2011 Ford Ranger Xlt Supercab 4x2 4.0l V6 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Ford unveils its facelifted Falcon finale with new XR8

While its days may be numbered, Ford isn't just going to let its Falcon sedan limp out for the Australian market. No, the Blue Oval is releasing a refreshed Falcon for its final years, and it's lead by this, the new XR8. That's right, this dead-car-driving is going to go out on a high note.
Ford's global design DNA dominates the looks of the new Falcon, with a grille reminiscent of the US market Fusion and the European-market Mondeo. The headlights aren't a straight port, and boast their own unique LED running light pattern (at least on the XR8), but the overall look is strikingly similar. Out back, LED taillights highlight the rear of the Faclon. Despite the substantial new fascia, this is still a mid-cycle refresh. That means most of the rest of the Falcon's body panels are carryovers from the current model.
The XR8 model, shown above, arrives with a supercharged V8, allegedly displacing 5.0 liters. Unfortunately, details on the Falcon's mechanicals are in remarkably short supply. Ford has committed to a range of turbocharged four, as well as turbocharged and naturally aspirated six-cylinders, in addition to the V8, although specifics on those mills aren't available.

Did a US automaker blow the whistle on Hyundai, Kia fuel economy issue?

In all of the most hotly contested mainstream segments of the motoring universe, the difference of one mile per gallon averaged on a widow sticker can mean the difference between a sale and a walk-off - to say nothing of two or three mpg. So, when Hyundai and Kia were forced to reveal that many of their 40-mpg ratings were actually 38s and 37s, well, it made for big news.
It also, conceivably, made for a competitive disadvantage immediately, when the Korean automakers' products were being shopped versus the guys down the block. And it's that disadvantage that makes a recent story from Automotive News so juicy.
AN is reporting that Margo Oge, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, got a tip in 2010 that Hyundai/Kia were "cheating" to get its impressive fuel economy numbers. The tip, said Oge (who retired from the EPA this past September), came from a senior vice president from a domestic automaker. The source was credible enough for Oge to launch an audit of the Hyundai figures, which ultimately lead to the debacle that we reported on a few months ago, and that the Korean company has been trying to bounce back from ever since.

2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid, now with 48 mpg city

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu is already one of the stars of the 2015 New York Auto Show thanks to a huge improvement in styling, lighter weight and new suite of tech. Now, Chevy is shifting the focus to the available hybrid model and detailing some more of its impressive figures. The 2016 Malibu Hybrid's powertrain consists of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder and a two-motor hybrid system with a 1.5-kilowatt hour lithium ion battery. Chevy's engineers are aiming for EPA fuel economy ratings of 48 miles per gallon city, 45 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined. The setup puts out a total of 182 horsepower, and it can accelerate the sedan to 60 miles per hour in a claimed 7.8 seconds. Also, speeds of up to 55 miles per hour can even be reached under fully electric power. Some of this efficient tech is shared with the latest Volt, including the regenerative braking. For reference, the 2015 Ford Fusion Hybrid carries an EPA rating of 44 mpg city, 41 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined, and its hybrid system puts out a total of 188 hp. There is a wait ahead for buyers looking to park the 2016 Malibu Hybrid in their garage, though. While the standard model should be on sale before the end of the year, the hybrid doesn't arrive in showrooms until the spring of 2016. Malibu Hybrid Estimated to Reach 48 MPG in City Driving New sedan projected to offer segment unsurpassed 47 MPG combined 2015-04-01 NEW YORK –The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, which uses technology from the Chevrolet Volt, will offer a General Motors-estimated 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway – and 47 mpg combined, unsurpassed in the segment, GM President Dan Ammann announced today. Ammann made the announcement at an International Motoring Press Association breakfast before the 2016 Malibu was to be unveiled at the New York International Auto Show. "Fuel efficiency is important to our customers, especially in the midsize segment and with an estimated 48 mpg city rating, the Malibu Hybrid delivers," Ammann said. An all-new direct-injection 1.8L 4-cylinder engine mated to a two-motor drive unit slightly modified from the 2016 Chevrolet Volt drive unit powers the Malibu Hybrid. The drive unit provides additional power to assist the engine during acceleration, for 182 horsepower (136 kW) of total system power. An 80-cell, 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides electric power to the Hybrid system. The advanced lithium-ion based chemistry can power the Malibu hybrid at up to 55 miles per hour on electricity alone.