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Automotive manufacturers all around the world are working hard to make their vehicles more fuel-efficient. The US federal government has mandated new fuel economy standards that will go into effect in coming years that require automotive manufacturers to create engines that use significantly less fuel than most vehicles use today. To do this, many automotive manufacturers resorting to smaller displacement turbocharged engines.

The promise with the smaller displacement turbocharged engines is that they will deliver the same sort of performance that larger displacement naturally aspirated engines offer, while delivering better fuel economy. However, Consumer Reports claims that most small turbocharged engines aren’t delivering on fuel efficiency claims. According to the publication, typical turbocharged cars have slower acceleration and no better fuel economy than models with larger conventional engines.

Consumer Reports specifically points out the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fusion it recently tested. The vehicle uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and compared to the same vehicle with a conventional 2.5-liter four-cylinder, the turbocharged engine was slower to 60 mph than most competitors and only achieved 25 mpg in fuel economy. That fuel economy rating puts the turbocharged vehicle among the worst performers for fuel efficiency in the segment.

Ford wasn’t alone in getting dinged; the turbocharged Chevrolet Cruze received similar comments. However, the publication does say that BMWs turbocharged four-cylinder engines are able to deliver good fuel economy and acceleration. The moral of the story is for consumers to not assume a turbocharged engine is more fuel-efficient according to Consumer Reports.

[via Consumer Reports]

Small turbocharged engines don’t deliver on fuel economy promises says report is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The electric vehicle market isn’t exactly booming. The vehicles tend to cost significantly more than gasoline-powered alternatives and many consumers worry that they won’t have enough driving range to take care of all of their business. Ford has been having a difficult time selling its new Focus electric vehicle called the Focus EV.

To help get buyers interested in the electric vehicle, Ford has announced significant discounts of over $10,000 for people who lease the electric vehicle. Consumers who opt for a three-year lease can now get $10,750 off the lease price. The catch is that the significant discount does include the $7500 government tax credit.

If the buyer happens to be in a position to pay cash, Ford has dropped the base price for the Focus EV by $2000. A $2000 base price drop is for cash purchases only. Interested buyers who don’t want to lease or pay cash can also be a special 1.9% financing deal on the electric vehicle through Ford Motor Credit.

Ford’s 36-month lease gives buyers 10,500 miles a year and costs $285 per month. People who lease do have to pay $930 at signing. The cash purchase price for the Focus EV is $37,995. Whether or not the new discounts will spur buyers to come in and purchase the vehicle remains to be seen. Ford sold only 685 Focus EVs in 2012.

[via Detroit News]

Ford offers big discounts on Focus EV is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Ford, Daimler AG, and the Renault-Nissan alliance will jointly a develop a fuel-cell system for eco-conscious motoring, with the first mass-market, “affordable” model tipped for 2017. The pact – which follows a similar agreement by BMW and Toyota, also concerning fuel-cell technology – will see a single fuel-cell stack and system that will form the basis of a new range of cars from each marque, with the same underlying technology rebranded to suit different consumer segments.

Fuel-cell electric vehicles, or FCEVs, power their motors by combining hydrogen and oxygen, with water the only physical byproduct. A high-pressure tank contains the hydrogen, while oxygen is extracted from the air.

The three companies involved have, they point out, a cumulative total of over 60 years of fuel-cell vehicle development, and more than 6m miles in test driving and demonstration models. Work on the homogenized stack will take place in multiple locations around the world, while teams from the three companies will also look at collaborating on other components FCEVs will require so as to achieve further economy of scale.

Unlike the BMW-Toyota partnership, however, which will take an active role in pushing the development of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, Ford, Daimler, and Renault-Nissan instead hope that their work “sends a clear signal” to existing hydrogen network stakeholders that they need to pull their finger out and get working.

Still, that focus means today’s deal may result in a workable car – or cars – before BMW and Toyota have something ready for the forecourts. The trio today claim 2017 is the earliest a fuel-cell vehicle may be on the market, whereas BMW and Toyota gave themselves a little more wiggle-room, estimating that they would have something prepared by 2020.

Ford, Daimler and Renault-Nissan team on fuel-cell cars by 2017 is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

The Ford F150 is a hugely important vehicle to the automaker as one of its most popular and bestselling vehicles. Ford is showing off a new concept vehicle called the Atlas Concept that the automaker is billing as the future vision for pickup trucks. What we’re looking at is likely the next generation of the Ford F150.

There’s nothing I see about this truck that is so far out there that Ford couldn’t put it into production tomorrow if it wanted. The concept uses the next generation EcoBoost engine promising increased capability and class leading fuel efficiency. From the side the truck looks very much like the existing F150.

The big change from the existing vehicles comes in the front with a more angular grille and narrow headlights. The large grille looks a lot like the front of Ford’s existing heavy-duty pickups. The Atlas Concept has a number of features aimed specifically at saving fuel via aerodynamics and reducing wind resistance.

The Atlas Concept features active grille shutters that stay open when the engine needs cooling and close on the Highway to improve aerodynamics. The concept also has active wheel shutters that deploy at highway speeds to help aerodynamics and close at low speeds and when stopped. The concept also has a drop-down front air dam that lowers at highway speeds to improve underbody airflow. Power running boards deploy automatically when the doors are open and tuck away under the vehicle when in motion to improve dynamics. Check out the video below to see more of the attractive Atlas Concept.

[via Ford]

Ford Atlas concept is likely the next F150 is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Every year at CES, the focus on autos and the tech they’re outfitted with grabs a fair share of the attention in Las Vegas. This installment was no different. While several companies trotted out their latest infotainment wares, the self-driving debate nabbed a prime spot as Toyota and Audi both offered show-and-tells on tech that looks to aid drivers rather than do all of the work for them. As we’ve come to expect, a wealth of infotainment systems were also on display with a couple in particular grabbing our attention. Not to be overlooked, devs received a number of notable invites to create system-specific offerings this time out. For a full rundown of the highlights, read on past the break for a brief synopsis.

Continue reading CES 2013: Auto roundup

Filed under: Transportation

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