With the release of the new four and six cylinder versions, the new Ford Fusion Hybrid is now the new top domestic sedan based on Consumer Reports. The Ford Fusion Hybrid was originally tied with popular brands like the Toyota Camry Hybrid but overtook everyone else with the new enhancements made. All the new ford fusion versions were quieter and more refined than previous versions.

The price range of the Ford Fusion Hybrid is pegged to be at $20,365 for the four-cylinder Optima to $32,360 for the Fusion Hybrid. This includes a $5,000 package with added navigation, leather seats, a moonroof and other options.

(Source) Press

Tags: consumer reports, enhancements, ford fusion, leather seats, moonroof, new ford, previous versions, Toyota, toyota camry, toyota camry hybrid

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About 259,119 Toyota Camry’s from China have been recalled for problems regarding their brakes. Toyota Motor Corp.’s auto-making joint venture in China with Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. is recalling 259,119 Camry sedans due to brake problems, according to a statement posted on China’s product safety regulator’s Web site.

The vehicles were produced between May 15, 2006, and March 3, 2008. In affected cars, a flaw in the braking system may cause the braking distance to increase and may lead to accidents Toyota also has an auto-making joint venture in China with China FAW Group Corp.

(Source) WSJ

Tags: Accidents, automobile, brakes, braking distance, braking system, Cars, guangzhou, safety regulator, sedans, Toyota, toyota camry, toyota motor, toyota motor corp

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We all know that the 2010 Ford Fusion is perhaps one of the best fuel efficient cars in the market today and after earning the Top Safety Pick from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, consumers are bound to swoon all over this efficient midsized car all the more.

Ford is the only automotive brand to offer two hybrids that have segment-leading fuel efficiency, “Top Safety Pick” awards and exclusive safety technologies. The Fusion Hybrid offers 41 mpg city while the Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market and also garnered a “Top Safety Pick.”

The new Fusion Hybrid’s class-leading fuel economy bests the Toyota Camry hybrid by 8 mpg in the city. It also features Ford’s innovative SmartGauge with EcoGuide, which coaches hybrid drivers to maximize fuel efficiency.

In addition, the new Fusion and Milan offer three fuel-sipping gas engine options, including the Duratec 2.5-liter I-4 and enhanced 3.0-liter V-6 and 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engines. Fusions equipped with the 2.5-liter I-4 engine are expected to deliver at least 3 mpg better on the highway than the Honda Accord and 2 mpg better than the Toyota Camry. The 3.5-liter V-6 powers the all-new Fusion Sport model.

(Source) Press

Tags: best fuel efficient cars, duratec engines, engine options, escape hybrid, ford fusion, fuel economy, fuel efficiency, fuel efficient suv, honda accord, hybrids, insurance institute for highway safety, liter, mpg city, safety technologies, toyota camry, toyota camry hybrid

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With a new and improved Ford Escape from its 2008 model, the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid has been unanimously chosen by Kelley Blue Book as one of its “2009 Best New Family Vehicles.”

“After undergoing a major overhaul for the 2008 model year, the Ford Escape Hybrid is improved again for 2009 with a more powerful and more efficient gas-electric powertrain,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “Its fuel economy rating of 34 miles per gallon in the city is even better than that of the Toyota Camry Hybrid.”

The 2009 model features new comfort-designed seats with soy-based foam that substitutes for petroleum-based products to conserve limited resources and reduce CO2 emissions. Eco-friendly seat fabrics made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials also are offered on the

Earning a spot on kbb.com’s exclusive list of “2009 Best New Family Vehicles” is not the only accolade the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid has received. Ward’s Automotive Group named Ford’s redesigned Escape Hybrid engine to its “2009 10 Best Engines” list. The vehicle also was recognized as “Best Crossover/SUV Value Under $28,000″ by Intellichoice.com, a leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis.

(Source) Press

Tags: crossover suv, ford escape, ford escape hybrid, hybrid engine, kelley blue book, kelly blue book, miles per gallon, petroleum based products, recycled materials, toyota camry, toyota camry hybrid

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For the people awaiting the suggested retail price of the 2010 Toyota Camry, the time has finally come. Toyota officially announced the pricing structures for this midsized sedan, one of the best-selling passenger cars in America for the past 7 years.

Camry’s base MSRP will range from $19,395 for the Camry sedan with a new six-speed manual transmission to $29,045 for the stylish XLE with a six-speed automatic transmission. The high mileage, low emissions Camry Hybrid carries a price of $26,150. The MSRP represent an overall increase of $281 or 1.2 percent. The 2010 Camry will begin arriving at Toyota dealers in March 2009.

(Source) Press

Tags: automatic transmission, camry hybrid, emissions, passenger cars, suggested retail price, Toyota, toyota camry, toyota dealers

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Breaching and penetrating the fine lines of the mid-size sedan markets, the new Mazda6 i Grand Touring possesses an impressive list of features starting off with a preppy engine and cabin tech features.

When viewed from the front or rear quarter, bulging fenders, a low nose, and sweeping roofline makes this midsize car look absolutely sporty.

However, when viewed from the side, its slab-sided profile belies its newfound size. No longer can detractors complain about its diminutive size compared with the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima in the midsize sedan segment, because the Mazda6 has grown in nearly every dimension.

Standard Bluetooth hands-free calling and audio streaming are big plusses as well for drivers and passengers who put premium on in-car entertainment.

(Source) CNet Review

Tags: car entertainment, mazda6, Nissan, nissan altima, Toyota, toyota camry

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One of the best-selling cars in America today is the Camry. Hence, if you talk about future cars, it is imminent that many are awaiting the coming of the 2010 Toyota Camry which is aiming to continue its redefinition of standards for vehicle comfort and performance.

The 2010 Camry and Camry Hybrid scheduled to go on sale in March, have an array of enhancements, inside and out, including exterior styling, performance, safety, audio and convenience features.

Highlights:

2.5-liter four-cylinder engine equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) will produce 169 hp for Camry, LE and XLE grades

Engine can be combined with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed Automatic transmission with sequential shift

A powerful 3.5-liter V6 delivering 268 horsepower

16-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels

Certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV)

The 2010 Toyota Camry is expected to come out this March. No pricing has been announced yet.

(Source) Aving.net

Tags: automatic transmission, liter v6, manual transmission, Toyota, toyota camry, zero emissions vehicle

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For most car enthusiasts, turning to electric power is great but the absence of the usual muscle is something that puts them in doubt. However, thanks to technology, it looks like Agam Energy Systems has a solution; a piston-less turbine engine, featuring a new kind of compressor that the company hopes will revolutionize the automotive industry.

Agam’s turbine engine could be fitted into a regular car with some gear modifications, such as a Toyota Camry, and offer 100 miles to the gallon, the company boasts. This compares to about 21 miles to the gallon of today’s average car. Road efficiency in cars is about 10 percent, says Spottheim, while Agam’s engines promise 55% efficiency.

Check out the video.

(Source) Green Prophet

Tags: automotive industry, car enthusiasts, Cars, energy systems, piston, Toyota, toyota camry, turbine engine

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