Hello, Blog. I’ve been reading about the auto show in my hometown of Detroit in my spare time while I’m at work here at AVL. ”Industry’s Green Shoots Blossom Into Optimism” is a look at the new green vehicles on display there right now. Of special note, from my cousins at Ford:
FORD C-MAX HYBRID AND ENERGI Ford’s first standalone hybrid nameplates, the C-Max Hybrid and C-Max Energi, are gas-electric and plug-in versions of a compact Focus-based people hauler. On sale this fall, the C-Max Hybrid will deliver about 45 m.p.g. in combined city and highway driving; Ford expects the plug-in Energi to drive more than 15 miles on battery power alone and beat the Chevy Volt’s federally rated mileage equivalent of 93 m.p.g.e.
FORD FUSION Ford’s redesigned family sedan addresses the blind spot of the current squarish model with sleek styling — even if that meant shamelessly cribbing design cues from Ford’s former Aston Martin and Jaguar brands. Gasoline and hybrid Fusions go on sale in summer, with the hybrid targeting a class-best 47/45 m.p.g. in city and on the highway. The Energi plug-in hybrid follows this fall.
And of course, although it’s not green, I did love to read:
“An unexpected splash came from Lincoln, whose remade MKZ sedan, arguably the show’s most overlooked design, signaled that Ford Motor is at last serious about reviving its luxury brand.”
Acura, BMW, Honda and Lexus introduced or talked about introducing electric or hybrid vehicles, and, of special interest to me because I am a hippy at heart on most days, Volkswagen! VW is introducing an electric vehicle, finally. The E-Bugster:
VOLKSWAGEN E-BUGSTER A chopped-roof rival to the new Mini Coupe, VW’s two-seat, all-electric Beetle features a 114-horsepower motor and a claimed range of more than 100 miles.
Which is cool, but I mean, really, I really really wanted them to name it The Lightning Bug. Or even The Flash Drive. Oh well. I hope they kept the dashboard vase. (They should have called it The Flower Power! Petal to the Metal! Petal to the Pedal! Re-Flowering the American Dream! What.) Oh dear. See what happens when I start talking again? I just keep on talkin’ anyway. This little electric VW, it’s cute. I might keep one in my trunk, just for fun. x LV
p.s. The article also mentions that the median age of the American car is near record highs. Ha! They ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Wait until I hit the road (soon!) with my 1959 born bad self.
