article thumbnail

U-M study finds current CAFE standards create profit incentive for larger vehicles

Green Car Congress

Simulations of future vehicles under the footprint-based standards found that the sales-weighted average vehicle size increases by 2–32%, undermining gains in fuel economy by 1–4 mpg (0.6–1.7 The model allows BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and VW to violate the standard and pay the legally required penalties. 10 11 –5.17×10

Standards 240
article thumbnail

Navigant Research forecasts new EV global sales of > 346,000 units in 2014; 10 predictions for the year

Green Car Congress

Broadly, Navigant expects expansion in both the higher end of the market (thereby putting competitive pressure on Tesla Motors), as Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes, Saab, and Volvo introduce their first plug-in cars. Automakers are also launching their own carsharing programs (BMW, Daimler, etc.). million tons. More than 2.2

2014 346
article thumbnail

New 450hp Small Block V8 for 2014 Corvette features direct injection, cylinder deactivation, continuously variable valve timing

Green Car Congress

BMW Twin Turbo V8, and is expected to deliver more power and comparable torque. It will also deliver the most fuel-efficient Corvette ever, exceeding an EPA-estimated 26 mpg US (9.0 R beat Ferrari, BMW and Porsche to sweep the drivers’, team, and manufacturer championships in production-based American Le Mans Series GT class.

2014 362
article thumbnail

First drive: Volvo XC90 T8 Drive-E Twin Engine PHEV sets a high bar for full-size luxury SUV plug-ins in US

Green Car Congress

While the Mercedes GLE 550e will use a 3L twin-turbo V6 and the Audi Q7 e-tron a 3L TDI diesel, the BMW X5 xDrive 40e also features a 2.0L BMW X5 xDrive 40e. L/100km (29 mpg US) on the European cycle, for 186 g CO 2 /km. EPA-rated fuel economy is 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, 22 mpg combined. Audi Q7 e-tron.

Volvo 150
article thumbnail

Perspective: A View Into the New GM

Green Car Congress

The morning session started out with an hour long press conference, the highlight being the unveiling of the Volt’s 230 mpg preliminary EPA city fuel economy finding ( earlier post ), as well as a tour showing selected elements from the studios of the four GM North American brands: Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac. Click to enlarge.

GM 262