Clean Diesel Auto Sales Rise

Posted on April 23, 2012 by admin

 

As gas prices continue to climb, Americans continue to purchase fuel efficient vehicles. Therefore, the U.S. small automobile market continues to improve.

“I expect clean diesel auto sales to increase further as several new diesel cars are introduced in the U.S. market in the next year,” says Allen Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Diesel Technology Forum.

During the first quarter of 2012, U.S. hybrid car sales increased by 37.2%. Sales of the plugin electric car increased by 323%. Clean diesel automobile sales increased by 35%.

 

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Chevy 2013 Heavy Duty Pickups Have Pricey Bi-Fuel Option

Posted on April 20, 2012 by admin

2013 Chevy Silverado
If you’re interested in a new bi-fuel (gasoline and compressed natural gas) pickup, be ready to drop some extra dough.

GM’s Chevy 2013 Sierra HD pickup and Silverado HD pickup with the bi-fuel option are said to cost an extra $11,000. That’s on top of the approximately $32,000 you’d be spending anyway.

GM reminds customers that using CNG will save drivers somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 over the first 3 years of owning the trucks. A gallon of CNG is now less than $2.00, compared to current gasoline costs of around $4.00 If gas prices continue to skyrocket, the truck could be worth your while.

GM says the Chevy pickup trucks have a 6 liter Vortec V8 engine that moves between gasoline and CNS.

So, spending an extra $11,000 on a bi-fuel heavy duty pickup will end up being cost effective if the car lasts at least a few years.

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2013 SRT Viper

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin

2013 Viper SRT

A review of the new 2013 SRT Viper has been published by Motor Trend.

Changes and updates to the vehicle begin with stability control, which is now legally mandatory.

Supposedly, the Viper engine now has an easier rev to its 6200 rpm, along with better acceleration due to tightened gear ratios.

A few things haven’t changed. The Viper is a V-10, with side exit exhaust pipes. There is only a standard, rear-drive option.

Motor Trend reports that lovers of the classic Viper will not be disappointed.

A few other things. Chrysler’s 8.4-inch touch-screen infotainment system is standard. Also standard is a 7-inch digital display in the center of the gauges.

2013 Viper Seats

The designers of the Viper claim to have used the same quality leather used by Bentley and Lamborghini. Sabelt, makers of the seats of Ferrari, designed the seats for the SRT.

Ralph Gilles, brand chief of the SRT and head Chrysler designer said this 5th generation model was a redesign of the entire Viper car, not just a few modifications.

2013 SRT Viper

For more photos and information about the 2013 SRT Viper, check out Motor Trend’s article.

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2013 Chevy Trailblazer SUV to be Revealed

Posted on March 21, 2012 by admin

2013 Chevy TrailblazerChevrolet has announced the creation of a new Trailblazer SUV.

Said to debut at the 33rd Bangkok International Motor Show next week (March 26 to April 8), the Chevy Trailblazer will go on sale in Thailand first.

The vehicle will be available in 2 different four-cylinder Duramax diesel units, paired with 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmissions.

The Trailblazer SUV was designed by GM South America Design Center in Brazil.

It remains unknown whether the Trailblazer will be offered in the U.S.

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Upgrades to 2013 Dodge Ram Pickup

Posted on March 20, 2012 by admin

2013 Dodge RamAccording to Chrysler’s annual report, the Ram pickup with soon come with a ZF eight-speed transmission and Pentastar V6 engine.

With both the Pentastar V6 and the eight-speed transmission, this pickup will give Dodge a major advantage against Ford’s F-150. The 2012 Dodge Ram engine gets 2 mpg less than Ford’s F-150. The eight-speed will supposedly reduce fuel guzzling by up to 12% over the five-speeds.

It is expected that the 2013 Ram will debut at the NY International Auto Show in April.  No other auto shows will be in the United States until November 2013.

The Dodge Ram pickup hasn’t seen a redesign since the 2009 model year.

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