Entries from March 2009 ↓

I was inspired to knock out a quick CNN iReport this morning, based on the recent developments in Washington. While this might not be what you expect, it goes right to the heart of the matter at GM. I recently had the chance to review a Pontiac G8 GT back-to-back with a BMW 335d. After evaluating each car for a week, I was impressed with both. For the folks that think that GM can’t build a car that’s competitive with the imports, I can only suggest that they take a G8 GT out for a test drive.

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We’ve just spent a week’s time with a 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. When the big SUV crept out of the driveway for the last time earlier today, I was still trying to get my head around the target market. While the Tahoe Hybrid delivers significantly improved fuel economy over the conventional version, it does so at a price. At today’s lower gas prices, it would seem that the added cost of the hybrid drive train presents a roadblock to sales. But just hours after giving up the keys to our blue granite metallic test unit, I saw my first Tahoe Hybrid in the wild – and in our town, no less – while performing after-school family taxi duties.

A quick trip to eBay is an indicator of the current level of discounting. At least one dealer was slashing seven thousand dollars off the Tahoe Hybrid’s MSRP. Buyers can also expect another $2,200 off for the federal hybrid tax credit.

It can take a while to get accustomed to driving the Tahoe Hybrid. Stomping on the accelerator pedal from a standing start is an interesting experience, to say the least. In this video, the system is in Auto Stop mode, with the engine off, as it launches.

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The Obama Administration has pulled a number out of its hat, and it’s 27.3 MPG. While it might seem a bit crazy to set a new combined fuel economy standard for the 2011 model year with such short notice, our new President was left with the task by an outgoing administration that failed to implement what was required under law. The 2007 Energy Law stipulates that a new standard must be set by April 1st.

No fooling.

The 27.3 mile per gallon (MPG) figure represents an average of 2001 new car, light truck, and SUV mileage. New cars must average 30.2 MPG. New light trucks and SUVs must average 24.1 MPG.

I’ve been driving a 2009 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid this week that has a combined estimate of 20 MPG. While I’ve been able to beat the official numbers by a bit, it’s a forgone conclusion that that traditional SUVs will be getting smaller and hybrid battery packs will be getting larger. On the flip side, I’m in the midst of producing a video review of the Audi Q7 TDI clean diesel SUV, in which I easily exceeded the 2011 requirements.

Source: Ken Thomas/Associated Press

The Lexus ES range proves that a luxurious ride and good gas mileage need not be mutually exclusive. Over the years, Lexus ES gas mileage ratings have hovered in the mid-to-high twenty mile per gallon highway (MPG) range, with a high of 30 MPG in the 2007 ES 360.

All Lexus ES models are equipped with six-cylinder engines in a front-wheel-drive configuration. The displacement has grown over the years, from 2.5 liters in the 1990-1991 ES 250, to 3.0 liters in the 1992-2003 ES 300, 3.3 liters in the 2004-2006 ES 330, and 3.5 liters in the 2007-2009 ES 350. While regular-grade fuel was acceptable in the ES 250, ES 300, and ES 330, premium-grade is recquired in the ES 350.

A manual transmission was offered from 1990 through 1993. The current model is equipped with a six-speed automatic.
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My daily routine always includes a check of MPGomatic’s website stats over that first cup of coffee or tea. And seeing that we were out of coffee this morning, tea it was. So I made myself a cup of Earl Grey, sat down in front of the computer, and fired up Google Analytics to check the traffic situation.

Another Monday, another random spike in MPGomatic.com traffic. Monday is always a busy day, but yesterday was even more so. At first I attributed it to the onset of spring and a hopeful sign that the economy is beginning to thaw with the jump in the stock market.

As I dug deeper into the daily site statistics, I noticed a dramatic jump in traffic to the front page of MPGomatic.com … without a referring link. This always makes me scratch my head. The last time this happened, it was from a mention in a MSN/TreeHugger article …

If you’re new to MPGomatic.com, a hearty welcome … and if you’re a regular, welcome back!

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