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Press Day

The 2015 New England International Auto Show press day will take place on Thursday, January 15, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM.  The show will open to the public at 2:00 PM.  Please check back for the 2015 schedule.

To schedule a presentation or obtain press day credentials, please contact Alexandria Pudney, 781-237-5533, ext. 105 or apudney@paragonexpo.com.

2015 Ford F-150 Wins NEMPA Yankee Cup

Cambridge, MA – The New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) has awarded its annual Yankee Cup to the 2015 Ford F-150.  NEMPA, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, gives the technology award to an automotive feature, system or vehicle that significantly makes driving safer, more cost efficient or more enjoyable.

“When reviewing all the entries for the Yankee Cup, we couldn’t help but notice the F-150 is loaded with innovation,” said Craig Fitzgerald, New England Motor Press Association president. “We all know this vehicle is Built Ford Tough, but now it is both tough and smart – helping to redefine the light-duty pickup for the next generation.”

“It is an honor to accept this award on behalf of the team behind the all-new Ford F-150,” said Pete Reyes, F-150 chief engineer. “With the 2015 F-150, Ford is teaching the world how to build a next-generation truck, and the more than 100 patents the F-150 team has filed for technologies prove these Ford engineers and designers are innovative leaders in the automotive industry.”

Websites:

www.NEMPA.org

www.at.ford.com

A Peek Into Volvo’s 2014/15 Crystal Ball

We all wish we could see the future sometimes, especially when it comes to what’s ahead for our favorite car models. But for all you Volvo lovers out there, consider this your glass ball.  Dean Shaw, Volvo Vice-President for Corporate Communications, visited with the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) in Boston last week, and in addition to sharing a delicious dinner with them, he also shared details on a wide array of coming vehicles, in particular the 2015 XC90 crossover sport utility, the first car that will ride on the basis of Volvo’s future: Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). With all-new FWD powertrains and lightweight gas, diesel and hybrid 4-cylinder engines, the only limiting factor is the distance from the front axle to the cabin firewall. Other than that, SPA allows for short overhangs, new proportions and different lengths, widths and heights. As for the 2014 model year, Shaw went so far as to call it the “most wide-ranging product refresh Volvo has ever undertaken.” And what refreshing new bells and whistles will we be seeing? Animal and pedestrian detection, even in darkness; adaptive cruise control with steering assist; and road-barrier detection with steering assist, just to name a few. So, crystal ball or not, the future is looking brighter than ever for Volvo. Be sure to get a sneak peak of your own at the New England International Auto Show, January 16-20, 2014 in Boston!

Fuel Cell Vehicles

Hydrogen (H2) can be used in fuel cells to power electric motors.

  • It is an environmentally friendly fuel that has the potential to dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
  • Hydrogen produces no air pollutants or greenhouse gases when used in fuel cells.
  • Hydrogen contains much less energy than gasoline or diesel on a per-volume basis, so it is difficult to store enough hydrogen on board a vehicle to travel more than 200 miles.
  • Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are propelled by electric motors. Fuel cells on board the vehicle create electricity through a chemical process using hydrogen fuel and oxygen from the air.

Alternative Fuels

Below are some alternatives to gasoline.

Ethanol

Ethanol is an alcohol-based fuel made by fermenting and distilling starch crops, such as corn.

  • E10 (also called “gasohol”) is a blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline. All manufacturers approve the use of blends of 10% ethanol or less in their gasoline vehicles.
  • E85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, can be used in flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are specially designed to run on gasoline, E85, or any mixture of the two. FFVs operating on E85 experience a 20-30% drop in miles per gallon due to ethanol’s lower energy content.

Diesel

Diesel engines are more powerful and 30-35% more fuel-efficient than gasoline engines.

  • New engine designs have made them quieter and smoother.
  • New “clean” ultra-low sulfur diesel reduces emissions of particulates and smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Natural Gas

Natural gas, a fossil fuel comprised mostly of methane, is one of the cleanest burning alternative fuels. It can be used in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel cars and trucks.

  • Dedicated natural gas vehicles are designed to run on natural gas only.
  • Dual-fuel or bi-fuel vehicles can also run on gasoline or diesel.
  • Natural gas is stored in high-pressure fuel tanks, so dual-fuel vehicles require two separate fueling systems, which take up passenger/cargo space.

Propane

Propane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is a clean-burning fossil fuel that can be used to power internal combustion engines.

  • LPG-fueled vehicles produce fewer toxic and smog-forming air pollutants.
  • LPG is usually less expensive than gasoline, and most LPG used in U.S. comes from domestic sources.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a form of diesel fuel manufactured from vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases. It is safe, biodegradable, and produces less air pollutants than petroleum-based diesel.

  • Biodiesel can be used in its pure form (B100) or blended with petroleum diesel. Common blends include B2 (2% biodiesel), B5, and B20.
  • B2 and B5 can be used safely in most diesel engines.
  • B100 is generally not suitable for use in low temperatures.
  • Biodiesel can be used in most diesel engines, especially newer ones.
  • Biodiesel is safer to handle compared to petroleum diesel.
  • You should never fuel your vehicle with clean or used grease or vegetable oil that has not been converted to biodiesel. It will damage your engine.

Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are propelled by an electric motor powered by rechargeable battery packs.

  • EVs are energy efficient. Electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels—internal combustion engines (ICEs) only convert 20% of the energy stored in gasoline.
  • EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants, although the power plant producing the electricity may emit them. Electricity from nuclear-, hydro-, solar-, or wind-powered plants causes no air pollutants.
  • Electricity is a domestic energy source, so EVs reduce energy dependence.
  • Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation and stronger acceleration and require less maintenance than ICEs.

However, EVs face significant battery-related challenges:

  • Driving range. Most EVs can only go 150 miles (or less) before recharging—gasoline vehicles can go over 300 miles before refueling.
  • Recharge time. Fully recharging the battery pack can take 4 to 8 hours.
  • Battery cost. The large battery packs are expensive and usually must be replaced one or more times.
  • Bulk & weight. Battery packs are heavy and take up considerable vehicle space.

To learn more, visit www.fueleconomy.gov. To find a charging station near you, visit the U.S. Department of Energy website.

A New Car is a Clean Car

Energy efficient technologies are available now! Many of the vehicles currently on display in dealer showrooms boast new performance-enhancing, fuel-saving technologies that can save you money. The percentages below reflect average efficiency increase per technology.  To learn more about alternative fuel, please visit the U.S. Department of Energy website.

Engine Technologies

  • Variable Valve Timing & Lift improve engine efficiency by optimizing the flow of fuel & air into the engine for various engine speeds. 5%
  • Cylinder Deactivation saves fuel by deactivating cylinders when they are not needed. 7.5%
  • Turbochargers & Superchargers increase engine power, allowing manufacturers to downsize engines without sacrificing performance or to increase performance without lowering fuel economy. 7.5%
  • Integrated Starter/Generator (ISG) Systems automatically turn the engine on/off when the vehicle is stopped to reduce fuel consumed during idling. 8%
  • Direct Fuel Injection (w/ turbocharging or supercharging) delivers higher performance with lower fuel consumption. 11-13%

Transmission Technologies

  • Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) have an infinite number of “gears”, providing seamless acceleration & better fuel economy. 6%
  • Automated Manual Transmissions (AMTs) combine the efficiency of manual transmissions with the convenience of automatics (gears shift automatically). 7%

Hybrids

Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors. Some of the advanced technologies typically used by hybrids include:

  • Regenerative Braking: the electric motor applies resistance to the drivetrain causing the wheels to slow down. In return, the energy from the wheels turns the motor, which functions as a generator, converting energy normally wasted during coasting and braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor.
  • Electric Motor Drive/Assist: the electric motor provides additional power to assist the engine in accelerating, passing, or hill climbing. This allows a smaller, more efficient engine to be used. In some vehicles, the motor alone provides power for low-speed driving conditions where internal combustion engines are least efficient.
  • Automatic Start/Shutoff: automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restarts it when the accelerator is pressed. This prevents wasted energy from idling.

First Drive: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado

“New from hood to hitch”

The Chevrolet Silverado is all-new for 2014.  With new muscular definition on the exterior and luxurious comfort on the interior, the Silverado is designed to do it all, at home and work, from dawn till dusk.  On the interior, the crew cab doors are larger, easing entry and exit.  The new hood features twin power domes to manage air flow and reduce cabin noise.  Leather seats, increased legroom and other upscale features make the interior feel almost like a small sedan.  Comfort was considered on the exterior as well, with a novel new addition to the bumper called a CornerStep.  A cutout foothold and handhold on each rear corner makes climbing in and out of the bed a breeze for men, children and women — even while wearing high heels!  Many new exterior body details were also added to improve aerodynamics, and the stronger foundation and redesigned box bring the Silverado’s towing capacity to a best-in-class 11,500 pounds.  Even with three cab, box and trim configurations, and the slew of all-new features, the 2014 Silverado will carry its base pricing over from 2013.  The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado is available now, with a premium model, the High Country, debuting later this year.  Don’t miss them at the 2014 New England International Auto Show!

First Drive: 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA

It’s the Mercedes-Benz for the masses. 

Starting at an astonishing $29,900, the CLA is the definition of “entry level.”  The front-wheel-drive CLA possesses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, resulting in 208 horsepower and a hearty 258 pound-feet of torque.  An all-wheel drive option will be available in 2014.  Bluetooth is standard, as is a 5.8-inch display serving as the multimedia interface that includes mbrace2, Mercedes’ infotainment system.  A 7-inch display, along with a navigation system and a premium audio system are optional. A panorama-style sunroof, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and safety features including pre-collision braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and parking assist are also available.  The car-buying public would like to congratulate Mercedes on their new baby Benz.  The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLA250 will hit dealerships in September.

The Most Muscle

Which one of these powerful cars has been eating their spinach lately?  Check them all out and decide for yourself at the Auto Show!

Chevrolet Camaro: Highly customizable, the Camaro is offered in a variety of packages based on the focus of the buyer.  The road-racing-inspired 1LE model has been updated for 2013 with track-ready features.  All SS models now offer variable-effort electric power steering and a dual-mode exhaust system, both of which were introduced on the Camaro ZL1.

Chevrolet Camaro ZL1:  Now available as a convertible for those who desire a highway blowout, this supercharged Camaro achieves 580-horsepower.  Billed as an “everyday supercar,” it boasts 0-60 mph in four seconds, a top speed of 184 mph, and it lapped the Nürburgring in 7:41.27.  The ZL1 name is derived from the all-aluminum racing engine of the same name, which was developed and installed into a handful of regular-production Camaros (69 total) in 1969.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1: The fastest production model ever offered by General Motors, with a top speed of 205 mph, the ZR1 is the ultimate expression of Corvette’s technology-driven performance legacy.  Even more exciting than its production specs is the fact that customers who opt for the Corvette Engine Build Experience can participate in the assembly of their engine at the General Motors Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan.

Dodge Charger: The Charger is efficient and smooth; paired with the award-winning 292 horsepower 3.6-liter aluminum Pentastar V-6 engine, new models with eight-speed automatic transmission deliver refinement, improved performance and best-in-class 31 mpg (highway).  That transmission debuted on the Charger in 2012, and was the first of its kind among domestic sport sedans.

Dodge Challenger: Delivering an impressive 27 mpg (highway) for its 305-375 horsepower, the Challenger’s 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine is legendary.  The iconic muscle car offers unique exterior personalization, and three specifically engineered suspension and wheel and tire combinations: sport-tuned, performance-tuned, and Super Track Pak.  This detailed architecture results in impressive ride and handling, and braking performance.

Ford Mustang: One awesome new feature for 2013 is a 4.2-inch LCD screen loaded with Track Apps, which enable the driver to monitor performance measures such as g-forces and shows acceleration and braking times.  Additionally, the Ford SYNC connectivity system now comes standard on the Mustang Boss 302.