From Automotive News:
By Richard Truett
General Motors plans to build the last Saturn vehicles this year, two years earlier than planned, as it speeds up plans to shed dealerships and divisions, CEO Fritz Henderson said today.
The Saturn brand still may survive if GM can sell it to another automaker or investor, but GM no longer will build vehicles for Saturn after the 2009 model year, Henderson said on a conference call.
In its Feb. 17 plan submitted to the U.S. auto task force, GM planned to build Saturn vehicles through 2011. Under a revised plan announced today, GM will shed Pontiac next year, leaving the automaker with just four U.S. brands: Chevrolet, Cadillac GMC and Buick.
Henderson also said that GM no longer will build Hummer vehicles after the current model year.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Pontiac is done by end of 2010
From AutoWeek:
By Greg Migliore
Pontiac--the brand famous for the GTO, the Firebird, the Star Chief and most recently, the Solstice--is dead. It will be phased out by the end of 2010 as part of sweeping cuts announced Monday by General Motors as it tries to remake itself into a smaller company with fewer plants, workers and dealers.
GM said it will concentrate on four U.S. brands--Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC--and that it expects to resolve the fates of Hummer, Saab and Saturn by the end of 2009. It also announced that it will offer stock to its debt holders in an effort to reduce its large debt load. GM warned that it expects to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy if it does not get enough tenders for the exchange by June 1, but the automaker maintained that it prefers to not have to go into bankruptcy.
By Greg Migliore
Pontiac--the brand famous for the GTO, the Firebird, the Star Chief and most recently, the Solstice--is dead. It will be phased out by the end of 2010 as part of sweeping cuts announced Monday by General Motors as it tries to remake itself into a smaller company with fewer plants, workers and dealers.
GM said it will concentrate on four U.S. brands--Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC--and that it expects to resolve the fates of Hummer, Saab and Saturn by the end of 2009. It also announced that it will offer stock to its debt holders in an effort to reduce its large debt load. GM warned that it expects to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy if it does not get enough tenders for the exchange by June 1, but the automaker maintained that it prefers to not have to go into bankruptcy.
Friday, April 24, 2009
GM prepares to announce Pontiac closure next week
From Automotive News:
Jamie LaReau
General Motors may announce early next week that its Pontiac brand will be eliminated, said a source familiar with the company's plans. The announcement will be made as part of an updated viability plan to the U.S. auto task force, the source said.
A second source indicated earlier this week that GM was considering phasing out the brand instead of sticking with the current plan to have it continue as a niche marque.
GM, surviving with $15.4 billion in U.S. government loans, had planned to keep Pontiac along with mainstream brands Buick, GMC, Chevrolet and Cadillac. Saturn, Hummer and Saab are up for sale.
Reports that GM is contemplating killing Pontiac surfaced today in Australia, where GM builds the Pontiac G8 sedan.
Jamie LaReau
General Motors may announce early next week that its Pontiac brand will be eliminated, said a source familiar with the company's plans. The announcement will be made as part of an updated viability plan to the U.S. auto task force, the source said.
A second source indicated earlier this week that GM was considering phasing out the brand instead of sticking with the current plan to have it continue as a niche marque.
GM, surviving with $15.4 billion in U.S. government loans, had planned to keep Pontiac along with mainstream brands Buick, GMC, Chevrolet and Cadillac. Saturn, Hummer and Saab are up for sale.
Reports that GM is contemplating killing Pontiac surfaced today in Australia, where GM builds the Pontiac G8 sedan.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Toyota announces pricing for 2010 Prius
By Karl W. Ritzler
Toyota has fired its salvo in the 2010 war of the hybrids.
The price of the redesigned 2010 Prius, Toyota’s hybrid flagship and the most numerous hybrid on the road, will remain essentially unchanged from 2009, according to the company’s pricing announcement this week.
Toyota is growing price sensitive about the Prius as new hybrid competition, especially from the all-new Honda Insight, comes on line. The Insight is a smaller car, even smaller than Honda’s Civic Hybrid, but is priced under the Prius. Toyota already has made one countermove, announcing that a hybrid system will be available in its subcompact Yaris.
Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division, said, “This model provides more than $2,000 added value, including the features most buyers want, at the same price as the current base model.”
The third-generation Prius has five levels, each with higher levels of features.
The lowest, base level is priced at $21,000 and will be available later this year. It’s aimed at businesses and fleet operators who want a no-frills vehicle.
Toyota says Level 2 is the base model, priced at $22,000, the same as this year’s base, and is aimed at most consumers.
All Priuses come with “a larger and more powerful yet more efficient 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine.” The company says. The gasoline portion produces 98 horsepower, and with the electric motor, it will generate a combined net horsepower of 134, an increase of 24 horsepower over the previous generation.
The car is also more efficient, with EPA fuel economy estimates of 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined.
Included in the Level 2 Prius are smart key with push button start; AM/FM/MP3 CD player with six speakers, satellite radio capacity and audio jack; cruise control; seven air bags; and four-wheel disc brakes.
Priced at $1,000 more, the Level 3 Prius upgrades the sound system and adds hands-free Bluetooth phone capability.
Level 4, priced at $25,800, adds a leather interior, heated seats and other upgrades. Level 5, priced at a line-topping $27,270, adds 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps and LED headlights.
Toyota has fired its salvo in the 2010 war of the hybrids.
The price of the redesigned 2010 Prius, Toyota’s hybrid flagship and the most numerous hybrid on the road, will remain essentially unchanged from 2009, according to the company’s pricing announcement this week.
Toyota is growing price sensitive about the Prius as new hybrid competition, especially from the all-new Honda Insight, comes on line. The Insight is a smaller car, even smaller than Honda’s Civic Hybrid, but is priced under the Prius. Toyota already has made one countermove, announcing that a hybrid system will be available in its subcompact Yaris.
Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division, said, “This model provides more than $2,000 added value, including the features most buyers want, at the same price as the current base model.”
The third-generation Prius has five levels, each with higher levels of features.
The lowest, base level is priced at $21,000 and will be available later this year. It’s aimed at businesses and fleet operators who want a no-frills vehicle.
Toyota says Level 2 is the base model, priced at $22,000, the same as this year’s base, and is aimed at most consumers.
All Priuses come with “a larger and more powerful yet more efficient 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine.” The company says. The gasoline portion produces 98 horsepower, and with the electric motor, it will generate a combined net horsepower of 134, an increase of 24 horsepower over the previous generation.
The car is also more efficient, with EPA fuel economy estimates of 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined.
Included in the Level 2 Prius are smart key with push button start; AM/FM/MP3 CD player with six speakers, satellite radio capacity and audio jack; cruise control; seven air bags; and four-wheel disc brakes.
Priced at $1,000 more, the Level 3 Prius upgrades the sound system and adds hands-free Bluetooth phone capability.
Level 4, priced at $25,800, adds a leather interior, heated seats and other upgrades. Level 5, priced at a line-topping $27,270, adds 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps and LED headlights.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Petite with plenty of pep
Appeared in The Daily Report, Monday, April 20, 2009:
By Karl W. Ritzler, Special to the Daily Report
Subcompact cars have changed.
Yes, the category still is populated with cheap econoboxes that seem like a good idea only when you look at the sticker.
The Toyota Yaris, while the automaker's cheapest offering, is hardly cheaply made. It is roomy, even in the back seat, peppy and has the new, squarish look also popularized by competitors such as the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota's own spinoff brand, Scion.
It says “youth” and “fun.” But the Yaris and its pals aren't a bad idea for the rest of us when gas climbs over $2 a gallon either. Even with the automatic transmission, it delivers 29 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Because the car is so light, just 2,340 pounds, it has good acceleration onto the freeway and easily keeps up with traffic. Even hills aren't too much of a problem. You can feel its peppiness when pulling away from a stoplight— just don't try drag racing with a Camaro.
Base prices start about $12,000 for the three-door hatchback with a manual transmission, to just over $15,000 for the test car, a five-door hatchback S version with automatic that's a new model this year. All Yarises come with the 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine.
And the test car was nicely equipped with a power package (power windows, locks, fold-flat rear seats and upgraded 15-inch wheels, $1,290 or $900, depending whether you choose alloy or the standard steel wheels). The only other options a Southern driver might want is the keyless entry ($230).
The front seats are comfortable, and the driver has a high position to watch outside traffic. Taller drivers, however, might find headroom getting a bit tight. The climate and audio controls are convenient and easy to use in their position in the center of the dash.
As an option in some models, the back seats, in addition to folding down for more cargo room, can slide fore and aft and recline.
Standard features are plentiful and just what buyers seem to want—front and rear cupholders, remote mirrors, convenient storage pockets, air conditioning, audio system with MP3 and CD player and an iPod jack. As a flourish on the S models, a ground-effects body kit, a tachometer, rear spoiler and fog lights are standard. Also standard this year are side-curtain air bags and antilock brakes.
Buyers also get Toyota's excellent reputation for reliability and a solid feel while driving.
Still, there are some compromises and quirks.
In a report issued earlier this month, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers of the Yaris and other small cars could face significant injuries in severe front-end crashes with larger, mid-size vehicles, according to a report by The Associated Press.
The institute crashed the Yaris into a Toyota Camry at 40 mph, a severe crash. The institute said the smaller car sustained damage to the door and front passenger area. However, the Yaris has received good ratings in previous front and side crash tests. Toyota spokesman John Hanson said the car-to-car test had little relevance to consumers because of its severity.
In other examples, don't expect 6-plus-footers to be comfortable in the back seat on any but the shortest trips. Toyota says it will seat five, but three of them had better be children. Two adults will fit just fine, though. And the 9.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat disappears quickly on a trip to the grocery store. With the rear seats folded flat, cargo space grows to 26 cubic feet.
Toyota also has centered the driver information display in the dashboard. Aside from giving the passenger seat rider an opportunity to question your speed, it's distracting for the driver to have to look to the right.
The front cupholders also took a bit of time to find. There's no place to put a beverage on the center console, and the two front cupholders are pull-downs in the far left and right corners of the dash.
In addition to the three-door and five-door hatchbacks, the Yaris also is available as a more conservatively styled sedan.
Karl W. Ritzler is a freelance writer who contributes to the Daily Report.
Toyota Yaris
• Buy this car if: You want style and comfort in a subcompact package.
• Not for you if: You need room for big passengers or lots of gear.
• Look at me factor: The eye-catching, boxy style is all the rage.
• Competitors: Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Scion xD, Mazda 3.
By Karl W. Ritzler, Special to the Daily Report
Subcompact cars have changed.
Yes, the category still is populated with cheap econoboxes that seem like a good idea only when you look at the sticker.
The Toyota Yaris, while the automaker's cheapest offering, is hardly cheaply made. It is roomy, even in the back seat, peppy and has the new, squarish look also popularized by competitors such as the Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota's own spinoff brand, Scion.
It says “youth” and “fun.” But the Yaris and its pals aren't a bad idea for the rest of us when gas climbs over $2 a gallon either. Even with the automatic transmission, it delivers 29 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. Because the car is so light, just 2,340 pounds, it has good acceleration onto the freeway and easily keeps up with traffic. Even hills aren't too much of a problem. You can feel its peppiness when pulling away from a stoplight— just don't try drag racing with a Camaro.
Base prices start about $12,000 for the three-door hatchback with a manual transmission, to just over $15,000 for the test car, a five-door hatchback S version with automatic that's a new model this year. All Yarises come with the 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine.
And the test car was nicely equipped with a power package (power windows, locks, fold-flat rear seats and upgraded 15-inch wheels, $1,290 or $900, depending whether you choose alloy or the standard steel wheels). The only other options a Southern driver might want is the keyless entry ($230).
The front seats are comfortable, and the driver has a high position to watch outside traffic. Taller drivers, however, might find headroom getting a bit tight. The climate and audio controls are convenient and easy to use in their position in the center of the dash.
As an option in some models, the back seats, in addition to folding down for more cargo room, can slide fore and aft and recline.
Standard features are plentiful and just what buyers seem to want—front and rear cupholders, remote mirrors, convenient storage pockets, air conditioning, audio system with MP3 and CD player and an iPod jack. As a flourish on the S models, a ground-effects body kit, a tachometer, rear spoiler and fog lights are standard. Also standard this year are side-curtain air bags and antilock brakes.
Buyers also get Toyota's excellent reputation for reliability and a solid feel while driving.
Still, there are some compromises and quirks.
In a report issued earlier this month, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers of the Yaris and other small cars could face significant injuries in severe front-end crashes with larger, mid-size vehicles, according to a report by The Associated Press.
The institute crashed the Yaris into a Toyota Camry at 40 mph, a severe crash. The institute said the smaller car sustained damage to the door and front passenger area. However, the Yaris has received good ratings in previous front and side crash tests. Toyota spokesman John Hanson said the car-to-car test had little relevance to consumers because of its severity.
In other examples, don't expect 6-plus-footers to be comfortable in the back seat on any but the shortest trips. Toyota says it will seat five, but three of them had better be children. Two adults will fit just fine, though. And the 9.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat disappears quickly on a trip to the grocery store. With the rear seats folded flat, cargo space grows to 26 cubic feet.
Toyota also has centered the driver information display in the dashboard. Aside from giving the passenger seat rider an opportunity to question your speed, it's distracting for the driver to have to look to the right.
The front cupholders also took a bit of time to find. There's no place to put a beverage on the center console, and the two front cupholders are pull-downs in the far left and right corners of the dash.
In addition to the three-door and five-door hatchbacks, the Yaris also is available as a more conservatively styled sedan.
Karl W. Ritzler is a freelance writer who contributes to the Daily Report.
Toyota Yaris
• Buy this car if: You want style and comfort in a subcompact package.
• Not for you if: You need room for big passengers or lots of gear.
• Look at me factor: The eye-catching, boxy style is all the rage.
• Competitors: Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Scion xD, Mazda 3.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Small cars get poor marks in collision tests
From the Associated Press:
By KEN THOMAS
WASHINGTON — Micro cars can give motorists top-notch fuel efficiency at a competitive price, but the insurance industry says they don't fare too well in collisions with larger vehicles.
In crash tests released Tuesday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers of 2009 versions of the Smart "fortwo," Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris could face significant leg and head injuries in severe front-end crashes with larger, mid-size vehicles.
"There are good reasons people buy mini cars. They're more affordable, and they use less gas. But the safety trade-offs are clear from our new tests," said Adrian Lund, the institute's president.
Automakers who manufacture the small cars said the tests simulated a high-speed crash that rarely happens on the road. They also said the tests rehashed past insurance industry arguments against tougher fuel efficiency requirements. The institute has raised questions about whether stricter gas mileage rules, which are being developed by the government, might lead to smaller, lighter vehicles that could be less safe.
"If you were to take that argument to the nth degree, we should all be driving 18-wheelers. And the trend in society today is just the opposite," said Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA.
Sales of small cars soared when gas prices topped $4 per gallon last year but have fallen off as gasoline has retreated to about $2 a gallon and the economic downturn has slowed car sales. The small cars are affordable — prices of the three cars tested range from about $12,000 to $18,000 — and typically achieve 30 miles per gallon or more.
The tests involved head-on crashes between the fortwo and a 2009 Mercedes C Class, the Fit and a 2009 Honda Accord and the Yaris and the 2009 Toyota Camry. The tests were conducted at 40 miles per hour, representing a severe crash.
In the fortwo collision, the institute said the Smart, which weighs 1,808 lbs, went airborne and turned around 450 degrees after striking the C Class, which weighs nearly twice as much. There was extensive damage to the fortwo's interior and the Smart driver could have faced extensive injuries to the head and legs. There was little damage to the front seat area of the C Class.
Schembri said the test simulated a "rare and extreme scenario" and noted that the fortwo had received solid ratings from the government's crash test program. The fortwo has received top scores from the Insurance Institute in front-end and side crash tests against comparably sized vehicles but in the front-end tests against the C Class, the institute gave the mini car poor marks.
In the Fit's test, the dummy's head struck the steering wheel through the air bag and showed a high risk of leg injuries. In the vehicle-to-vehicle test, the Fit was rated poor while the Accord's structure held up well.
Honda spokesman Todd Mittleman said the tests involved "unusual and extreme conditions" and noted that all 2009 Honda vehicles had received top scores from the Insurance Institute.
In the Yaris test, the institute said the mini car sustained damage to the door and front passenger area. The driver dummy showed signs of head injuries, a deep gash on the right knee and extensive forces to the neck and right leg.
The Yaris has received good ratings in past front and side testing but received a poor rating in the crash with the Camry. Toyota spokesman John Hanson said the car-to-car test had little relevance to consumers because of its severity.
"It's fairly obvious that they have an agenda here with regard to how smaller cars are going to be entering the North American market in larger numbers," Hanson said.
By KEN THOMAS
WASHINGTON — Micro cars can give motorists top-notch fuel efficiency at a competitive price, but the insurance industry says they don't fare too well in collisions with larger vehicles.
In crash tests released Tuesday, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers of 2009 versions of the Smart "fortwo," Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris could face significant leg and head injuries in severe front-end crashes with larger, mid-size vehicles.
"There are good reasons people buy mini cars. They're more affordable, and they use less gas. But the safety trade-offs are clear from our new tests," said Adrian Lund, the institute's president.
Automakers who manufacture the small cars said the tests simulated a high-speed crash that rarely happens on the road. They also said the tests rehashed past insurance industry arguments against tougher fuel efficiency requirements. The institute has raised questions about whether stricter gas mileage rules, which are being developed by the government, might lead to smaller, lighter vehicles that could be less safe.
"If you were to take that argument to the nth degree, we should all be driving 18-wheelers. And the trend in society today is just the opposite," said Dave Schembri, president of Smart USA.
Sales of small cars soared when gas prices topped $4 per gallon last year but have fallen off as gasoline has retreated to about $2 a gallon and the economic downturn has slowed car sales. The small cars are affordable — prices of the three cars tested range from about $12,000 to $18,000 — and typically achieve 30 miles per gallon or more.
The tests involved head-on crashes between the fortwo and a 2009 Mercedes C Class, the Fit and a 2009 Honda Accord and the Yaris and the 2009 Toyota Camry. The tests were conducted at 40 miles per hour, representing a severe crash.
In the fortwo collision, the institute said the Smart, which weighs 1,808 lbs, went airborne and turned around 450 degrees after striking the C Class, which weighs nearly twice as much. There was extensive damage to the fortwo's interior and the Smart driver could have faced extensive injuries to the head and legs. There was little damage to the front seat area of the C Class.
Schembri said the test simulated a "rare and extreme scenario" and noted that the fortwo had received solid ratings from the government's crash test program. The fortwo has received top scores from the Insurance Institute in front-end and side crash tests against comparably sized vehicles but in the front-end tests against the C Class, the institute gave the mini car poor marks.
In the Fit's test, the dummy's head struck the steering wheel through the air bag and showed a high risk of leg injuries. In the vehicle-to-vehicle test, the Fit was rated poor while the Accord's structure held up well.
Honda spokesman Todd Mittleman said the tests involved "unusual and extreme conditions" and noted that all 2009 Honda vehicles had received top scores from the Insurance Institute.
In the Yaris test, the institute said the mini car sustained damage to the door and front passenger area. The driver dummy showed signs of head injuries, a deep gash on the right knee and extensive forces to the neck and right leg.
The Yaris has received good ratings in past front and side testing but received a poor rating in the crash with the Camry. Toyota spokesman John Hanson said the car-to-car test had little relevance to consumers because of its severity.
"It's fairly obvious that they have an agenda here with regard to how smaller cars are going to be entering the North American market in larger numbers," Hanson said.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
2009 Dodge Charger
By Karl W. Ritzler
Dodge brought back the Charger for 2008 to recapture the muscle car spirit of the 1970s, when Chargers, Camaros and Mustangs – and their corporate siblings – ruled the roads.
The R/T version, often with a 5.7-liter, 340-horsepower V-8 Hemi under the hood and a Dukes of Hazzard orange paint job, brings back those memories. The more mainstream SXT, with its 3.5-liter V-6 and four-speed automatic, leaves those memories at the curb.
This is a tamer Charger. There’s a noticeable engine lag in the downshift when you stomp on it. While, it’s very capable at speed, don’t expect muscle-powered acceleration. But it’s no econobox either. Mileage is a respectable 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, compared with the 15/23 in the fuel-thirsty R/T.
This Charger is more mild than wild, a family sedan that looks sporty but which is really a sheep in wolf’s clothing. It seems like a car made for Dad to haul the family to church or soccer practice while keeping up appearances of his misspent youth.
Comfort gets the nod over horsepower, with good success. The front seats are supportive and comfortable for middle-aged derrieres, and there’s enough room in the back – this is a four-door sedan – for even older kids or adults. The comfortable seats are separated by a fold-down armrest, which contains two of the few cupholders.
There’s no confusing the Charger with a minivan. The styling looks low and fast, and the test car was painted in write-me-a-thicket red. The cupholders in from are adequate at best, but they won’t hold a mug with a handle from the kitchen. But they do have a soft glow so you can find them at night.
Centered on the dash is a nice, big screen that would be perfect for a navigation system, if the tester had one. What it showed instead was more information than was necessary for the audio and climate control systems. Even with the standard satellite radio (subscription extra), though, it felt like cable TV: hundreds of stations and nothing on.
Watch out for the front doors. The hinges are especially springy, and more than once, the doors swung closed on legs that were still emerging from the car.
The trunk has lots of space, but the high rear deck can block rearward vision.
Also, you have to pay extra ($1,185) for the protection group, which includes side-curtain and seat-mounted air bags and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with microphone, whatever that’s needed for. Also extra ($2,405) was a package that includes leather seats and trim, power and heated front seats, power windows, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch aluminum wheels and a rear stabilizer bar.
Add a destination charge of $700, plus $950 for a power sunroof, $650 for an audio upgrade and $225 for the red paint job, and the sticker totaled $31,625. That’s a lot of money when compared with offerings from Lexus, Acura or Audi.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Getting the most out of the 2010 Prius
By Karl W. Ritzler
In a little less than a decade, Toyota’s Prius has established itself as the icon of hybrid cars.
The third generation debuts this spring with the 2010 model that promises more technology, more power and more miles per gallon. As part of its introduction, Prius challenged automotive journalists – usually considered to be lead-foots – to a mileage competition over a 20-or-so-mile suburban course with lots of stop-and-go driving and a short interlude on the freeway. It felt like a typical day behind the wheel.
The Environmental Protection Agency rates the ’10 Prius at 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway, but Toyota officials said hypermiling experts had squeezed out number in the 90s mpg. My driving partner, Steve Hammes, an automotive videographer and journalist from Albany, N.Y., and I didn’t expect to do that good, but we figured we had a chance to win. We did – by nearly 5 mpg over the second-place finishers.
Like a fisherman telling about the one that got away, we just missed hitting 70 mpg for the trip. We got tripped up on our own strategy. By using the Prius’s electric motors as much as possible during the drive, we were low on battery charge as we rolled into the final mile. The gauge said we were at 69.9 mpg, but the gas we were required to use on the home stretch dropped us about a half-mile per gallon.
We followed a lot of the hypermiling concepts: no quick starting from traffic lights, slowing down well ahead of stops to avoid using the brakes (In the Prius, that meant we weren’t recharging the batteries, either.), and driving at efficient speeds even when traffic is whizzing by you questioning your parentage.
The Prius had three driving modes: Power for getting up to speed quickly upon entering a freeway or for passing, Eco for normal, economical driving, and EV, electric only and good for up to 25 mph for about a mile. We were in Eco the whole time. We had hoped to cruise the last mile on EV, burning no gas at all, but the battery has to be fully charged.
We got lucky, too. At the time of our one-exit sojourn on the freeway, it was jammed – slow but not stopped. It was slow enough to allow maximum efficiency yet smooth enough to avoid sudden braking.
As we came to a halt at the end of the drive, a pair of journalist who had completed the course excitedly said they were in first place at 62 mpg. The very quickly found themselves in second place, and later, even lower.
It’s not the type of driving recommended for normal commutes or errand-running. The slow, rolling starts from traffic lights can be dangerous as others cars pile up behind and try to pass. It’s not safe at all at normal freeway speeds, falling well below the minimum speed posted. And slowing down early in anticipation of stops seems to invite other drivers to cut you off, necessitating one of those dreaded emergency braking maneuvers.
Still 51 mpg isn’t so bad.
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