later and the hit parade continues. While the last two generations were more of an evolution than a revolution, Toyota continued to sell this ultra reliable compact by the tens of thousands each and every month. Why fix what is not broken?
For the 2014 model year, Toyota stepped up to the plate and swung hard. This bread and butter compact is the best-selling car nameplate on the planet and now in its 47th year, the... [Read More]
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25 Replies | 2,130 Views
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| 2014 Toyota Corolla Reveal Tonight |
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Jun 06, 2013 - 10:19 AM - by xcel
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The much improved 2014 Corolla is back in the compact race!
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 6, 2013
A quick look at the 2014 Toyota Corolla's taillight lens. Modern, stylish and very nice looking!
The world’s best-selling car of all time is now looking better than ever but you be the judge as Toyota gives the world its first look at the all-new, 2014 Toyota Corolla later this evening.
The 11th generation Toyota Corolla adds new style and dynamic performance to its reputation for quality and dependability.
What we know so far…
4 in. longer wheelbase so... [Read More]
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9 Replies | 1,884 Views
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| "Flying the Friendly Skies" Just Got a Whole Lot Friendlier With Biofuel |
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Jun 05, 2013 - 5:46 AM - by xcel
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United Airlines readying to consume 15 million gallons of biofuel out of LAX in 2014.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 5, 2013
United’s purchase agreement for AltAir Fuels' renewable jet fuel is expected to achieve at least a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis while being as cost effective as current aviation fuel.
United Airlines (UAL) has signed a purchase agreement with AltAir Fuels for what the company is calling cost-competitive, sustainable, advanced biofuel on a commercial scale for flights departing LAX in 2014. With UAL's strategic partnership, AltAir Fuels will retrofit part of an existing petroleum refinery to become a 30 million gallon,... [Read More]
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1 Reply | 883 Views
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| Honda’s Fit EV -- “Lowest Cost” BEV Lease ... Almost |
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Jun 05, 2013 - 12:07 AM - by xcel
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The devil is in the details.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 5, 2013
The 2013 Honda Fit EV with a combined adjusted Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 MPGe, received the highest fuel-efficiency rating ever given by the EPA. Further, with an unprecedented low consumption rating of just 29 kilowatt hours (kWh) per 100 miles and low EPA rated annual fuel cost of $500, the fun-to-drive 2013 Honda Fit EV can help consumers get more miles for each charging dollar.
With such an efficient drivetrain, the Fit EV's 20-kWh Li-ion battery provides the capacity to earn an EPA combined city/highway estimated driving range rating of 82-miles, allowing the Fit EV to... [Read More]
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26 Replies | 1,797 Views
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| Audi May 2013 Sales up 15.0% |
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Jun 04, 2013 - 12:18 AM - by xcel
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Q5 continues to lead the brand of four rings while A5 closes in on A4.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 3, 2013
2013/2014 Audi Q5 at dusk – The TDI is coming.
From the floor of the LA Auto Show last November, Scott Keogh, President of Audi America doubled down on diesel and is now set to expand the turbo diesel drivetrain lineup within the 4 rings ranks brand.
As he discussed, this is a new chapter from the same book regarding diesel in America and Audi is readying the A8, A7, A6, and Q5 to be equipped with a new 3.0L TDI.
The 3.0L TDI engine has been completely reworked for this next generation of Audis including a new block, heads, cooling system,... [Read More]
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0 Replies | 1,114 Views
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| Mazda May 2013 Sales up 19.2% |
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Jun 04, 2013 - 12:04 AM - by xcel
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Some signs of sales pickup with the CX-5 closing in on the Mazda3.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 3, 2013
The all-new 2014 Mazda6 Sport - $20,880 to start and provides future owners with a 26/38 and 25/37 mpgUS city/highway rating with the 6-speed automatic and 6-speed manual respectively.
SKYACTIV Technology includes a suite of technologies including advanced high strength steel bodies, rigid yet lightweight chassis, efficient engines and transmissions with the goal to increase fuel economy 30% by 2015 from a 2008 baseline.
The all-new third generation 2014 Mazda6 features an all new exciting exterior design while providing owners with what can easily... [Read More]
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3 Replies | 1,134 Views
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| Mercedes-Benz May 2013 Sales up 8.3% |
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Jun 03, 2013 - 11:53 PM - by xcel
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C-Class has a very good month.
Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 3, 2013
2013 Mercedes Benz C-Class (2012 C-300 shown) - $36,580 to start (includes D and H + Walnut wood trim) and a 22/31 mpgUS city/highway rating when equipped with the 201 HP direct injected and turbo charged 1.8L mated to the 7-speed AT.
For 2013, the C-Class Sedan & Coupe feature Mercedes Benz infotainment system called mbrace2. A new AMG Sports Package Plus includes enhanced exhaust tuning, special sport interior with contrasting seatbelts, 18" 7-twin-spoke wheels and–on coupes–revised front suspension. DISTRONIC PLUS now available as a stand-alone option.
The C250 Coupe &... [Read More]
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0 Replies | 1,056 Views
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