Chevy Volt Claims 230 MPG

Chevrolet announced that its new 2011 Volt is projected to be rated at 230 MPG City. There was a lot of apprehension concerning the Volt's rating because the EPA's existing tests were not designed for extended-range hybrids. The EPA came out with a new methodology, and it appears that the Volt will be the first beneficiary. Congratulations to all who have worked on the Volt. This is a spectacular result.

GM to Post Cars on Ebay

GM will be starting a pilot program in California where all its cars in that state. will be available for a "buy it now" price on Ebay. This would be news if GM was cutting out the dealers, but since the deals have to go through the dealer anyway, it's really just an excuse to post a Weird Al song.

2010 A Ford Odyssey
1996 Ford Concept Synergy 2010 vs. 2010 Ford Taurus



The silver car is the Ford Synergy 2010, a 1996 concept car projecting a family car of the future (2010) that could get 80 miles per gallon. It was funded in part by the Clinton-era industry cooperative venture "Partnership for a New Generation Vehicle" program. The Synergy was designed as a light-weight but midsized vehicle (approximately 2,200 lbs.) with a 1-liter direct-injected diesel engine with electric assist.

The red car is the 2010 Ford Taurus, Ford's latest family car. It's gotten good reviews, and by all accounts, it's a competent, well-rounded large car. It's also gained a couple hundred pounds over the previous generation and now weighs in at over 2 tons, almost a thousand pounds heavier than the Taurus that was the king of the auto world in the late '80s and early '90s. The new Taurus is a lot faster, has much more safety equipment, more space, and gets the roughly the same gas mileage as the 3,200 lb. Taurus of 1992.

I'm working on a blog post comparing the new Taurus to the other new full-sized new entry for 2010, the Buick Lacrosse. I hope to get it done this weekend.