he year of the Volt continues. Green Car Journal has just named the all-new Chevrolet Volt its 2011 Green Car of the Year, the first electric car to ever win the award. The premier magazine on high fuel efficiency and alternative fuel vehicles says, “This has been a long time coming,” noting that early electric cars showed promise, but lacked practicality. The Volt runs on electricity for an initial range of 35 miles on a single charge, before a gas generator seamlessly creates electricity for up to 340 additional miles on a full tank of gas.* Practical indeed.*EPA estimates. Actual range varies with conditions

has announced that the upcoming Panamera will get an unusual feature to increase the efficiency of the new vehicle. Available on the Panamera Turbo, an active aerodynamic system used a “multi-stage, adjustable rear spoiler that deploys when needed.” This four-way spoiler moves based on the driving conditions using “efficient management of control angles and surface geometry.” Slightly more standard features like start/stop, Direct Fuel Injection and adjustable air suspension will also be available on the Panamera.

On the European driving cycle, the Panamera gets 22 mpg (U.S.). EPA numbers, which are not yet available, will be lower than that because of differences in testing methods. The Panamera goes on sale in the U.S. in October, and we should get more information on the active aero spoiler before then.

s an opportunity to remind us of plans to dramatically differentiate the Lincoln brand from Ford vehicles in both design and technology offerings.

Lincoln has a number of new products in the pipeline to augment the mild success of the MKZ sedan and MKX crossover. In 2010, Lincoln sales were 3.6 percent higher than in 2009.

2011 Lincoln MKZ front three quarter viewFor 2011 and beyond, the plan is for more differentiation, and if Ford wants Lincoln dealers to pay for expensive dealership upgrades, that’s probably a good idea.

“The strategy isn’t just new products, but full differentiation from the Ford brand in not only design, but in technology,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of global product development, to Automotive News and others at the Detroit Auto Shoford-23475.html#ixzz1EKx3fUNyin

Details such as an adjustable suspension system, different engines (a specially-tuned EcoBoost V-6, perhaps), and upgraded all-wheel drive could help establish Lincoln as definitively upscale in comparison with Ford. As with Acura, Lincoln doesn’t intend to add a rear-wheel-drive vehicle
Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/future-lincolns-receive-upgraded-technology-design-distinguish

as announced that the company will be showing off a new concept at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. The Japanese stalwart has big plans for the B-segment in the near future, and those include bringing a full hybrid system to some of the smallest cars on the road, and we’ll all get a glimpse into how the automaker plans to do that with the Yaris HSD Concept. Details are remarkably murky at the moment, and while we’d love to be able to tell you all about the vehicle’s drivetrain and fuel economy, it looks like we’ll just have to wait until the vehicle gets its official unveil next month.

The Japanese automaker is hoping to bring hybrid efficiency to the most popular segment in Europe, though the Yaris HSD will have to show off some pretty incredible fuel economy numbers and performance to match in order to best the small-displacement diesel mainstays of the market across The Pond
Toyota will also show off the seven-seat Prius+ at the show

he automaker that defines what it means to “add lightness,” has created an even more stripped-out version of its already flyweight Elise. Called the Club Racer, this lighter two-seater will make its debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show next month.

The Elise Club Racer is a full 52 pounds lighter than the standard car, and Lotus achieved this by removing the noise insulation and using a motorsport-derived lightweight battery. This might not seem like an enormous weight savings, but when you consider that the base Elise already weighs in under the 2,000-pound mark, even a small weight reduction is noticeable.

To make the Club Racer even more special, Lotus has fitted a sport setting for the car’s Dymanic Performance Management (DPM) system. This advanced driving aid allows less-experienced drivers to feel at the top of their game, and can be completely shut off for the more experienced enthusiasts.

Look for the Elise Club Racer to go on sale in the near future, priced frombased on current exchange ratesCurrently, it’s unclear whether or not the Club Racer will be available in the Unite

hat’s right, this is the 2012 Honda Civic in all its glory. Though it might be difficult to tell with just a casual glance, this Civic is brand-new, sharing practically nothing but its moniker with the previous generation. As much as we may have liked some additional visual flair, it seems Honda is being conservative and aiming right for the heart of the market with five separate and distinct flavors of its compact offering, each of which offers a notable improvement in fuel efficiency. We’ll start with the all-new HF model, which, as you may have guessed, is the most fuel efficient of the non-hybridized Civics that will be available in the United States. Honda expects the HF, with its 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine, to earn EPA-estimated fuel economy of 41 miles per gallon on the highway. The HF will share its aerodynamics package with the returing Civic Hybrid, which manages a combined rating of 45 mpg (a four-mpg improvement over the outgoing Civic Hybrid) thanks to its lithium-ion battery – a Honda-first – and 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine and CVT transmission. There’s also a natural gas-powered Civic GX. While those two models aim for the ultimate in fuel efficiency, we imagine that the standard Sedan and Coupe models will make up the bulk of sales. Buyers will find a 1.8-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine underhood with 140 horsepower that scores an EPA-estimated 39 mpg on the highway (a three-mpg improvement over the last Civic). The Civic soldiers on with a five-speed automatic at a time when most of its competitors are packing six ratios. And then, of course, there’s the sporty Si model. As the Civic that’s meant to steal the hearts of performance lovers, it’s nice to see a new 2.4-liter powerplant with 200 horsepower mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. Perhaps more importantly, the larger mill pumps out 170 pound-feet of torque, a 22-percent increase over the outgoing twist-starved Si. All that and an additional two mpg on the highway (31 mpg estimated) ought to make for a reasonably fun everyday commuter. And now to the styling. We’ll start off on a positive note: the 2012 Honda Civic is not ugly. Problem is, it’s also not hugely attractive. In fact, *yawn* it’s not really anything. Both inside and out, this latest Civic is barely distinguishable from the previous generation, and as competitors continue pushing their design envelope forward, well… we really expect more these days. Let’s hope the driving dynamics live up to our lofty expectations, and let’s also hope that Honda accidentally left the shipping blocks in the cars it used for

diesel engine, you might have thought that I was crazy. However, Peugeot is on to something since they put a 1.6-liter 110hp HDi diesel in the Peugeot 407, getting a relatively large car that burns just 4.9 l/100 km of diesel (equivalent to 48 mpg) and keeps CO2 emissions at a respectable 129 g/km. The car not only has the thrifty engine that is found in other PSA products like the 207, 308, C4, and Ford’s Focus and C-Max, but it also spots the latest Michelin Energy Saver tires for extra fuel savings
f I told you a few years ago that a medium-sized sedan would get a 1.6-liter.

here’s nothing hidden about the looks of the Chevrolet Equinox, but that won’t stop Advanced Mechanical Products (AMP) from “unveiling” the vehicle at the New York Auto Show. The unveiling, of course, is all about the Equinox’s insides, which AMP has converted to be 100 percent electric. AMP’s other big message from New York will be that the conversion will be “the first full-size electric vehicle to reach market.”

The actual “unveiling” of the AMP Equinox came during an announcement at AMP’s first showroom in Ohio the end of February. The company began producing/converting the SUV after that and says it will deliver the first $50,000 vehicle later this summer. We should be getting a short test drive in the Equinox during the show, so stay tuned for our review of that. Let’s hope it goes a bit smoother than our drive in the AMP Sky.
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nternational Auto Show (NAIAS) by the writers of AutoWeek Magazine and autoweek.com
New Focus spearheads for Ford a new range of global C-cars based on a common platform underpinning up to 10 vehicles and 2 million units of annual production by 2012
Stylish new range offers class-leading technologies, features and craftsmanship. It targets exceptional fuel economy and advances acclaimed levels of driving quality

DETROIT, Jan. 14, 2010 – The AutoWeek editorial staff has named Ford’s next-generation Focus the “Most Significant” vehicle of the 2010 North American International Auto Show. High praise indeed, considering the number of excellent cars and trucks at this month’s annual gathering in Detroit. The popular auto show hosted nearly 40 new vehicle premieres.

“This was a unanimous vote, one of the few in the history of the AutoWeek award,” said Wes Raynal, editor of AutoWeek and autoweek.com. “This car gives Ford and Focus fans their car back. By that we mean enthusiasts have been crying for the European Focus for years and we’re finally getting our wish. We also think it’s a perfect platform for an SVT version. The car goes on sale in 2011 powered by a sporty four-cylinder engine mated to a DSG transmission, and we can’t wait to drive it.”

The next-generation Ford Focus

The next-generation Ford Focus made its worldwide debut Monday, Jan. 11 at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. Scheduled to go on sale in both North America and Europe early in 2011, the new Focus will offer customers more affordable technologies and features than ever in this segment, noteworthy levels of craftsmanship, outstanding fuel economy and a new standard for driving quality.

The prestigious AutoWeek award is being presented just three days after Ford received both the North American Car and Truck of the Year awards for the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Ford Transit Connect, respectively.

“We are delighted and humbled with the initial response to the next-generation Ford Focus,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president for Global Product Development. “The new Focus is a direct result of our new global product development system and perhaps the best example yet of what we believe a global Ford product should be – great to look at, great to sit in and great to drive. This is truly ONE Ford in action.”

Sleek, stylish and sporty, the new Focus will eventually be sold in 122 markets, with up to 80 percent parts commonality. The Focus will be built on Ford’s new C-car platform, which will underpin up to 10 unique models and generate sales of 2 million units annuallyFor more information.
The next-generation Ford Focus will be on public display at NAIAS – along with other award-winning Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles – in Detroit’s Cobo Hall through Jan.

d with enough emotional content to satisfy fans of the departed Supra, MR-2 and Celica, the Toyota FT-86 Concept is set to make its world debut at the company’s 2009 Tokyo auto show stand on October 21.This unlikely coupe, borne out of the on-again, off-again, on-again relationship between Toyota and Subaru, nearly got axed twice. In April, 2008, former Toyota CEO Katsuaki Watanabe first announced the joint development project with Subaru in which both companies would build a sports car based on the same platform.

In a speech to media in Tokyo on October 1, new Toyota CEO and Nurburgring 24-hour race driver Akio Toyoda enthusiastically explained that the company plans to put greater effort from now on into building ‘more emotional cars’ and that the FT-86, and Lexus LFA on a more extreme scale, are just the first in a long line.

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