Car Blog

Honda will launch the new Civic at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Developed specifically for the European market, the Civic will be offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback and will compete in the C-segment. It will reach European showrooms in early 2012.

In the build-up to the reveal of the new Civic, Honda is releasing a series of short form films detailing its development. The first of these focuses on ride & handling.

NEW HONDA CIVIC: RIDE & HANDLING – TWO GENERATIONS AHEAD

The ride and handling of the new Honda Civic has been developed in Europe. Working closely with European colleagues and external experts, the Japanese development team analysed the current Civic’s performance. This led to a focus on improving the ride quality of the new Civic, while retaining the sporty handling of the current model. Read the rest of this entry »

Ford‘s hot-selling Explorer is now the most fuel-efficient seven-passenger SUV on the market, delivering an EPA-certified 28 mpg on the highway with an all-new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine. This is the first application of this advanced engine in North America.

“Today’s SUV buyers place a high priority on miles per gallon, so Explorer has expanded its portfolio of fuel-efficient engines with an all-new EcoBoost offering,” said Amy Marentic, Ford group marketing manager. “SUV buyers deserve economy with their capability, so Explorer now offers best-in-class V6 and four-cylinder fuel efficiency.”

Building on Explorer’s current class-leading V6 fuel efficiency, the addition of EcoBoost power and a 28 mpg highway rating now puts Explorer over the top. On the highway, Explorer now beats Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee by 5 mpg, Chevrolet Traverse by 4 mpg and Toyota Highlander by 3 mpg.

Delivering best-in-class fuel efficiency in both V6 and EcoBoost variants, the full-size, three-row Explorer with EcoBoost even delivers better highway fuel efficiency than the compact Subaru Impreza (1 mpg better), while matching the most efficient gas-powered BMW 3-Series. Read the rest of this entry »

Propelled by growing demand in the rapidly expanding Brazilian automotive market, BorgWarner will build a new larger production facility and engineering center in Itatiba City, Brazil (about 70 km northwest of Sao Paulo).

The new 204,500-square-foot (19,000-square-meter) facility will replace the current plant in Campinas and is expected to be completed in August 2012. The relocation of production capacity will allow BorgWarner to optimally serve customers with various fuel-efficient technologies, including turbochargers for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, and viscous fans and fan drives. In the future, the facility will be ready to support production for variable camshaft timing (VCT) technology and engine timing systems. Read the rest of this entry »

Hertz Customers in Key European Markets Will Now be Able to Drive One of the Finest Sports Car Brands in the World as Hertz Extends Partnership With Group Lotus plc

Hertz , the world’s largest general use car rental brand, has introduced the Lotus Evora for exclusive hire in several European markets, following a successful launch of the coupe in Italy in 2010, and an extended partnership with Group Lotus plc, which began in 2009. The Lotus Evora is the launch car of the new Adrenaline Range in the Hertz Fun Collection of Germany, Spain and the UK, and also joins as a special car in the Fun Collection in France.

Similar to the Hertz Adrenaline Collection in the U.S., the Adrenaline Range in Europe will showcase the most exciting new vehicles in Hertz’s fleet with high quality, enhanced performance, and beautifully designed vehicles, with the Lotus Evora as the hero car. Read the rest of this entry »

Nissan North America Inc. is expanding availability of the all-electric Nissan LEAF to U.S. consumers for the 2012 model year, with upgrades based on feedback from the thousands of owners who already have driven several millions of miles in the first 100-percent electric car for the mass market.

The Nissan LEAF, enriched with additional standard equipment including quick charging and cold-weather features for the 2012 model year, now will be available for order in the Southeastern United States and Illinois.

“Many enthusiastic consumers have eagerly anticipated ordering a Nissan LEAF of their own, and now we can make zero-emissions mobility a reality in more markets,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. “In response to direct feedback from Nissan LEAF owners, the features that customers want most will come standard on the 2012 Nissan LEAF – including quick charging and cold-weather features.” Read the rest of this entry »

New York City officials named Ford Transit Connect a taxi of today this morning, green-lighting the nimble, fuel-efficient vehicle for use in the Big Apple.

The New York Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) approved the Ford Transit Connect Taxi for use at a regularly scheduled public hearing today. New York joins Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia on the list of big cities where officials have approved Transit Connect Taxi for use.

Transit Connects already are in service throughout the country. With today’s approval, more purpose-built taxis are on their way to the nation’s largest city to meet the demand expected among taxi owners.

“For decades, Ford has been synonymous with New York City taxis, and we are pleased residents and tourists now will benefit from our next-generation vehicle,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “We have Transit Connect Taxis in service across the country, and people tell us they love its spaciousness and its fuel efficiency.” Read the rest of this entry »