tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63531449006122782102024-02-20T17:46:33.489-08:00cars Motors Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-33525027113910256852013-05-10T02:57:00.000-07:002013-05-10T02:57:03.226-07:00<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
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<h1>
A Spot of Luxury: Jay Leno's 1955 Bristol 403</h1>
<h2>
British airplane builder Bristol started making fabulous luxury
cars after WWII. One of the most coveted, the stunning 403, now resides
in Jay Leno's Garage. Take a look inside "the thinking man's Rolls
Royce."</h2>
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By jamal abd alnabi
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<span class="pubDate">May 1, 2013 6:30 AM</span>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>If you're a serious car enthusiast</strong></span>,
you may have heard of the Bristol, but
unless you live in the U.K., you've probably never seen one. The Bristol
is a legendary sports car built in small numbers by a British aircraft
company. I'd only seen pictures of these cars, but I'd read about them
and decided I wanted one. Last year I spotted a late-model Bristol at
the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the south of England, but I had never
actually seen the most coveted model—a 1955 Bristol 403—until the one I
bought rolled off the transporter and into my garage.
<br /><br />
Bristols were built by a subsidiary of the Bristol Aeroplane Company,
which manufactured pursuit planes and bombers during World War II. After
the war, British aircraft production plummeted, and the government
didn't want the company to go under. So it helped Bristol diversify as
an automaker.
<br /><br />
As part of winning the war, the British government could pick and choose
German manufacturers it wanted to work with or even acquire. It looked
at the Volkswagen plant and said, in effect, "We don't want that car;
it's ugly. It's not going anywhere." Given the VW Group's success today,
that was a very expensive mistake. Instead, the Brits settled on BMW.
<br /><br />
The U.K. sports car manufacturer Frazer Nash had already worked on BMW
engines before the war, so Bristol bought the rights to the 328 engine
from Frazer Nash and BMW and worked with them to refine it. Bristol
started production in 1947 with the model 400, which combined
successful elements of the prewar BMW 326 and 328 models and used a
slightly enlarged version of a custom 327 coupe body. Bristol built only
a small number of cars each year, progressively improving the design.
<br /><br />
The BMW 328 six-cylinder engine was very unconventional and advanced for
the time. A single camshaft is located low in the block. A complex
inclined valvetrain consists of 12 rocker arms and both short and long
pushrods that cross over each other into a single cylinder head with big
valves and Hemi-shaped combustion chambers. The cylinders themselves
are siamesed, meaning there are no water jackets separating them, and
the cylinder sleeves touch. This makes the block short, rigid, and
compact. This engine revs very freely, and, over time, Bristol was able
to increase its output.
<br /><br />
<img src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/xd/leno-bristol-403-02-0413-de.jpg" />
<br /><br />
For the chassis, Bristol used its aircraft engineers and a lot of
aircraft technology, such as a tubular-steel body skinned with aluminum.
When you look at a Bristol, you have a sense of its aircraft origins.
Everything is smooth.
There are no exterior door handles. It's very aerodynamic, which endears
it to many pilots. Some people think the 403 looks like a giant Porsche
356—except the 403 seats four adults quite comfortably. The twin-kidney
grille is similar to grilles on BMWs of that era.
<br /><br />
My 1955 model 403 is the fourth iteration and the best of the 403s,
because it has the updated 100-hp engine. That doesn't sound very
powerful, but you're not pushing much weight: only about 2700 pounds.
<br /><br />
The motor is a 2-liter, but it feels like a 3-liter or even a 3.5-liter.
My car easily goes 106 mph. You can't believe the engine is so small.
Plus, it's quiet and gets up to 24 mpg. Before Carroll Shelby built the
Cobra with a Ford V-8, AC Ace roadsters used the same engine.
<br /><br />
The oil pressure was low when my car arrived, so I turned it up a bit.
Now I've got to replace the valve guides because the engine is a tad
smoky. Ten or 15 years ago you would have said, "It's an old car, and it
smokes a little." But these days we're more environmentally conscious,
so we want to be more responsible.
<br /><br />
If you've driven a lot of cars from the '50s, the Bristol will be an
epiphany. With its excellent aerodynamics, you feel like you're
freewheeling when you take your foot off the gas at interstate speeds.
You just cut through the air. There's hardly any wind noise. It's a very
solid car, and it has that classic English wood dashboard with
wonderful period gauges and dials. It's funny when you read why they
didn't do certain things. For example, in the early '50s the Bristol did
not have air conditioning because, to paraphrase the owner's manual,
you would miss the pastoral smell as you go through the countryside.
<br /><br />
The Bristol has a nice amount of road feel; hardly any steering effort
is required. But to really appreciate these cars, you have to drive them
on the roads they were designed for. On a freeway at 70 or 80 mph, the
Bristol may not feel that different from other cars. But drive it on one
of the fast two-lane highways that Britain built in the '50s, where you
cruise at 55 to 60 mph, and you get a strong sense of connection with
the road.
<br /><br />
<img src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/uS/leno-bristol-403-03-0413-de.jpg" />
<br /><br />
My 403 is usually the first Bristol most people here have ever seen, so
they want to know what it is and where it was made. They think it's a
much newer car than a 1955 model. Some people even mistake it for a BMW.
It's understated and very sophisticated, like a Rolex watch or one of
those high-end Holland & Holland shotguns, another great British
product that has stood the test of time. Although Bristol was new to the
car business, it attained a build quality that's still impressive
today.
<br /><br />
Bristol remains a small automaker. Its cars are bought and sold in
England with hardly any advertising, which is almost the exact opposite
of the flamboyant Italian companies. The members of the Bristol Owners
Club are all quite proud of the fact that their cars have hundreds of
thousands of miles on them. The club has a program thatmakes the
hard-to-get parts available to members. If you're so inclined, you can
even send your 50 or 60-year-old car back to the factory, and they will
rebuild it for you as new. In fact, some of the same guys who originally
built your Bristol are still there. I'm never going to restore my car,
though. It's got a wonderful patina, and it deserves to stay this way.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-89018752983304314102013-05-10T02:52:00.002-07:002013-05-10T02:52:42.325-07:00<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
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<h1 style="text-align: center;">
2013 Nissan Leaf Test Drive</h1>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The freshened-up version of Nissan's EV is less expensive, more efficient, and hopefully will help ease drivers' range anxiety.</h2>
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<span class="pubDate">April 30, 2013 1:47 PM</span>
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<strong>On Sale Date:</strong> Now
<br /><br />
<strong>Base Price:</strong> $29,650 (eligible for $7500 Federal Tax Credit and applicable state rebates)
<br /><br />
<strong>Competitors:</strong> Chevrolet Spark EV, Fiat 500e, Ford Focus Electric, Honda Fit EV, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank">Mitsubishi i-MiEV</a>
<br /><br />
<strong>Powertrain:</strong> AC electric motor, 107 hp, 187 lb-ft; 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, direct drive, FWD
<br /><br />
<strong>EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy)</strong>: 130/102 mpge (mfr. est.)
<br /><br />
<strong>What's New:</strong> The mid-cycle update of Nissan's five-door
EV is all about improving the whole by tweaking the parts. Moving
production to the U.S. from Japan in 2012, product planner Mike
Higginbotham says, gave the company a solid reason to look at the car's
packaging and to address a few issues on several fronts. Some of those
issues will thrill only those who bolt Leafs together on the same line
as Altimas and Maximas (Higginbotham says the whole drivetrain complex
has been "cleaned up" for more efficient production). But other fixes
cater specifically to Leaf buyers, who haven't been shy in airing their
grievances.
<br /><br />
"More cargo room," they demanded. Nissan responded by moving the charger
from behind the rear seat to under the hood, which freed up precious
space. The charge port in the Leaf's nose now has a light and can be
popped open with the key fob, too. You laugh, but fumbling around in the
dark to find the connector is no fun. And speaking of charging, the
Leaf SV and SL models (optional on S) also now come with a 6.6 kW
onboard charger that's expected to cut 220-volt charging time in half,
to around four hours.
<br /><br />
Leaf drivers also asked for more range. Nissan engineers set about
increasing efficiency, and thus improving range, mostly by small
increments, though the company says it has also redesigned the battery
pack.
<br /><br />
<img src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/2q/2013-nissan-leaf-02-0413-de.jpg" />
<br /><br />
The key enabler to the improved range is a reduction in peak torque from
207 lb-ft to 187. This saves a few volts at the expense of off-the-line
acceleration. A few other improvements: A new air-to-air exchanger
improves efficiency of the heater by 20 to 30 percent. Overall weight
has been reduced by 150 pounds compared to the previous model. The car
has a slipperier aero profile (.28 Cd, compared to .29). And if you want
to get down to truly incremental changes, the Leaf also has new
lower-friction brake calipers that put less drag on the rotors. A new
driving mode, B, increases the amount of regenerative friction during
deceleration, which generates more energy but causes considerable
off-throttle drag. (This is more annoying for passengers than the
driver, who gets to play with another wacky EV toy.)
<br /><br />
Taken together, these incremental changes should mean better EPA numbers
and more everyday charge range. The final numbers are pending, but we
expect the updated Leaf will be rated for more than 80 miles of range,
up from 73 for the 2012 model. As with any EV, however, that's highly
depending on driving style.
<br /><br />
<strong>Tech Tidbit:</strong> Even the stereo is more efficient on the
2013 Leaf. The optional seven-speaker Bose audio system available on SV
and SL models uses an amplifier that draws less power than the old
Leaf's. While the 4.6-inch subwoofer uses less electricity than a larger
speaker, it still delivers plenty of bass by using Bose's patented
waveguide air passages.
<br /><br />
<strong>Driving Character:</strong> With less peak torque, off-the-line
acceleration isn't quite as snappy as it used to be. With slightly less
aerodynamic drag than before, however, the Leaf can still top 95 mph on
open freeway. Not that you'd ever do that, of course, since driving so
fast in a Leaf would raise your blood pressure with a double dose of
state trooper anxiety and range anxiety.
<br /><br />
Otherwise, the 2013 Leaf is still just as unobtrusive and nonthreatening
to drive as before, with largely progressive brake feel and light but
precise steering that offers almost no feel.
<br /><br />
<strong>Favorite Detail:</strong> It's not sexy, but with battery issues
being among the most alienating detail of EV ownership, Nissan's new
five-year or 60,000-mile limited battery warranty for U.S. buyers looks
like a strong bet. If a Leaf battery won't recharge higher than nine of
the 12 bars on the charging meter, Nissan will replace it.
<br /><br />
<strong>Driver's Grievance:</strong> Anticipating future regulations
that will require quiet EVs to emit warning noises, Nissan equipped the
new Leaf with the awkwardly named Approaching Vehicle Sound for
Pedestrians System (VSP). While accelerating at speeds under 19 mph, the
Leaf chirps like a cyborg cricket.
<br /><br />
<img src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/yu/2013-nissan-leaf-03-0413-de.jpg" />
<br /><br />
<strong>Bottom Line:</strong> As Nissan looks to convince a tough crowd
of economy-minded buyers to go electric, it must get over a few hurdles.
One is price and value, so for 2013, the company is addressing that
worry with the entry-level Leaf S, as well as a more loaded SL model,
which comes with leather seating, 17-inch wheels, and upmarket options
like a seven-speaker Bose stereo and Nissan's Around View monitor.
<br /><br />
All three Leaf models are less expensive for 2013: The entry S costs
$28,650, the midpoint SV $32,670, and the topline SL $35,690, and that's
before the $7500 federal income tax rebate. The Leaf also comes with
aggressive terms on a 36-month lease, with monthly prices of $199 for
the S, $249 for the SL, and $296 for the SV.
<br /><br />
Another hurdle is electric range anxiety. Here, Nissan is trying to calm
buyers' nerves by wringing every last electron from the battery. And
Nissan has a whole team devoted to getting more ports installed in
communities, from office parks to the local coffee joint.
<br /><br />
With Nissan betting bigger on electric cars than any other manufacturer,
it's on the hook to deliver an experience that will keep owners happy.
By improving the best-selling EV on the market, Nissan is trying hard to
do just that.
<br /><br />
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<span class="pubDate">April 26, 2013 11:20 AM</span>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>On Sale Date:</strong></span> Mid-2014
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Price:</strong></span> $26,000 (est.)
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Competitors:</strong></span> MazdaSpeed 3, Ford Focus ST, Subaru Impreza WRX, Mini Cooper S
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Powertrains:</strong></span> 2.0-liter turbo I-4, 210 or 220 hp, 258 lb-ft; 6-speed dual-clutch auto or 6-speed manual; FWD
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy):</strong></span> 24/34 (est.)
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>What's New: </strong></span>
Volkswagen has sold 1.9 million GTIs since the zippy hatchback debuted
as a Europe-only variant in 1976. The new seventh-gen model is an
evolutionary step from the previous car, but that doesn't mean VW left
well enough alone. Despite a roomier interior and more standard
equipment, Volkswagen claims a 55-pound weight savings, thanks in part
to the new MBQ platform that features nearly five times more
high-strength steel than the old GTI.
<br /><br />
The engine finally gets an update as well, with the output now roughly
equivalent to that of the 2.0-liter found in the Audi lineup.
Preliminary figures credit the reworked engine components for milking 10
more horsepower from the turbo-4 (for a total of 210 hp), while an
available Performance Pack amps up output to 220 hp. Torque jumps 51
lb-ft to 258, a 25 percent increase. The Performance Pack also adds
bigger brakes and a limited slip differential.
<br /><br />
<img src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/hW/2015-vw-gti-02-0413-de.jpg" />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Tech Tidbit: </strong></span>
Torque steer is the mortal enemy of front wheel-drive cars, and
manufacturers use clever electronics to mask the pesky tugging effect
drivers feel at the steering wheel under hard acceleration. Even the GTI
has its version, called XDS. But now Volkswagen has gone further to
conquer torque steer with an electronically controlled, hydraulically
actuated limited-slip differential that will come in GTIs equipped with
the Performance Pack. When an imbalance in grip between the front wheels
is detected, the multiplate differential can direct up to 100 percent
of torque to one side, mitigating acceleration-induced understeer and
torque steer in one step.
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Driving Character:</strong></span>
Inside this boxy VW, all the familiar GTI hallmarks are there: the golf
ball–shaped shifter with the manual transmission, the snug cloth seats
finished in plaid, and the spare analog gauges trimmed in red. This
well-finished interior is an apt reflection of the GTI's on-road
personality: taut, sincere, and saucy when provoked. This compact
hatchback feels responsive in your hands, with quicker steering from a
variable-ratio rack and a well-executed electric assist that doesn't
sacrifice feel. Midrange acceleration is particularly responsive, and
the GTI's powerplant is well matched to the 6-speed dual-clutch DSG
gearbox, which shifts with an ideal blend of speed and smoothness.
<br /><br />
Opt for the Performance Pack and its claimed 10 hp boost feels like
significantly more, perhaps because of the revised throttle mapping,
which lends the engine a sharper, more eager persona. Handling proved
itself both intuitive and balanced on the sinewy roads connecting Nice
and St. Tropez in the South of France. Almost everything about how this
seemingly innocuous hatchback performs left us reluctant to turn in the
keys.
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Favorite Detail:</strong></span>
We're accustomed to carmakers making bold claims about killing torque
steer in front-drive cars, but those claims often don't stand up to
real-world scrutiny. So it came as a genuine surprise when we felt no
evidence of the phenomenon during our enthusiastic drive that included
countless tight corners.
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Driver's Grievance: </strong></span>
You might guess we wished for more horsepower, but this spunky
hatchback is a hoot to drive despite the modest engine output. No, our
biggest complaint is that the GTI's conservative new sheet metal doesn't
match its engaging driving dynamics.
<br /><br />
<img src="http://www.popularmechanics.com/cm/popularmechanics/images/0p/2015-vw-gti-03-0413-de.jpg" />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Bottom Line:</strong></span>
Die-hard GTI fans may consider the seventh generation of their beloved
hatchback with skepticism. But settling into the supportive driver's
seat for a quick spin will ease any reservations. From its crisp,
reactive steering to its eager engine and solid chassis, this latest
iteration feels just like a GTI should. With an interior that's both
reassuringly spartan and surprisingly premium, the 2015 Volkswagen GTI
retains the spirit of the original while offering more performance and
comfort than ever before.
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-71678404667331557932013-05-10T02:44:00.000-07:002013-05-10T02:44:12.409-07:00<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
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12 More New Cars Worth Waiting For</h1>
<h2 class="fbDek">
Go back a few years and every new car shouted about mpg and
economizing. This year, fuel efficiency is still important, but style is
back for the new cars sporting 2013 and 2014 model years. Sportiness is
taking center stage once more, and a fierce competition is about to
happen between $20,000 and $30,000—so if you can't afford the next
$100,000 Viper, fear not. Here are 12 cars we're waiting for over the
next year or so. (And for a few cars that just debuted or are coming out
in the very near future.)
</h2>
<h3>
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2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo</h2>
<div class="imageContent">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>When:</strong></span> Late summer 2012</div>
<div class="imageContent">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>How Much:</strong></span> TBD<br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><strong>Our Guess:</strong></span> $23,000
<br /><br />
Right now, the Veloster lacks the performance cred to back up its killer
looks. But that will change once this 201-hp version hits the streets.
The 45 percent boost in horsepower has most folks taking a second look
at the Veloster, and hoping this Turbo is a signal that Hyundai is
getting as serious about performance as it has been about quality and
design over the last few years.
<br /><br />
So far, though, signs remain cloudy—the stonking 1.6-liter motor with
dual exhaust notwithstanding. Word is the Veloster Turbo gets the same
suspension, which is disappointing. The stock Veloster is fun but
stiff-kneed and less refined when compared to better-bred sporty cars
like VW's GTI—or the Subaru BRZ, which is only somewhat costlier than
what we're expecting to see from the Veloster Turbo. Also, ask Mini
engineers about controlling torque steer in a 200-hp car with a short
wheelbase. That, too, has probably made Hyundai sweat.
<br /><br />
Even if the Veloster Turbo isn't perfection out of the gate, we hope
it's a sign of better-performing Hyundais (and Kias) to come.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-85139447862593440862013-05-09T07:00:00.001-07:002013-05-09T07:00:15.582-07:00jeeb !!<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Full-Size Cars</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $25,995<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 47/47; 47<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 1.81</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Ford C-Max hybrid" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017c3879d2c4970b" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017c3879d2c4970b-800wi" title="2013 Ford C-Max hybrid" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While there are no affordably priced full-size hybrid sedans, there
are now reasonably priced hatchbacks larger than the Prius, including
Toyota's own Prius v. However, this is the one category out of three
where the Prius model doesn't rule. Thanks to its higher mileage and
lower price, the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid leads. Like the Fusion Hybrid,
the C-Max Hybrid has accrued a disproportionate number of complaints
about its true mileage performance. If this concerns you, the Prius v
has a lower, but still respectable, 1.53 efficiency-cost rating.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-75949610149089869952013-05-09T06:59:00.001-07:002013-05-09T06:59:26.605-07:002013 jeeb<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Midsize SUV/Crossover</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $41,015<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 28/28; 28<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 0.68</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d1799970d" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d1799970d-800wi" title="2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Highlander Hybrid remains the highest-rated SUV of any size,
partly because Ford's Escape no longer comes as a hybrid. The 2013
Highlander Hybrid's ECR is actually lower (worse) than that of the most
affordable non-hybrid Highlander (0.74), but that's because the hybrid
comes only with all-wheel drive. The gas-only Highlander with all-wheel
drive costs more and thus has a worse ECR than the hybrid version: 0.58.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-86508209811760949482013-05-09T06:58:00.003-07:002013-05-09T06:58:33.780-07:00shefrelit 2014<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Full-Size SUV/Crossover</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $54,040<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 20/23; 21<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 0.39</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d17d6970d" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d17d6970d-800wi" title="2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For people who need the capabilities a full-size SUV brings, the
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is the most cost-effective hybrid of its size.
The Tahoe Hybrid can tow up to 6,200 pounds with rear-wheel drive, so
for those who take their boats to pristine lands, this is the greenest
option. Or is it? If you compare features, the Tahoe Hybrid might
improve on a high-priced version of the gas-only Tahoe, but with a
starting price more than $13,000 less, the base Tahoe has an
efficiency-cost rating of 0.42 — better than the hybrid.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-49755467638890384142013-05-09T06:57:00.004-07:002013-05-09T06:57:51.173-07:00Cars jeeb 2014<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Pickup Truck</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $42,130<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 20/23; 21<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 0.50</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d1818970d" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d1818970d-800wi" title="2013 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As the more affordable version versus its sibling, the GMC Sierra
Hybrid, the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado takes the top spot with a modest
efficiency-cost rating of 0.50. If you insist on a Chevy pickup — or
want a hybrid for hybrid's sake — the Silverado Hybrid is for you. But
you can do better: The high-efficiency version of the 2013 Ram 1500,
called the HFE, has a 0.71 efficiency-cost rating. It's not the cheapest
1500 truck, at $29,505, and its towing capacity tops out at 4,750
pounds, but it's much cheaper than the Silverado Hybrid and has the same
combined mileage estimate of 21 mpg. The Silverado Hybrid tows up to
6,100 pounds, though.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-83224465202061590702013-05-09T06:57:00.000-07:002013-05-09T06:57:11.850-07:00cARS 2014 jeeb<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Luxury SUV</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Lexus RX 450h</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $47,205<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 32/28; 30<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 0.64</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Lexus RX 450h" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017c3879d3c6970b" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017c3879d3c6970b-800wi" title="2013 Lexus RX 450h" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you want a hybrid and a lush SUV, there are a few choices that
serve that dual purpose well, but the Lexus RX 450h's efficiency-cost
rating outperforms the rest. Even with all-wheel drive, the RX 450h's
ECR of 0.60 outdoes the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid at 0.33 and Porsche
Cayenne Hybrid at 0.30, both of which come standard with all-wheel drive
… and $60,000-plus price tags.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-40236654649437598162013-05-09T06:56:00.003-07:002013-05-09T06:56:20.975-07:002013 CARS<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Luxury Cars</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Acura ILX Hybrid</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $29,795<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 39/38; 38<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 1.28</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Acura ILX Hybrid" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017c3879d432970b" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017c3879d432970b-800wi" title="2013 Acura ILX Hybrid" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many folks remain baffled by the very notion of a hybrid luxury car,
but there's proven demand. More of these seeming contradictions join the
market all the time, including some truly efficient ones. Some would
argue the compact Acura ILX Hybrid isn't exceptionally luxurious, but it
carries the highest efficiency-cost rating of any luxury vehicle at
1.28. This edges out the 2013 Lexus CT 200h, which is rated 1.27.
Despite a 42 mpg combined EPA estimate, the Lexus is priced higher.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-9747098579320762532013-05-09T06:55:00.003-07:002013-05-09T06:55:30.650-07:00Cars 2013 lexes<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Lexus ES 300h</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $40,145<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 40/39; 40<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 1.00</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Lexus ES 300h" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017d42a8de57970c" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017d42a8de57970c-800wi" title="2013 Lexus ES 300h" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With an efficiency-cost rating of 1.00, the midsize 2013 Lexus ES
300h sedan blasts past the Infiniti M35h, which held this position last
year. With a higher price and lower EPA-estimated mileage, the M35h's
ECR is 0.52. Its main selling point for driving enthusiasts is its
rear-wheel drive; the front-drive Lexus is less sporty.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-34872392109465662013-05-09T06:54:00.000-07:002013-05-09T06:54:34.682-07:00BMW<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 740 Li</b><br />
<b>Price:</b> $85,195<br />
<b>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</b> 22/30; 25<br />
<b>Efficiency-cost rating:</b> 0.29</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 740 Li" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d30c5970d" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d30c5970d-800wi" title="2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 740 Li" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With an EPA-estimated 25 combined mpg, which is impressive for a
large, long car, the 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 740 Li has an efficiency-cost
rating of 0.29. It's low for any hybrid, but it's the best of the
full-size luxury sedans, beating the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid (0.26),
Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid (0.23) and preposterous Lexus LS 600h (0.17).
However, the gas-only BMW 740's ECR is better at 0.30 with an estimated
22 mpg combined for $74,495. The Mercedes S400 is the only hybrid luxury
car that beats its gas-only version, by a slim 0.03 in efficiency-cost.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-56206317235689598392013-05-09T06:50:00.003-07:002013-05-09T06:50:44.315-07:00cars 2013<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $27,995<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 47/47; 47<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 1.68</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017c3879d281970b" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017c3879d281970b-800wi" title="2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those who prefer sedans will see that efficiency-cost ratings drop
considerably. With its updates, the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid tops the
growing midsize-sedan hybrid class. The Fusion Hybrid has come under
high-profile scrutiny after many owners claimed they weren't achieving,
or even nearing, the EPA-estimated mileage. If this concerns you,
consider the next-highest-rated 2013 Toyota Camry Hybrid, which held
this spot last year. Its combined mileage estimate is a less impressive
41 mpg, but its base price is lower at $26,935, giving it a 1.52 rating.</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Full-Size Cars</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $25,995<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 47/47; 47<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 1.81</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Ford C-Max hybrid" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017c3879d2c4970b" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017c3879d2c4970b-800wi" title="2013 Ford C-Max hybrid" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While there are no affordably priced full-size hybrid sedans, there
are now reasonably priced hatchbacks larger than the Prius, including
Toyota's own Prius v. However, this is the one category out of three
where the Prius model doesn't rule. Thanks to its higher mileage and
lower price, the 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid leads. Like the Fusion Hybrid,
the C-Max Hybrid has accrued a disproportionate number of complaints
about its true mileage performance. If this concerns you, the Prius v
has a lower, but still respectable, 1.53 efficiency-cost rating.</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Midsize SUV/Crossover</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $41,015<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 28/28; 28<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 0.68</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d1799970d" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d1799970d-800wi" title="2013 Toyota Highlander Hybrid" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Highlander Hybrid remains the highest-rated SUV of any size,
partly because Ford's Escape no longer comes as a hybrid. The 2013
Highlander Hybrid's ECR is actually lower (worse) than that of the most
affordable non-hybrid Highlander (0.74), but that's because the hybrid
comes only with all-wheel drive. The gas-only Highlander with all-wheel
drive costs more and thus has a worse ECR than the hybrid version: 0.58.</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Full-Size SUV/Crossover</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid</strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $54,040<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 20/23; 21<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 0.39</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d17d6970d" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017eea1d17d6970d-800wi" title="2013 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For people who need the capabilities a full-size SUV brings, the
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid is the most cost-effective hybrid of its size.
The Tahoe Hybrid can tow up to 6,200 pounds with rear-wheel drive, so
for those who take their boats to pristine lands, this is the greenest
option. Or is it? If you compare features, the Tahoe Hybrid might
improve on a high-priced version of the gas-only Tahoe, but with a
starting price more than $13,000 less, the base Tahoe has an
efficiency-cost rating of 0.42 — better than the hybrid.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353144900612278210.post-52333848966255618412013-05-09T06:49:00.000-07:002013-05-09T06:49:21.658-07:00Best Hybrids for the Money 2013<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="entry-header" style="text-align: center;">
Best Hybrids for the Money 2013</h1>
<div class="entry-body" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Hybrid marker" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017d42a8f76d970c" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017d42a8f76d970c-800wi" title="Hybrid marker" /><br />
Gas prices remain volatile, but even so, no one expects prices below
$3 per gallon ever again, and many parts of the country consistently see
prices near or above $4. As much as ever, shoppers need to know how
effectively hybrids deliver efficiency for your dollar — if they do at
all.<br />
To determine if a hybrid's added expense is worth the cash, we
devised an efficiency-cost rating to reflect efficiency bang for your
overall buck.<br />
It's simply the combined city/highway mpg divided by the base price
(MSRP plus destination charge). We then multiply that number by 1,000.
This formula can be applied to any type of vehicle, hybrid or not. A
high mpg rating and low price provide a high efficiency-cost rating. A
higher score is the better score.<br />
We don't account for equipment levels, quality judgments, cost of
ownership or any variances from EPA mileage estimates. The goal here is
to pay the least for the most mileage, barring all other considerations.
<br />
</div>
<h1 style="text-align: center;">
Subcompact Cars</h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="http://www.cars.com/toyota/prius-c/2013/">2013 Toyota Prius c</a></strong><br /><strong>Price:</strong> $19,875<br /><strong>Gas mileage (city/highway; combined mpg):</strong> 53/46; 50<br /><strong>Efficiency-cost rating:</strong> 2.52</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="2013 Toyota Prius c" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a00d83451b3c669e2017d42a8db27970c" src="http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2017d42a8db27970c-800wi" title="2013 Toyota Prius c" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With an efficiency-cost rating of 2.52, the subcompact 2013 Toyota
Prius c is still the top-rated hybrid ahead of the compact Honda Insight
(2.17). It's also ahead of the regular Toyota Prius, which tops the
midsize-car category.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16358161973407822632noreply@blogger.com0