So you think gasoline guzzling cars are not really your thing and want to try out “green” cars? Don’t know where to get one or don’t have enough money to buy a brand new one? Well, if you want to buy or try out second hand green cars, then head over to Carlocate.com. There, you’ll be able to search for the green car you want for the budget you have. You have the option to search for brand new or used vehicles:
Hybrid
fuel efficient
Diesel
flexible fuel cars
“More and more, consumers are interested in buying vehicles with better fuel economy and lower emissions,” said Nicole Case, general manager for CarLocate.com. “But being eco-friendly is more than looking at hybrids. Wading through all the information to find those cars isn’t always easy. That’s why we’ve created the Green Search option for both new and used cars. Now, we’ve made it quick and easy for car shoppers to find vehicles on our site that are more environmentally friendly. This is just one more way we’re building our search function to cut the clutter and take consumers to search results that more exactly fit the cars they want to buy.”
Both new and used cars are guaranteed to have passed the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) standards of 23.1 miles per gallon, and an EPA air pollution score of six or above. It’s a great idea to spread and increase more green cars on the roads and hopefully other businesses, both online and offline, to follow suit what Carlocate.com has done.
Enough with the car awards of the year, it’s time to look under the hood and check out which engines made it as the 10 Best for 2010. According to Ward’s 10 Best Engines, the winners are as follows:
“This year’s list embodies how the industry is responding to demands for higher fuel economy and lower emissions without shortchanging performance,” Ward’s AutoWorld Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter said. “Auto makers are using innovative designs and advanced technology to boost horsepower and torque while downsizing engines and increasing efficiency.”
It’s a good thing that one of the criterias involved was the lower gas emissions. It just shows that engine makers do care about saving the environment. Now if they can only make engines this good that runs on ethanol. In the meantime, since the US economy’s going down the slippery slope, it’s great that they’ve also included the criteria regarding fuel economy. The last thing we need are engines that guzzle gas like there’s no tomorrow.
Here’s to hoping that next year’s best engine’s list will have engines that help save more on gas and produce lower (or better no) carbon emissions.
If I told you that big time politicians will be riding on straw powered limos, would you believe me? Well the ones who will be attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen will be riding in one.
The climate-friendly fill-up came about as a collaboration between Danisco’s enzyme division Genencor, Inbicon Biomass Refinery Technology, Novozymes, and Statoil, assisted by the Partnership for Biofuels. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is supplying the limousines: 30 Volvo S80s and 10 Volvo V70s will be chauffeuring politicians from all over the world during COP15. Among those present at this first official filling-up with E85 in Denmark were senior representatives of the companies involved as well as Jan-Christoph Napierski from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ COP15 Logistics unit. “An event such as the UN Climate Change Conference attracts a large number of exciting new technologies, which could help to solve the climate challenge.”
Besides the politicians attending the conference, come 2010 Statoil’s Danish customers will be able to fill up their tanks with advanced biofuel as well. Lucky them as they’ll be able to experience its benefits first. If it becomes successful hopefully the other countries will copy them.
It’s a great way for politicians to see how ethanol can be a good alternative to gasoline and be able to apply it to their own countries. Hopefully with this move, and the main politicians who are in charge of their countries energy resources experiencing the ethanol powered ride, will change their minds about using gasoline to fill up their vehicle’s tanks.
With 2009 about to end, there’s a lot of Cars of the Year awards coming out of the woodwork. Although there are some organizations that stand out to provide a good quality choosing of the winner, and one of them is NADAguides. According to them the Car of the Year goes to the 2010 Kia Forte/Forte Koup. It won the August 2009 Car of the month and it’s won the whole year now.
“Our editorial team realized the moment we got behind the wheel of the Forte that it would be a top contender for our NADAguides.com Car of the Year, but it wasn’t until we extensively drove the sporty four-door sedan and the two-door coupe that it solidified our decision,” said Michael Caudill, NADAguides.com auto expert and spokesperson. “2009 marked many great new entries in the auto industry. With cars like the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz E350 and Nissan 370Z Roadster coming in closely behind the Kia Forte, it made our decision difficult, but when you add up the low price point, Best in Class features, and a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, it made our decision to award the Forte much easier.”
As to why they chose it, they were simply blown away with its money saving and safety features.
“The Fuel Economy Package (available with the EX trim only) adds even more unique elements: electronic power steering, a smart alternator, low rolling resistance tires and aerodynamic improvements to achieve 27 city/36 hwy mpg. What does that ultimately mean for the driver? Fewer trips to the pump, and more money in your pocket!
The safety features on the Forte are evident not only with its 4 dual front, side and full-curtain airbags, but also with the 4 wheel anti-lock braking system and electronic stability control.”
Where have all the quality and safety in American cars gone to? It seems that overseas manufactured cars and automotive vehicles seems to be the one that’s taking a look at quality and safety more than it is over here. No wonder our automotive industry is down in the gutters. This is further proven after Car and Driver Magazine just listed down the 10 best cars of 2010: and it’s no surprise that only two of the top ten belong to American car manufacturers.
Following are the 2010 Car and Driver 10Best winners (in alphabetical order), followed by the number of times each model has made the list:
2010 Audi S4 (2)
2010 BMW 3-series / M3 (19)
2010 Cadillac CTS / CTS-V (2)
2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (1)
2010 Honda Accord (24)
2010 Honda Fit (3)
2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata (11)
2010 Mazda 3 / Mazdaspeed 3 (3)
2010 Porsche Boxster / Cayman (3)
2010 Volkswagen GTI (7)
The list is not in a ranked order. A panel of 18 Car and Driver editors determined the winners by rating them on a scale of 1-100 with a focus on functional performance, driving satisfaction and value. Vehicles considered for the award must be available in the United States by January 2009 and priced below the cap of $80,000, or 2.5 times the average transaction price as of summer 2009. Winners from the previous year are re-nominated if they are still available under the price cap.
Hopefully this is a wake up call to American car manufacturers to do their best to produce quality cars that will attract not only local buyers but foreign ones as well.
NADAguides.com, the leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, today announced the 2010 Ford Mustang GT Convertible has received the NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” award for September. The fading summer heat means the time is right for cruising with the top down, and there is no better way to do it than behind the wheel of the new Mustang. The latest iteration of America’s favorite pony car takes performance and refinement to a new level with an aggressive new exterior, stylishly designed cabin and even more power from the V8 engine.
The star of the GT Mustang is the magnificent drivetrain. GT models are equipped with the 315 hp 4.6L V8 from last year’s Bullitt Mustang which is mated to a 5-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic transmission. Respectable fuel economy figures of 16 city/24 hwy mpg hint at the Mustang’s relatively small displacement V8, but the sound coming from the stainless steel dual exhaust is pure ’60s big block.
With a choice of body styles and powertrains, there is a Mustang to fit nearly anyone’s budget and lifestyle. The base V6 Coupe has an MSRP of $20,995 while the GT Premium Convertible we tested starts at $35,995. All models are backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
The first day of the month always starts with an award for the previous month, and Car Chute chose The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid as Our Car for the Month. It’s introduction was early and even before we really see the ‘Most Fuel Efficient Mid-Size Car in America’, it already set a scene by receiving an honor as NADAguides.com’s Car of the Month, too.
Wondering what is being offered by this stylish wonderful hybrid car? Continue reading…
Many hybrid cars have futuristic models to suit its technology. However, have you ever asked yourself: Are you ready to ride a car with that odd style? Well, the good news is Ford had been thinking about that, and The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is able to provide an exceptional fuel economy without sacrificing style.
The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is supported with a combination of 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine, electric motor and nickel-metal hydride batteries. Advanced regenerative braking recovers up to 94 percent of the energy lost during braking, feeding power back into the battery. The whole system allows the Fusion to run at up to 47 miles per hour in pure electric mode.
What makeCar Chute proud is that The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid has many ‘green’ features such as Ford’s SmartGauge with EcoGuide. This system displays dozens of statistics including instant fuel economy, battery charge status, vehicle power mode and accessory power consumption that make it both easy and entertaining for the driver to maximize fuel economy.
Are you ready to ride your 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid car as fast as 41mpg in the city? Purchase your own starting at $27,270 and welcome your eco-friendly life!
Kia Motors America, Inc. today announced the 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUV topped the compact crossover SUV category in AutoPacific, Inc’s 2009 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), closely following the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award received earlier this year. The AutoPacific IVA awards are a quantitative measurement of how closely a vehicle matches an owner’s expectations.
“We take great pride in knowing our owners are satisfied with their vehicles and Sportage’s recognition as an ideal vehicle is a tremendous compliment,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, Kia Motors America (KMA). “This second AutoPacific award directly reflects the satisfaction of smart, discerning Sportage owners, and this type of consumer feedback validates Kia’s commitment to providing high levels of quality, style, safety and practicality in all of our vehicles.”
Sportage, noted for its passenger and cargo space as well as its off-road capabilities and impressive fuel economy, meets the needs of consumers looking for the total package at a significant value. Sportage offers an extensive list of standard safety and convenience features, including six airbags with full-length side curtain airbags, SIRIUS Satellite Radio with three months complimentary service(1) and USB and auxiliary input jacks, while the 2.0-liter engine delivers impressive fuel economy at 20 mpg (city) and 25 mpg (highway).
Kia Motors America today rolls out the first all-new special edition for the Soul model line, the 2010 Denim Kia Soul, a unique iteration of the popular urban passenger vehicle that further emphasizes Soul’s cutting edge style and youthful, fun character. Matched with impressive fuel economy and safety features standard on all models, the special-edition Denim Soul provides consumers with even more personalization options.
“Denim Soul incorporates edginess and confidence,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. “It illustrates our commitment to fresh design, even on a vehicle that’s been in the marketplace only a few months, and it’s the first of more special editions to be offered in 2010 for the recently introduced Kia Soul.”
Exclusive to the Denim Soul is a unique denim exterior color, striking white side-view mirrors with matching white 18-inch alloy wheels, front fender turn signal indicator lights, a wing-type rear spoiler and a bold off-set white racing stripe completing the rally-inspired look.
The Denim Soul is based on the Soul+ model and is fully loaded with the Audio Upgrade Package (center speaker, subwoofer, external amplifier and speaker lights that pulse to the beat of the music), an iPod connection cable for full functionality via the radio head unit and steering wheel controls, carpeted floor mats, moonroof and fog lights all included for this special edition.
The special edition Denim Soul starts at $17,300 with a five-speed manual transmission, and $18,250 with an automatic.
Kia Motors America, Inc. today announced the 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUV topped the compact crossover SUV category in AutoPacific, Inc’s 2009 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), closely following the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award received earlier this year. The AutoPacific IVA awards are a quantitative measurement of how closely a vehicle matches an owner’s expectations.
Kia Motors America today rolls out the first all-new special edition for the Soul model line, the 2010 Denim Kia Soul, a unique iteration of the popular urban passenger vehicle that further emphasizes Soul’s cutting edge style and youthful, fun character. Matched with impressive fuel economy and safety features standard on all models, the special-edition Denim Soul provides consumers with even more personalization options.
