mpg-o-editor

New Car Gas Mileage Average: 23.2 MPG for September 2012

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It’s more than a budge of the needle. The year-over-year average in September light vehicle fuel economy numbers has risen to 23.2 miles per gallon (MPG) in 2012, from 22 MPG in September 2011, according to TrueCar.com’s TrueMPG* tally. The Santa Monica-based “authority on new car pricing information, trends and forecasting.”

While the numbers are the highest recorded to date, September 2012 held steady with August. The year-to-date TrueMPG average has risen to the same 23.2 magic MPG, from 21.9 MPG, over the first three quarters in 2011, with General Motors, Honda, and Toyota showing the largest gains in corporate fuel economy over the time period. A slew of new models and punishingly high gas prices have new car buyers seeking more fuel-efficient vehicles, with compacts and subcompacts leading the charge.

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VW Sets Land Speed Record with Jetta Hybrid

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Think all hybrid cars are slow? Think again. Volkswagen has set a production car land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah with a modified 2013 Jetta Hybrid averaging 186.313 MPH over two runs on October 5th.

The Jetta Hybrid’s record-setting effort in the Southern California Timing Association’s (SCTA) H/PS class topped a 185.394 MPH run made in August. (The H/PS class covers production cars using 1.5 liter forced induction engines.) While modifications were limited by class rules, horsepower output was significantly enhanced.

Record-setting 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid at the Bonneville Salt Flats

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2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Review

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MPG-o-Matic 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Review Summary: The 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo takes it up a notch over the naturally-aspirated Veloster. An added cost of approximately $4,500 delivers a whopping improvement in torque and horsepower (HP), with a negligible hit on fuel economy. The Veloster Turbo ups the ante in the affordable Eco Sport segment, but can it go head-to-head with the Fiat Abarth, 500 Turbo and John Cooper Works MINI? Fingers crossed, we’ll put the Euro rivals to the test down the road …

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Gas Prices Explained

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The movement of gasoline prices over time is a tricky topic for many to understand. While there are those who would pin the causes on any number of usual suspects, one pundit will surely disagree with the next as to the root of the problem.

Animator Omid Malekan takes a simple approach to the subject, using two bears and a straightforward chart that shows – with little doubt – a clear connection between the price of gas in America and stock prices. No stranger to economics, Omid’s popular videos tackle a range of topics, including the European Economic Crisis, Inflation, the Bank Bailouts, and the Federal Reserve. In short, it’s all about the markets and money supply.

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In the Market for a CNG-Powered Honda Civic? Try the GSA.

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If you’re in the market for a previously-owned low-mileage compressed natural gas-powered (CNG) Honda Civic, you’ll do well to check with your Uncle … Uncle Sam, that is. The United States Government has been purchasing CNG-powered Honda Civic GX and NGV models for over a decade. While these vehicles come up for public auction, you need to know where to look or you’ll miss out. Case in point … there’s an auction coming up on October 11th at the Norwalk Auto Auction in Norwalk, California where a total of sixteen CNG Civics are currently slated to cross the block.

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