All posts in Auto Manufacturers

Need a Truck, but Don’t Want to Pay a Fortune for Gas? 5 Models with Reasonable Gas Mileage

A pickup truck is a versatile workhorse that can fulfill a variety of duties. Unfortunately, pickup trucks have never been known for delivering good fuel efficiency. This can put you in a bind if you need a truck to support your business or lifestyle, but don’t want to pay a fortune for gas. If you are thinking about buying a truck, but would like a reasonable gas bill every month, you might consider a few of the following models with the best mileage:

Toyota Tacoma

With an EPA fuel economy rating of 21 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, the 2015 Toyota Tacoma proves to be an efficient daily-driver. Although a V-6 engine is offered, the four-cylinder engine is clearly the most efficient option. Some of this truck’s standard features include an anti-lock braking system, a five-speed manual gearbox, a four-speaker sound system, and electronic traction control.

Dodge Ram 1500

The 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 offers two very efficient engine choices. Despite the V-6 engine’s strong performance, it still manages an impressive fuel economy rating of 25 mpg on the highway. On the other hand, the optional Eco-diesel engine is rated at 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the open road. According to Topspeed.com, the diesel-powered Ram 1500 actually delivered 33 mpg when cruising along the highway.

Ford F-150

For good reason, the F-150 has remained the top-selling truck in America. In an effort to boost gas mileage, all F-150 models are now constructed using lightweight aluminum. While the F-150 offers several engine choices, the new 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine has been specially tuned for efficiency. Gas mileage stands at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. Amazingly, the 325-horsepower engine is strong enough to tow about 8,500 pounds.

2015 GMC Canyon

Equipped with a peppy four-cylinder engine, the newly-redesigned GMC Canyon offers an exciting blend of power and efficiency. Drivers can expect to get 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the freeway. As a testament to the 2015 Canyon’s outstanding performance and build quality, Autoweek named the Canyon as their “Best of the Best Truck”. Some of the truck’s standout features include LED running lights and a rear CornerStep bumper.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado

Featuring essentially the same chassis as the GMC Canyon, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado also offers excellent gas mileage. While the four-cylinder model is rated at 27 mpg on the freeway and 20 mpg in the city, the V-6 version is almost as impressive. When fitted with a powerful V-6 engine, the new Canyon can still return a commendable 26 mpg on the highway.

No longer do truck owners have to suffer from poor fuel efficiency. These five truck models will definitely keep fuel consumption to a minimum, while allowing you to get the job done.

The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Tonka 4-Wheel Drive Ltd., who specialize in truck accessories in Edmonton.

Costly Cars: World’s Most Expensive Autos

The world’s most expensive automobiles are custom-tweaked European sports cars built for the rich and famous. We call them supercars because they are at the top of their class in just about every category (except, perhaps, fuel economy). Taking the lead so far for 2014 are all-new products from Lamborghini, Bugatti Veyron and Koenigsegg.

2014 Lamborghini Veneno

For 2014, Lamborghini is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the supercar maker has decided to debut a special edition open-racing prototype named after a homicidal bull. The Veneno was born with the ambition of making a Le Mans-worthy racecar that’s actually legal to hit the highway.

The Veneno borrows an especially aggressive drivetrain from the Aventador, but souped-up for a top speed of 220 mph. You can accelerate from a standstill to sixty mph in a breathtaking three seconds. A work of aerodynamic genius, the Italian supercar is made almost entirely of carbon fiber. It has an extravagant starting price of $4.5 million. Just nine of these exquisite, pricey roadsters will be made.

2014 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse

Lamborghini may be the most expensive, but that doesn’t mean it’s the fastest kid on the block. The French are one-upping the Italians with the ‘fastest production roadster in the world.’ Bugatti’s newest sixteen-cylinder Veyron boasts a top speed of 255.5 mph. It’s one of the few cars on the planet boasting a horsepower over 1,000. For 2014, the convertible makes an astonishing 1,200 hp.

Imagine insuring a new supercar like the Veyron. For such a highly specialized sports machine, specialty insurance is the ticket. Of course, specialty servicing is mandatory, too. You couldn’t take the Grand Sport Vitesse to just any old mechanic—this car needs a trained and certified specialist to maintain. The starting price for a Vitesse is $2.5 million.

2014 Koenigsegg Agera S

For now, the Swedish-made Agera S slots in behind the Veyron for sheer horsepower, but a prototype in the works will reportedly smash the record with a face-melting 1,400 hp. Still, the current model makes over 1,000 horsepower with half as many cylinders as the Veyron.

The Agera S has just been made available in the U.S. in the last few months and it’s already generating buzz. With a zero-to-sixty time of 2.9 seconds or, if you like, a 0-to-188-mph time of less than 23 seconds, much of it is the buzz in your ear as it whips past you. The starting price for the Agera S is $1,520,000

Though most can never even dream of owning such a splendid machine as any of the above listed cars, for some they can become a prized possession. If you end up owning a supercar, a license renewal specialist from Registrations Are Us recommends familiarizing yourself with your region’s traffic laws to ensure you operate your vehicle safely and responsibly. The last thing you want to do, once you’ve secured a top-of-the-line supercar, is lose it to a wreck or the impound lot.

2014: Best Family Cars with the Newest Safety Features

Finding a family vehicle that can fit the needs of every occupant, should also take safety into consideration. Several safety technology features are available in vehicles today, and the following represent some of the greatest advancements for the 2014 lineup of vehicles.

2014 Honda Odyssey

The 2014 Honda Odyssey van boasts exceptional cargo room for large road trips and growing families. It also features one of the highest safety ratings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Five stars of overall rating can be tied with the body structure and traction control system. Honda uses a structure known as the ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) structure that distributes energy from a crash throughout the car to reduce stress in one crumple zone. 

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Passengers will also be alerted and prepared for any collision. The Forward Collision Warning System uses a small camera to detect vehicles in front and activates a visual alert. The vehicle also engages in a dual-stage airbag system that inflates at different rates depending on the impact of the collision.

2014 Subaru Outback

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The Subaru Outback is a sporty and adventurous vehicle with plenty of safety features for growing families. The 2014 model features electronic stability control features that engage preemptively in rough terrain with the Eyesight Camera. Airbags are placed throughout the vehicle in the case of a potential rollover event.

2014 Volvo S80

Volvo has a long history of safety milestones, and the S80 is no exception. This large sedan is the perfect car for good fuel economy and road safety in one package. Enhanced crash protection include additional overhead and side impact airbags to prevent injury in the event of a rollover accident. 

The car also features a stability control system that can sense when the vehicle is undergoing stress, and reduces engine power to prevent a collision. Occupants will also rest assured when airbags go off. The anti-whiplash head restraints cradles the neck to prevent injury in a typical front collision incident.

2014 Mazda CX-5

The new Mazda CX-5 is a crossover vehicle with plenty of room and safety control for smart driving. According to Yearwood & Company Surrey lawyers, the vehicle supports additional smart braking procedures that engage in rough city traffic. Emergency notification will also automatically dial 911 when necessary in the touring models. A unique feature of this vehicle is the foldaway brake pedal that folds away on impact to protect the brakes from damage.

Whether your family is looking for off-road adventure, or a fuel-saving vehicle with stylish flair, there is a vehicle with plenty of safety features available. Consider test driving one of these vehicles today and find out if it’s a good fit for your family.

Images courtesy: Volvo | Honda | Subaru

Sneak Peek: A Look at the 2015 Auto Lineup and Exciting Releases

Car enthusiasts from around the globe are eagerly anticipating the upcoming model year. From high-performance sports cars to luxurious family sedans, there are plenty of exciting vehicles scheduled to hit the market. Even if you don’t plan to buy a brand new car as soon as 2015 hits, it is exciting to see the new models coming up, and how they will change the car industry. Keep reading to get a sneak peek of some of the most noteworthy vehicles that will be released during the 2015 model year.

Ford Mustang

In the muscle car world, the Ford Mustang has always remained one of the most popular rides. Not only does the 2015 Mustang boast a totally new design, but it also offers a four-cylinder engine for the first time in over 20 years. The innovative Ecoboost engine is expected to increase the Mustang’s fuel efficiency to over 30 mpg on the highway. Under the hood of the high-powered GT model remains the legendary 5.0-liter, V-8 engine. This iconic muscle car is scheduled to hit dealerships in the winter.

Lexus RC

The 2015 Lexus RC promises to be one of the most exciting sport coupes in the world. While most drivers will be more than happy with the performance of the base version, the racy RC F model delivers a monstrous 467 horsepower. An adaptive suspension enables the RC coupe to handle like a legitimate race car on the road. The car also offers some of the most innovative safety features on the market including a pre-collision warning system and dynamic radar cruise control. This awe-inspiring vehicle is expected to hit local showrooms in the fall.

BMW i8

The age of eco-friendly sports cars has finally arrived. The 2015 BMW i8 implements the use of several new technologies. Unlike a traditional BMW sports sedan, the i8 has been constructed using high-tech carbon fiber. The i8 also features one of the most technologically advanced engines in the automotive industry. The ingenious hybrid engine is able to produce whopping 357 horsepower. Although the official fuel economy numbers have yet to be released, some test drivers have reported an average fuel efficiency of over 40 mpg. A limited number of i8 sports cars have already been sent to select dealerships.

Jeep Renegade

The Jeep Renegade helps to fill a major void on the car market. The subcompact SUV has been engineered to provide a very lively driving experience without compromising fuel economy. The SUV’s Selec-Terrain drive-mode system also makes it a very capable off-road driving machine. Officials anticipate the Renegade to make its debut in the spring of 2015.

These four vehicles exemplify the changing trends in the car market—developers are now combining the latest technology, with good fuel economy, and adding a family-friendly twist in order to appeal to the masses. This will definitely help to revolutionize the entire car market, especially as technology continues to advance at a rapid pace. As you can see, there is plenty to look forward to in 2015 with a lineup that isn’t likely to disappoint. The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Speedy Apollo Auto Service Centres who specialize in break repair in Calgary.

Battle of the Compact Cars: Which Mighty Mini Reigns Supreme

Different families will look for various features when they shop for a new compact car. However, some elements are consistent for almost every vehicle in the category. This size car appeals to many young people, those living in urban areas, and those on a budget. The most important features in this class include fuel efficiency to keep costs down, low emissions to meet urban regulations, and size to account for small streets and difficult parking conditions.

Top Choices

One of the leading choices for this model year is the Mazda 3. The company has integrated the SkyActiv engine package which results in a responsive and fun-to-drive vehicle with outstanding gas mileage. Several trim packages are available, but most of them have the same 2.0 Liter four-cylinder engine that cranks a zippy 155 horsepower. The engine is tuned to get about 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway. Considering the car costs a thousand dollars less than its competitors, it is an excellent value.

Alternative Options

The Honda Civic continues the company’s tradition of well-built, highly affordable cars. One of the first things drivers will notice is how smooth the ride is. At the cost of a smaller 1.8 L engine that turns 143 hp, the list of options in the vehicle is impressive. It also is a little less efficient than the Mazda 3, getting only 28 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway, which further reinforces the value of the class-leading car. Despite the loss in fuel efficiency, the 2014 Civic remains a financially viable option for sedans of its class, starting at a reasonable $18,390. Its advanced safety features have attracted the attention of those looking for a small family car and the Civic regularly scores well on safety ratings.

The Driver’s Choice

The Ford Focus is one of the more powerful cars in the category, with 160 horsepower. It gets its power from a 2.0 L motor that trades some fuel mileage for extra horses. Many drivers will be happy with the 26 city and 36 highway miles per gallon the car gets, considering the extra power it has available. An interesting option available on the ST, according to a Langley truck parts specialist, is a turbocharger that boosts power to a breath-taking 252 hp. The Focus demonstrates quite an impressive amount of power, for a five-door hatchback. Though reports of its unreliability are common, the Focus remains a popular choice, offering a little bit of everything for drivers who want speed and space in their compact car.

The Final Score

The best value in the current market may very well be the Mazda 3. It consistently meets expectations, and its price is simply too good to pass up. The Civic continues to get attention from those who want to have all the latest technology options in their car. Drivers who enjoy their time behind the wheel will be glad to invest in any of the above vehicles, depending on their individual needs and preferences.

Informational Credit to 99 Truck Parts & Industrial Equipment Ltd.