2010 Ford Flex With EcoBoost V6 - Auto Shows

Power to the people-haulers. Finally. Ford's recent strategy of car first, new engine later continues with the Flex. Introduced for 2009 with the corporate 3.5-liter V-6, we placed the Flex fourth out of six in a recent crossover comparison, where its prodigious poundage was hard to hustle with only 262 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque on tap. Technology comes to the rescue for 2010, via twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection. Ford's long-awaited EcoBoost engine program finally bears fruit in the form of a revised version of its 3.5-liter that gets a big-time power boost—to the tune of 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque—with no change in combined fuel economy. Ford estimates 22 highway mpg for the EcoBoost Flex, which matches that of current all-wheel-drive models. The engine will be an option over the naturally aspirated V-6 on all-wheel-drive SEL and Limited models. To handle the higher torque output, some internals have been upgraded, as has the six-speed automatic transmission. Keep Reading: 2010 Ford Flex With EcoBoost V6 - Auto Shows

 

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Production Honda Insight hybrid debuts in Detroit

The all-new 2010 Honda Insight hybrid car made its world debut today at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, ending several weeks of image leaks and specifications conjecture. Utilizing the latest generation of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology and new, more cost-efficient production methods, the 2010 Insight will provide consumers with an affordable option for eco-friendly driving. The EPA fuel-economy rating for the vehicle is 40mpg in the city and 43mpg on the highway, and to ensure owners realize the full benefits of the hybrid technology, it will come with a special Ecological Drive Assist System. 2008 Honda Insight hybrid concept

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Toyota updates Camry and Camry Hybrid for 2010

Toyota has used the 2009 Detroit Auto Show to display its facelifted Camry sedan, which for the 2010 model year has been given a new look both inside and out and has received an upgraded 2.5L four-cylinder as the base engine. The new engine is equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and produces 169hp for Camry, LE and XLE grades. For sportier SE, the engine gets additional tuning and delivers 179hp – 21hp more than the previous four-cylinder engine. Customers can select either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with sequential shift. 2010 Toyota Camry facelift

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Hyundai Genesis wins 2009 North American Car of the Year award

Coinciding with this week's 2009 Detroit Auto Show is the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year (NACTOY) awards, and for this year's event the 2009 Hyundai Genesis took out the car award, while the 2009 Ford F-150 was picked as the top truck. Runners up for the car award were the Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Ford Flex, while the F-150 beat out the redesigned Dodge Ram and Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec in the truck category. Some other important cars in this year's award included the BMW 1-series with its available twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, Nissan's GT-R - also featuring a twin-turbo six, and the supercharged V8 CTS-V, though the more every-day vehicles like the Mazda6 or the Pontiac G8 were also among the most popular vehicles in the event. Hyundai Genesis Sedan

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Subaru reveals new Legacy Concept

Subaru has released full details for its concept vehicle previewing the next-generation Legacy (Liberty) sedan due late next year. Appropriately named the Legacy Concept, the vehicle has made its world debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The concept features a 3.6L horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine and the company's trademark symmetrical AWD system. Key characteristics include the distinctive front face and flared wheel arches. It sits on a larger 108.3in wheelbase than the current Legacy, which was implemented to maximize interior space and provide comfortable accommodations for four adults. 2009 Subaru Legacy Concept

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Mercedes Benz provides full details for BlueZERO concept family

Though most of the world associates green with environmentally-friendly technologies, Mercedes Benz and a few others use the color blue to denote their ecologically advanced vehicles and drivetrains. The latest development in the blue-themed line of Mercedes offerings is a trio of BlueZERO electric vehicle concepts being presented at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The concepts are called the E-Cell, F-Cell and E-Cell Plus, all of which offer slightly different takes on the electric vehicle concept but feature the same exterior design and overall 13.85ft (4.22m) length. The E-Cell uses a pure-ev design, with lithium-ion batteries and electric motors doing all of the work. Mercedes BlueZero Concepts

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Tesla adds more powerful Roadster Sport to lineup

Tesla has delivered 150 all-electric Roadsters to its first lucky customers and still has another 1,100 or so eagerly awaiting their chance to hop behind the wheel of the $100,000 sports car, but despite the backlog the company has decided to add a new model to its lineup. The new car is called the Roadster Sport and it is essentially a more powerful version of the existing Roadster. The Roadster Sport has 15% more peak power than the 248hp (185kW) Roadster and will go from 0-60mph in just 3.7 seconds (the standard model takes 3.9 seconds). Tesla Roadster

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Ford reveals full details for EcoBoost engine, confirms launch in Lincoln MKS, MKT, and Ford Flex models

The first in a wave of new EcoBoost engines makes its debut in the Lincoln MKS, MKT and Ford Flex later this year as part of Ford's global initiative to provide powertrains that deliver high output but low consumption and emissions. The first engine will be a 3.5L petrol V6 with direct-injection and twin-turbochargers, which is claimed to deliver the performance of a normally aspirated V8 but the economy of a V6. The new mill delivers a peak 355hp (265kW) at 5,700rpm and 350ft-lb (474Nm) of torque from 3,500rpm. Ford EcoBoost range

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Lexus rolls-out HS 250h dedicated-hybrid

Lexus today announced an all-new dedicated hybrid model for its lineup in the form of the HS 250h. The HS fits between the current IS and ES models and is designed to make luxury hybrids more affordable. According to the company almost 60% of entry level luxury car buyers would consider a hybrid model if it were a viable option. The HS 250h is powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine which generates 187hp (140kW) when combined with the Lexus Hybrid Drive system. Drive is sent to the front wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. Toyota Safety Connect and Lexus Enform

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Volkswagen rolls out Touareg Lux Limited and V6 TDI SUVs at Detroit Auto Show

Diesels are quickly joining hybrids and plug-in electrics as the new show-car theme. The reasons are simple: efficiency, both in terms of fuel and finance, is driving carmakers and consumers to give diesel-fueled vehicles another chance. In keeping with this, Volkswagen is once again showcasing its Touareg SUV equipped with a 3.0L V6 TDI clean diesel engine, this time at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. For the U.S. version of the vehicle, V6 TDI delivers 225hp (165kW) and 406lb-ft (550Nm) of torque and is rated at 18mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway for fuel economy. Volkswagen Touareg Lux Limited SUV

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