Cars Model 2013 2014 2015

Sunday, 3 March 2013

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue Owners of Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan models, listen up. According to a report on Automotive News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into these four vehicles totaling an estimated 725,000 units. The investigation appears to center around a malfunctioning throttle body on non-hybrid models of the 2005-2012 Escape and 2011-2012 Fusion. With Mercury dying off after the 2011 model year, this probe will also apply to the 2005 through 2011 Mariner and the 2011 Milan. There has been some discussion around the Escape stalling issue for some time now, but this investigation appears to be larger in scope than before.

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue front view

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue rear view

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue sound system

Though not a recall yet, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 123 complaints of stalling or surging vehicles, while Ford itself has logged 1,472 complaints. The investigation report, which is posted below, seems to indicate that a faulty circuit board for the throttle body could cause the vehicle to go into limp mode, which, according to NHTSA, could cause complaints of both stalling and surging.

NHTSA investigating 725k Ford, Mercury vehicles for stalling issue

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California The article states that there are hundreds of C-Max and Fusion Hybrid owners who have joined the lawsuit, but the issue isn't limited to customers. In December, Consumer Reports extensively tested both the Fusion Hybrid and C-Max and found that both hybrids performed significantly worse than their EPA claims. This all comes just a few months after Hyundai and Kia took the unprecedented step of lowering the fuel economy ratings for all of their 2012 and 2013 model-year vehicles.

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California grill

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California front view

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California rear view

Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

A California lawsuit over the fuel economy claims for the 2013 Ford C-Max was first reported back in December. Based on the numerous reports we've heard of disgruntled owners failing to get their car's EPA fuel economy ratings on the C-Max and 2013 Fusion Hybrid, we suspected there would be more to this story. The Detroit News is reporting that two California law firms are combining their lawsuits against Ford on this matter for "false and misleading" claims.Ford C-Max, Fusion hybrids subject of MPG lawsuit in California

Ford Fusion Energi qualifies for California HOV lane access

Ford Fusion Energi qualifies for California HOV lane access The approval of the Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid for California carpool lanes puts the Blue Oval into the winner's circle; tied with Toyota for the most fuel-efficient models approved for use in the Golden State's HOV lanes.

Ford Fusion Energi qualifies for California HOV lane access

To qualify for the high occupancy program, a vehicle must be classified by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) as a super ultra-low emission vehicle and certified by the EPA to offer at least 45 miles per gallon fuel economy on the highway. Of course, any car can qualify when it carries enough people, but that's another issue.

The Fusion Energi meets CARB standards and well exceeds the EPA standards, with an estimated fuel economy rating of 108 MPGe city and 92 MPGe highway, or 100 MPGe combined. Those numbers mean the plug-in hybrid has a one-tank, full-charge range of up to 620 miles, including an electric-only range of up to 21 miles.

Ford Fusion Energi qualifies for California HOV lane access

As of about a month ago, California still had around 30,000 HOV stickers left for plug-in hybrids.Ford Fusion Energi qualifies for California HOV lane access

Saturday, 2 March 2013

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400 The 2014 model year brings a whole host of changes to Ford's Fiesta B-Segment fighter, the most important of which (to our enthusiast eyes, anyway) is the addition of a potent new ST model. The US-spec hot hatch was first shown at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show last November, and thanks to Ford's build-and-price site, we've now learned that the Fiesta ST will slide in at $21,400 when it goes on sale later this year (*not including $795 for destination).

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400 front view

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400 rear view

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400

Under the hood of the ST is a turbocharged 1.6-liter EcoBoost inline-four good for 197 horsepower and 214 pound-feet of torque, mated solely to a six-speed manual transmission. Ford hasn't released performance data on its pint-sized puncher just yet, but know that these numbers make the Fiesta ST ever-so-slightly more powerful than the larger Volkswagen GTI while returning an estimated 34 miles per gallon on the highway.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400

Elsewhere in the lineup, the standard Fiesta also gets a smattering of improvements for the 2014 model year, including a new 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine and revised exterior styling. Pricing for the 2014 Fiesta sedan starts at $14,000, with the five-door model adding $600 to that number (again excluding the $795 destination fee).We've played around with the online configurator, and a fully loaded Fiesta ST comes in right below the $27,000 mark. Of course, this price includes niceties like partial-leather Recaro seats ($1,995), a HD audio system with MyFord Touch infotainment and navigation ($795), upgraded 17-inch dark alloy wheels ($795) and a power moonroof ($795). Molten Orange and Green Envy paint schemes will set you back an additional $595, as well.

Here's where things get tricky, though: Option out a larger Focus ST with similar levels of equipment and you're spending $29,825, all-in. Even at the base end of the spectrum, the larger Focus only represents a $2,300 price premium over the Fiesta ST, and in addition to quite a bit more space, the bigger hatch also offers a more powerful 2.0-liter turbo four with 252 horses and 270 lb-ft.

Decisions, decisions. If the Fiesta ST is anything like its bigger brother, we have no doubt it'll be a hoot on the road. In light of their prices, let us know which one you'd have by casting a vote in our poll below, then feel free to drop us a line in Comments.

2014 Ford Fiesta ST priced from $21,400

Ford C-Max Hybrid falls well short in careful CleanMPG economy test, beat by Toyota Prius V

Ford C-Max Hybrid falls well short in careful CleanMPG economy test, beat by Toyota Prius V The grain of salt one should take this post with is that Wayne Gerdes is just one man, and that his personal test results may not be applicable to everyone. Still, Gerdes is well-known in the green car community – his Guinness World Record for lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid and his position as owner of CleanMPG are just two good reasons – so when he and his crew tested a Ford C-Max Hybrid, the results are worth paying attention to. Turns out, they couldn't get anywhere near the EPA's claimed efficiency numbers.

Ford C-Max Hybrid falls well short in careful CleanMPG economy test, beat by Toyota Prius V

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid front 3/4 view

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid rear 3/4 view

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid front 3/4 view 2

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid front 34 view 1

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid side view

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid front view

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid rear view

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid grille

2012 Toyota Prius V front 3/4 view

2012 Toyota Prius V rear 3/4 view

2012 Toyota Prius V front 3/4 view 1

2012 Toyota Prius V rear 3/4 view 1

2012 Toyota Prius V front view

2012 Toyota Prius V rear view

2012 Toyota Prius V headlight

2012 Toyota Prius V engine

2012 Toyota Prius V front seats

2012 Toyota Prius V climate controls

2012 Toyota Prius V information display

2012 Toyota Prius V interior

2012 Toyota Prius V navigation system

2012 Toyota Prius V shifter

2012 Toyota Prius V parking button

2012 Toyota Prius V wheel

Already the subject of a class action lawsuit over fuel economy claims, the C-Max Hybrid officially gets 47 miles per gallon across all three of the EPA's test categories (city/highway/combined). Plenty of people have questioned whether 47 mpg is an accurate real-world number, and Gerdes' discovered that the C-Max Hybrid doesn't always reach the lofty EPA levels.

During a recent test in the sunny southwest, Gerdes and crew discovered the C-Max only managed 35.537 mpg over 360 highway miles but did get 52 mpg over 22.8 miles in the city. The drive was a comparison test with the Toyota Prius V, which is rated at 44 mpg city, 40 highway and 42 combined, and the V handily beat the C-Max, despite its lower EPA numbers.

Along the same route, the Prius V got 40.768 mpg on the highway and 55.8 mpg in the city. Gerdes wrote, "While the C-Max did beat its EPA city result, it fell woefully short of besting the lower fuel economy-rated Prius V revealing that the C-Max fuel economy claims beyond that of the Prius V are not what we were meant to believe." Motor Trend also found the Prius V beats the C-Max.

Gerdes is incredibly careful to take notes and pictures to document his tests (as we learned in person a few years ago), so we trust his results with the C-Max. Gerdes explained to AutoblogGreen that:

Given we are coming up on Spring training, here is a baseball analogy. With a neatly appointed interior and fastball-like performance, there is a lot to like about the all-new 2013 Ford C-Max. From a cargo carrying standpoint however, the design team took a swing and missed when compared to the Prius liftback and Prius V in particular.

Ford C-Max Hybrid falls well short in careful CleanMPG economy test, beat by Toyota Prius V

In addition, it appears Ford's engineers and marketing team are in the unenviable position of simply being too far out ahead of a the curve when compared to anything in the entire Prius family lineup. The Fuel Economy curve, that is. Hopefully the Ford team will keep their eyes on the ball so that the next iteration will supply owner satisfaction from the standpoint of the C-Max's strengths while also providing a lot less pain at the pump. Right now, they appear to be getting called "out" by all the umpires well before reaching home.

When it was launched late last year, the C-Max Hybrid started with incredibly strong sales, and some drivers are certainly able to get 45+ mpg. Still, the automaker and the EPA are in discussion about potentially changing test procedures for hybrid vehicles and the lawsuits continue. You can read all of the details of the CleanMPG C-Max Hybrid MPG test here.

Ford C-Max Hybrid falls well short in careful CleanMPG economy test, beat by Toyota Prius V

Fisker hires consultant, may seek bids next month

Fisker hires consultant, may seek bids next month In related news, Wanxiang in China has received approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US to buy most of the assets of A123 and has expressed interest in supporting Fisker, A123's largest customer, in any way it can. Whether that includes an investment or strategic alliance remains unclear.

Fisker hires consultant, may seek bids next month

Fisker hires consultant, may seek bids next month

Fisker hires consultant, may seek bids next month

Fisker hires consultant, may seek bids next month front view

Fisker hires consultant, may seek bids next month

Fisker hires consultant, may seek bids next month rear view

Fisker Automotive has hired a consultant to oversee day-to-day operations in an effort to conserve cash, and may seek partner or acquisition bids next month, Bloomberg says.

Fisker hires consultant, may seek bids next month

Fisker spokesman Roger Ormisher says the California-based maker of the Karma extended-range plug-in luxury vehicle has brought on Huron Consulting Group, says the report. The company is also looking forward to a bidding process that may start next month, the wire service says, citing folks it didn't identify. The company has been short on cash largely because the US Energy Department last year froze about $300 million of the $529 million in loans earmarked for Fisker. Reports last month also surfaced that Fisker may owe the state of Delaware money if the company doesn't make good on making its Fisker Atlantic there.

Fisker hasn't produced any vehicles in more than six months because of a combination of factors ranging from negotiations with Swedish vendor Valmet to the bankruptcy of battery maker A123 Systems.