2014 Honda Accord delivers the most efficient Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology

To show its concern on Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology, Honda spends effort to increase the technology on the 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle. This hard work paid off by receiving a 115 MPGe rating from the EPA, making it the new mileage king. The rating, which is published no long after the EPA confirmed Ford’s 100 MPGe estimate for the Fusion, makes the Accord the most efficient plug-in vehicle of the hybrid vehicle. The Accord also superior against the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius plug-in efficiency, rated at 94 and 95 MPGe, respectively, in the mileage race. The Accord may have the advantage in MPGe, but other cars can spend more time driving exclusively on electric power. The Accord’s electric-only range is 13 miles. The Fusion can travel 21 miles on batteries, while the Volt can go 35 miles. That basically means a fully-charged Fusion or Volt could be the more efficient choice on short drives, but their advantage will diminish once the gasoline engines kick in. Powering the 2014 Accord PHEV is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, a pair of electric motors, and a 6.7-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Drivers can switch between all electric, gasoline-electric, and direct-to-drive modes depending on conditions.

What make the Accord PHEV different from the previous Accord sedan are an exclusive telematics system, Honda Link EV app, and biofabric interior. The exterior gets a makeover that is decidedly different, but buyers will have to decide whether it suits their tastes. The blue mustache surrounding the grille’s giant Honda badge is an interesting touch. The 2014 Accord PHEV is currently on sale, but only at select dealers in New York and California. In California, drivers will be able to use the state’s carpool lanes. It starts at $39,780, slightly more than the Fusion Energi’s $38,700 base price. That closeness is sure to make plug-ins the next battlefield in the midsize sedan war. Adding class-leading MPGe to one of America’s most popular midsize sedans should produce a winner for Honda and another impressive choice for buyers seeking maximum fuel economy.

digitaltrends.com

New 2014 Subaru Forester has been awarded by Euro NCAP Safety Test

It is not long after i the all-new 2014 Subaru Forester launch, it has already been awarded the best safety award in the world of auto vehicle. From its headquarter Subaru officials announced that its all-new 2014 Forester has received the Top Five-Star Rating in the Euro NCAP Safety Test. This is the best possible scoring a auto vehicle can receive in the 2012 European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) safety performance test. This is just the third time in Subaru’s history that the Japanese automaker has been honored with the prestigious five star rating from Euro NCAP. It follows the 2009 rating for the Subaru Legacy and the 2011 rating for the Subaru XV Crosstrek. Now the barely month old 2014 Forester get accolades for achieving the top rating.

When you think of safe automobiles, the Volvo brand is the one that is often mentioned, but Subaru is becoming known for having some of the safest vehicles on the planet. In the U.S., the top safety rating is administered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and Subaru with the recent top safety award for the all-new SV Crosstrek, is the only manufacturer with 2012 IIHS Top Safety Picks for its entire lineup. And this is the third year running that Subaru has the distinction of earning the top safety pick from IIHS for every model it builds.

www.autospies.com

The all new Mazda 6 will be produced in China

From Mazda Headquarter, mazda has announced that it will be develop the all-new 6 in China, from the company expansion plan of next year. The all-new Mazda 6 will be develop through the FAW-Mazda joint venture, which currently also produce the two previous generations of the car models, the older one being simply called Mazda6, while the newer generation is called Mazda6 Rui Yi.

Strangely enough, both these older generations of the car will be kept in production, alongside the latest incarnation of Mazda’s large saloon. This is by no means a bad thing, as the Six has always been one of the better cars in the class, and arguably one of the best to drive.

No word on which engines it will be available with, but the older cars currently in production are available with a two-liter petrol unit, with 150 hp, while the newer car also gets a 2.5-liter unit, with 170 hp. However, the new model will probably benefit from the whole list of SKYACTIV technologies, and it will also be considerably more expensive than the other two models.

Still, this is truly a first, as we have not heard about three generations of the same car being built under the same roof - at least the Chinese buyer is offered several alternatives.

www.autoevolution.com

The 2013 Veloster, a Hyundai sporty coupe for younger customer

Hyundai launched The 2013 Veloster as a sporty coupe, for younger customer, and projected as sports car. Inside the Veloster's cabin is spacious and airy from the front seat, the back seats are designed just for small kids--or not for big person--with extremely limited headroom. Back seats are best folded down, where the seat backs form a flat cargo surface; the hatch opens wide, although there's a high liftover at the back.

All The 2013 Veloster Model use a 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine bigger than Accent, with additional a turbocharged engine type for more power. The latter develops 201 horsepower and features a few styling improvement to mark it out from its lesser sibling. A six-speed manual model is standard, but Hyundai also offers a brand-new Dual Clutch (DCT) automated manual model transmission.

Official MPG figures have been the subject of much debate in recent months. The 2012-2013 Veloster is one of several Hyundai and Kia vehicles found to have overstated fuel-economy numbers. The EPA has tested both 2012 and 2013 types, and lowered its gas-mileage ratings accordingly. The most efficient type is the base 1.6-liter with the dual-clutch auto gearbox. This achieves 28 mpg city and 37 highway, for a combined rating of 31 mpg. The manual model gets the same combined rating, but while its highway rating is also the same, the city number is a slightly lower 27 mpg. The best mileage achieved by the turbo type comes from the manual model gearbox, which is rated at 28 mpg combined.

None of those figures match the 40 mpg highway about which Hyundai boasted before the EPA ratings debacle. Nor do they match the 37-mpg combined rating (36 mpg city, 39 highway) of the Veloster's nearest rival--the equally striking 2013 Honda CR-Z two-seat hybrid coupe.

Matching its sporty looks, the Veloster's handling is good. Very good, in fact. The coupe displays impressive grip and poise, though its steering could use better weighting and more road feel and the engine is sorely lacking in low-rpm torque—which some might consider a more serious issue. Provided you keep the revs up, the Veloster shows off its perkier personality.

Equipment levels are usefully high. Standard items include a 7-inch touch-screen interface, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, built-in Gracenote display technology, and a USB port to connect and access iPod media via voice controls. XM NavWeather and other data services are included with a premium sound system, as are a rearview camera and backup warning system, and navigation, push-button start, and a 110-Volt outlet are included if you get a fully loaded Tech Package Veloster. Even then, non-turbo Veloster with almost every option totals less than $23,000.

The less fuel-efficient Veloster Turbo carries a higher base price--more than $22,000--and brings with it with a raft of added standard equipment. It includes heated front seats, leather upholstery, a 450-watt sound system, and BlueLink, Hyundai's mobile-app and connectivity suite, which enables audio streaming and voice control over some systems.

www.greencarreports.com