A North Caolina-based group is trying to prove that lead-carbon batteries are viable for hybrid vehicles.
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The AutoGuide News Blog is your source for breaking stories from the auto industry. Delivering news immediately, the AutoGuide Blog is constantly updated with the latest information, photos and video from manufacturers, auto shows, the aftermarket and professional racing.
The 2013 Honda Civic sedan has been awarded a five-star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The week is drawing to a close and while that can mean several things, most importantly (of course), it’s time for another installment of Ask AutoGuide, the information superhighway’s most exciting semi-regular feature. Beating the competition to market with mildly informative and generally accurate content is the name of the game. Our skilled geniuses are ready to spread their expertise like frosting on a sheet cake; just scoop it out of the tub and smear it all around.
10. Hyundai Elantra - 24,445 Units
The sales numbers are in for April 2013, and we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 best-selling cars for last month.
Kicking off the list is the Hyundai Elantra with a starting MSRP of $16,965. The compact model from the Korean automaker saw 45.2 percent more sales this year than last in the month of April, and has sold 78,991 units so far this year. It’s worth noting that 25 percent of Elantra sales come from the Coupe and Elantra GT hatchback models, which weren’t available last year.
SEE ALSO: 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT Review
Junk in the Trunk
Compact cars are affordable, they’re usually a lot of fun to drive and can deliver impressive fuel economy numbers. As government regulators push for ever-greater efficiency, small sedans and hatchbacks are becoming increasingly important.
Back Seat Space
A couple weeks ago our Top 10 target was the large-sedan segment. We looked at a diverse lineup of full-figured four doors, comparing them based on their theoretical maximum range. We multiplied the number of gallons in their respective fuel tanks by each of their highway economy ratings.
SEE ALSO: Top 10 Large Sedans With the Longest Range
Against all expectations the Volkswagen Passat TDI drove away with top honors, and it did so by a wide margin. It wasn’t just the comparison’s valedictorian; it skipped two grades took all AP classes and still wound up with a GPA of 4.2. This diesel-powered “People’s Car” can devour nearly 800 miles on a single tank!
On the other hand, today’s big idea is small. We’re examining cars at the opposite end of the spectrum, specifically C-Segment sedans. We’re comparing a crowd of popular compacts based on, wait for it… rear-seat legroom! Which popularly priced car offers the most-spacious back bench? Which one will give an agoraphobic night terrors? Click ahead for all the details you can stomach.
Honda is putting the spotlight on innovation, launching a #HondaInnovator social media campaign by putting the spotlight on six different innovators throughout the month.
Honda will show off a new Civic Wagon Concept at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, along with a diesel-powered CR-V and an updated NSX concept.
Following in the tire treads of automakers like Volkswagen and Ford, Honda is planning to share vehicle platforms with an expanding number of models as it seeks to reduce costs while growing sales dramatically over the next few years.
10. Ford Escape - 261,008 Units Sold
2012 was the best-selling year for automakers since 2007, marking the third year in a row that sales have increased. So now is a great time to look back at the best-selling vehicles from last year.
Coming in 10th place with 261,008 units sold is the Ford Escape which was updated for the 2013 model year. Earlier last year, AutoGuide.com had the opportunity to review the 2013 Ford Escape and we came away surprised by its sleek new look, engine selection, and its great handling. It wasn’t without its cons, but overall the crossover delivered a vastly improved driving experience.
SEE ALSO: 2013 Ford Escape Review – Video
[Source: Cars.com]
Top 10 Automotive Stories of 2012
With a heavy heart the staff of AutoGuide.com say goodbye to 2012, along with its triumphs and tragedies. We await the New Year with open arms, and welcome its promise of a better world.
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2012 was a year of the dragon, and it proved to be the stuff of legend, but thankfully it wasn’t a fire-breather. The Mayans were flat-out wrong; their doomsday prophecy was about as accurate as Bernie Madoff’s promise of a sound investment opportunity.
Still, the year brought other significant stories. Scientists at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland discovered a subatomic particle consistent with the legendary Higgs boson. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, passed away, and in a brutal political battle Barack Obama won a second term as president of the United States.
Of course the automotive industry made its share of headlines throughout the year. Here’s a rundown of the Top 10 stories from the past 12 months.
Honda made an unprecedented move this year, refreshing its popular Civic model a year after giving it a redesign.
10. 2013 Ford Escape Review
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As 2012 comes to an end, AutoGuide has decided to take a look back at the most watched videos from our collection.
SEE ALSO: 2013 Ford Escape Review – Video
Kicking off the top 10 list is the 2013 Ford Escape video review, where Editor-in-Chief Colum Wood puts the new crossover to the test, admiring its sleek new looks and its handling.
As 2012 comes to an end, it’s always interesting to see what vehicles were most popular on everyone’s research list for the year.
Things are looking up for automakers in the United States. All told sales topped 1.1 million new cars and trucks in November. That’s nearly a 15 percent increase compared to the same month in 2011. Year-to-date sales eclipsed 13 million units, an improvement of almost 14 percent compared to the same time period last year.
10.Scion tC
It’s not uncommon for car buyers to consider a purchase based on how valuable the vehicle will be in the future. Here’s a list of the top 10 cars that will retain the most of their original purchase value after five years, according to Kelly Blue Book.
Toyota’s youth oriented Scion brand makes their only appearance here on the resale list with the tC. With 180 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque, the tC is a peppy compact with a sporty look. Also, thanks to it’s huge list of customization options, there’s always the opportunity to personalize the tC in whatever way you want. This is only one of two cars that make the list so be prepared to see a lot of SUVs and trucks ahead. The Scion tC finds its value still at 60.0 percent after 36 months and 46.5 percent after 60 months.
In recent years, the power of the Internet has had an interesting effect on publications that specialize in car reviews. As more information becomes readily available, opinions in what used to be well-respected publications appear to be losing their influence.
Those looking for ways to fight against the recent rise in gas prices might want to consider a 2012 Honda Civic, the Natural Gas model to be more specific. The Japanese automaker has teamed up with Clean Energy to give $3,000 fuel cards to new buyers.
The voting is in and the 2012 Women’s World Car of the Year is the Range Rover Evoque. The Evoque took home top honors after women motoring writers from 12 different countries chimed in with their votes.
Honda CEO Takanobu Ito just revealed plans for a Civic Type R which will have a sole purpose: being the fastest front-wheel drive car around the Nürburgring.
Honda CEO Takanobu Ito gave a glimpse into the Japanese automaker’s future, announcing that a new Civic Type R is being developed for the European markets and is set to bow in 2015.