Mark Phelan: The Faster You Go, the Less MPG You Get

How much does your fuel economy fall -- and how much does your fuel cost rise? -- if you drive at 60 m.p.h. rather than 50? How about 70 m.p.h.? 80?

Would you believe a 41% decrease in fuel economy from 50 m.p.h. to 80? That's like paying $1.38 more per gallon of gasoline, according to the U.S. Department of Energy's website Fueleconomy.gov.

Until last week, nobody had quantified the effect real-world speeds have on fuel economy, despite the fact that most people hit those speeds on the highway every day. New research by the DOE --which works with the EPA to generate window-sticker mileage figures -- should help create models to help drivers figure out the effect higher speeds have on their specific vehicle.

The differences from one vehicle to another are surprising, according to Brian West, a development engineer who worked on the study at DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

The smallest drop in fuel efficiency was 6.9% from 50 to 60 m.p.h., while one vehicle lost a surprising 26% between 70 and 80 m.p.h. Other vehicles saw their fuel economy decrease as much as 18.3% at 60 and as little as 10.8% at 80.

There wasn't much correlation between decreasing fuel economy and the vehicles' frontal area and aerodynamic drag. That's one of the surprises the DOE team is still trying to figure out, because it seems to violate a law of physics.

The study compares 74 vehicles' fuel economy at 50, 60, 70 and 80 m.p.h. All the vehicles were tested on chassis dynamometers using Society of Automotive Engineers standards. DOE tested 24 of the vehicles in Oak Ridge while Chrysler provided data from 50 vehicles it tested at its labs in Michigan. Vehicles of all body styles, drivetrains and major manufacturers were represented.

While the figures will vary from one vehicle to the next, West said you can use the average decreases for rule-of-thumb estimates of speed vs. fuel economy. You can assume a 12.4% decrease at 60 vs. 50 m.p.h., 14% at 70 vs. 60 m.p.h. and 15.4% more at 80 m.p.h. Thus, 41.8% lower at 80 vs. 50.

Then you can figure out exactly how much more it will cost you to drive to Chicago at 75 m.p.h. than 50, and whether the money you save at the slower speed is worth nearly two hours longer on the road.

New Opel convertible looks great, but not for U.S.

Opel's sleek Cascada midsize convertible should be one of the handsomest cars debuting at the Geneva, Switzerland, auto show in March, but don't look for it on U.S. roads any time soon.

Opel and Buick have aligned their design and product lines, but some models that make sense for Opel don't fit Buick yet, and may never.

The Cascada is a prime example. Its styling would look natural on the showroom floor between the Verano and Regal, but its price is out of line with Americans' view of Buick. Cascada stickers will start at the equivalent of $34,922.

That's nearly $17,500 less than the Audi A5 convertible. Buick is a long way from facing off against high-end Audis in the U.S.

If GM's plan to restore Buick to luxury status works, a convertible with a high-tech 1.6-liter turbo engine and soft-top that opens and closes at up to 30 m.p.h. could be in the brand's future. But not its immediate future.

BMW borrows from Volt

BMW will use a range-extending gasoline engine to help its upcoming i3 electric car appeal to more buyers, Automotive News reports.

That's the same approach GM took with the Chevrolet Volt. A range-extending engine that generates more electricity can help electric cars overcome their biggest disadvantages: short range and long charging time.

BMW's R&D boss said up to 50% of initial i3 buyers could choose the extended-range model, though he expects that to fall to 20% over time.

Courtesy of freep.com

GM hopes new Buick Encore appeals to younger buyers

General Motors hopes to carve out a new auto sales segment with the all-new Buick Encore compact crossover, which hit U.S. showrooms last weekend. 

The automaker also expects the Encore to continue the brand’s momentum among younger buyers and people who don’t own a GM product. 

Tony DiSalle, vice president of marketing for Buick and GMC, said dealers are reporting “twice as many hand-raisers for Encore as for Verano” when that vehicle was released in late 2011. 

The brand’s overall conquest average rose from 27% to 43% over the last half decade. More than 50% of Verano buyers are new to Buick. 

“That’s part of the mission for this brand,” DiSalle said this morning. “Verano is really the conquest leader in the pack, so we’d anticipate Encore to also conquest well for the brand.”
The five-seat Encore enters a relatively new segment of small crossovers that several automakers believe will balloon in size over the next few years. GM believes it will appeal especially to young professionals and empty-nesters. 

The crossover ranges in price from $24,950 for the basic model to $28,840 for the premium package with combined average fuel economy of 28 miles per gallon on the front-wheel drive version. 

The Encore’s introduction comes as the average age of Buick buyers has fallen over the last five years from 64 to 57. GM says Buick is the only major brand in the U.S. to lower its average age over that time. 

“Now that we’ve got a second crossover in the portfolio we’re going to see new folks again coming into the showroom,” said Lloyd Biermann, marketing manager for the Buick Enclave and Encore crossovers. “They’re going to be younger, as well.” 

The Encore could compete against vehicles like the Volkswagen Tiguan and the forthcoming Fiat 500L. GM said it expects 60% of Encore buyers to be women. 

“Here’s what we see at auto shows: ‘Wow, I never knew I needed one until I saw it, I didn’t know it existed,’” DiSalle said. 

Built in South Korea, the Encore is badged as the Opel Mokka in the European market. In China, Buick’s biggest market, dealers ordered 6,000 Encores in the vehicle’s first month this fall. 

 (Courtesy of freep.com)

2013 Buick Encore: Sized To Fit Your Life

The Buick Encore is as spontaneous as you wish it to be, while providing comfort, utility, and luxury without excess bulk and wasted fuel.

Buick’s grand design starts with the outside. The waterfall grille, ice-blue-accented projector-beam headlamps, and chrome portholes carve out personal style and confidence that assures Encore is wrapped in efficiency.

Encore’s available voice-activated navigation system helps to avoid congested traffic and bad weather, or provides the latest prices and movie listings. All this comes with available front and rear park-assist and the standard rearview camera.

Encore has QuietTuning technology, which reduces, blocks, and absorbs noise—helping to keep out what little driving noise there may be. Bose activated noise cancellation helps fade unwanted sounds into the background.

But don’t worry, this device is not going to muffle the sounds from the available Bose seven-speaker audio system with sound-expanding amplification. The new Encore allows you to personalize your listening options, be they music, news, or sports, and other features as well.

Using Bluetooth, Buick Intellilink connects a compatible smart phone to a high-resolution, 7-inch LCD screen, with voice recognition or steering wheel-mounted controls that allow access to audio apps on your phone such as Pandora and Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

Forward Collision Alert and Lane Departure Warning are available in the new 2013 Encore. Forward Collision Alert provides audible and visual cues if you are quickly approaching another vehicle and there is risk of a collision. Lane Departure Warning lets you know if you happen to change lanes without using your turn signal. 

The Encore has plenty of style with seating for five. Front passenger and second-row seats fold down flat, easily transforming into extra cargo space. Flip the second row down and nearly 50 cu ft is readily available for play. Even if the rear seat is up, you still have nearly 20 cu ft of room.

The Encore has an ECOTEC Turbo 1.4L VVT engine that provides 138 hp with 4900 rpm and 148 lb-ft torque with 1850 rpm. All this power is promoted by a 6-speed electronically controlled automatic with Driver Shift Control.

The EPA estimates fuel consumption for the FWD is 25/city and 33/highway. The AWD is 23/city and 30/hwy.

Some examples of standard equipment for the Encore are a stable control system, driver instrumentation with an analog tachometer, speedometer and outside temperature, and Driver’s Information Centre featuring coolant temperature, battery, and compass.
Bluetooth with cellphone connections and power windows (with driver express up/down) are also part of the standard package.
 
Encore handles nicely with the power to pass quickly without engine strain. It shifts smoothly and handles well in the curve. The cabin is well lit, seats are comfortable, and features are easy to find and apply.

After two days of test-driving the Encore, drivers invited to the launch were fully convinced that Buick will sell every Encore they produce, and quickly.

Courtesy of The Epoch Times

Right now we've got some great specials on the 2013 Buick Enclave. There are quite a few available but there are only 22 days remaining for the promotion! So come down and have a look, or visit our website for more info: http://bit.ly/10fPTKs .

Welcome to the new 2013 Enclave, where luxury starts in the driver’s seat and works its way out. Rich interior colors, ambient blue lighting, tri-zone climate controls, three rows of first-class seating, and QuietTuning^® technology creates a more comfortable environment that makes your driving experience better than ever.

2013 Verano Continues Buick Five-Star Safety Streak

DETROIT – The Buick Verano compact luxury sedan recently received a 5-star Overall Vehicle Score for safety from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Earlier this year, Verano was named a 2012 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Since the beginning of the 2012 model year, every Buick passenger car tested has received these highest possible ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS.
“New car customers leaving a Buick dealership can drive away knowing they are in a vehicle with superior crash protection,” said Gay Kent, GM General Director of Vehicle Safety. “The brand’s long-running record of five-star overall vehicle scores and Top Safety Picks is a testament to our commitment to exceptional vehicle crash performance.”
In achieving the 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score, the Verano was tested under NHTSA’s revised New Car Assessment Program.  The overall score is based on frontal and side crash tests in addition to evaluation for rollover resistance. Under the rating system, performances in three test segments are combined mathematically into an “Overall Vehicle Score.” 
The Verano has 10 standard air bags and the security of OnStar, a combination unmatched by any competitor. In the event of a rollover crash, sensors in the vehicle deploy standard head curtain air bags prior to impact and leave them inflated for a longer period to provide additional protection.
Verano’s advanced body structure is comprised of more than 60 percent high-strength steel that provides a protective safety cage around occupants. Other safety measures include standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, panic brake override, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, and a collapsible pedal system that reduces the risk of leg injury.
Every 2013 Verano comes with a standard Rear Vision Camera that displays a view from the car’s rear bumper whenever the transmission is in reverse. Verano is available with Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. These two technologies share a set of radar sensors hidden in the corners of the rear bumper that may help drivers avoid crashes when changing lanes or backing.
Buick is a modern luxury brand offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance. Buick is attracting new customers with its portfolio of award-winning luxury models, including the Enclave crossover, LaCrosse sedan, Regal sport sedan, Buick Verano sedan and the all-new 2013 Encore crossover.

(Courtesy of gm.com)

1953 Buick Commercial