Audi A1 e-tron wins Silvretta Electric Car Rally

Audi is this year’s overall winner of the second Silvretta Electric Car Rally in Austria’s Montafon region. The 2011 victory of the A1 e-tron follows the R8 e-tron’s win last year. The second Audi in the rally, a Q5 HFC with a fuel cell finished in sixth place. A total of 32 electric vehicles were evaluated.

After three days, 307 kilometers and a total altitude difference of 11,541 meters, the A1 e-tron bearing the number 206 was named the winner of the second Silvretta Electric Car Rally Montafon. The event took place from July 7-9 as part of the 14th Silvretta Classic. The name Silvretta refers to a group of mountains in the eastern Alps of Austria. The Audi A1 e-tron won against 31 competitors in a rally, that was held on highly taxing mountain roads with inclines up to 15 percent, presenting a special challenge to electric vehicles. The Audi Q5 HFC, which was also entered by Audi, achieved sixth place. This was the best final result of all cars with a fuel cell.

The A1 e-tron contains technology that Audi’s development engineers are using to study the mobility requirements for such a future-oriented concept. The technological basis includes an electric motor with a maximum output of 75 kW that is powered by a lithium-ion battery. The battery features a 12 kWh capacity and can be completely charged in 30 minutes (quick charge), or in less than three hours (standard charge). It offers a range of 50 kilometers. To prevent drivers from being stranded by an empty battery, the A1 e-tron also comes equipped with a combustion engine, which can charge the battery as needed. The one-disc rotary engine (254 cc) is located under the trunk floor; it provides 15 kW of output intended solely to charge the battery, rather than to directly power the wheels.

The A1 e-tron is designed with a local emission-free electric drive system, which is ideally suited for driving in a city.

During the rally the A1 e-tron was driven by Franciscus van Meel, Head of Electromobility Strategy at AUDI AG. Long-time Audi employee Gerhard Gruber took on the important role of co-driver. “Sending an electric car into the Alps is one of the toughest challenges you can present it with. The fact that the A1 e-tron proved so impressive here is especially gratifying to me and it proves we’re on the right track with our electric mobility approach of combining an electric motor with a combustion engine . Many thanks to our dedicated team for making our second overall victory in a row possible,” said van Meel after crossing the finish line.

Van Meel then went on to describe the rally itself: “On the first day we drove cautiously and despite a distance of just over 100 kilometers we finished with a lot of electricity left in the battery. On the second day we were better prepared and we were able to win the day; on day three we came in second, and in the end that was enough to win the overall victory. The car ran flawlessly. We’re now looking forward to the 2012 rally. We already have a few ideas about the kind of concepts we’ll enter with, of course.”

Visit Audi Wilmington in Delaware to learn more about Audi.

Ford Helps Prevent Fuel Theft as Reports of Illegal Gas Siphoning Increase Along with Price at the Pump

DEARBORN, Mich., July 1, 2011 – The only thing worse than paying more for gasoline is paying more for gasoline and having it stolen out of your gas tank. As reports of fuel theft continue to rise, Ford owners can feel a little more secure knowing their vehicles have fuel system innovations such as the Easy Fuel® (capless fuel filler) feature.

The Ford Easy Fuel feature is designed to easily let fuel in and make it difficult to get fuel out.
That’s important as gas prices hover at the $4 per gallon mark, and demand remains high with drivers in the United States consuming about 400 million gallons of gas daily.

“Our first goal is to make the refueling process as easy and trouble-free for the customer as possible,” said Brian Aitken, supervisor, Fuel Systems. “But if it also slows down would-be thieves. Ford customers benefit that way as well.”

Reports of gasoline theft have been rising across the United States, from New Jersey to California. The West Sacramento, Calif., Police Department, for example, issued a warning to residents about a rise in fuel theft that it attributed to the increase in fuel prices.

One report from Atlanta centered on a man who was caught running a garden hose from his house to a nearby car he didn’t own.

“It’s not a shock that illegal siphoning is rising with the sharp increase in the price at the pump,” said Patrick DeHaan, a senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com, an independent website that monitors the fuel industry. “Criminals will do anything for money, and that includes trying to take liquid gold out of your gas tank.”

Ford’s capless full filler deters gas theft two different ways. With Easy Fuel, a spring-loaded flapper door is held closed by latches that can only be released by a standard-size fuel nozzle. This eliminates the need for a fuel tank screw cap. When the proper nozzle is inserted into the filler neck of the system, the latches release, and the nozzle pushes the spring-loaded flapper door to the open position. When the nozzle is removed, the flapper door automatically is forced closed by the spring.

Easy Fuel has a unique mis-fueling inhibitor to reduce improper refueling and siphoning. The inhibitor consists of a fuel nozzle detector that guides the nozzle to the opening. If a nozzle or foreign tube of a different size – a diesel nozzle or plastic hose, for example – is placed in the filler neck of a gasoline-powered vehicle, the latches will not release.  

“Unless they understand how the mis-fueling inhibitor works and come prepared, many would-be fuel thieves are unsuccessful in siphoning fuel from Ford vehicles,” said Aitken.

Another deterrent in Ford vehicles is associated with the on-board refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system. The main purpose of the system is to prevent vapors from escaping during the fueling process. Another deterrent in Ford vehicles is an inlet check valve that is part of the on-board refueling vapor recovery system. While the valve is primarily designed to prevent vapors from escaping during the fueling process, it also can thwart siphoning efforts because it closes automatically after the fueling process. It does so by detecting the pressure of liquid fuel as it passes. On many Ford vehicles, this valve will thwart the siphoning effort by thieves.
 
Still, Aitken said that despite the fact that technologies built into Ford vehicles may prevent siphoning, not all fuel thieves will be deterred.

“For another level of deterrence, a customer can purchase a locking cover,” Aitken said. The locking covers are available for purchase from Ford and Lincoln dealers.

Make summer driving a breeze with tips from Ford

Dearborn, Mich., June 30, 2011 – Screaming kids, congestion, road work, scorching weather: While we all like to get away for the summer, issues such as these can make for a lot of stress for people who are driving long distances, especially during the busy Fourth of July weekend. 

But Winner Ford of Dover has some helpful safety tips for travelers heading out on the roads for the holiday season, to ensure that the trip is memorable for all the right reasons – even if the kids keep asking “Are we there yet?” from the minute you take off.

 

Top safety tips from Ford:

• Buckle up and do it right: The seat belt remains the most important piece of safety equipment. Ensure that it tightly encircles your hips, not your waist. Never place the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm
• Keep small children belted in safety or booster seats: Children under four-feet-four-inches tall who weigh less than 79 pounds should by regulation be fitted in child safety seats or booster seats and properly belted. The safety seats need to be securely fitted to the rear seat – and the latest Ford cars are now designed with ISOFIX fittings, which provide a rigid and robust connection between the vehicle and the seats
• Ensure that the tilt and height of all head rests are correctly adjusted
• Avoid placing objects over the airbag cover: Do not place any object between an occupant and an airbag or near any other airbag covering. The airbag may not inflate properly and might force an object into that person, causing severe injury or death. The instrument panel grab handle should never be used for storage. The path of an inflating airbag must be kept clear at all times
• Do your homework. Know your car’s condition and its safety features: Check for basic maintenance and items in your car before heading off for a trip. Items to check include tire tread depth, tire pressures, and ensuring oil and water levels are correct
• Be responsible and know the speed limits: If you’re traveling across the country, be aware of the speed limits and road laws of the states you will travel through. Always carry your driver’s license with you
• Give yourself enough time to complete the journey: Plan for stops along the way. Drive at an appropriate speed for the road conditions and leave sufficient space between the vehicles around you
• Pack heavier items in lower areas of the vehicle: When filling up the cargo areas of the vehicle, always place the heaviest items close to the vehicle floor or truck bed so that in the event of a quick stop, those items remain in place and do not move forward in the vehicle where they can collide with passengers or other materials
• Use a voice-activated, hands-free connectivity system like Ford SYNC^® to control your mobile phone or navigation system: Ensure the system is ready to go before you set off 
•  Don’t drink and drive  
• Don’t drive when you’re tired: It is recommended that you take regular breaks on a long journey

Technology that can help
Ford offers a variety of technologies in its vehicles that can support the driver on long journeys – and hopefully make such trips more enjoyable and less stressful:

• SYNC:SYNC is a fully integrated, voice-activated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system for Bluetooth^®-enabled mobile phones that allows hands-free calling among its many available features
• MyFord Touch^™: MyFord Touch driver connect technology provides an intuitive way for drivers to connect in-car technologies and their digital lives
• Active park assist: An advanced new system that automatically guides the vehicle into parallel parking spaces. The system uses two ultrasonic sensors to scan for a suitable space between parked cars. Once a space has been identified, which can be as little as 1.2 times the length of the vehicle, the driver is informed and clear instructions are shown in the center display. The driver controls the accelerator and brake pedal, and selects a forward or reverse gear, while the steering system is automatically controlled by the vehicle
• Auto high beams: This feature is designed to detect light sources ahead and automatically switch the headlamps between main and low beam to avoid glare and help maximize visibility when driving at night
• Adaptive cruise control: A radar-based cruise control system that helps to maintain a preset cruising speed as well as a preset distance from vehicles ahead. If the system detects the vehicle in front is slowing down or is too close, it decelerates automatically. Once the road is clear again, it will accelerate back to the chosen cruising speed

And a few things you might not know…

• Bothered by bugs? Going on a long trip and don’t want to face a windshield and/or bumper full of dead insects by the time you arrive? Wipe down your windshield with a tumble dryer sheet; bugs won’t stick to the glass as easily. Also, give your bumpers the once-over with cooking spray
• Sheets: If your trunk looks like a linen closet before you leave, then you’re prepared. Pack bed sheets – you can drape them over car seats that have become baking hot in the sun
• Tennis, anyone? Slice open a tennis ball and use it to cover your tow bar when you’re not using it. It will protect it from scratches, and will keep the moisture out
• Don’t forget your shades: Troubled by sun glare? Add a few pairs of sunglasses (in case you lose one) to your travel bag before you leave
• Don’t scratch it; smear it: Can’t get that sticker from the amusement park or beach parking lot off your window? Saturate it with cooking oil before you start scrubbing.

Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Motors Debut Solar-Powered Vehicle Charging Station

CYPRESS, Calif., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc. (Mitsubishi Electric) and Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) today debuted a solar-powered charging station for electric vehicles at the MMNA headquarters in Cypress, California.  This charging facility, the first of its kind in Cypress, symbolizes MMNA's commitment to electric vehicle readiness, and will help kick off the preparations as certified Mitsubishi dealers become EV-ready in anticipation of the scheduled launch date of Mitsubishi i for each state. The charging station is powered by 96, 175W photovoltaic modules from Mitsubishi Electric. This charging station will help support CHAdeMO compatible electric vehicles such as the Mitsubishi i, which will arrive in showrooms in November of this year. Mitsubishi i vehicles are now being reserved by prospective owners through a pre-order process available at i.mitsubishicars.com.


Able to charge up to four vehicles at once, the station features three types of chargers with different voltages: standard level 1 voltage (110v) will deliver a 100 percent charge in 22 hours on the new Mitsubishi i; level 2 (220v) which can charge the vehicle in six hours; and level 3 CHAdeMO Quick Charger, which can charge to 80 percent battery capacity in 25 minutes.
The DC Quick Charger used for the Cypress charging station is manufactured by the Eaton Corporation, and is the first-of-its-kind CHAdeMO Quick Charger certified for U.S. sale and public utility. The actual installation of the charging equipment and the supporting electrical infrastructure was handled by Rogers Electric.  The twin-arch structure for the charging station was designed by California Green Designs.


The charging station is the first such collaboration between the two similarly named companies, whose headquarters are just a few blocks apart in northern Orange County. Situated near the junction of the 405 and 605 freeways, the hope is that the Cypress charging station, with its Quick Charge capability, can serve as a gateway charging pad for Mitsubishi i users commuting between Los Angeles and Orange counties.  

"This project will build awareness of solar power's versatility and efficiency," said Katsuya Takamiya, president and chief executive officer, Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA. "As electric vehicles' popularity grows, we expect to see more charging stations at large employers, automobile dealerships, shopping centers and schools, where cars can charge while people work, shop or study."

Mitsubishi Motors North America President Yoichi Yokozawa said "We hope that our dealers, learning institutions, and municipalities will look to this technology with a keen eye towards the future, and bear in mind that the gradual acceptance of the pure-EV transportation will be aided by increasing the number of facilities like this one."

Mitsubishi Electric's solar panels are made with 100 percent lead-free solder, and have one of the higher sunlight-to-energy conversion ratios in the industry, adding to the project's efficiency and sustainability.

Mitsubishi Motors North America Celebrates its Passionate Fans at MOD 2011 Owner Appreciation Day

CYPRESS, California, July 8, 2011 – Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc., (MMNA) will once again celebrate their storied brand with thousands of impassioned Southern California automotive enthusiasts at the 2011 edition of its annual Mitsubishi Owners Day (MOD) gathering at the Japanese auto manufacturer’s headquarters located at 6400 Katella Avenue in Cypress, California. This year’s festivities take place on Saturday, July 9 and are open to the public and completely free of charge.

Mitsubishi’s devoted vehicle owners are expected to once again field an impressive collection of dynamic Diamond Star classics covering the broad spectrum of production vehicles sold in America. The sporty first-generation Eclipse and turbocharged Starion, the technologically-advanced 3000 GT, the sophisticatedly styled Galant, the rugged and adventurous Montero Sport and Outlander – as well as numerous generations of the legendary Lancer Evolution sports sedan – and many other vehicle models will be among the treasures exhibited at MOD 2011.

The world-famous Jim Russell Racing Drivers School will also have one of their sleek FJR-50 open-wheel formula-style racing cars – powered by a potent 300 horsepower (220 in school trim) 2.0-liter turbocharged Mitsubishi 4G63T 4-cylinder engine – on display at MOD 2011. Composed of Kevlar and carbon-fiber and featuring a 5-speed sequential gearbox, the exotic FJR-50 is comparable to the racing machines that do battle in the highly competitive Formula 3 series that feature prominently in European motorsports. 

Special events among the daylong annual festival include the Dyno Challenge, the “Best Eclipse” award and the DSPORT magazine “Editor’s Choice” award.  

Additionally, Mitsubishi fans and owners will see a host of impressive new attractions and vehicles at MOD 2011 that are sure to pique their interests including the swansong special edition 2012 Eclipse SE, the very stylish Outlander Sport Concept Vehicle, the Mitsubishi Evolution X & Sony game car that allows attendees to jump behind the wheel of real Evo to play Sony’s PlayStation®, experience the amazing “feel” of music as never before inside the 10,000-watt Rockford Fosgate® SoundLab and take a ride in the groundbreaking 100% electric-powered Mitsubishi i production car that will usher in a new era of affordable and environmentally-friendly personal transportation.

Participants who choose to display their Mitsubishi at the event will not only receive a coupon for a free lunch combo from the In-N-Out Burger’s catering truck that will be on the Mitsubishi campus for the event (additional combo meal tickets can be purchased for only $5.00 at the MMNA Food/Apparel booths), but they will also be eligible to win amazing prizes from several of the vendors that will be in attendance. The Cool Haus® ice cream sandwich truck will also be at MOD 2011, its delicious treats available for a discounted $2.00 each – compliments of Mitsubishi Motors North America.

For more information about Mitsubishi Owners Day, log on to Facebook.com/Mitsubishi and Twitter.com/MitsuCars.  For more information about Mitsubishi contact Winner Mitsubishi.

HYUNDAI SONATA NAMED A BEST FAMILY CAR FOR 2011 BY PARENTS MAGAZINE AND EDMUNDS.COM

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 06/07/2011 - The 2011 Hyundai Sonata was recognized as a Best Family Car for 2011 by Parents magazine and Edmunds.com in their annual list of family vehicles. The Best Family Cars of 2011 will appear in the July 2011 issue of Parents magazine which hits newsstands nationwide on June 14.

“For the cost of some compacts, the Hyundai Sonata offers a backseat that's big enough for adults and provides ample space for installing car seats without a struggle,” said Parents editors. “The advanced four-cylinder engine provides the best mileage of any car in its class -- as well as all the power you'll need to feel confident merging onto the highway. The 16.4-cubic-foot trunk can fit two full-size strollers plus other kid paraphernalia.”

Car experts from Parents and Edmunds.com scrutinized hundreds of vehicles focusing on safety and reliability as top priorities.  The list includes 15 top models – three each in Sedan, Budget, Crossover, Eco-Friendly and Large Car categories. Each car was judged on safety, performance, interior, exterior and family-friendly features. In addition to professional reviews, editors took into account feedback from parents who own and drive the vehicles every day.

“The Hyundai Sonata debuted with an innovative redesign for 2011 that is both parent and kid-friendly, making it a smart buy for families,” said Scott Margason, director of Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America.  “Sonata offers class-leading comfort with an EPA designated large volume interior, standard 35 mile-per-gallon highway fuel economy and advanced standard safety technologies making it the perfect midsize sedan choice for families this year.

The 2011 Sonata represents a modern approach to the traditional midsize sedan segment by using only advanced four-cylinder engines, emotional design and luxury features offered with Hyundai’s strong value proposition.  The Sonata launched with a new Theta II 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine and in-house six-speed automatic transmission.  The vehicle offers class-leading fuel economy of 22 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 198 horsepower standard. Both hybrid and turbo powertrains round out the Sonata lineup, offering a trio of high value options for consumers.

To learn more about the Hyundai Sonata, visit Winner Hyundai in Dover, Delaware.

To read more about the 15 Best Family Cars, go to: http://www.parents.com/parenting/money/car-buying/best-family-cars/

2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA RANKED ONE OF THE “TOP 10 COOLEST NEW CARS UNDER $18,000” BY KELLEY BLUE BOOK’S KBB.COM

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 06/27/2011 - The 2011 Hyundai Elantra has been named one of the “Top 10 Coolest New Cars under $18,000” by Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. According to kbb.com experts, the Elantra was chosen on the basis of two criteria—being fun to drive and fun to own. Kbb.com praised the Elantra’s “all-around package of slick design, convenient features and fuel efficiency,” as well as the fact that “every Elantra gets 40 miles per gallon on the highway.”

The Elantra will be one of four Hyundai vehicles sold in 2011 that achieves the milestone 40 MPG highway fuel economy rating, along with the Accent, Sonata Hybrid and the Veloster. Elantra received a complete redesign for 2011, as well as an 18 percent bump in fuel efficiency over its predecessor.

“We’re honored that kbb.com recognized so many of the things about the Elantra that we baked into the recipe,” said Brandon Ramirez, manager, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “With standard 40 mpg highway fuel economy and terrific looks, as well as a wealth of advanced technological and safety features, the Elantra is definitely one of the coolest options in its segment.”

The 2011 Elantra excels in terms of design and fuel economy, but it also rises above the competition with a combination of advanced safety features, exceptional interior room equal to that of a midsize sedan and an all-new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. All of these features, plus Hyundai’s industry-leading standard warranty, amount to an exceptional vehicle that is also an exceptional value. 

As kbb.com notes, “it takes some panache to be fuel efficient, affordable and great looking, and the 2011 Hyundai Elantra pulls it off in style.

Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, remarked of all the vehicles featured in the “Top 10 Coolest Cars under $18,000,” “There are great deals to be had on many new cars under $18,000, but only a handful of them really possess that cool, difficult-to-describe ‘it’ factor. Each year the competition keeps getting tougher in this affordable segment, with more personality-filled, amenity-laden, versatile vehicles entering the marketplace.” 

For more information about the Hyundai Elantra visit Winner Hyundai in Dover, Delaware.

For more information about kbb.com’s 2011 “Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000,” please visit http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/10-coolest-cars-under-18000-_-2011-edition/.