Ford Escape Hybrid 2010

Ford Escape Hybrid - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid ranks 7 out of 24 Affordable Compact SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 21 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Escape Hybrid, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

With a maximum 32 mpg combined fuel economy, the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market. Most people expect that hybrid fuel economy comes at the expense of an enjoyable driving experience, but the Escape Hybrid's driving dynamics are just as good as a traditional vehicle's. In fact, most reviewers agree that the Escape Hybrid's only major flaw is its steep sticker price.

Named most environmentally friendly Truck of the Year at the inaugural 2009 Earth, Wind & Power Awards, the Escape Hybrid is ideal for families who want to minimize their carbon footprint. But being environmentally conscious comes at a higher price. At nearly $30,000, the base Escape Hybrid commands a $9,000 premium over its gasoline-powered Escape counterpart.

This makes it one of the most expensive compact SUVs, although its price is a bit cheaper than many hybrids, including the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Regardless, it will probably take families many years to make up that $9,000 in gas savings, so if being environmentally friendly isn't a top priority, you might want to look elsewhere.

Other SUVs to Consider

If most of your driving is on highways, the GMC Terrain is a fuel-efficient and more affordable alternative. It gets 1 mile per gallon more than the Escape Hybrid on the highway and costs about $5,000 less. It also offers a more versatile sliding rear seat. However, its 22 mpg city fuel economy rating doesn’t come close to matching the Escape Hybrid’s 34 mpg.

The redesigned Hyundai Tucson is also a fuel-efficient hybrid alternative. The 2010 model is projected to achieve a maximum rating of 23/31 city highway, which means it gets the same highway fuel economy as the Escape Hybrid, though it still falls short in city fuel economy. However, the Tucson’s big draw is its affordable price. It starts at almost $11,000 less than the hybrid.

Details: Ford Escape Hybrid

New features for 2010 set the gas-only Escape (reviewed separately) and Escape Hybrid apart from competitors. These include MyKey, a standard system that allows owners to limit a vehicle's top speed and audio volume -- a big plus for parents. In addition, Limited models get a standard rearview camera system and optional Active Park Assist, which actually maneuvers the car into parallel parking spots. Perhaps the most appreciated change is an electric air conditioning unit, which means drivers can now use the A/C without having to turn on the gasoline engine.

Range Rover 2011 Review

2011 Range Rover comes with a new V8 diesel engine fitted with 8-speed transmission. The big SUV also has two significant Terrain Response® upgrades and slight external styling enhancements. The vehicle will go on sale in late September this year.

Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director comments: “The 2011 Range Rover retains its position as one of the world’s most complete luxury vehicles. Its combination of reduced CO2 emissions and superior engine performance continue to make it a clear industry benchmark. And with the introduction of our all-new ’super diesel’, we see the Range Rover delivering over 30mpg for the first time,”

The mighty LR-TDV8 4.4 litre diesel engine features parallel sequential turbocharging and brings unrivalled power and massive torque. The 4.4 litre engine replaces the old one – 3.6 litre, besides the new power unit is larger, it is also more cleaner and delivering even lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The combined cycle fuel consumption of the new LR-TDV8 4.4-litre is 30.1mpg, which is outstanding result for a machine weighing over two tons.

The 4.4 litre LR-TDV8 develops 313PS and 700Nm of torque. It is combined with electronically controlled, ZF 8HP70, 8-speed automatic gearbox. The performance is more than satisfying – 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds, 50-70mph in just 4.0 seconds and top speed of 130mph.

FUN CUP MIDDLE EAST Pulls Up AT DUBAI AUTODROME

Following the successful launch of the Fun Cup Middle East at Spa, Belgium in July, the inaugural promotional Fun Cup Middle East Race Weekend will be held at the Dubai Autodrome on the 27th, 28th and 29th of January 2011.

The first 3 Fun Cup Middle East cars left the factory in Belgium at the end of August and are now on hand at the Dubai Autodrome for Track Days (details on website). All 3 cars will be at the circuit including a twin-seater car for drives with a Fun Cup Instructor.

The ever popular FunCup is an endurance motorsports race and the series was launched in the Europe in 1997, as a step forward in motorsport with the clearly defined objective of providing cost effective, close, exciting and above all, good fun racing for all teams competing.

The concept was originally conceived in Belgium based on the success of endurance karting. As well as series in the UK and Belgium, it now runs in France, Italy, Germany and Spain with the USA next in line. From small beginnings, it has taken off to massive success with more than 160 cars on the grid for the Spa 25 hour race and regular grids, topping 50 cars in Europe.

The cars are race designed, single-seaters, with super-strong space frame chassis. Most Fun Cup cars are powered by an 1800cc, 130 bhp VW/Audi petrol engine, with a 5 speed gearbox, race brakes and fully adjustable suspension. However, a new and exciting development to the Fun Cup in 2009 was the introduction of the 1900cc TDI, 160 bhp VW diesel engines.

Tony Burton, Race Director, Burton Motorsports the exclusive rights holder for Fun Cup Middle East comments, “We saw a gap in the market and motorsports community for an endurance motorsport series that allowed novice drivers to acquire the basic skills through a race license and a certain level of track time that then enabled them to really test and enjoy their driving skills on a serious circuit within a real racing environment”. Burton further added, “With the European race season running from April to October it is our aim to see this series find a continued season in the Middle East from October to April. We believe that such a series would enhance regional motorsports by making it more accessible and popular across a wider audience, as well as offering a significant entertainment value to the regional circuits”.

With European crowds reaching up to 30,000 strong, Fun Cup brings the thrill of driving and racing to participants and spectators alike. The level and extent of viewership and coverage currently occupied by Fun Cup will naturally lend itself to inbound tourism, as well as to the promotional export of the UAE and its neighbours.Fun Cup Middle East aims to be incorporated into the official regional motorsports race season by September 2011.

Mitsubishi ASX 2011 Review

Dubai: After its most recent launch into the European market this past July, the new Mitsubishi ASX is now on the Middle East car market.

Hosted by the Mitsubishi Motor Corporation (MMC), the launch of the new vehicle took place in Dubai yesterday, attracting car dealers from all over the Middle East and GCC, in addition to top Mitsubishi officials from Japan. The ASX was also available for a test drive.

Fuel efficient

"It's a smaller SUV with a smaller engine size, but it's also got the capabilities of a two-wheel and a four-wheel drive," said Joseph Rogan, Sales Director at Al Habtoor Motors, the exclusive dealer for Mitsubishi, Bentley, Aston Martin and TEMSA in the UAE.

The ASX is a mid-sized SUV powered by a fuel-efficient 2.0 litre petrol engine. It also comes with a price tag starting from Dh74,500 in the UAE. "The growth of Mitsubishi has been tremendous," Rogan said. The new ASX will be competing with other vehicles in the market, he said.

Speaking of the current car market, Rogan said that it's "coming back together again. It's growing again. Now that we've got the ASX on board, we believe it's going to be a great opportunity for us." Asked about the outlook for 2011, Rogan said, "It's still a bit early to predict what the market will be like next year, but so far our sales growth have been 27 per cent.

"Since its launch worldwide, it's been very well received and we believe it will be doing well in this region too," he said.

Chevrolet Traverse 2010

The 2010 Chevrolet Traverse ranks 2 out of 23 Affordable Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on our analysis of 19 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet Traverse, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Chevrolet Traverse is an affordable, stylish and versatile minivan alternative. Its spacious seven- or eight-passenger seating and class-leading cargo space make it a great family SUV.

As Chevy's first large crossover SUV, the Traverse replaced the discontinued Uplander minivan when it debuted in 2009. It shares a platform with the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, and several reviewers say it's the best of the three. "There is a plethora of crossover SUVs to choose from today and they come in all sizes," says MSN. "If you regularly tote around six or seven passengers, occasionally load plywood sheets or tow up to 5,200 pounds, the Traverse should be added to your shopping list."

The Traverse’s greatest strength is a standard third-row seat, which brings the seating capacity to eight and is actually big enough to fit adults. It also boasts an incredible amount of cargo space that no other SUV in its class can match. At just over $29,000, the Traverse’s starting price is about average for its class, which makes it a good value. Its 17/24 city/highway fuel economy is also about average, but is especially impressive when compared to other eight-passenger SUVs.

Other SUVs to Consider

Since the Affordable Midsize SUV class is so large, there are even more affordable options – but it’s difficult to find one as well-rounded as the Traverse, or one that seats eight passengers.

Still, you may want to consider the Ford Flex, which comes with a two-person third row that’s big enough to fit adults. It has a comparable fuel economy rating and shaves a few hundred dollars off the Traverse’s base price. Its biggest advantage, however, is an optional EcoBoost engine, which boasts a whopping 355 horsepower. Just remember that the Flex also comes with unique retro styling, which may or may not float your boat.

Another good three-row option is the Honda Pilot. It costs about $1,300 less than the Traverse and has a very similar fuel economy rating. However, it doesn’t provide nearly as much cargo capacity and comes with a much boxier exterior.

Details:

The 2010 Traverse is available in a few trim levels -- LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ -- in either front- or all-wheel drive. Since it was just introduced last year, the Traverse gets only minor changes for 2010, such as the addition of a USB port. Since the 2010 Traverse is nearly identical to the 2009 model, this review uses data from both model years.