AutomobileReviewed

Review of 2013 Ford Fusion Energi EcoBoost in Portland International Auto Show 2013.

Using technology is a new way to create a more fuel-efficient, safe, and functional vehicles... that have all the comforts of home.

Ford has been pushing the technology envelope by adding hands-free infotainment to its entire line of vehicles in the past few years. However, in 2013 it will have 10 vehicles that should be leading the pack for fuel efficiency, as well as for in-vehicle technology.

Ford just announced that its all-new Focus Electric is America's most fuel-efficient five-passenger car with a certified 110 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) city rating and 99 MPGe on the highway. It has been certified by the EPA to offer 105 MPGe combined, beating Nissan Leaf by 6 MPGe while offering more motor power and more standard features. Focus Electric's 99 MPGe highway certification bests the 92 MPGe rating for the Leaf.

Focus Electric bests Nissan Leaf in other ways, too -- more passenger room and a faster charging system that allows for a full recharge in nearly half the time of Nissan Leaf.

The Focus line soon will be joined by the new 2013 Ford Fusion -- aiming to be America's most fuel-efficient gas- and hybrid-powered midsize sedans -- to help create one of the industry's most fuel-efficient car lineups. The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid is projected to become the world's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan by achieving more than 100 MPGe in electric mode.

"Ford is giving customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy regardless of what type of vehicle or powertrain technology they choose," said Eric Kuehn, chief nameplate engineer, Focus Electric. "The Focus and Fusion are great examples of how we transformed our fleet of cars, utilities and trucks with leading fuel efficiency."

The EPA-approved Focus Electric label also certifies that the car has a range of 76 miles on a single charge compared with the 73-mile range of the Leaf. The Focus Electric can be driven up to 100 miles on a single charge depending on driving habits. The average driver drives 29 miles a day, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics website.

The approved label also will say customers could save $9,700 in fuel costs over the course of five years compared with the average new vehicle. Comparative savings could go even higher if the current trend of rising gas prices continues. In California alone, the cost for a gallon of gas rose 20 cents in a seven-day period that ended last week. Critics will say the Focus is too pricey, with an estimated price of about $39,000. However, it will qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit. In California, owners will qualify for an additional $2,500 tax rebate. Coupled with the fuel cost savings (not to mention not having to spend time standing around a gas pump at the filling station) it will mean the cost isn't too far out of line for the convenience.

Focus Electric is the flagship of Ford's transformed lineup that features 10 vehicles with leading fuel economy. Ford's other fuel-efficiency leaders include:

2013 Fusion 1.6-liter EcoBoost: Projected 37 mpg highway that would make it America's most fuel-efficient non-rechargeable midsize sedan
2013 Escape 1.6-liter EcoBoost: Expected to be the most fuel-efficient crossover of its kind with 33 mpg highway
2013 Taurus 2.0-liter EcoBoost: Expected to deliver best-in-class 31 mpg highway
2012 Edge 2.0-liter EcoBoost: Delivers 30 mpg highway, besting all SUVs its size or larger and even some cars such as the Honda Civic Si
2012 Explorer 2.0-liter EcoBoost: One of the most fuel-efficient seven-passenger SUVs on the market, delivering 28 mpg highway
2013 Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid: Aiming to become the world's most fuel-efficient midsize sedan with a projected 100 MPGe rating
2013 Fusion Hybrid: Expected to become the world's most fuel-efficient non-rechargeable midsize sedan with 47 mpg
2012 Fiesta: Offers up to 40 mpg highway and class-leading 33 mpg combined rating
2012 F-150: The most fuel-efficient full-size pickup, with V6 models delivering best-in-class 23 mpg highway and 17 mpg city
Unlike competitors that have designed electric and hybrid vehicles from scratch, Focus Electric benefits from being based on the fuel version of Ford's global C-segment car.

The background music is "At The Count" by "Broke For Free" that licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
The background music source: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Slam_Fun...
Music author: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

Review of the super mini car - 2013 Chevy Spark HatchBack.

Specs of the 2013 Chevrolet Spark:
Engine: front, FWD, 4-pass 4-door hatchback; 1.2L/83-hp*/83 lb-ft* DOHC 16-valve I-4
0-60 mph: 10.5 sec (mfr's est.)
Length x width x height 144.7 x 62.9 x 61 in.
Transmission: 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic
Curb weight: 2250 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase: 93.5 in.
On sale: August-September 2012
Base price: $12,995
The Chevy Spark 2013 competes with several different cars, from the tiny two-seat Smart ForTwo and three-seat Scion iQ up through the more stylish Fiat 500 and MINI Cooper. Some buyers will also cross-shop inexpensive three-door hatchbacks like the Honda CR-Z, Hyundai Veloster, and Scion tC--and, for cool image and digital connectivity, perhaps the very successful Kia Soul "tall box" car or the quirky Nissan Juke hatchback.

The background music is "At The Count" by "Broke For Free" that licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
The background music source: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Slam_Fun...
Music author: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

Review of 2013 GMC Sierra All Terrain iPortland International Auto Show 2013.
The video has HD quality.

The background music is "At The Count" by "Broke For Free" that licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
The background music source: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Slam_Fun...
Music author: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/

Review of Chevrolet (Chevy) Silverado 2014 in Portland International Auto Show 2013.

The Chevrolet Silverado 2014 trucks have the one basic styling as the Chevy Silverado 2013, 2012 and 2011, but underneath the hood is a trio of engines from the fifth generation of GM's small-block engine family that introduce a suite of fuel-saving technologies: direct fuel injection, which puts the fuel directly into each cylinder; continuously variable valve timing, which adjusts the opening and closing of the valves based on engine load; and cylinder deactivation, which shuts down some of the engine's cylinders during light-load driving.

The Chevrolet Silverado 2014 engines are a 4.3-liter V6, 5.3-liter V8 and a 6.2-liter V8. These engines use aluminum blocks and cylinder heads to shed weight, compared to iron blocks and heads. The automatic transmission now uses six gears, up from four.

The Chevrolet Silverado 2014 interior is now boast completely new interiors with a focus on soft-touch materials. Chevy Silverado drivers are now met with a gauge cluster that features a 4.2-inch color information display, and the Chevrolet Silverado trucks can be had with up to five USB ports, four 12-volt outlets and one SD card slot. The option sheet also features the IntelliLink connectivity system, displayed through a high-definition eight-inch color touchscreen interface.

This video was taken in Portland International Auto Show 2013.

The background music is "At The Count" by "Broke For Free" that licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License.
The background music source: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/Slam_Fun...
Music author: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_For_Free/