Motor Authority - blog Tag: mpg

The U.S. resurgence of diesel may finally be shifting into high gear, but some of the world's best diesels still aren't even offered here. In Europe, however, carmakers such as BMW are introducing new models to meet ever-stricter emissions requirements, and the latest volley is the BMW 316d ES sedan.

Billed as BMW's most efficient 3-series ever, the 316d ES manages just 118g/km of CO2 emissions - just 9g/km more than a second-gen Toyota Prius - while also returning 52.3mpg US in the combined European cycle. That's good enough to beat the current Prius. It's also good for 10.9 seconds 0-62mph (100km/h) and a top speed of 125mph (201km/h).

... The U.S. resurgence of diesel may finally be shifting into high gear, but some of the world's best diesels still aren't even offered here. In Europe, however, carmakers such as BMW are introducing new models to meet ever-stricter emissions requirements, and the latest volley is the BMW 316d ES sedan. Billed as BMW's most efficient 3-series ever, the 316d ES manages just 118g/km of CO2 emissions - just 9g/km more than a second-gen Toyota Prius - while also returning 52.3mpg US in the combined European cycle. That's good enough to beat the current Prius. It's also good for 10.9 seconds 0-62mph (100km/h) and a top speed of 125mph (201km/h). It does these feats with a compact 116hp (86kW), 192lb-ft (260Nm) 1,995cc four-cylinder diesel that takes advantage of all of BMW's EfficientDynamics techniques and technologies, including a six-speed manual gearbox. The 316d is otherwise specified identically to the 318d ES sedan, which has previously won awards for its balance of green motoring and executive appointments. Prices start in the UK from £23,330 or about $38,450 - but don't expect to see this car on American roads anytime soon. BMW has made it clear that more expensive technologies like turbocharging and diesel won't be made available on entry-level four-cylinders here for some time yet. Read More

Though it was slow to join the hybrid ranks, Ford has hit what appears to be a home run with its new Fusion Hybrid, rocketing to the top of the mid-size sedan fuel efficiency charts. Official certification by the EPA has put the car's fuel efficiency at 41mpg (5.7L/100km) city and 36mpg on the highway (6.5L/100km).

That's 8mpg ahead of Camry in town and 2mpg better on the highway. A large part of the Fusion's efficiency success is its ability to travel at up to 47mph in electric-only mode, letting the combustion engine do less of the work of acceleration.

"The Fusion Hybrid's ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows... Though it was slow to join the hybrid ranks, Ford has hit what appears to be a home run with its new Fusion Hybrid, rocketing to the top of the mid-size sedan fuel efficiency charts. Official certification by the EPA has put the car's fuel efficiency at 41mpg (5.7L/100km) city and 36mpg on the highway (6.5L/100km). That's 8mpg ahead of Camry in town and 2mpg better on the highway. A large part of the Fusion's efficiency success is its ability to travel at up to 47mph in electric-only mode, letting the combustion engine do less of the work of acceleration. "The Fusion Hybrid's ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiently in many driving situations," said Praveen Cherian, Fusion Hybrid program leader. "For example, this would allow drivers to travel around their subdivision and parking areas in all-electric mode." An electronically controlled CVT transmission helps keep the 2.5L four-cylinder in its ideal zone when it is engaged, and a few high-tech toys help boost fuel savings as well. A smart climate control system, for example, only uses power when necessary and features an electric air conditioning compressor. The throttle control is programmed to reduce airflow when the engine shuts down, reducing fuel use, and the regenerative braking system recaptures 94% of the energy that would otherwise be lost to thermal dissipation under braking. A potentially untapped aspect of the Fusion Hybrid's fuel efficiency package is the SmartGauge system. Because the EPA test doesn't take into account human behavior and the SmartGauge system is intended to help drivers train themselves to be more efficient behind the wheel, individual users could potentially see even higher results than the tested averages.2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Read More

Shifting from SUVs and pickup trucks toward smaller cars may already be having an effect on the overall average fuel economy in the U.S. Figures released today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveal that the actual increase in fuel economy may be even higher than the 0.2mpg bump projected in the latest report because of the influence of fuel prices on car sales.

An increase of 0.2mpg in average fuel efficiency of the entire U.S. fleet of cars, SUVs and pickups marks the fourth year in a row the figure has improved, with the current average figure at 20.8mpg (11.30L/100km). But the figure is based on sales projections made by... Shifting from SUVs and pickup trucks toward smaller cars may already be having an effect on the overall average fuel economy in the U.S. Figures released today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reveal that the actual increase in fuel economy may be even higher than the 0.2mpg bump projected in the latest report because of the influence of fuel prices on car sales. An increase of 0.2mpg in average fuel efficiency of the entire U.S. fleet of cars, SUVs and pickups marks the fourth year in a row the figure has improved, with the current average figure at 20.8mpg (11.30L/100km). But the figure is based on sales projections made by the car manufacturers before the model year began. Since then, fuel prices have swung far above the levels assumed in the projections, meaning the overall average is in reality expected to be somewhat higher than the projections indicate. Further, a change in the methodology of the study's averaging practices means the laboratory-tested increase in fuel economy is likely to be even better than indicated. The 20.8mpg (11.30L/100km) value places the 2008 year at 1.2mpg below the fuel-economy peak of 22.0mpg (10.69L/100km) that occurred in 1987. But the projected laboratory composite figure of 26.0mpg (9.04L/100km) places the 2008 model year 0.1mpg above the 1987 figure of 25.9mpg (9.08L/100km). The laboratory composite testing methodology has not been changed; only the methods for calculating the 'adjusted' fuel economy. The dip in the projected adjusted fuel economy since 1987 is partly explained by the increased market share of heavy SUVs, while the improvements over the last four years reflect the trend toward stabilized vehicle weights and declining SUV and pickup market share. Those two factors taken together are why the EPA is expecting the real market results to exceed even the projected fuel economy increase, as conditions return to a less SUV-centric model. Other considerations relevant to the overall fuel economy trends are the relationship between vehicle weight, performance and economy. Generally, faster-accelerating or heavier cars will burn more fuel. Car have been improving in performance and weight consistently for several decades, but a steadying of average vehicle weight since 2004 with only small increases in performance have combined to help achieve the best fuel economy figures on record since 1993. Read More