For the second time in its history, Automobile Magazine has bestowed upon the Volkswagen GTI its car of the year award and the first time in its history that the magazine has awarded it twice to the same model.

“At a time when the world’s economy is in shambles and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are on everyone’s minds, there remains only one car that ticks all the enthusiast boxes without setting off a single wretched-excess alarm. That’s the Volkswagen GTI, and that’s why it is, once again, Automobile Magazine’s Automobile of the Year,” said Joe DeMatio, Executive Editor, Automobile Magazine.

“Having our GTI named AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s Automobile of the Year once again is a tremendous honor for our brand,” said Mark Barnes, Chief Operating Officer, Volkswagen of America, Inc. “We’re thrilled that the staff of AUTOMOBILE Magazine acknowledged that today’s sport’s car consumers are looking beyond horsepower and going fast, rather they are looking for vehicles that are practical, fuel efficient, and fast. The GTI truly embodies what the Volkswagen brand is all about–affordable, efficient, and fun-to-drive German Engineering,” Barnes added.

Since 1983

First unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1975, sales of the golf-based GTI began in Europe in 1977. And while the rest of the world was able to enjoy the hot VW hatch, it wasn’t until 1983 that American drivers would be able to get their hands on the North American version that, by that time, would be assembled in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

That original version was equipped with a 90 hp 1.8-liter four and close-ratio 5-speed manual transmission, along with a pair of the sweetest sport seats this side of the Atlantic.

The GTI for 2010

For 2010, the GTI features a 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC turbo-charged four-cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower and 207 lbs.-ft. of torque. This time, a six-speed manual is standard, while the father of all “pocket rockets” is also available with VW’s sweet automated manual DSG® transmission. Top speed is electronically governed at 130 mph, while EPA fuel economy is a respectable 32/24 highway/city with the DSG.

A first

At LotPro.com, we love cars that get great fuel economy. So it was with keen interest that we read this week that General Motors had announced that the Chevrolet Volt had become the first mass-produced vehicle to claim more than 100 mpg in the composite fuel economy rating. The EPA results also showed an electrical efficiency rating of 25 kilowatt hours/100 miles in the city cycle (equivalent to 230 miles per gallon).

Unlike conventional gasoline engines, the mileage testing on the Volt was performed using a new set of fuel economy standards that has been devised by the EPA specifically for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).

The EPA’s new methodology for PHEVs places more weight on the city driving cycle and uses kilowatt hours per 100 miles traveled, as opposed to miles per gallon, to define the efficiency of plug-ins (as in the aforementioned 25 kWh/100 miles). Given the current cost of electricity (11 cents per kWh), a Volt owner would pay about $2.75 for the amount of electricity it would take to travel 100 miles – an average of about 3 cents per mile.

The Volt

The Volt, you will remember, is GM’s most recent foray into the realm of pure electric vehicles and it is scheduled to start production near the end of next year and will be designated as a 2011 model. According to company estimates (using pre-production prototypes), it is expected to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone from a single battery charge with an overall range of more than 300 miles through the use of a flex fuel-powered engine-generator.

“From the data we’ve seen, many Chevy Volt drivers may be able to be in pure electric mode on a daily basis without having to use any gas,” said GM Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson. “EPA labels are a yardstick for customers to compare the fuel efficiency of vehicles. So, a vehicle like the Volt that achieves a composite triple-digit fuel economy is a game-changer.”

The numbers

“The 230 city mpg number is a great indication of the capabilities of the Volt’s electric propulsion system and its ability to displace gasoline,” said Frank Weber, global vehicle line executive for the Volt. “Actual testing with production vehicles will occur next year closer to vehicle launch. However, we are very encouraged by this development, and we also think that it is important to continue to share our findings in real time, as we have with other aspects of the Volt’s development.”

Images courtesy of General Motors

Drive America Forward by any other name is Cash for Clunkers

Here at LotPro.com, we see where late last week, Senators Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan democrat and Sam Brownback, a Kansas republican, jointly issued a press release regarding the introduction of S. 1135, the Drive America Forward Act more commonly known as the “cash for clunkers” bill.

Although the actual bill is still being printed by the government printing office and is not yet available for perusal, the news release shed even more light on how the program would work (at least as it has been proposed).

In broad terms, car buyers would trade in their older vehicles and receive vouchers of up to $4,500 toward the purchase or lease of a new, more fuel-efficient car or truck. As it is currently written, the program would be authorized for up to one year and provide for approximately one million new car or truck purchases.

The legislation divides cars and trucks into four categories and the mpg values are based on the EPA combined fuel economy as posted on the Monroney label affixed to new vehicles and also found on the EPA web site.

Bill specifics

The trade-in vehicles must:

• Work Trucks: Under the agreement, consumers can trade in a pre-2002 work truck (defined as a pick-up truck or cargo van weighing from 8,500-10,000 pounds) and receive a voucher worth $3,500 for a new work truck in the same or smaller weight class. Only 7.5 percent of the total funds can be used for vouchers for the purchase or lease of a work truck. There are no EPA mileage measures for these trucks; however, because newer models are cleaner than older models, the age requirement ensures that the trade will improve environmental quality. Consumers can also “trade down,” receiving a $3,500 voucher for trading in an olderwork truck and purchasing a pick-up or van weighing between 6,000-8,500 lbs.

Funding for the bill will come from redirected recovery funds. To prevent someone from buying a clunker just to qualify, the program will commence retroactively on March 30th of this year and last for 12 months from that date. Owners that have purchased a vehicle that falls within the program guidelines prior to the bill’s passage and March 30th will receive a $3,500 voucher if they can verify they followed the ownership requirements and the vehicle was scrapped as outlined in the program.

The Bottom Line

The bill is currently in committee (Commerce, Science and Transportation of which Senator Brownback is a member). And while it has the backing of all the auto manufacturers as well as the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), other groups such as the Engine Parts Group and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, are against it, arguing that scrapping these vehicles would add to already overcrowded landfills and remove a large number of valuable rebuildable parts from the supplier pipeline.

Green Car of the Year

In the world of automotive awards, GCOTY is a fairly new one. Established just three years ago, the first one was awarded to the 2006 Mercury Mariner Hybrid. A year later, the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid was the recipient, while last year, the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid received the award that was presented, for the first time, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

In order to qualify for a nomination, a vehicle must, according to Green Car Journal, “exhibit characteristics that substantially raise the bar in environmental performance and be in production by January 1 of the award year.” In addition, each nominee is driven by Green Car Journal so that its driving characteristics can be observed first-hand. Nominee vehicles must also be in production to make sure they are actually available in the market during their award year.

The winner is selected by an 11 member panel that is comprised of both automotive as well as environmental experts. Past jurors have included such luminaries as Jean-Michael Cousteau of the Ocean Futures Society and TV personality and major car aficionado Jay Leno.

2009 Nominees

In alphabetical order, here are the 2009 nominees:

2009 BMW 335d

The 335d is BMW’s first U.S. diesel sedan in almost 20 years. Equipped with a 3.0 liter turbocharged direct injection diesel, this 3-series Bimmer produces 265 horsepower and a stump-pulling 425 lb.-ft. of torque.

Engine: 3.0-liter inline-six diesel
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/LEV
Horsepower: 265
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 23/33 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $44,725

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Just introduced at the L.A. Show, the hybrid Fusion receives the same makeover as the rest of the lineup for 2010. Under the hood, the hybrid benefits from the same new 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine with intake variable cam timing as the Escape/Mariner hybrids, the green-friendly models produce 155 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque.

Engine: 2.5-liter inline-four, gasoline-electric hybrid
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/AT-PZEV
Horsepower: 155
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 38/35 (est.)
Base MSRP: $27,000-$30,000 (est.)

2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid

The second generation Saturn Vue was introduced at last years Los Angeles Auto Show and, like its smaller brother the Astra, it’s a re-badged Opel, although in Europe it is known as the Antara. The Vue benefits from the first application of the General’s two-mode hybrid technology in a V-6 front-driver.

Engine: 3.6-liter V-6, gasoline-electric hybrid
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/AT-PZEV
Horsepower: 255
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 28/31 (est.)
Base MSRP: Under $33,000

Smart Fortwo

The Fortwo is certainly the latest way for environmental fashionistas to wear their colors. Ideal for urban prowling, the fortwo, with its short wheelbase and lack of storage space, is less suited for spirited driving or family vacations. EPA numbers of 33 city/41 highway are impressive, but 0-60 times are best measured with an hourglass.

Engine: 1.0-liter inline three
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2 Bin 5/ULEV
Horsepower: 70
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 33/41 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $11,990

2009 VW Jetta TDI

Here’s where the fun starts. The VW, it must be noted, is the antithesis of the Fortwo. It has terrific handling, plenty of space and a clean diesel engine that meets emissions certification in all 50 states. To top it all off, fuel economy is 30 city/41 highway, with many drivers claiming close to 50 mpg.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-four, diesel
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/SULEV
Horsepower: 140
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 30/41 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $21,990

And the winner is…

As it announced this afternoon, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI becomes the first-ever clean diesel to win Green Car Journal’s Green Car of the Year honor. From all of us here at LotPro.com, a tip of the hat to Volkswagen!

Honda Civic Hybrid

Top 3 Models Remain the Same

If you’re looking at just the bottom line, your vehicle of choice will still be a hybrid. Matching last year’s results, the Toyota Prius is still number one; the Honda Civic Hybrid retains its number 2 ranking and the Nissan Altima Hybrid again finds its way to the podium in third place.

The Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute/Mercury Mariner hybrid trio moves up a notch from fifth place to fourth place based on a 1 mpg improvement in highway mileage. All three, by the way, are the front-wheel-drive as opposed to the all-wheel-drive versions of the platform. In fifth place are the new-to-the-U.S. Smart Fortwo convertible and coupe – the top non-hybrid fuel economy leaders for 2009.

Ford Escape Hybrid

Weighing in at number 6, and falling two places since last year, is the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Although the Camry’s numbers haven’t changed, the improved fuel economy of Ford’s SUVs and the inclusion of the Smart twins caused the Camry to drop. When it comes to fuel economy, it’s a tough world out there.

Next on the list are two versions of the same two vehicles. And for those fans of great handling vehicles as well as proponents of compression ignition engine technology, you now have two reasons to rejoice: The manual versions of the Volkswagen Jetta TDI sedan and Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen finished in 7th place, while the automatic versions of each made it into the 8th spot.

Volkswagen Jetta

Rounding out the last two spots on the list is the Toyota Yaris. Bumped from 6th place last year, the manual version is number 9 for 2009, while the automatic model is in 10th place.

Who missed the cut?

On last year’s list but dropped for this year is the Toyota Corolla, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Scion xD and the Hyundai Accent. Here is the complete list for this year:

Press Release

The press release from the Environmental Protection Agency was received here at LotPro.com this morning. Here’s what it stated:

(Washington, D.C. – Sept. 19, 2008) For the fourth consecutive year, EPA is reporting an increase in the average fuel efficiency for cars and light duty trucks, to a projected 20.8 miles per gallon (mpg) for 2008. This year’s projection is a 0.2 mpg up tick over last year’s value.

The actual 2008 fuel economy value will be available when the automakers submit their final annual sales data in early 2009. EPA expects the final mpg for 2008 to be higher than the automakers initial projections since gas prices have since increased.

“This report shows we’re driving in the right direction,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.  “Increased fuel efficiency is not only a smart consumer choice, but also a smart environmental choice.”

EPA’s annual report, “Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2008,” which provides data on the fuel economy and technology characteristics of new light-duty vehicles including cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks, confirms that average fuel economy has improved each year beginning in 2005, and is now the highest since 1993.

Most of the increase since 2004 is due to higher fuel economy for light trucks, following a long-term trend of slightly declining overall fuel economy that peaked in 1987.  These vehicles also have a slightly lower market share, peaking at 52 percent in 2004 with projections at 48 percent in 2008.

The new fuel economy trends report is available at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/fetrends.htm

Why the final mpg will be higher

Reading further into the actual report, it seems that the EPA based its current year assessment on pre-model year 2008 sales projections that were provided by the automakers to the EPA (something they’ve always done). These projections were furnished by the manufacturers during the spring and summer of 2007 when average nationwide gas prices were in the $2.50 to $3.00 per gallon range, and we all know what’s happened since then. Based on actual sales figures, which include a 15%-25% decrease in pickup and SUV sales and a gain in market share of 4-cylinder engines, it is, according to the EPA, “extremely likely” that the overall fleetwide average of 20.8 mpg for the 2008 model year is too low.

(Washington, D.C. – July 3, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching the SmartWay Leaf Campaign to encourage consumers to purchase SmartWay-certified cars and trucks.  SmartWay is an innovative partnership among government, businesses, and consumers designed to protect the environment, cut fuel consumption, and improve air quality while reducing greenhouse gases.  The national campaign features broadcast, radio, and print public service announcements that will help consumers recognize the SmartWay leaf as a symbol of cleaner and more fuel efficient transportation choices.

“Thanks to EPA’s SmartWay Leaf campaign, Americans can save green by buying green,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “By considering fuel use when shopping for new cars and trucks, consumers are in the driver’s seat to save money and protect our environment.”

The campaign encourages consumers to “buy smart” simply by looking for the EPA SmartWay certification mark on cars and trucks when shopping for a new or used vehicle. Roughly 20 percent of all vehicles — covering a wide variety of makes and models — qualify as clean and green enough to be SmartWay-certified.

EPA scores vehicles according to their environmental impact. SmartWay-certified vehicles are the best environmental performers, as measured by a combination of their emission levels of greenhouse gases, hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides, and other pollutants. If every light duty vehicle in the country were SmartWay-certified, carbon dioxide emissions would decrease by about 214 billion pounds annually.  That’s equivalent to the emissions from nearly 20 million vehicles each year.

The new campaign builds on the previous outreach efforts to inform drivers about ways they can save fuel and protect the environment, like the recent Alliance to Save Energy’s  Drive $marter Challenge campaign launched this past May.

Even with their current vehicle, there is a lot drivers can do to cut down on fuel use. It is important to maintain a reasonable speed and avoid rapid accelerations and braking. Vehicles should be well-maintained with properly inflated tires and clean air filters. Finally, try to decrease vehicle use by walking or biking, combining errands into one trip, and using public transportation where available.

For more information about SmartWay, visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartway

To visit EPA’s green Vehicle Guide, go to: http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles

To learn about the Drive $marter Challenge, go to: http://www.DriveSmarterChallenge.org

Coming soon to your local VW dealer

Here at LotPro.com, there has been a great deal of anticipation concerning the latest compression ignition Jetta variant due, in part, to the fact that Volkswagen moved the intro date back at least twice – from last summer to late in the fall and again from last fall to sometime this summer. We have even been chastised for excluding the TDI from an article on fuel economy, even though we explained that it was hardly fair to list a car that wasn’t even on sale yet in the U.S.

That was then, this is now

Hopefully, those days are behind us. According to our friends at Fox Volkswagen, dealers should have a vehicle to test drive by the end of June, while deliveries are expected to begin sometime in late July or early August for those fortunate enough to be high on the waiting lists.

Pricing and mileage estimates

According to VW, prices start at $21,990 for the sedan and $23,590 for the SportWagen (plus destination charges). Based on current pricing, this prices the sedan at a $2,140 premium over the gasoline-fueled Jetta SE.

EPA numbers are also in, and they look very good. While the Jetta SE is rated at 21 city/29 highway, the TDI comes in at 29 city/40 highway (for the automatic). That sounds good, but diesel fuel is currently selling at $4.80 per gallon, while regular gas is currently $4.09 a gallon (both figures are for the Detroit metro area). Given this discrepancy, does it really make sense to spend the extra money on the TDI?

Crunching the numbers

Using the EPA as guidance, we’ll use their 15,000 mile per year baseline with 55% city and 45% highway driving. This works out to 8250 city miles and 6750 highway miles. Based on their respective mpg ratings, the Jetta SE would use 625.6 gallons of gas, while the TDI would need 453.5 gallons of diesel fuel. Based on current fuel costs, even considering the higher cost of diesel fuel, you would still save $383 per year with the TDI. Factor in the difference in retail price between the two, and you would recoup the difference in price in about 67 months – about 7 months longer than a Prius (using the same formula and a Prius MSRP of $26,000).

The Bottom Line

A typical Volkswagen, the Jetta is blessed with responsive handling and a long list of standard safety features (including electronic stability control). While it may take longer to pay off the difference, the Jetta TDI is sure to entertain you a lot more than the Prius (or any hybrid, for that matter) along the way.

What is “eco-driving”?

According to Mr. Cho, today’s oil prices leave drivers with two main options: “One is leaving their cars at home, which most of us don’t intend to do; and the other is ‘eco-driving.’”

The Sustainability Management Team at Hyundai has defined ‘eco driving’ as the ability to efficiently drive your vehicle. To help vehicle owners drive more efficiently, the team has defined what they call the “Five simple golden rules of eco-driving”:

1. Avoid speeding and maintain a constant speed.
2. Change gears as soon as possible.
3. Avoid sharp acceleration and sudden braking.
4. Check tire pressure frequently.
5. Move with the traffic flow.

According to a statement on the Kia Buzz web site, “Eco driving can reduce exhaust gas emissions, help prevent accidents, lengthen car life and save energy. Tests have shown that eco driving can enhance fuel efficiency by 10 to 30%. However, the practice of eco-driving is subjective amongst drivers. Other than the UK, where the driver’s license test incorporates the concept of eco-driving, changing bad driving habits and separate education on eco-driving is easier said than done.”

The ‘Eco Driving’ System

To help drivers “master” the five golden rules, Kia is offering the Eco Driving System as a standard feature in the enhanced Lotze (known as the Optima in the United States). This vehicle was launched in Korea on June 12th and it will be the first car in Korea to feature such a system. An “eco lamp”, located on the dashboard and integrated with the speedometer, will guide the driver to drive in the most economical way.

According to Kia, here’s how it works: “A green lamp will come on to indicate high fuel efficiency driving (eg, traveling at a constant speed), while a red lamp will indicate low fuel efficiency (eg, sharp acceleration, sudden braking). A white lamp will come on to show normal fuel efficiency or standby mode. The system is designed to encourage eco-driving by providing real-time feedback to the driver. “

To back up the claims of increased efficiency, comparison tests were conducted during a recent real-life test drive in Korea. Kia Motors entered 10 Lotzes (Optimas) in an actual eco-driving event. Through the 4.35 mile (7km) route, 100 drivers were asked to drive the course using in their usual driving habits. After receiving special training on the new system from Kia instructors, drivers were then asked to run the course again applying the knowledge from the lessons that they’d just received.

Based on the test drives conducted that day, the highest fuel consumption rate was 32.4 mpg while the average was 29.4 miles per gallon. These figures were 10 to 20% better than the Lotze’s official fuel consumption rate (the Korean equivalent to EPA mileage estimates).

System coming to the U.S.

According to Mr. Cho, this system is will soon be available in U.S.-spec Optimas, as well. In addition to the Eco Driving System, Kia Motors “will continue to hold campaigns to promote economical and eco-friendly driving habits to help drivers better cope with surging oil prices.”

Drivers can find out exactly how many hundreds of dollars they can save on gasoline with their specific vehicles by taking six easy driving and maintenance actions on a new, interactive Drive $marter Challenge website and campaign launched today by the Alliance to Save Energy, The Wal-Mart Foundation, and 16 other partners.

Based on the Alliance’s consumer market research with demographics hit hardest by high gasoline costs, the Drive $marter Challenge campaign goal is to help consumers lower their gasoline costs and usage through fuel-efficiency driving and maintenance tips that add up to hundreds of dollars of savings. The website provides extensive money-saving gas tips in English and Spanish, helpful resources, and discount coupons for vehicle maintenance.

Drive $marter tips are cited when possible with specific dollar and/or percentage savings. Consumers in market research told the Alliance that this knowledge would be a major factor in their decision making and that they haven’t seen tips like this before.

To find out up front exactly how much they can save with six actions— or any one of those actions separately—drivers just enter their specific vehicle data (make/model/year/cylinders) on the interactive website.

Drivers are encouraged to take the Drive $marter Challenge to take 1-6 actions to realize specific savings. Savings will be added to a running total of savings on the website of all who have taken the challenge in dollars, gallons, and CO2 emissions. Participants are asked to encourage others they know to do the same.

The campaign will utilize a number of other communications tools and significant consumer outreach tactics that will be multiplied through participation of 18 total partners.

Funding from The Wal-Mart Foundation has made possible the Alliance’s first consumer campaign focused totally on transportation. The Foundation selected the Alliance from among seven nonprofits to conduct an enterprising national consumer transportation campaign.

The Alliance and The Wal-Mart Foundation have brought together 16 other diverse nonprofit, governmental, trade associations, and companies as campaign partners to dramatically expand the reach of the campaign. Many will be co-branding and distributing millions of English and Spanish tip cards. The National Association of Counties will be challenging counties to challenge each other to obtain the greatest number of sign-ups/actions.

Partners include: Alliance to Save Energy, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, American Petroleum Institute, AutoZone, Car Care Council, ExxonMobil, League of American Bicyclists, National Association of Counties, National Association of State Energy Officials, National Independent Auto Dealers Association, National Low Income Energy Consortium (NLIEC), Natural Resources Defense Council, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Safety-Kleen, U.S. EPA’s SmartWay®, and The WalMart Foundation.