Free preview 2010 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC Concept

2010 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC Concept

While Mercedes readies it new E-Class for its U.S. debut with 6- and 8-cylinder gasoline power, it is launching a trial balloon to see if the public is ready for a 4-cylinder turbodiesel version of its popular executive class sedan. So, at the New York show it introduced the 2010 E250 BlueTEC, a diesel concept designed specifically for North America. This model is powered by a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel which produces 204 bhp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque, the latter reaching its peak between 1600 and 1800 rpm. The diesel powerplant features high-tech features such as high-pressure common-rail direct injection and twin Lanchester balance shafts for smooth operation. The engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission.

To meet stringent U.S. emission laws, the E250 BlueTEC employs a particulate trap, two catalytic converters plus an AdBlue urea injection system to reduce NOX emissions. The car is equipped with a 25-liter tank for urea, which is scheduled to be replenished during normal service intervals. In addition to meeting Bin 5 emissions regulations, Mercedes says the vehicle will also meet Europe's even stricter EU6 requirements that do not go into effect until September of 2014. This clean diesel E250 BlueTEC concept is said to deliver fuel economy of 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg highway. Impressive.

Free Reviews - 10 cheapest car to own

You've read it on Bankrate.com and heard it elsewhere: A well-informed consumer will get a better deal when buying a vehicle.

Research is the key. Every additional piece of information you have increases the likelihood that you will negotiate a fair price, lock in the best financing available and drive away in a car or truck you can afford. The emphasis here is on "afford." Affordability involves much more than down payment and monthly installments. It encompasses other costs such as insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs and depreciation. You must factor these costs into your annual vehicle-ownership budget as well as into that magical dollar amount you feel you can afford monthly.

All of these factors, of course, may vary depending on the way you use and maintain your car.

Edmunds.com, a leading automotive Web site, features an interactive tool it calls its True Cost to Own calculator, which computes an estimated total five-year cost and the cost per mile based on driving 15,000 miles per year.

Here are the 10 cars that top Edmunds' current list of the most frugal cars to own and operate:

Hyundai Accent GS:

Starting price: $10,690
5-year total cost: $25,958
Cost per mile: 35 cents

As basic transportation, the Accent GS three-door isn't so basic. Its 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivers decent fuel economy with an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The interior is relatively roomy and comes with power accessories and air conditioning.

Nissan Versa Base

Starting price: $10,710
5-year total cost: $27,196
Cost per mile: 36 cents

Nissan Versa: A sedan for the frugal, Versa's stingy fuel consumption earns it an EPA rating of 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. A five-speed manual transmission ushers the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine's 107 horsepower to the front wheels. Its relatively roomy back seat is a major attraction in this segment; otherwise, its cabin is devoid of frills.

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS

Starting price: $12,685
5-year total cost: $28,360
Cost per mile: 38 cents

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS: Chevy beefed up the Aveo's 1.6-liter four-cylinder for 2009 and it now produces 107 horsepower. EPA estimated fuel economy is a very respectable 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Among its short list of standard features is a four-speaker audio system with an auxiliary input jack.

Suzuki SX4 Sedan

Starting price: $13,994
5-year total cost: $28,965
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Suzuki SX4 Sedan: A number of trim levels let consumers increase content in smallish dollar increments. In its base form, though, the SX4 offers full-power accessories and a tilt steering wheel. EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway earned by a 143-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine.

Pontiac G3

Starting price: $15,055
5-year total cost: $29,049
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac G3: Compared to the first four entries on this list, the G3 is positively loaded with standard equipment. Air conditioning, a six-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt steering wheel are all standard. A 106-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated with a five-speed manual transmission earns it an EPA rating of 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway.

Mazda3 iSport

Starting price: $15,360
5-year total cost: $29,271
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Mazda3 iSport: Six airbags, anti-lock brakes and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack are all standard in this sedan. A 148-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine collaborates with a five-speed manual transmission to earn EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Honda Fit

Starting price: $15,460
5-year total cost: $29,420
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Honda Fit: Nicely appointed, even the base Fit has air conditioning, full-power accessories and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack. Its performance is on par with this group and is provided by a 117-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Its fuel economy is among the best with EPA estimates of 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway.

Pontiac Vibe

Starting price: $16,735
5-year total cost: $29,512
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac Vibe: Fraternal twin to the Toyota Matrix, the Vibe in its base form is fairly Spartan. It does come with a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Power arrives via a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy is acceptable, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Toyota Yaris

Starting price: $12,955
5-year total cost: $29,595
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Toyota Yaris: You have to step up a trim level to get an audio system, but the base Yaris three-door hatchback does have air conditioning and a tilt steering column. Its power comes from a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. With an EPA rating of 29 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, its outstanding fuel economy earned it a spot on our list of top 10 fuel misers.

Nissan Sentra

Starting price: $16,070
5-year total cost: $29,623
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Nissan Sentra: With the most standard equipment of any entry on this list, the Sentra sedan comes with air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and power windows and locks. Its 2-liter four-cylinder engine generates 140 horsepower. Its EPA rating is 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

2009 Free Chevy Cobalt Specifications

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Coupe Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
- 2,189 cc 2.2 liters in-line 4 front engine with 86.0 mm bore, 94.6 mm stroke, 10.0 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder LAP
- Unleaded fuel 87
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- 13.2 gallon main unleaded fuel tank 11.0
- Power: 116 kW , 155 HP SAE @ 6,100 rpm; 150 ft lb , 203 Nm @ 4,900 rpm


2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Coupe Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features
- Two disc brakes including two ventilated discs
- Immobilizer
- Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, torsion beam rear suspension semi-independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs
- Tire kit

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Coupe Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features
- Painted front and rear bumpers
- Day time running lights
- Driver and passenger internally adjustable black door mirrors
- External dimensions: overall length (inches): 180.3, overall width (inches): 67.9, overall height (inches): 55.7, wheelbase (inches): 103.3, front track (inches): 57.1, rear track (inches): 58.1 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 37.4
- Complex surface lens halogen bulb headlights
- Luxury trim alloy look on gearknob and alloy look on dashboard
- Metallic paint
- Fixed rear window with defogger
- Tinted glass on cabin
-Weights: curb weight (lbs) 2,730
-Windshield wipers with automatic intermittent wipe

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt LS Coupe Interior Standard Features
-12v power outlet: front
-Air conditioning
-Fixed mast antenna
-RDS audio system with satellite and CD player CD player reads MP3
-Cargo area light
-Cargo capacity: all seats in place (cu ft): 13.9
-Cellular phone
-Clock
-Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and range for remaining fuel
-Floor console
-Delayed/fade courtesy lights
-Front seats and rear seats cup holders
-Door ajar warning
-Door pockets/bins for driver seat and passenger seat
-External temperature
-Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment, passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
-Bucket driver seat with height adjustment manual, bucket passenger seat
-3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
-Two height adjustable head restraints on front seats, two head restraints on rear seats
-Headlight control with dusk sensor
-Illuminated entry system
- Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 38.7, rear headroom (inches): 35.7, front hip room (inches): 49.5, rear hip room (inches): 46.1, front leg room (inches): 42.0, rear leg room (inches): 32.2, front shoulder room (inches): 53.0, rear shoulder room (inches): 49.0 and interior volume (cu ft): 83.0
-Low tire pressure indicator
- Online information system
- Vehicle speed proportional power steering
- 3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side, passenger side and center side
- Three asymmetrical bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
- Rear view mirror
- Electric remote trunk/hatch release
- Front and rear side curtain airbag
- Cloth seat upholstery with additional cloth
- Seating: five seats
- Service interval indicator
- Four speaker(s)
- Plastic steering wheel with tilt adjustment
- Tachometer
- Telematics includes engine shut down
- Passenger vanity mirror
-Ventilation system with micro filter
- Voice activating system includes phone

Latest 2009 Ford Focus "viable choice for a small sedan or coupe"

Introduction

Even nearly a decade into its lifespan, the Ford Focus is still doing a pretty good job of holding its own. In a small-car segment dominated by imports, the Focus generally finishes in a respectable 3rd place sales-wise behind more popular Japanese rivals. Some credit goes to the significant refresh Ford performed last year, which blessed the Focus with a new coupe body style and an interior upgrade, among other changes. Mechanically, last year's Focus stood pat, but there was still enough inherent goodness to keep plenty of small-car buyers happy.

For the 2009 Focus, Ford has made a few more changes. It seems Ford listened to criticism about the car's odd styling elements, as the coupe has been given sleeker-looking front and rear fascias, and those dopey-looking fake fender vents have been put out to pasture. On the SES trim, Ford throws in a few exclusives, including dark-painted wheels, a new sport exhaust (which increases horsepower a bit) and a shorter final-drive ratio for the automatic transmission, to improve acceleration. The rest of the Focus is pretty much the same, though stability control is now an option again -- oddly, it debuted in the early 2000s, only to disappear in 2005.

The 2009 Ford Focus certainly has some things going for it. Its fuel economy is better than average, and the Sync interface, which allows voice control of MP3 players and cell phones, works impressively well. The Focus is also priced competitively. But those looking for engaging handling and a premium ownership experience will want to look elsewhere. The Mazda 3, for example, is a much more engaging car to drive (though markedly thirstier). The Honda Civic is slightly more expensive, but it's a much better all-around performer. Overall, Ford's aged Focus is still a viable choice for a small sedan or coupe, but you'll certainly want to check out other options before deciding.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2009 Ford Focus is available as a sedan or coupe. The four-door body style is offered in four trim levels. The base S model comes standard with 15-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, a tilting steering wheel and a four-speaker audio system with a single-CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack. Cruise control and satellite radio are on the options list. The SE adds full power accessories and Sirius Satellite Radio, and options like Sync, an upgraded stereo with a six-CD changer, heated side mirrors, chrome exterior trim, faux-aluminum interior trim, an upgraded driver seat, customizable interior lighting and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The SES trim will get you 16-inch alloy wheels and upgraded tires, foglamps and a rear spoiler, along with firmer suspension tuning for better handling. This well-equipped Focus also comes standard with much of the SE's optional equipment, including Sync and cruise control. Top-of-the-line SEL models have all SES features, plus chrome exterior trim and heated leather seats.

The Focus coupe is available in the SE and SES trim levels. They are largely similar to their sedan counterparts, though you'll find a sport exhaust and 17-inch wheels on the SES coupe.

Powertrains and Performance

Just one engine is available on the 2009 Ford Focus, a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder good for 140 hp and 136 pound-feet of torque. A cleaner version of that engine that earns PZEV tailpipe-emissions certification is also available for California-emissions states. That engine makes 132 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque.

The standard transmission on all Focus trim levels is a five-speed manual. A four-speed automatic is available as an option. The automatic on SES coupes is geared slightly shorter for better acceleration. Fuel economy for the Ford Focus is rated at 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined for the manual transmission. Opting for the automatic drops the highway estimate to 33 mpg.

Safety

Six airbags are standard on all Focus models, including front-seat side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags for both front- and rear-seat occupants. Antilock brakes and stability control are optional on all trim levels.

In government crash tests, the Ford Focus sedan earned four stars (out of a possible five) for its protection of front occupants in head-on collisions. In the side-impact test, the sedan received five stars for protecting front occupants and four stars for protection of those in the rear. Curiously, the Focus coupe earned a five-star rating for frontal impacts but just a three-star rating for front and rear side-impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the Focus a top rating of "Good" for frontal-offset crash protection.

Interior Design and Special Features

The interior of the 2009 Ford Focus looks contemporary, thanks to last year's refresh. The front seats are flat but prove supportive on long drives. Compared to other small cars, however, the Focus' interior is nothing special in terms of design and materials, even with the optional aluminum-like trim highlights and colored interior lighting.

One key advantage for the Focus is Ford's Sync system. Essentially a hands-free voice-recognition interface, the Microsoft-developed Sync adds Bluetooth functionality to the Focus but requires fewer steps than other systems. You don't have to save voice tags or build lists of phone numbers, as Sync accesses your device's phone book wirelessly. It offers similar control for the iPod, Zune and other PlaysForSure portable MP3 players.

Driving Impressions

The 2009 Ford Focus will get you where you want to go, but the driving experience is not particularly special. The quick steering is nice, but even the sport-tuned SES models lack the energetic handling feel that earlier Focus models were known for. The 2.0-liter engine is adequate in terms of power, though it makes raucous noises at higher engine speeds. Although five-speed automatics are becoming increasingly common in this segment, the Focus makes do just fine with four. Its gears are well-spaced, and the transmission rarely shifts up and down looking for the right gear, even on steep inclines. On the highway, road noise is about average for this segment and wind noise is nicely quelled.