As part of it’s response to meet tougher Corporate Average Fuel Economy targets, Audi of America, logically is looking to diesels, at least in the short term to improve its overall fleet mileage.

The US arm of the Ingolstadt automaker plans to bring over oil burning versions of the Q5 SUV and A8 flagship sedan next year, however the A6 diesel has now been pushed back, along with the planned introduction of the A6 an A8 Hybrid models.

In the case of the latter, Audi’s US President, Johann De Nysschen says that the pushing back the A6 and A8 Hybrids was largely done to “minimize complexity” in the lineup, since Audi is already planning to introduce a Q5 Hybrid for 2012.

As to why the A6 diesel has been delayed, no official word so far, but given that the mid-size premium sedan segment is largely a stagnant market in the US and most of Audi’s sales gains (14.1 percent so far this year) have essentially been at the expense of rivals, perhaps the time simply isn’t right to introduce yet another new model.  That said, Audi’s German rivals, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are also reporting increased demand (4.1 percent for the E-Class and a whopping 46.4 percent through the first 10 months of this year).

During a recent statement at the LA Auto Show, De Nysschen also said that a diesel A7 Sportback is a possibility for North America, though in reference to rumors of a possible local production facility he said “no official decision has been made.”

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Behold, the new bar for fuel economy: 126 highway miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe). Which car is championing these figures? The Mitsubishi i electric vehicle.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Fuel Economy Guide ranked the Mitsubishi i electric vehicle at the top for fuel consumption. The competing Nissan Leaf stacks up 13 MPGe lower at a still impressive 99  MPGe. The Mitsubishi i beats the Leaf in city and highway fuel economy, making it the most efficient car on the road.

Yoichi Yokozawa, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) said the company was pleased to be rated at the top of the EPA’s Fuel Economy guide.

“With 17,000 i-MiEV-based units produced for various international markets, we look forward to providing North American consumers with an exceptionally well-engineered electric vehicle that has proven itself to be reliable, safe, efficient and very affordable in overall price and cost of operation,” he said.

The Annual Fuel Guide, published in cooperation by the EPA and  Department of Energy, offers consumers information far beyond what appears on a car’s window sticker. They also offer advice on how to improve fuel efficiency.

The Mitsubishi i isn’t available at the moment, but MMNA expects to start releasing them in North America late this month.

Ford might have their work cut out for them as they try to change general consumer perception on their vehicle line’s fuel economy. Ford’s global marketing chief, Jim Farley, claims that of the 240 million American drivers only 32-percent of them have a good opinion of Ford on fuel economy. Some simple math will tell you that you’ve got a pretty big majority that doesn’t have a good opinion.

But it appears that Ford’s already hard at work in changing that perception, boasting an 11-percent increase in North American sales this year through October, which is ahead of the market’s overall gain of 10-percent. With the addition of their EcoBoost engines, Ford is working hard to change public perception on their fuel economy. “But we have a long way to go,” Farley said. “Those that own fuel economy in the U.S. own pricing.”

[Source: Automotive News]

Say the word Jaguar, and probably the first thing to come to mind won’t be fuel efficiency.

Jaguar recently took a road trip from New York to Los Angeles in a British spec XF 2.2 Diesel, and covered the 2884-miles journey at an average of 62.9-mpg. This makes it the most efficient Jaguar ever made.

The car Jaguar used was a showroom stock model and was not modified in any way. The trip took 8 days to complete, while the car made just 4 fuel stops.

The XF diesel achieved its best result on the penultimate day of the trek, achieving 67-mpg. That is incredible for a five-seater luxury sedan of any size, even if the trek was done at an average speed of just 53-mph. Jaguar credits its new 8-speed automatic gearbox and revised aerodynamics, which is available on all the 2012 XF models.

According to a study conducted by the Department of Transportation, results revealed that Americans have been driving less now than they have over a year ago.

Travel on U.S. roads have declined by 1.3 percent through the first eight months of the year when measured against the same period a year ago. This 1.3 percent drop translates to about 26 billion vehicles miles traveled, a number that has not been recorded since 2003.

The result of many exterior forces at work, there are no clear indications to explain the decline. A likely assumption is the increase in fuel prices over last year as well as the recent economic times have encouraged more people to take daycations and staycations than to plan extended road trips.

[Source: usa today]

Kia has released pricing details for its 2012 Rio sedan, starting at $13,400 or $200 less than the 5-door version. That price is before the $750 destination and handling fee.

The cheapest version comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, but if you aren’t willing or can’t drive stick the price jumps to $15,250 with a 6-speed automatic.

The Rio comes in three trim levels: LX, EX and SX, all powered by the same 1.6-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) making 138 horsepower. The same applies to the sedan as did our review of the 5-door sibling. Even at it’s most basic, you’re getting a well equipped car, though it won’t be impressive to driving enthusiasts, of course that isn’t the market Kia caters to.

The Rio is all about value and practicality with a host of standard features and an estimated 30 mpg with city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. Fuel economy gets a boost thanks to and Idle Stop and Go generally reserved for hybrids and luxury cars. The engine shuts down when the car isn’t moving and starts when the driver’s foot comes off the brake pedal.

Standard features include air conditioning, electric power steering, an MP3-capable audio system with USB ports, SiriusXM Satellite Radio with three months of free service, electronic stability control, ABS, hill control assist and vehicle stability management.

If you opt for the premium SX package (starting at $18,250), Kia dolls the car up with LED accent lights on the front as well as LED tail lights. The interior gets also gets improvements with a leather wrapped steering wheel and metal pedals. Dual illuminated vanity mirrors and power-folding side-view mirrors and a backup camera are also meant to add a luxurious feeling.

Finally, the car comes with their Supervision meter cluster and a voice-activated “infotainment” system.

GALLERY: 2012 Kia Rio Sedan

Subaru is looking to increase the fuel efficiency of its vehicles by 30 percent and will introduce new technologies like turbocharging, different transmissions and hybrid systems to help meet those goals.

First up will be a blitz of new product built on an all-new lightweight architecture that will replace the current platform used by all Subaru products. Subaru’s insistence on all-wheel drive means that its vehicles are handicapped in the fuel efficiency stakes, due to AWD’s extra weight and complexity, and the company must take extra steps to stay competitive in this arena.

Subaru will introduce a third-generation boxer engine, a turbocharged boxer with direct-injection and a hybrid powertrain by 2013. Subaru will also launch its new BRZ sports car and XV crossover (pictured) within the same time period.

[Source: Automotive News]

Get more Subaru BRZ news and info at subarubrzforum.com

Hyundai CEO John Krafcik will keep his company’s focus on being a fuel economy leader, and has ruled out a high-performance sports car, even as he discussed the various ways in which the new CAFE regulations can be gamed to produce low fleet fuel economy ratings.

With large vehicles being held to less stringent standards under CAFE (as well as a different formula for measuring MPG than the one used for consumers), Krafcik said that auto makers may not have as strong an incentive to produce compact, fuel efficient vehicles.

Giving the full-size truck market as an example (full-size trucks will be able to comply with more lax regulations) Krafcik told Ward’s Auto that “every well-intentioned action has an unintended negative consequence. This is a classic one. Because of the new CAFE guidelines, the most fuel-efficient segment for pickup trucks, the small ones, aren’t going to be available in the U.S. market. That’s crazy.”

While Hyundai had the best fleet average fuel economy of any auto maker in the 2010 model year, Krafcik said that hitting the 2025 target of a 54.5 mpg fleet average will be tough. Krafcik also ruled out the idea of a high-end sports car, stating “… it would be expensive, and what would it really do for us?”

[Source: Ward's Auto]

And it’s largely down to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The ZF unit, the 845RE, is the first of its kind installed in a domestically produced automobile and will come teamed with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 found in both the entry-level 2012 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans.

This addresses a major criticism of the cars, namely that, until now, they sported a five-speed automatic when much of the competition had already shifted to six-speed units.

According to Chrysler’s own test results the new V6/eight-speed automatic combo, combined with a 2.65:1 final drive ratio; enables these large sedans to achieve 31 miles per gallon highway in terms of fuel economy, versus 27 mpg  on the outgoing models. In the city, both the 2012 300 and Charger reportedly get 19 miles per gallon (a five percent increase over the outgoing models).

All-wheel drive versions for 2012 boast a shorter final drive (3.07:1) though for these, Chrysler has yet to release any official fuel mileage ratings (though expect them to be slightly less when it does).

The 845RE reportedly requires no modifications to be installed in the LX chassis and despite the extra gears and complexity, is only some 6.6 lbs (3 kg) heavier than the five-speed unit it replaces, plus it’s a fill for life unit, not requiring fluid changes under normal driving conditions.

With Ford now having pulled out of the large, traditional RWD sedan market and GM not having really bothered with it since 1996, it’s nice to see that at least one Detroit automaker continues to invest in large rear-drive sedans. Long live the true American Road Car!

GALLERY: 2012 Chrysler 300

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Chrysler 300 Review

“Fuel economy is becoming increasingly important to car buyers all around the world, and the Kia Optima Hybrid is one of our latest models to address this consumer requirement,” Senior Executive Vice President & COO of Kia Motors Corporation Thomas Oh, said.

Currently, the Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid car was set in October 2010 using a Toyota Auris Hybrid. Amazingly, the Toyota covered 307.58 miles while only using 4.53 gallons of fueling, achieving 67.89 mpg.

GALLERY: Kia Optima

[Source: Left Lane News]

Imagine having a gadget in your car that could tell you how fast to go to avoid stopping at the next light. Well, now you can. A network of dashboard smartphones can monitor traffic lights and congestion helping drivers avoid idling, cutting fuel use by 20 percent.

SignalGuru collects and analyzes traffic data from images captured on dashboard smartphones, to inform drivers of the most efficient routes. The researchers installed iPhones on car dashboards in Cambridge, Massachusetts and in Singapore, where traffic lights have fixed schedules. SignalGuru can predict when lights will change with an error margin of two-thirds of a second.

The SignalGuru study won a best paper award at last month’s Association for Computing Machinery MobiSys conference, but the program would require many users to be a real solution for traffic congestion.

“If you can save even a small percentage of that, then you can have a large effect on the energy that the U.S. consumes,” Emmanouil Koukoumidis, a Princeton PhD candidate and visiting researcher at MIT, was quoted as saying.

[Source: CNET]

As automakers look at ways to improve vehicle fuel economy across the board, Volvo is taking steps by introducing stop/start technology on cars equipped with automatic transmissions, following on from its introduction in those equipped with manual gearboxes.

The technology will be incorporated on Volvo’s Euro market D3 2.0-liter turbo-diesel five-cylinder engine (shown above), and teamed with the company’s six-speed automatic. The result is expected to reduce fuel consumption by around 0.4 liters per 100 km, meaning that overall gas mileage will be around 5.6 l/100 km (42 miles per gallon) on most Volvos equipped with this powertrain.

Using stop/start in conjunction with an automatic is a tougher technology challenge, compared with manual gearboxes as the engine must shut off when the car comes to a halt and then immediately restart as soon as the driver hits the gas pedal (An electric pump is designed to keep fluid circulating inside the transmission while the engine is stopped).

“Continuously reducing CO2 emissions from conventional powertrains is an important part of our drive towards Zero emissions. It is the most effective way to cut CO2 throughout our model range in the short term,” declared Peter Mertens Volvo’s senior vice president of Research and Development. “This work is running parallel with our innovative focus on electrification technologies.”

Volvo will offer the D3 stop/start feature on the Euro market S60, V60, V70 and S80 flagship. No word on if, or when the technology will reach our shores.

Chrysler has announced that it is dropping the MSRP of the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee by $3,220. The base Laredo model, when it goes on sale next month, will start at $26,995 before options and taxes.

In addition, the 2012 model receives a number of significant changes, including a six-speed automatic transmission for the 5.7-liter V-8 as well as standard electro-hydraulic power assisted steering on 3.6-liter V-6 powered models.

These improvements are said to net significant gains in fuel economy; two-wheel drive V-6 engined examples being rated at 17/23 miles per gallon (city/highway), while 4WD versions are pegged at 16/23 (fuel consumption figures for the 5.7-liter V-8 have yet to be released).

Trim levels on the 2012 Grand Cherokee remain unchanged from last year, besides the base Laredo, there’s a $36,795 Limited model and a $39,495 Overland. The specialty SRT-8 model, with it’s 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 and tuned suspension, stickers at $54,470.

The Grand Cherokee isn’t the only SUV in the Chrysler family that’s experienced a price cut, the MSRP on the 2012 Dodge Durango (which gets similar mechanical upgrades), has also dropped, though in this case only by some $200.

[Source Cars.com]

Ford recently announced that the four-cylinder Ecoboost powered Edge achieves  21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with the Ecoboost option, an improvement over the 3.5-liter V6 which gets 19 mpg city and 27 highway.

The turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder produces 240-hp and 270 lb-ft of torque,  down 45-hp from the V6 model, but up 17 lb-ft. The Ecoboost engine will be mated to a unique six-speed automatic transmission and the vehicle also features active grille shutters that close at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics. Pricing has not been finalized, but the EcoBoost costs $995 above the 3.5-liter V6 on the Explorer, and the same numbers are expected to carryover for Edge pricing.

The White House announced earlier that it would be lowering its CAFE standard from 56.5 MPG to 54. The proposal, however, won’t be finalized until Friday—and until then, the White House is looking towards automakers to approve the change.

Automakers have yet to officially endorse the new limits, but many are expected to favor any CAFE lowering. Despite this, German manufacturers such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz still oppose even the new regulations, at the potential cost of stiff penalties if they don’t accept these terms and conditions.

These terms and conditions are still the same, of course: passenger cars will have to improve their mileage 5% every year from 2017 to 2025; by 2016, the average mileage standard across the industry will be 35.5 MPG.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Given current and future proposals for Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards it probably isn’t surprising that General Motors is focusing on gas mileage when it comes to new product offerings.

Having launched a spate of new passenger cars recently, including the Cruze and Sonic, GM is now turning its attention to trucks, with new full-size pickups due in 2013 for the ‘14 model year, followed shortly by big SUVs and a small crossover for GMC, known as the Granite.

In an effort boost fuel economy, in order to come into line with the 35.5 mpg CAFE regulations, its likely the new generation of big trucks will feature GM’s new eight-speed automatic transmissions as well as turbocharged engines and eAssist light hybrid technology.

Besides the trucks, other new vehicles in the pipeline include a baby Cadillac, the new ATS, along with a XTS sedan, as well as new vehicles for Chevrolet, such as the Korean built Spark mini car and the updated 2013 Malibu mid-size sedan.

[Source: Automotive News]

Japanese mini-car manufacturer Daihatsu is preparing to launch what it says will be the most fuel efficient non-hybrid car in the world.

Set to launch in September, the unnamed vehicle makes use of what is being called “e:S Technology,” or Energy Saving Technology. The comprehensive efficiency program is being credited for achieving an almost 40 percent improvement in emissions, with Daihatsu claiming the new car will get 30 km/l, or roughly 70-mpg.

In order to achieve this massive fuel economy gain, the car will use an all-new engine with an 11.3:1 compression ratio, an electronic throttle with a throttle valve made of resin, plus a start-stop system and even a near-hybrid system that converts brake energy into electric energy in order to recharge the car’s battery.

An efficient CVT transmission is mated to the engine, while other improvements include special aerodynamics and low rolling resistance tires, not to mention a significantly lighter chassis, that weighs 60 kg (132 lbs) less than the current Mira model (above).

While seemingly irrelevant to our market, as Daihatsu doesn’t offer cars here, the company is majority owned by Toyota Motor Corp. and so it’s only time before these small car advances find their way into different cars. Plus, with increasingly smaller cars being offered in North America, like the new Scion iQ, mini cars like the Mira might not be far behind.

Today, Nissan North America announced U.S pricing for the 2012 Versa Hatchback, a model that is carried over from the previous year, despite the fact that the 2012 sedan is all-new. Continuing on the popular first-generation design, it is available in 1.8 S and 1.8 SL models.

The 1.8-liter S hatchback model has been priced at $14,380 with the 6-speed manual and $1000 extra for the 4-speed automatic transmission($15,380). The 1.8-liter SL version with the CVT transmission will be priced at $18,390. The 1.8-liter  DOHC 4-cylinder engine produces 122-hp, with fuel consumption rated at 28 mpg City /34 mpg Highway and 30 mpg combined for the SL with the Continuously Variable Transmission. The 6-speed manual and 4-speed automatic models offer 26/31/28 mpg and 24/32/27 mpg respectively for City/Highway/ Combined ratings. The Nissan Versa is already on sale in either the hatchback or sedan platform offering amazing bang for your buck.

Check out pricing for the all-new, and significantly cheaper 2012 Versa sedan here!

The all-new 2012 Nissan Versa will boast a 30-mpg city and 38-mpg highway rating thanks to a new dual-injector system. Rather than switch to direct-injection system like many other automakers, Nissan’s solution to increasing demand for improved fuel economy uses two fuel injectors per cylinder (one for each intake valve on the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder), and is the first use of the technology by the automaker.

Also helping to achieve the new fuel economy numbers, improved from the current model’s 28/34-mpg rating, is a lighter overall curb weight with the new V-Platform Versa weighing 150 lbs less than the current B-Platform car.

A sales leader in the sub-compact car class Nissan is hoping its new Versa will continue that trend, although the automaker has decided to take a different path than many automakers, offering basic transportation rather than a pumped up Chevy Sonic or sporty and styling Fit or Fiesta.

The 30/38-mpg numbers put the Versa near the top of its class, falling just short of the new 2012 Hyundai Accent at 30/40-mpg, but ahead of the Ford Fiesta at 29/38-mpg.

GALLERY: 2012 Nissan Versa

[Source: Automotive News via CNET]

The world’s greenest race car has been banned from racing—for being too fast.

God forbid. Like the great race cars of history, kneecapped for being too dominant, the Oaktec Honda Insight joins the Porsche 917 and Brabham BT46 as one of the quick yet misunderstood motorsport legends.

Developed for Formula 1000 rallying, the hybrid Insight race car was tuned to get 100mpg when pushed slowly, and 82mpg at a quicker pace. Formula 1000 emphasizes mileage as well as speed, and the Insight was regularly beating the next-best car, a diesel, by over 17mpg. Overall, it has dominated the current 2011 series with two wins and a second place in just the first three rounds. This, competitors whined, was an unfair advantage.

“It was a bit of a shock when I got the call as after six years of hard work we finally had our chance for a bit of glory,” said Paul Andrews, Oaktec boss. “But I fully understand the perspective of the organisers and their wish not to spoil the sport for the other drivers. It’s a shame it had to happen mid-season but it’s the risk you face in going against the grain and trying something radical. If it fails, no one notices; if it’s successful, you have an unfair advantage.”

The team is now looking to race in a class above, where the competition hopefully won’t be so quick to cry foul.

With the rise of turbochargers as a “green” technology, the lifespan of superchargers looked numbers as their popularity decreased, with the belt driven forced induction systems appearing only on high-end V6 and V8 powered sports cars. While superchargers delivery power in a smooth, linear manner, their cost, complexity and noise has relegated them to near extinction.

An interview with Automotive News, featuring Eaton’s Ken Davis, President of their vehicle group, suggests otherwise. Davis remarked that their new line of superchargers are gaining favor with automakers, among them Nissan and Volkswagen. Audi’s 3.0L V6 engines already use superchargers, as well as some of Volkswagen’s small displacement 4-cylinder engines not sold in North America. Volkswagen could use superchargers across a broader number of engines, but we’re stumped as to what applications the new Eaton blowers could have with Nissan products.

Davis also notes that Chinese OEM Chery has been using greater numbers of superchargers. Their QQ small car is equipped with a blower, and given the vast amount of vehicles sold in China, Davis’ claims of doubling supercharger sales in 5 years doesn’t look so outlandish anymore.

[Source: Automotive News]

Traditionally, the most effective way of combining performance and fuel economy is via turbocharging; the idea being that using exhaust gas to produce boost and hence greater air volumes, results in the driver having performance on demand.

Turbos first gained a foothold in the North American market back in the late 1970s as some automakers, notably Buick and Ford, sought to balance performance with ever tightening fuel economy standards.

Now, more than a generation later, the same thing is happening again. This hasn’t been good news for supercharger manufacturers. Compared to turbos, engine driven superchargers are often seen as the realm of high horsepower, gas guzzling V8 muscle cars and street trucks, requiring considerable effort to keep them spinning, which increases parasitic loss and lowers fuel economy.

However Eaton Corp, one of the largest manufacturers of OE superchargers, is hoping to reverse the trend toward turbos, by introducing a new line of superchargers, dubbed the Twin Vortices  Series, aimed at small displacement applications (engines as small as 1.2-liters in fact).

Eaton is also going to great lengths in highlighting some of the benefits of superchargers, notably greater reliability, reduced maintenance and much better torque production at low and mid-range rpm, where street engines spend most of their time.

Some of the more ‘thrifty’ vehicles which already sport Eaton blowers include the pint-size Nissan Micra and Chery A3, while at the other end of the spectrum, Porsche uses an Eaton supercharger for it’s Cayenne Hybrid SUV.

Will Eaton be able to shift public perception when it comes to superchargers, as well as curtail the dominance of OE turbo makers such as Honeywell and Mitsubishi? Only time will tell.

[Source: The Car Tech Blog]

An updated U.S fuel economy label was unveiled today aimed at reducing gasoline consumption and exhaust emissions. These new stickers will be required on all 2013 models, allowing consumers to quickly glance at fuel consumption.

The sticker will also display estimates of fuel or electricity required to drive 100 miles as well as time needed to charge a plug-in vehicle such as the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf.

Lisa Jackson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), says the reason for the redesigned labels is to give consumers, “the best possible information about which cars on the lot offer the greatest fuel economy and the best environmental performance.” The EPA developed the updated labels with assistance from the Department of Transportation.

Check out the video after the jump!

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With the recent recession and high fuel prices, car buyers are placing a higher priority on fuel efficiency. To save at the pump, buyers are willing to sacrifice purchase, price, amenities and size but not safety, according to the Consumer Reports National Research Center.

1,764 random adult car owners were interviewed between April 28-May 2, 2011 regarding car buying and fuel economy issues. The surveyed said that nearly twice as many consumers expected to choose a model with much better or somewhat better fuel economy(62 percent) relative to those who are targeting about the same fuel economy (32 percent).

Survey respondents expect their next car should deliver an average of 29 mpg. More than 10 percent said they expect 40 mpg or better in their next car.

It was also interesting to note that only 17 percent of those interviewed will buy a car next year. As well, the state of the economy played a factor causing a significant shift in the age of the average car driven by respondents has increased by eight years.

With America’s passenger cars continuing to age, less than a fifth or car owners will look to replace their car any time soon. When buying a new car, fuel economy will be the deciding factor. To reach increased fuel economy, shoppers will compromise on size and even consider paying more for a diesel or hybrid.

[Source: Consumer Reports]