Archive for April, 2010

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Green Daily

Imagine a police chase in Manhattan where a Ford Fusion Hybrid pulls up behind the criminal followed by a few Priuses, an Escape Hybrid and a couple of Altima hybrids. Now, think of the scenario where the criminal, driving his gas-guzzling Hummer, takes off out of the city limits on a long-distance chase. A hundred miles later, the criminal creeps to the side of the road running on nothing but fumes while the NYPD hybrid crew has consumed less than three gallons per vehicle. While this scenario is probably not the reason that the NYPD has chosen to add more hybrid vehicles to its fleet, it could play out in our own private screenplay.

The real reason the NYPD is putting 200 extra hybrids into active-duty is probably due more to economics than the scenario above, which we still hope to see on an episode of Cops someday. The NYPD has ordered 200 hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion and Ford Escape to add to its existing HEV fleet. That fleet already includes 40 Nissan Altima Hybrids, a bunch of Priuses and some Escape Hybrids. The huge green fleet will save the city a significant amount of money on fuel costs. Estimates show that traditional cop-duty vehicles like the Crown Vic and Chevy Impala return about 10 miles per gallon when used for police duty. While the numbers aren’t in for the police hybrids, we can conservatively assume that many of them will at least double that figure.

[Source: Green Car Reports | Image: Dan - C.C. License 2.0]

NYPD orders up 200 more hybrids from Ford, doubles size of HEV fleet originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Via Autoblog Green

Ford has upgraded its entire Fiesta range, giving every model standard electronic stability program (ESP) and retuning many of the engines.

There are upgrades to some of the trims: Studio models now get electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, auxiliary entertainment socket and two additional speakers.

Flagship Titanium models also now get Bluetooth and USB connection as standard (previously worth around £200).

All models now have a new paint option called Ink Blue. The Titanium model can now be specified with a cheaper Titanium X pack. This consists of leather seats, 17” alloy wheels and rear electric windows for £750 (£1k previously), however, this pack is only available on the 1.6 litre petrol engine whereas it was also available on the 1.6 TDCi engine.

Ford has also retuned or altered much of the Fiesta’s engine range. To comply with Euro V emissions standards, all diesel engines now have a particulate filter fitted, including Econetic models.

Power for the 1.6 TDCi diesel engine is also raised from 89bhp to 95bhp. Petrol engines have been tweaked as well to lower emissions:

• 1.25 litre 80bhp

CO2 emissions – 129g/km. Previously 133g/km, saving 4g/km

• 1.6 litre 95bhp

CO2 emissions – 107g/km. Previously 110g/km, saving 3g/km

• 1.6 litre 118bhp

CO2 emissions – 134g/km. Previously 138g/km, saving 4g/km.

The changes place the 1.25 litre engine into a lower VED band (D), lowering the tax from £110 to £90 a year.

The revised Fiesta is on sale now from £11,645 for the entry-level Studio 3dr and £11,945 for the Studio 5dr. While that sounds steep, discounts of upto £4k + off the list price are available.

Via Cars Of The Future® Blog

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Audi, Specialty

Of all the products in the Audi arsenal, we’re not sure if the RS6 would be our track rat of choice. It’s twin-turbocharged V10, massive meats and grippy all-wheel drive system is surely the stuff of track-day dreams, but we’ve always been more enamored by the RS6′s brutal, road-going civility – it’s simply better suited to high-speed cross-country runs rather than full-on tarmac attacks. MTM appears to disagree.

The German tuner of all things Audi has put the sedan variant under the knife to create the RS6 Clubsport, and as with everything from MTM, it’s a compellingly comprehensive package.

The mods start with a new front lip, carbon fiber rear diffuser, an adjustable suspension and black 21-inch wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires. Inside, the factory thrones have been nixed in favor of a duo of carbon fiber Recaro buckets with six-point harness attached to a rear-mounted roll cage that’s sure to have displaced the rear seats.

Engine upgrades are limited to a high-flow air filter and stainless steel exhaust, but with the help of MTM’s crack ECU tuners, they’ve been able to boost output of the turbo’d 5.0-liter V10 to 720 horsepower (at 6,360 rpm) and and 579 pound-feet of torque (between 2,750 and 6,280 rpm) – a sizable increase over the stock engine’s 571 hp and 479 lb-ft of twist. And if you option up the tires to one of the four available compounds (and why wouldn’t you?), a derestricted top speed of 211 mph can be yours. We think we’ll take ours in five-door form, sans the cage. Maybe in brown…

[Source: MTM via LeBlogAuto]

Bahn burner turned track rat: MTM Audi RS6 Clubsport originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Via Autoblog

Filed under: Sedan, Recalls, Safety, Acura, Honda

Honda has put out a recall of around 167,000 Acura TSX sedans to fix a power steering hose and o-ring gasket which could deteriorate prematurely. Previous generation (2004-2008) models are affected by the issue, which involves the hose cracking due to high underhood temperatures resulting in the power steering fluid leaking, contacting the exhaust components and potentially creating smoke or a fire.

Owners can expect to receive notification in the mail late next month, but you can get all the details in the release after the jump.

Continue reading Honda recalling 167,000 Acura TSX sedans

Honda recalling 167,000 Acura TSX sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Via Autoblog

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Hatchback, Chevrolet, GM, Canada, South Korea

Rumor has it that General Motors won’t be selling the new seven-passenger Orlando here in the United States come 2011, or ever for that matter. According to Automotive News, GM has said that it will be skipping the people-mover in order to focus its attention on the models Chevrolet currently sells. Margaret Brooks, Chevrolet’s product marketing director for small cars and crossovers, said that the company’s current portfolio easily takes care of any family’s needs.

While buyers in Canada, Europe and Asia will still be able to buy the new Orlando as scheduled, GM has decided to increase production of the Equinox, Traverse and Malibu here in the U.S. to make up for the missing model. The move is still somewhat of a shock, especially considering how hard GM was pushing the Orlando as part of its new product lineup just one year ago.

The decision to drop the Orlando does make sense, though. Despite the fact that the vehicle was based on the much smaller Cruze platform, it would be elbowing its way into an already packed showroom dominated by the likes of the popular Equinox. Those needing a little more space for their brood or luggage can still easily step up to a Traverse.

Meanwhile, Automotive News reports that the Cruze is still scheduled to begin production later this year.

[Source: Automotive News]

Report: GM cancels plan to sell Chevrolet Orlando in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Via Autoblog