Excise, customs duties on large, foreign-made vehicledes hik

Sedan and foreign-made luxury cars will cost more from April 1, 2012 as Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Friday proposed to raise excise and customs duties on large cars as well as imported luxury vehicles.

"I propose to enhance the duty from 22 percent to 24 percent (large cars)," Mukherjee said, presenting the union budget 2012-13 in the Lok Sabha.

The increase in excise duty will affect the price of petrol-powered vehicles with engine capacity of under 1,200 cc and diesel cars with engine capacity under 1,500 cc whose length exceeds four metres.

"In the case of cars that attract a mixed rate of duty of 22 percent plus Rs.15,000 per vehicle, I propose to increase the duty and switch over to an ad valorem (according to value) rate of 27 percent."

Currently, large cars attract excise duty depending on their engine capacity and length.

For import of completely built units (CBU) of large cars, multi and sports utility vehicles with cost exceeding $40,000 (Rs.2,000,000), per car custom duty will increase to 75 percent from 60 percent.

Mukherjee, however, provided excise duty relief for electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturers.

Excise duty on replacement batteries for supply to electric vehicle manufacturers registered with IREDA (Indian renewable energy development agency) or state nodal agency which is notified for the purpose by the new and renewable energy ministry for central finance assistance has been proposed to reduce from 10 percent to six percent.

The excise duty on specified parts of hybrid vehicle has also been reduced from 10 percent to six percent.

Reacting to the proposed excise hike, automobile major Tata Motors said it has decided to increase prices of its commercial and passenger vehicles with immediate effect.

The company said the increase will be proportional to the increase in the excise duty proposed in the budget.

Other auto companies like Maruti Suzuki are said to be also contemplating a price hike.

Meanwhile, Lowell Paddock, president and managing director of General Motors India, expressed disappointment for the sector.

"As far as the automotive industry is concerned, it did not meet the expectations. The industry did not expect any increase in excise duty on passenger cars," Paddock said.

"The industry expected the government to announce some measures to fuel demand of vehicles which have also not happened."

bmw i8

BMW are preparing supercar with the name i8, which wont be powered by a diesel-electric hybrid like the Vision EifficientDynamics concept.

BMW i8 is expected to be introduced in 2013 and it will be powered by a petrol engine.

The recently announced ‘i’ sub-brand from BMW will launch the i8 supercar in 2013 but it will come with a petrol engine instead.

“We want to sell [the i8] all over the world. Diesel is only really relevant to Europe.”, commented BMW’s head of research and development, Klaus Draeger.

Firsly, the idea was for a 1.5 liter three-cylinder diesel and an electric motor like the configuration in VissionEfficient Dynamics concept, but now BMW will stick to petrol variant.

Trends: Air Powered Cars

As odd as it sounds, running a car on air is a reality. Proof of concept and prototype compressed air vehicles - commonly referred to as "air cars" - have been running around for a number of years.

How could it be possible to run on air? Consider the physical work that compressed air already does to make our everyday lives easier. Mechanics rely on air-driven pneumatic tools every day to turn nuts and bolts with authority in garages around the world. Pneumatic tools are powerful, even at a relatively low pounds per-square-inch (psi) pressure setting. They can free rusted-on lug nuts and separate metal from metal through an air hammer or pneumatic chisel. Crank the pressure up and compressed air is a force to be reckoned with, providing enough power to even propel a wheel driven car.

Perhaps that was the inspiration that led former Renault F1 mechanic Guy Negre of Motor Development International (MDI) to pursue compressed air propulsion for the auto industry. And what could be more environmentally friendly than a car with atmospheric air as its only exhaust emission? There's no combustion whatsoever. Power comes from compressed air sourced from special high-pressure compressors run by electricity from the grid.

MDI's design uses a pair of air driven pistons, one large and one small, to turn a crankshaft that produces a rotational force. The technology can potentially be paired in two, four, or six cylinder engine configurations and the design is quite inventive. Since there is no combustion and the only engine heat comes from friction, the engine can be made primarily from lightweight aluminum.

For those who want the technical details, here's the scoop: In MDI's air engine, the small piston has a conventional connecting rod for turning the crankshaft, while its neighboring larger piston utilizes an innovative rocker arm configuration with the connecting rod. This design allows the large piston to pause at top-dead-center for 70 degrees of crankshaft rotation while metered air pressure builds in a prechamber as the small piston keeps the crank turning during its power stroke. The large piston then turns the crankshaft with greater power as the pair combine to produce power over 270 degrees of crankshaft rotation. Got that all?

Prototype air cars are minimalist transportation that typically exhibit a top speed of about 70 mph and a range of approximately 125 miles on flat roads before requiring a refill. Compressed air is stored at 300 bar (4351 psi) in carbon fiber tanks mounted longitudinally beneath the vehicle floor. Refilling can be accomplished in a matter of minutes at a special high-pressure pump or in about four hours via a home refueling appliance or even an on-board compressor.

In 2007, Tata Motors licensed the rights from MDI for $28 million to build and sell Tata-branded air cars in India. Tata has not confirmed if it will build one of the MDI prototype cars or, more likely, install the MDI technology in one of its existing cars like the light weight Nano (shown here). The Nano is Tata's $2,500 "scooter replacement" people's car that recently made headlines. While sought after in developing countries, this inexpensive car clearly won't meet federal emissions and safety requirements in the U.S. and other regulated markets around the world. Still, the addition of air power to an already inexpensive and efficient model would be quite appealing in the Indian market and others where fundamental transportation is in demand, and air pollution could be a serious challenge as exponentially greater numbers of vehicles make their way to the highway.

In the United States, a company called Zero Pollution Motors (ZPM) has licensed the rights to produce the MDI design in a U.S. factory. Based in New Platz, New York, ZPM has an ambitious goal of rolling out a North American compressed air vehicle for $18,000 by 2010. The company most recently unveiled MDI's newest car at the Automotive X-Prize exhibit at the New York Auto Show. ZPM and MDI will field two entries - the U.S. production six seat, four door prototype in the mainstream class, and the three seat, two door economy-utility model in the alternative class.

Air cars haven't escaped the attention of mainstream U.S. automakers, too. For example, Ford has worked with an engineering team at UCLA to develop an air hybrid. In this application, the air hybrid builds air pressure using the engine as a pump while shut down during deceleration, and then utilizes the recaptured energy to launch the vehicle from a stop. Special electrohydraulic actuators in the valvetrain make the transition possible.

Air powered cars are not a new idea, and in fact the concept actually predates a viable internal combustion engine. In his book, "Paris in the 21st Century," Jules Verne foresaw a transportation system utilizing compressed air. Now, modern visionaries are striving to make that dream come true with the air car.

Honda FCX Clarity Zero Emissions Fuel Cell Car

Did you think you wouldn't see fuel cell vehicles and the realization of zero emissions hydrogen power in your lifetime? The hydrogen reality may be closer than you've hoped. Honda, the quiet technical innovator, will be leasing its FCX Clarity production fuel cell car to select customers much sooner than expected. Like the EV Plus electric car and the first-generation FCX fuel cell vehicle that came before it, this is a limited production vehicle that's manufactured like other Honda vehicles, but not yet in mass market volume. Even so, this is clearly a next step toward commercializing an advanced technology vehicle and a milestone in our path to a more environmentally compatible future.

An evolution of Honda's tireless efforts in zero emission electric drive vehicles, the FCX Clarity blows the smoke and mirrors off the futuristic concept and engineering vehicles shown on sci-fi pages and instead presents a sleek, stylish, and decidedly Main Street America sedan powered by "tomorrow's" clean fuel: hydrogen. In this case hydrogen combines with atmospheric oxygen in the Clarity's advanced fuel cell, converting chemical energy into electricity to power the sophisticated electric powertrain.

Moving beyond fleet testing under relatively controlled conditions, in a few short months the Clarity will be delivered into the hands of regular consumers. For $600 monthly, a lucky group of forward thinkers in Southern California will be able to lease an FCX Clarity fuel cell sedan for three years. The deal gets sweeter, too, since that six-hundred also includes collision insurance and maintenance. Honda obviously wants to keep close tabs on consumer interaction with the Clarity as part of the development process.

The Clarity is not a baby step in the production-ready consumer fuel cell evolution, but rather one giant leap. Honda's new V Flow fuel cell stack pushes technology boundaries on every level. The vertically oriented V Flow stack is 65 percent smaller than the Honda FC fuel cell stack it replaces. Its compact size allows the V Flow to be positioned in the center tunnel between the front seats. The entire powertrain packaging is 45 percent smaller than the previous generation, which Honda points out is equivalent to the space required for a modern gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

Small but mighty, V Flow delivers 100 kilowatts of output compared to the 86 kW produced by the current FC stack and also offers a 50 percent increase in output density by volume. Clarity employs an advanced lithium-ion battery pack that is also 50 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than the ultra-capacitor design used in the current FCX. Packaging of the entire powertrain benefits from the V Flow design, which allows Honda to engineer the Clarity as a sporty and very functional sedan.

On the road, Clarity provides performance improvements over the previous FCX as well. Part of this is comes from a 400 pound weight reduction realized by the V Flow platform, which brings a 25 percent improvement in overall power-to-weight ratio. Fuel economy is said to be 20 percent better, which Honda estimates to be the equivalent of 68 mpg for combined city/highway driving. With a single 5,000 psi hydrogen storage tank, Clarity has an estimated range of 270 miles, a 30 percent increase over the current FCX and a driving range that's likely to be acceptable to consumers.

Honda will begin limited retail marketing of the FCX Clarity in the summer of 2008 in Southern California. Alongside further development of the car and fueling infrastructure, Honda is working on a service system that provides customer convenience while allowing Honda to track the ownership experience. When service is required, a customer simply drops off the Clarity at the nearest Honda dealership and American Honda transports the vehicle to its Los Angeles area service facility. Here, qualified technicians handle the needed work and then the vehicle is delivered back to the customer's local dealership for pick-up.

Honda is relentless in moving fuel cell technology forward. Real-world tests in small fleets are one avenue to proving the viability of advanced technology vehicles. In this case, Honda goes some steps further because the FCX Clarity is a limited production car that's going to regular consumers. It's a bold move and Honda will surely benefit from the program as much as the Southern California drivers lucky enough to lease the Clarity for three years.

When you look at the Clarity, it's difficult not to imagine you're taking a sneak peek at an Accord of the future. This stylish four door sedan represents a major milestone in design, fuel cell development, and the future of zero emission hydrogen as an important fuel alternative. We're breathlessly awaiting the next development in this hydrogen car's drive to the mass market.

5 Electric Cars You Can Buy Now

Is the world yearning for a viable electric car? Electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts believe so, maintaining that the electric car is the answer if we really desire clean, sustainable mobility. This certainly isn't a new idea, of course, since electric horseless carriages were around before the internal combustion gasoline powered automobile.

Low volume electric vehicles have come and gone amid much controversy and speculation. The problem now, as then, is the battery. Storing the energy needed to propel something as large as a passenger car for any distance requires serious battery power. Traditional lead acid batteries are large and heavy with capabilities that typically fall short of the needs of full function electric cars. More advanced nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries are a better but costlier alternative. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries show promise because of their superior energy-to-weight ratio, but drive the cost significantly higher. What the world needs is a powerful but inexpensive battery ... something that does not yet exist.

There is significant movement toward bringing a new generation of electric cars to market, but these vehicles today are either still in development, priced far beyond the reach of everyday consumers, or aimed exclusively at fleets. Until the battery breakthrough occurs that will make full-function electric cars an affordable reality, there is a class of pure electric vehicle that can partially fill the void. It's called a neighborhood electric vehicle, or NEV for short. As the name implies, a NEV is intended for shorter missions in an urban environment or around the neighborhood, precisely the type of driving where a gasoline internal combustion car is least efficient.

NEVs are lightweight, operate only at low speeds, and by design offer modest performance. These attributes allow them to do their job with more basic and affordable lead acid batteries. They are street legal in most states on roads that have a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. Electronically governed to a top speed of 25 mph, these battery electric cars vary greatly in style and configuration, ranging from open cockpit designs resembling golf carts to diminutive full-bodied city cars. Some, like the Columbia ParCar MEGA shown above, can be configured with various cargo box options for commercial use.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defines a NEV under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 500 (49 CFR 571.500) as a vehicle with four wheels, a top speed between 20 and 25 mph, and a gross weight less than 2,500 pounds, with an official designation as a "low speed vehicle." Even though some NEVs appear quite golf cart-like, they feature equipment far beyond what one would ever find in such basic vehicles. For instance, FMVSS 500 requires that a certified NEV be equipped with a vehicle identification number (VIN), headlamps, tail lamps, stop lamps, turn signals, rear view mirrors, reflex reflectors, parking brake, windshield, horn, and seat belts.

You can cover a lot of ground around town with a NEV, with models offering a range of 30 to 60 miles before recharging is needed. When it's time to refuel, a NEV simply plugs into a standard 110 volt outlet, just like your coffee maker. Neighborhood electric vehicles are well suited for a wide range of tasks. They've found favor in small towns, gated communities, airports, and both government and private fleets of all types. Some are being used as rentals in resort areas and in station car projects. Still, NEVs remain a well kept secret to the general public.

As pure electric cars, NEVs have no tailpipe emissions - a major advantage in smoggy urban locations and confined inner city areas. Plus, because of a NEV's unique usage for short and in-town trips, these vehicles make a significant dent in the problematic cold start emissions experienced by gasoline vehicles used for similar short errands around town. Gasoline engines are dirtiest when first started and during the first five minutes of operation until their catalytic converters are hot enough to treat exhaust gases. In a major study of NEV user behavior in California several years ago, the Green Car Institute found that NEVs can have a profound impact on lowering overall cold start emissions when used in place of conventional vehicles for regular short trips. They can also achieve substantial petroleum displacement when used daily and in meaningful numbers, as the study shows.

The electric grid is North America's most advanced and widespread energy infrastructure. From a logistics standpoint it makes sense that the car you depend on for short commutes and daily errands be able to tap into that fuel source at home, conveniently and while you sleep. A growing number of NEV manufacturers are offering increasingly more stylish and sophisticated models to do just that.

If the streets you regularly drive around town offer appropriate roads posted at 35 mph or less and are legal in your state, you may be a good candidate for this low speed electric car. Here are five popular examples that illustrate the diversity this little known class of truly green cars provides.

DYNASTY iT

British Columbia based Dynasty Electric Cars produces a line of low speed NEVs that includes the iT Sedan, iT Utility (pickup), iT Tropic (topless, no doors), iT Sport (topless, half-doors), and iT Utility (panel). They are built on a 90-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 140 inches. Dynasty uses aluminum for the frame structure with an infusion molded fiberglass body and molded plastic bumpers. Electricity is stored in six EV-31 type flooded lead acid batteries, with Deka gel cell batteries optional. When it's time to plug iT in, an onboard Delta-Q Battery charger tops of the car off in less than 12 hours. Models range from $14,000 to $25,000.

GEM

Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) is perhaps the best established NEV manufacturer because of its distinction as a Chrysler company. The company's lineup includes a basic two passenger e2 GEM along with a four passenger e4, six passenger e6, and three utility variants with truck beds. While the basic configuration is an open design, optional canvas or hard doors make the vehicle functional in foul weather. The GEM is powered by a 5 horsepower (12 hp peak) DC motor with a 7 horsepower performance package optional on the e2 and e4, and standard on the e6. With a long list of optional equipment, the GEM can be tailored to suit a wide range of applications. GEMs are available from $6,795 to $12,495.

COLUMBIA PARCAR

Available in two and four passenger configurations and as a utility model with a stake bed, the Columbia ParCar Summit NEV is a highly adaptable platform. Summit's powder coated, high strength alloy tubular steel frame, independent front suspension, rack and pinion steering, and open-air design promises fun low speed mobility. Designed for work, the Mega is a versatile cab-chassis NEV that can be configured in a variety of ways ranging from a pickup bed with fold down sides to a dump bed, van box, and even a refuse container for garbage removal. With a gross weight rating of 2,469 pounds, the Mega can make short work of urban work tasks. Summit NEVs are $9,497-$10,857, with Mega NEV models ranging from $17,900-$23,770.

MILES ZX40

Miles Electric Vehicles offers the four door ZX40 in three different models. The base ZX40 is propelled by a 4 kW (9 kW peak) DC electric motor, while the ZX40S has a more powerful 6.3 kW (17.6 kW peak) DC motor. For maximum performance, the Miles ZX40S Advanced Design offers a 7.5 kW (26 kW peak) brushless AC induction motor. Absorbed glass mat sealed lead acid batteries are utilized to store electricity. The tall four door wagon seats four and offers 41 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded. Standard features include front and rear defroster, windshield wipers, electric mirrors, and alloy wheels. An AM/FM/CD sound system is optional. Cost is $14,900-$18,900.

ZENN

ZENN Motor Company calls its attractive three door hatchback, the ZENN (Zero Emissions No Noise), "the earth's favorite car." This electric car is sourced as a "glider" - a rolling vehicle without a powertrain - from Microcar of Europe. ZENN creates its zero emission NEV by fitting it with electric drive components and batteries. The ZENN features an automotive style alloy space frame and resilient ABS body panels. Standard four-wheel discs are accompanied by regenerative braking, a feature that recaptures energy to help recharge the batteries. Drivers get a very functional two seat hatchback that offers 13 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. ZENNs are available for $14,700-$15,575.

2012 Toyota Tacoma Review

 2012 Toyota Tacoma Review, 2012 Toyota Tacoma Release Date, 2012 Toyota Tacoma Price, 2012Toyota Tacoma Specs, 2012 Toyota Tacoma Photos, 2012 Toyota Tacoma Detail, Toyota Tacoma 2012,Toyota Tacoma 2012 Price.

2012 Toyota Tacoma Review

Simple design and luxurious rich performance to create the charge may be the main cause of this 2012 Toyota Tacoma can succeed. This vehicle is suitable for manufacturing, which requires vehicles to create charges. Vehicle performance is great even if the vehicle able to make loads or goods. This vehicle will ultimately best pick-up truck in 2012. It is suggested that you want to purchase collection vehicles.

Toyota unveiled a new compact pickup that is scheduled for 2012 Toyota Tacoma. This car is available in three body styles, regular cab, Access Cab and Double Cab. The regular cab seats with three bodies, while access to the cab and double seat five. Cargo bed Regular Cab and Access 6 feet long, while the double cab is 5 feet.

Toyota Tacoma Regular and Access cab models are powered by a four cylinder 2.7 Liter engine that is rated at 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. It is equipped with a five speed manual transmission. The Toyota Tacoma Double Cab is powered by a 4.0 Liter V6 engine pumps which is rated at 236 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. It is equipped with a six speed manual transmission.

Toyota does not disclose the price of Tacoma 2012 to shortly before the truck is for sale. historical price of the truck, but has a range of 2012 base price of about $ 16 500 – 28 000 USD including shipping. Wait for 2012 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab has a base price range of around $ 21,000 – $ 26,000. 2012 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab is expected to start around $ 25.500. 4WD Double Cab is the most popular of this truck and the 2012 version should start to $ 28,000. 2012 Toyota Tacoma Review

2012 Honda Odyssey Review

2012 Honda Odyssey Review information in here, and also more detail about 2012 Honda OdysseySpecs, 2012 Honda Odyssey Price, 2012 Honda Odyssey Release date, 2012 Honda Odyssey Pictures and 2012 Honda Odyssey Engine.

2012 Honda Odyssey Engine

                                                                                      The standard Honda Odyssey is powered by a 2.4 liter DOHC i-VTEC engine producing 173 PS at 6,000rpm and 222Nm of torque at 4,300rpm. It rides on double-wishbones both at the front and rear. The FWD models are mated to a new CVT transmission (with torque converter) with ratios ranging from 2.470-0.450 while the AWD models are paired to a 5-speed auto with dual overdrives (ratios ranging from 2.651-0.566).

2012 Honda Odyssey can continue with a tantalizing array of comfort options and infotainment, and for all 2012 Honda Odyssey are back with commonplace equipment which incorporates rear privacy tinted glass, cruise management, remote keyless entry, air con, power driver seat, manual tilt steering wheel, and power mirrors, locks, and windows. additionally, the Honda Odyssey is additionally equipped with audio systems and a further plug for digital music devices, and single disc in-dash CD player. Honda Odyssey revamped dashboard for this fourth-generation style, adding a pull-out “media rack” for iPods, mobile phones and also the like; an electrical outlet nearby. Driver-information/navigation screen occupies the highest level, climate management the middle, rock bottom audio system.

Honda Odyssey will release early autumn 2011. 2012 Honda Odyssey starting price at $ 29,000 – $ 45,000. Honda Odyssey has variant car is 2012 Odyssey LX, 2012 Odyssey EX, 2012 Odyssey EX-L, 2012 EX-L with Rear Entertainment System and 2012 Odyssey EX-L with Navigation. 2012 Honda Odyssey Review.

fait tractar

buick lacrosse

The Buick LaCrosse is a mid-size luxury sedan produced by General Motors. The Buick LaCrosse, is a four-door sedan which replaced the Buick Century and Regal in North America beginning in the 2005 model year.
Arriving as a 2010 model, the second-generation Buick Lacrosse is built upon the mid-size Epsilon II platform, which is also the basis for the Opel Insignia and the 2010 Saab 9-5. The design was based on 2008 Buick Invicta concept, and replaces both the Chinese and North American models. Buick states that the new LaCrosse will be "America's Lexus fighter". With the new 2011 Regal and the coming demise of Lucerne, the LaCrosse is no longer seen as Buick's entry-level model, but as its premium sports sedan, and is the brand's flagship sedan.
The LaCrosse was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The car was also shown at the 2009 Montreal International Auto Show as the Buick Allure, however, soon after production had begun, General Motors Canada renamed the Allure to LaCrosse, to correspond with the car's global marketing. GM Canada has offered existing Allure owners the option to change nameplates to LaCrosse.
Production of North American models was moved from Oshawa to the Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas. Delivery of 2010 year models was delayed a few weeks due to quality concerns.
The 2.4 L Ecotec four-cylinder replaced the 3.0 V6 as the standard engine on the CX model in the first quarter of 2010. The 3.6 L V6 continues to be an option on the CX and front-wheel drive CXL and standard on the CXL and all-wheel drive CXL.
The 2010 Buick LaCrosse CXS is the first North American car to incorporate a front suspension design called HiPer Strut. This suspension design improves ride and handling and reduces torque steer.
The LaCrosse will be sold in Mexico starting in 2010, as the Buick brand returns to the country after 13 years of absence.
The 2012 Lacrosse will feature a new mild hybrid as it's base model. Dubbed "eAssist" the 2012 Lacrosse will debut GM's second generation BAS-II (Belt-Alternator-Starter version 2) system. The non-hybrid 4 cylinder will no longer be offered. The system consists of a 115 volt lithium-ion battery pack, a 15kw electric motor capable of adding 15 horsepower of assist while accelerating, and the next generation 6T40 GM Hydromatic transmission with reduced friction components over the previous generation. GM expects the eAssist LaCrosse to deliver a class leading fuel economy of 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. In addition to providing additional power to the 180hp 2.4 liter 4 cylinder, the BAS-II system allows for engine start/stop operation when the vehicle isn't moving and allows for complete fuel cut off to the engine during deceleration.

Mercury Milan

The Mercury Milan builds on a strong foundation of quality and reliability, adding to the mix for the 2010 model year an all-new hybrid model, more fuel-efficient gasoline powertrain options, class-exclusive technologies and a more refined, sophisticated design.

"The Milan has been a strong part of the Mercury lineup since its initial launch and has helped attract more consumers to dealer showrooms," said John Felice, general manager, Ford, Lincoln Mercury Marketing. "For sophisticated consumers looking for a stylish hybrid, the Mercury Milan now offers them the most fuel-efficient hybrid sedan in its class."

Chief designer Darrell Behmer and his team had the advantage of working from a vehicle that's been lauded by consumers and consumer groups. "Our approach was to build upon the Milan's strengths - to improve rather than reinvent," Behmer said. "From a design standpoint, we wanted to clarify the design, making it cleaner and more modern."

The changes to the exterior design were focused on the grille, fenders, hood, and front and rear fascias. The chin was pulled forward and the fascia was pulled down to give the 2010 Mercury Milan a wider, sportier look. Those changes as well as substantial underbody work made for a cleaner, more aerodynamic car.

With all models, the interior design team created a more contemporary, technical look with metallic new finishes on the instrument panel that carry through on the center console, doors and steering wheel. The all new instrument panel is finished with a soft upper and lower skin and has much less hard plastic than Japanese competitors. A redesigned leather wrapped steering wheel with form fitting palm swells, and new shifter, and wrapped and padded armrests have been added, increasing the Milan's sportiness and comfort at all key driver touch points.
The seats received a makeover, as well. The seat contour has been revised, with more side support and overall a more comfortable seat with smoother bolsters and more-textural inserts. The seats also feature contrasting stitching and leather inserts to give the Mercury Milan even more attitude, befitting this mid-size sedan.

The gauge cluster has been designed with day time backlighting, a black lens, and 3-D elements to create a high tech jewel-like appearance, similar to a fine watch. Drivers will be greeted by a new "welcome" sequence that makes the Mercury Milan seem as if it's coming to life.

Gauge needles sweep back and forth as the lighting and new chimes come on. The ambient lighting system offers the option of illuminating the front and rear footwells and front cup holders.

The two-tone look on the interior continues as a Mercury Milan signature, with satin-aluminum accents and a wood finish around the center stack. The Milan features Dark Charcoal Black, Medium Light Stone and Camel as interior choices through the Premier Series, which includes embossed leather.

An improved seat design with a new perforation pattern has been added as well. The seat contour itself was revised, with more side support to help create a softer seat overall.

All-new hybrid model

For the 2010 model year, the Mercury Milan adds an all-new hybrid model. The Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid join the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner Hybrids, doubling both the size and volume of Ford's hybrid lineup.

"Offering consumers more fuel-efficient vehicle choices, including improving and increasing our hybrid vehicle offerings and improving our high volume gasoline powertrains, is part of Ford's broad plan to deliver technology solutions for affordable fuel economy for millions," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president for Global Product Development.

"With the new Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, we are now able to offer even better range of travel on battery power at a greater speed, thanks to a more efficient, seamless transition between the battery-powered motor and gasoline-driven engine," he said. "These new hybrids will exceed expectations on all fronts - fuel efficiency, comfort, convenience and drivability."

The Ford Hybrid team has developed a powertrain system that combines the best attributes of the gasoline engine and electric battery-driven motors to deliver the optimal experience for the customer in terms of driving performance and fuel economy.

Additionally, the propulsion system for the Mercury Milan Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid transitions between gas and electric power and back more efficiently and seamlessly.

The overall system upgrade allows the Mercury Milan Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid to operate longer at higher speeds in electric mode. The hybrid vehicles can operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, approximately twice as fast as some competitors. Plus, the city driving range on a single tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles.

The next-generation hybrid system features:

New 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine (155 horsepower/136 lb.-ft. of torque) running the proven Atkinson cycle mated to an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission or e-CVT.
Intake Variable Cam Timing (iVCT), which allows the vehicle to more seamlessly transition from gas to electric mode and vice-versa. The spark and cam timing are varied according to the engine load to optimize efficiency and emissions.
Enhanced electronic throttle control reduces airflow on shutdowns, reducing fueling needs on restarts.
A wide-band lambda sensor analyzes the air-fuel ratio and adjusts the lean/rich mixture accordingly to keep the system in balance and to minimize emissions.
A new smaller, lighter nickel-metal hydride battery has been optimized to produce 20 percent more power. Improved chemistry allows the battery to be run at a higher temperature and it is cooled using cabin air.
An added variable voltage converter boosts the voltage to the traction battery to operate the motor and generator more efficiently.
A new high-efficiency converter provides 14 percent increased output to accommodate a wider array of vehicle features.
Smarter climate control system monitors cabin temperature and only runs the gas engine as needed to heat the cabin; it also includes an electric air conditioning compressor to further minimize engine use and maximize comfort.
The regenerative brake system captures the energy normally lost through friction in braking and stores it. Nearly 94 percent energy recovery is achieved by first delivering full regenerative braking followed by friction brakes during city driving.
A simulator brake actuation system dictates brake actuation and delivers improved brake pedal feel compared to the previous generation braking system.
"Because our hybrid can run at a much higher speed in electric mode, you can do so much more in city-driving situations," said Gil Portalatin, Hybrid Applications Manager. "Under the right conditions, you can drive in your neighborhood or mall parking lots without using a drop of gasoline."

The Mercury Milan Hybrid also offers drivers a way to be more connected to the hybrid driving experience thanks to Ford's SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a unique instrument cluster execution that helps coach them on how to optimize performance of their hybrid.

SmartGauge with EcoGuide features two, high-resolution, full-color liquid crystal display (LCD) screens on either side of the analog speedometer that can be configured to show different levels of information, including fuel and battery power levels, average and instant miles-per-gallon. Growing leaves and vines track and reward the driver's efficiency.

EcoGuide uses a multi-layered approach to coach the driver to maximum fuel efficiency. A tutorial mode built into the display that helps the driver learn about the instrument cluster and the hybrid in a whimsical way that does not overpower.

For instance, drivers can choose one of four data screens to choose the information level displayed during their drives. They are:

Inform: Fuel level and battery charge status
Enlighten: Adds electric vehicle mode indicator and tachometer
Engage: Adds engine output power and battery output power
Empower: Adds power to wheels, engine pull-up threshold and accessory power consumption
All levels can show instant fuel economy, fuel economy history, odometer, engine coolant temperature, what gear the car is in and trip data (trip fuel economy, time-elapsed fuel economy and miles to empty). The engine coolant temperature indicator turns green when engine conditions are warm enough to allow engine pull-down.

Several other elements help differentiate the Mercury Milan Hybrid from its gas-powered sibling, including unique hybrid "road and leaf" badging on both sides and the rear of the vehicle; unique 17-inch, eight-spoke wheels; eco-friendly seat fabric made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials; and a standard 110-volt power outlet.

More horsepower, better fuel economy

Both the inline four-cylinder and V-6 engines are upgraded, with the four-cylinder engine increased to 2.5 liters and the 3-liter V-6 increasing its horsepower rating from 221 to 240. Each engine improves fuel economy as well, up to 4 or 5 mpg depending on the model.

The 2.5-liter I-4 engine, which improved its 0-60 mph time by more than 1 second to achieve best-in-class performance, is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, up from five speeds.

"The gear ratios and the overall span of the transmissions allow us to have a more-efficient shift schedule," said Matt Hettenhouse, powertrain team leader for the Milan. The first gear can be made a little deeper, which provides smoother acceleration. At the top end, a higher gear allows the engine to run slower in highway conditions, which also aids fuel economy.

The innovative Easy Fuel™ capless fuel filler system also is standard. This industry-exclusive feature helps to reduce evaporative emissions that create smog and global warming. When fueling is completed, and the fuel pump nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut.

Better handling in a quieter, more-comfortable ride

Bringing a premium driving experience to the Mercury Milan was one of the goals for the team. For the 2010 model, strides were made in steering and handling, turning circle (better by about 1 foot) and an improved brake pedal feel. Upgraded 17-inch painted aluminum wheels are another performance and appearance enhancement standard on the Premier.

The 2010 Mercury Milan team also took a look at how to improve the comfort of the car. "We made a major improvement on interior quietness," said Chief Engineer J.D. Shanahan. Hood insulators, inner and outer dash absorbers, new carpet, revised ceiling baffles, additional sound deadening in the trunk, new interior material and new headliner material are among the improvements made.

In addition, improved body and door sealing defends and improves upon Milan's best-in-class standing in wind noise. Reductions in wind noise and road noise gives Mercury Milan drivers the level of quiet luxury they demand.

With design refinements to the exterior creating a sportier look as well as upgraded technology and materials inside, the 2010 Mercury Milan expands on the value package that makes it a leader in the mid-size car segment.

Staying connected

New technology features available on the 2010 Mercury Milan include:

Blind Spot Information System (BLISTM) with Cross Traffic Alert, which can help provide extra confidence to drivers in parking lots by alerting drivers sooner of nearby traffic while backing out. It uses two multiple beam radar modules, which are packaged in the rear quarter panels. The radar detects moving objects within a 65-foot range from either side of the vehicle. The radar identifies when a vehicle enters the defined blind spot zone and illuminates an indicator light on the corresponding side-view mirror providing a warning that a vehicle is approaching. An audible alert is sounded as well.
SYNC: The voice-activated hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players, providing customers hands-free cell phone and music selection capabilities - plus new 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report provided with no monthly fees.
911 Assist: When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC, the system is ready to assist in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an air bag-deploying accident. The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators.
Vehicle Health Report (VHR): SYNC gathers relevant information from the major vehicle control modules and packages diagnostic data into a usable format in a matter of minutes. That data packet is sent to Ford via an 800-number automatically dialed using the customer's paired and operable mobile phone.
Voice-Activated Navigation, which integrates several functions including voice recognition destination entry, climate control and SIRIUS satellite radio into one easy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch-screen display. The navigation system's text-to-speech function calls out street names while in route to a destination and reads incoming text messages when the system is linked to SYNC. The integrated DVD player is capable of reading CD-Audio, MP3 CDs, DVD, DVD-Audio and DVD-ROM (for digital map updates). A music jukebox function stores more than 150 hours of music. The screen even can be customized with personal photos.
SIRIUS Travel Link™, an industry-leading technology that, when combined with the voice-activated navigation system will provide users with real-time traffic data with accident and incident information, coast-to-coast weather data including current conditions and five-day forecasts, and fuel price information for over 120,000 gas stations. Travel Link also offers sports scores and schedules and a listing of more than 4,500 movie theaters with movie times, theater addresses, movie synopses and more.
Reverse Camera System, which mounts a small camera on the spoiler that is activated when Mercury Milan is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle.
The video image is displayed in the optional navigation screen on Milans equipped with that option or in the self-dimming rearview mirror vehicles without navigation.

 

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