Small Cars Have Big Features
Small, more fuel-efficient cars are hitting dealer showrooms just when consumers are concerned about $4 gas. Unlike the fuel-efficient vehicles of the past, the new vehicles have many features once reserved for luxury cars. Six-speed transmission, rain-activated wipers, rear view camera, heated rear seats, navigation and more are all found on today's fuel-sipping smaller vehicles.
Zero to Hero: Small Cars Win Top Safety Pick
As recently as 2006 only three small cars earned a safety award from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Now 22 small vehicles have won the coveted safety award. Six of thirteen recently won Top Safety Pick and more importantly, none received a poor rating. The use of more airbags, stronger steel as well as anti-rollover technology have all contributed to improved ratings.
Honda Odyssey Wins Ultimate Minivan Shootout
Cars.com says the Honda Odyssey won its first Ultimate Minivan Shootout. The 3-day test included drives by experts as well as a family of five. Among other minivans tested were the Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Nissan Quest, VW Routan and Toyota Sienna.
Chrysler, Feds Launch Test of Plug-in Hybrids
Chrysler Group delivered the first of 140 plug-in hybrid Ram pickups as part of a three-year demonstration project to test the technology. The automaker said the trucks will provide data on performance over 6.5 million miles of road testing, measuring fuel economy and emissions, thermal management, durability and the impact on a region's electric grid. Test vehicles at a military base will evaluate the ability for the vehicles to provide power back to the electric grid in a reverse power flow.
