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Mustang vs Camaro: Gas Mileage Battle

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Back in the day, six-cylinder Mustangs and Camaros were dismissed as secretary’s cars. You could slap a set of Cragar SS chrome rims on a straight six, but the exhaust note always gave it away. Musclecar fans debated horsepower, not fuel efficiency. Flash forward forty years and things have changed. Folks are pitting Mustang gas mileage against Camaro gas mileage. The cutting-edge naturally-aspirated V6 engines in the current Mustang and Camaro are both powerful and thrifty on gas (when driven conscientiously).

The 2011 3.7-liter V6 Mustang is rated at 30 miles per gallon (MPG) on the highway (when equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission), while delivering a remarkable 305 horsepower. I was lucky to be on hand to witness the Mustang 1000-Lap Challenge at Bristol Motor Speedway back in June. After spending a good part of the day with Mustang Vehicle Engineering Manager Tom Barnes and the engineering crew, I gained a raft of insight into how the original pony car was transformed into fuel-efficient fire-breathing beast.

Want to know how the team scored a remarkable 48.5 MPG in the test? Que up the video …

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2010 Nissan Maxima Review

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MPG-o-Matic 2010 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV Review Summary: The Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV is a thoroughly modern sedan that brings a high level of driving enjoyment, a lovely cabin, and sweet array of technology. While the Maxima is once again billed at “The 4-Door Sports Car,” a quick look at Nissan’s website tells a different story. Nissan lists the Maxima at the top of the range under the Cars tab, rather than the Sports Cars tab (which is reserved for the 370Z and GT-R). Whether you consider it a true sports car or simply a sporty sedan, the Maxima takes its own road.

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2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: First Drive

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2011 VW Jetta TDI

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—You know that old saying about not judging a book by its cover? Well, it kind of applies to the all-new 2011 Volkswagen Jetta.

The exterior sheet metal gets a complete overhaul, and gone is the almost whimsical wide-mouthed grille in favor of a much more sedate and conservative facade. The lines are long, harsh and lean, and the new Jetta looks more like a BMW than its Audi brethren.

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2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring Review

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MPG-o-Matic 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring Review Summary: The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring is positioned as the most-refined entry in the legendary EVO lineup, for those that enjoy spirited driving without generating too much attention. Outfitted with goodies including BBS wheels, Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs, Brembo brakes, and Recaro bucket seats, the EVO MR Touring uses top-shelf parts, while forgoing the decklid wing in favor of a discreet spoiler. The Evolution MR Touring goes head-to-head with the 2011 Subaru WRX STI sedan and little else.

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Ethanol-Fueled ACP Racing Snares Two X-Games Bronze Medals

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We’re kicking around a new motto here at MPGomatic.com, “Burn Rubber, Not Gasoline” … and nothing exemplified it better this week than ACP Racing’s performance in this year’s X Games Rally Car Racing and Super Rally events. Drivers Andrew Comrie-Picard (ACP) and Samuel Hubinette each grabbed a Bronze medal in their Mitsubishi Evolution rally cars, while running on an Ethanol blend.

ACP and Sam Hubinette fly the 70-foot X-Games Rally jump.
Double X-Games Thrill: Andrew Comrie-Picard in a 2006 EVO IX followed over the 70-foot jump by ACP Racing teammate Samuel Hubinette in a 2008 EVO X. (Photo credit: Matt Galantoumini)

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