Green Car of the Year

In the world of automotive awards, GCOTY is a fairly new one. Established just four 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 the following year the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid received the award that was presented, for the first time, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Last year, the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI became the first-ever clean diesel to win Green Car Journal’s Green Car of the Year honor.

Requirements

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 readily available to 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 Carl Pope of the Sierra Club as well as TV personality and major car aficionado Jay Leno and legendary race car driver and designer Carroll Shelby.

2010 Nominees

In alphabetical order, here are the 2010 nominees:

2010 Audi A3 TDI

Audi makes its first appearance on the list with the A3 TDI clean diesel. Equipped with a 2.0 liter TFSI turbocharged direct injection diesel, this smallest of Audis produces 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque.

Engine: 2.0-liter inline-four diesel
Emissions, EU5; PZEV or ULEVII
Horsepower: 200
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 21/30 (EPA) with manual transmission
Base MSRP: $30,775

2010 Honda Insight

The second generation Insight brings with it a new level of affordability to the hybrid sedan segment. Borrowing its name from Honda’s first production hybrid vehicle, the Insight is a completely new model from the ground up.

Engine: 1.3-liter inline-four, gasoline-electric hybrid
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/AT-PZEV
Horsepower: 98
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 40/43 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $20,510

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

The Mercury Milan hybrid is the mechanical twin of Ford’s Fusion hybrid. Under the hood, the Milan 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 156 hp and 136 lb.-ft. of torque.

Engine: 2.5-liter inline-four Atkinson-cycle
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2, Bin 5/AT-PZEV
Horsepower: 156
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 41/36 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $26,280

2010 Toyota Prius

The new Prius is certainly the latest way for environmental fashionistas to wear their colors. It also represents the third generation of the most popular hybrid on the planet. Completely re-designed and re-engineered while retaining its unmistakable styling, Toyota has endowed the latest Prius with such cutting edge engineering features as a “Touch Tracer” display and an electric water pump, thus requiring no accessory drive belts on the engine.

Engine: 1.8-liter inline-four Atkinson-cycle
Emissions, EPA/CARB: Tier 2 Bin 3/SULEV AT-PZEV
Horsepower: 98
Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 51/48 (EPA)
Base MSRP: $22,750

2010 VW Golf TDI

Here’s where the fun starts. The VW, it must be noted, is the antithesis of the Prius. It has terrific handling that engages the driver 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: $22,690

The Best of Detroit

As we stated in yesterday’s article on LotPro.com, the years 1955 to 1970 are looked upon as the golden age for many followers of the sport of drag racing. During this time, big corporate sponsorships were the stuff of dreams and most drivers who raced also had full-time jobs that helped support their passion for the sport.

In addition to the six vehicles mentioned on Monday, here are the seven more that appeared at the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance this past Sunday:

1963 Pontiac Catalina 421 Super Duty

This particular 1963 Pontiac Catalina 421 Super Duty was among a select number of Pontiacs (there were only 14 produced) that were dubbed “Swiss Cheese” vehicles. The name came from the fact that the perimeter frame had approximately 120 holes punched in the side sections and the side of the box section was also removed.

With a factory shipping weight of only 3,308 pounds, the body featured aluminum panels on the fender, hood, trunk and bumpers. Factory rated horsepower was 420, but the engine blue printed out at well over 500 horsepower.

This particular Catalina was raced out of the venerable Royal Pontiac dealership in Royal Oak, Michigan (which was to become famous for the Royal Bobcat Pontiac GTO). Driven by Jim Wangers, it went on to win the B/FX class at the U.S. Nationals.

1963 Ford Galaxie Factory Lightweight

Ford’s answer to the Pontiac “Swiss Cheese” vehicles was the “Factory Lightweight.” Built in Atlanta and L.A., on the Galaxie line, the bodies were modified with aluminum panels and the interiors featured little in the way of luxury – no heater, no radio, and no frills. A very few of these lightweights featured Ford’s high-performance 427 engine.

1963 Chevrolet Impala Z-11

The Impala Z-11 was Chevy’s answer to the need for more horsepower and lighter cars in 1963. Chevrolet produced 57 of these vehicles that featured a modified 409 cubic inch engine that, in different variations, produced anywhere from 340 horsepower up to 425 horsepower.

Like its counterparts at Ford and Chrysler, this particular Chevy had no radio, no heater and no sound deadener and, like the Ford Galaxie, it was assigned an RPO (Regular Production Order) number (RPO Z-11), although it took more than signing on the dotted line to buy one of these specials.

1965 Plymouth “Color Me Gone”

A number of things took place in 1965 that were to profoundly change drag racing in the United States. That year, the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) created a factory experimental class that had less restrictive rules. The resulting Altered Wheelbase cars became the ultimate production-based muscle cars that would eventually bridge the gap between the Super Stock cars of the early ‘60’s and the Funny Cars that would emerge years later.

Chrysler eventually built 6 Dodges and 6 Plymouths and sold them to teams like the Ramchargers, Dick Landy and Roger Lindamood. Lindamood, in particular, won the 1964 Nationals and is a hall of fame driver.

1965 Mercury Comet “Dyno Don Nicholson”

Dyno Don Nicholson began racing in the 40’s and 50’s and was one of a select few drivers that helped propel the sport from a hobby to big business. Along with Jack Chrisman, The Ramchargers, Dick Landy and Gas Rhonda, he experimented with altering wheelbases, fuel injection, supercharging, big slicks and super duty transmissions.

His “Mercury Cyclone” was one of the most successful cars of its era and the car’s altered wheelbase, flip top and engine configuration led to the name “Funny Car” that is still used in drag racing today.

1968 Plymouth Barracuda “Ron Mancini Car”

By the 1960’s, all the major manufacturers were taking part in the “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” racing wars. In 1968, the Hurst Performance Center in Madison Heights, Michigan assembled 75 purpose-built cars specifically for drag racing. The new “Hemi” powerplant helped propel these cars to many NHRA victories.

This particular 426 Hemi Plymouth Barracuda was built by the team of Mike Dawson and Ron Mancini with the help of Gratiot Auto Supply and ran SS/AA.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle “Red Alert”

Beginning in 1970, General Motors dropped its self-imposed rule of restricting mid-size cars to engines with less than 400 cubic inches of displacement. The LS6 package included a 454 cubic inch engine that produced 450 horsepower that resulted in quarter mile times in the low to mid-13 second range.

In 1969, drag racer Bob Hamilton purchased this Chevelle for his wife as a Valentine’s Day gift and, a year later, turned it into the “Red Alert” drag racer that competed in the NHRA SS/DA class. In 1971, model car company AMT created a model of the car that became their all-time sales leader. “Red Alert” continued to race until 1976 when it was Top Stock Eliminator in 14 out of 16 races.

Ford ahead of Honda in quality

Here at LotPro.com, we wanted you to be aware of some of the good news coming out of Detroit:

In a quarterly quality survey conducted for Ford by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Ford surpassed Honda in customer satisfaction in initial vehicle quality for the first time. The survey, called the 2009 Global Quality Research System (GQRS) measured 2009 model year vehicle initial quality in two areas: the number of “things gone wrong,” and customer satisfaction with the quality of their vehicles during the first three months of ownership.

“This is truly a significant accomplishment for us,” said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president, Global Quality. “Honda and Toyota have claimed bragging rights for years, but now we are seeing our hard work pay off. It’s evident in study after study.”

During the first quarter of 2009, the number of things gone wrong for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles fell by 5 percent to 1,228 per 1,000 vehicles. This compares with 1,422 things gone wrong per 1,000 vehicles for Honda and 1,150 things gone wrong per 1,000 vehicles for Toyota.

The following Ford vehicles led their respective segments in the survey:

•    Ford Mustang – initial quality and customer satisfaction for sports cars
•    Ford Taurus – initial quality for large cars
•    Ford Taurus X – initial quality for crossover utilities
•    Mercury Milan – initial quality for midsize cars
•    Ford Ranger – initial quality for compact pickups

Ford Fiesta is What Diesel? Best Small Car and Car of the Year

Meanwhile, over in the U.K., the new Ford Fiesta (a car destined for our shores) beat out 26 other vehicles and 8 class winners to be crowned What Diesel magazine’s Car of the Year for 2009.

Ian Robertson, editor of What Diesel magazine said: “The Fiesta is simply the best small diesel car available on the market right now, and judging by the sales figures, the UK public agrees. It feels solid, well-built and is great to drive.”

Although Ford’s new B-segment car won’t go on sale in the U.S. until the spring of 2010, it has been on sale in the U.K. since September of 2008 and has racked up sales of over 36,000 already.

It’s that time again. By that, I mean that those of us here at LotPro.com as well as the vehicle manufacturers and dealers all look forward to the annual J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study. In fact, we look forward to all of the stiudies that emanate out of Westlake Village, California. That because, unlike some survey results (aka Consumer Reports), auto manufacturers and dealers can advertise the heck out of a top finish.

The Vehicle Dependability Study is important for another reason: unlike Power’s other famous survey that measures initial quality, this study is based on a three year ownership experience – after the excitement of a new car has worn off and owners have dealt with living with the same vehicle day in and day out for three long (for some) years. In human terms, it’s like comparing the honeymoon to the actual marriage – things can change.

Vehicle ownership time grows

In the current economy, the Dependability Study takes on added significance as car owners are putting off buying a new vehicle and either purchasing used or deciding to hold on to their current vehicle for a little bit longer.

Here is the press release:

Buick LaCrosse

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 19 March 2009 — Buick and Jaguar each rank highest in vehicle dependability in a tie, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) released today.  Buick improves from a sixth-place ranking in 2008, while Jaguar improves from 10th place. Following in the top five rankings this year are Lexus, Toyota and Mercury.

Toyota garners five segment awards—more than any other nameplate in 2009—for the Highlander, Prius, Sequoia, Solara and Tundra. Lexus follows with four segment awards for the ES 330 (in a tie with the Acura RL), GX 470, LS 430 and SC 430. Lincoln captures two awards for the Mark LT and Zephyr. Models by Acura, Buick, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan and Scion each rank highest in one segment.

“Buick has ranked among the top 10 nameplates each year since the study was last redesigned in 2003, while Jaguar has moved rapidly up the rankings,” said David Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates. “Lexus remains a very strong competitor in long-term quality.  In particular, the Lexus LS 430 sets the industry standard for dependability, with fewer problems reported than any other model in the study.”

The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2006 model year) vehicles, has been redesigned to include 202 different problem symptoms across all areas of the vehicle.  Overall dependability is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study is used extensively by vehicle manufacturers worldwide to help design and build better vehicles—which typically retain higher resale values—and by consumers to help them make more-informed choices for both new and used vehicles.

Acura RL

“In the current economic climate, consumers are delaying new-vehicle purchases and keeping their vehicles longer—the average age of a vehicle at trade-in has increased to 73 months in 2009 from 65 months in 2006,” said Sargent. “This makes vehicle dependability even more critical. Automakers have improved long-term dependability by an average of 10 percent each year since the inception of the study, which is a testament to the industry’s commitment to continuously improve and sustain quality, especially long-term quality. Making improvements in long-term quality not only satisfies customers who are holding onto their vehicles longer, but it will also influence their decisions when they return to the new-vehicle market or are seeking to purchase a pre-owned vehicle.”

Just over ten years ago, Lincoln was the top-selling luxury brand in America. But shortly after that, the division fell on hard times. Eclipsed by Lexus and cross-town rival Cadillac, Ford’s luxury marque was all but given up for dead. But much like a Rocky movie (we hope you’re thinking of the first one), the carmaker has, once again, picked itself up from the mat and is back in the fight with a string of recent hits.

But the luxury and near-luxury car markets are moving targets and the fight can only be won with fresh, new product. So this year’s Detroit Auto Show saw the brand ready to continue the string of new products with the following offerings:

2010 Lincoln MKZ

With a complete redesign for 2010, the MKZ no longer looks like the red-headed stepchild of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. The all-new interior is luxurious and is trimmed in real wood and aluminum and includes the latest version of the Microsoft-developed Sync® infotainment system.

Outside, the MKZ borrows design cues from the stunning MKR concept with Lincoln’s new signature waterfall grill as well as wide horizontal LED tail lamps.

2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost

Shakespeare once said “if music be the food of love, play on.” If Bill were around today and he had a chance to drive the new EcoBoost-equipped Lincoln MKS, he might very well say, “if EcoBoost is what being green is all about, I like it!”

The latest V-6 from Ford certainly doesn’t act like one. This twin-turbocharged, 3.5 liter direct-injected powerplant produces 355 hp and 350 lb.-ft. of torque and Ford expects it to produce EPA numbers of 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. The engine will be mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and the entire package will only be available with all-wheel drive versions of the MKS.

2010 Lincoln MKT

Sales of the all-new MKT crossover will begin later on this summer. Based on the same vehicle architecture that spawned the Ford Flex, the MKT will be available in either six or seven-passenger configurations.

Up front, the new crossover sports Lincoln’s trademark waterfall grill while the stern features a full-width horizontal tail lamp. Engine choices include a 3.7 liter 268 horsepower V-6 as well as the aforementioned 3.5 liter EcoBoost engine (again, with all-wheel drive only).

The MKT comes with a slew of standard amenities including 20 GB hard drive for music storage, heated and cooled front seats, ambient lighting, panoramic moon roof and Ford’s new reverse-sensing parking assist system.

Lincoln C Concept

We must not be in Kansas anymore, because the C Concept represents the first look at what might be a future C segment vehicle in the Lincoln lineup.

Based on the same vehicle architecture as the European Ford Focus and the Mazda3, the C shows what direction Lincoln might take if it were to expand its horizon to include smaller and more city and eco friendly vehicles.

Much of the design is typical concept vehicle “kitsch” with suicide doors, floating seats and DUB-inspired 20” wheels. The bustle-back look is reminiscent of recent Renault M´egane models, although the placement of the full-width tail lamp just above the shoulder line is all Lincoln.

While much of the detailing is the stuff of dreams, the fact that the C is based on current Ford technology means that the company could be seriously considering entering the segment a` la the MINI.

Living on the moon

First of all, if you live in Arizona, Texas, Florida or any other state that sees little or no freezing weather, you can stop reading right now. This is the time of year that anyone living in the northern climes really detests you anyway, so the fact that you’re reading this is quite beside the point. But if you do happen to live in one of those states blessed (or cursed, depending upon your point-of-view) with the climate that inspired Richard B. Smith to write the ditty “Winter Wonderland”, read on.

Here at LotPro.com, discussions about potholes quickly turn defensive when we’re approached by someone who doesn’t live in Michigan or any of the other states subject to this particular form of infrastructure blight. For the record, potholes are not caused by some form of substandard road construction – and please don’t begin to lecture us on the need for better road maintenance. The road crews here in Southeastern Michigan – particularly Oakland County – are some of the best on the planet and work tirelessly in the winter, sometimes in around-the-clock shifts, to keep the roads of our fair state suitable for safe winter transport.

The root cause of potholes – the process that can turn an ordinary urban street into one that resembles nothing less than a lunar landscape of tire-splitting, wheel-bending craters – is nothing more than the abrupt change in ambient road temperature (freeze-thaw-freeze) coupled with the warming rays of the sun (which, contrary to popular opinion, is not completely absent from Michigan in the winter months – we just don’t see it very often).

How to build a pothole

Potholes are formed when pavement (either asphalt or concrete) ages and cracks form on the surface, allowing moisture to penetrate through the pavement to the underlying soil.

Here (according to the Michigan Department of Transportation) is how it works:

Pothole driving survival tips from Ford

Fortunately, the good folks at Ford Motor Company have come up with a “pothole survival guide” and we pass it on to you today:

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 31 – Winter driving isn’t just about traveling safely on snow and ice. It’s also about coping with potholes when mid-season thaws cause the road to crumble beneath your tires.

Damaged wheels and tires do not only leave motorists stranded at the side of the road, they can also leave their wallets empty.

It is worth noting that new Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles are subject to some stringent testing that can help prevent damage caused by chuckholes. To validate its vehicle designs, Ford has several proving grounds, including those in Romeo, Mich., and Dearborn, Mich., which are filled with different types of carefully designed torture devices designed to test and improve the durability of the entire vehicle.

Ford engineers design parts up-front to handle these potholes in the road as effectively as possible, balancing them for numerous other customer driving conditions. To give drivers a fighting chance with monster potholes, engineers tune shock rebound rates to keep the wheel and tire suspended so it can glide over the pothole, preventing the tire from dropping down into it and impacting the edge of the tire and wheel.

Ford Motor Company has several tips for drivers to help prevent damage to their vehicles from potholes:

•    Pay special attention to your tire pressure. Keeping tire pressure consistently at the manufacturer’s recommendation will help protect your vehicle’s wheels and tires from being damaged from pothole impacts.

•    If safe, don’t swerve to avoid potholes. Swerving can create a situation where the front wheel and tire on the car can impact the edge of the pothole at an obtuse angle, which might do more damage than hitting it squarely.

•    If safe, don’t brake just because you see a pothole: heavy braking compresses the front suspension of the car and will have a tendency to force the tire and wheel down into the pothole, instead of gliding over

No matter how carefully you drive there’s always the possibility that you may eventually have a flat tire on the highway. Drive slowly to the closest safe area out of traffic. This may further damage the flat tire, but your safety is more important.

If you feel a sudden vibration or ride disturbance while driving, or you suspect your tire or vehicle has been damaged, immediately reduce your speed. Drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road. Stop and inspect the tires for damage. If a tire is under-inflated or damaged, deflate it, remove wheel and replace it with your spare tire and wheel. If you cannot detect a cause, have the vehicle towed to the nearest repair facility or tire dealer to have the vehicle inspected.

2009 Ford Flex

What is IIHS?

Originally founded in 1959 by a group of insurers to support academic organizations working in the field of highway safety, the initial directive of this non-profit organization was changed in late 1968 when the Institute decided to “start at once to collect auto accident repair cost data prospectively.”

Beginning with the tenure of president William Haddon Jr., M.D. in 1969, the institute turned away from the traditional efforts of preventing crashes by changing driver behavior to developing a systematic approach to the reduction of vehicle occupant injuries, deaths and vehicle property damage.

The Institute’s current research covers three areas:

•    Human factors that include teenage drivers, alcohol-related driving impairment, truck driver fatigue and safety belt use.

•    Vehicle factors that focus on crash avoidance and crashworthiness research

•    Research of the physical environment that includes roadway design assessment to prevent such things as run-off-the-road crashes and the elimination of roadside hazards.

Crash Testing

Unlike the Federal government’s New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the IIHS does not use a full-frontal impact test, but rather a 40% offset frontal test. This exposes 40% of the front of a vehicle to an impact with a deformable barrier at approximately 40 miles per hour. The logic, according to the IIHS, is that while a full-frontal test certainly would yield results that would demonstrate the effectiveness of in-car safety systems, the offset test results better demonstrate the structural integrity of a vehicle and a vehicle’s ability to protect its occupants.

In addition to the frontal offset test, the IIHS has also begun side impact tests using a barrier that is more elevated than in the NCAP test, to better simulate an impact with an SUV. Vehicle bumpers are also evaluated in a series of 5 mph tests, while seat and head restraint designs are tested and rated using a test sled.

Ratings and Top Safety Pick Awards

Based on test results, the IIHS rates a vehicle’s crash performance as good, acceptable, marginal, or poor. While requirements for a Top Pick have changed throughout the years, current vehicles must first earn a good rating in all three categories (front, side and seat/head evaluations for injuries that could be sustained in a rear impact). An additional requirement is that winning vehicles must offer Electronic Stability Control, as the Institute’s research indicates ESC “significantly reduces crash risk, especially the risk of fatal single-vehicle crashes, by helping drivers maintain control of their vehicles during emergency maneuvers.”

2009 Honda Fit Sport

Top Safety Picks 2009

For 2009, the big winners were Ford Motor Company and Honda Motors. For its part, Ford had the greatest number of vehicles – 16 different models (two, the Fusion and Milan, have ESC as an option) – that were rated as Top Picks, representing 44% of current Ford vehicles tested by IIHS.

Honda, on the other hand, had 13 vehicles that were rated as Top Picks that represented 100% of Honda’s current lineup that has been tested by the Institute.

2009 Winners:

Large cars

Acura RL
Audi A6
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Mercury Sable
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

Midsize cars

Acura TL
Acura TSX
Audi A3
Audi A4
BMW 3 series – 4-door models
Ford Fusion – with optional electronic stability control
Honda Accord – 4-door models
Mercedes C Class
Mercury Milan – with optional electronic stability control
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy
Volkswagen Jetta
Volkswagen Passat

Midsize convertibles

Saab 9-3
Volkswagen Eos
Volvo C70

Small cars

Honda Civic – 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Mitsubishi Lancer – with optional electronic stability control
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza – with optional electronic stability control
Toyota Corolla – with optional electronic stability control
Volkswagen Rabbit – 4-door models

Minicar

Honda Fit – with optional electronic stability control

Minivans

Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona

Large SUVs

Audi Q7
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Saturn Outlook

Midsize SUVs

Acura MDX
Acura RDX
BMW X3
BMW X5
Ford Edge
Ford Flex
Ford Taurus X
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Veracruz
Infiniti EX35
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes M Class
Nissan Murano
Saturn VUE
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota Highlander
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs

Ford Escape
Honda CR-V
Honda Element
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan

Large pickups

Ford F-150
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tundra

Small pickup

Toyota Tacoma

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!

2010 Fusion Sport

Early major update and hybrid version available this spring

In the game of one-upmanship and survival of the fittest, the two latest offerings from Ford Motor Company aim to up the ante in the hotly-contested mid-sized sedan segment.

Time waits for no man, and that’s particularly true in the car business. This time around, the guys in Dearborn took a page from the playbook of their Japanese rivals and decided on a major re-work of both the Fusion and its cousin the Mercury Milan just three years into the current model’s life. The best news is that even though both will be given the 2010 model year designation, car buyers won’t have to wait long – both should be in dealer showrooms this spring.

2010 Mercury Milan

New Clothes

While both vehicles received a makeover, the biggest design changes occurred with the Fusion. Gone are the funky square headlights, replaced by a European-influenced trapezoidal lower air intake that sits below the familiar 3-bar grill. This time, however, a portion of the upper bar extends over new horizontal headlamps. The more aggressive front end is complimented by new fenders as well as a new domed hood.

Inside, the new instrument panel features a softer “skin”, while a new center stack an steering wheel give the Fusion a more contemporary look. Seats have also been revised with more side support, smoother bolsters and textured inserts. Options include new ambient lighting as well as Ford’s SYNC™ system, an option that surely sold many customers on the Focus.

2010 Fusion Interior

More Power

Under the hood, the Fusion’s 2.3 liter four has been replaced by a new 2.5 liter version. Horsepower is up by 15 to 175, while torque is up by over 10% (from 156 lb-ft to 172 lb-ft). Highway mileage, according to Ford, is an impressive 33 mpg, besting the Camry by 2 mpg and the Accord by 3 mpg.

The V-6 has also been massaged and now delivers 240 hp and 228 lb-ft of torque, increases of 19 and 23, respectively, over the previous iteration. Both engines will be coupled to a new six-speed automatic transmission.

2010 Fusion Hybrid

You’ll get a charge out of this

Alongside the new twins, Ford also unveiled hybrid versions of both models. Using the same 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. New battery technology enabled the engineers to reduce their size by 30 percent while providing almost 20 percent more power than the previous generation.

Ford claims a top speed of 47 mph on battery power alone while besting the Camry’s city mpg by 5 and allowing for a whopping 700 mile city driving range.

2010 Milan Hybrid

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: