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The biggest gas-guzzlers of 2024: 'The Meanest List' is the opposite of greenest cars

In some circles — especially some automotive circles — bigger is better. This explains the Hummer, for example. In its so-called “Meanest List” of a dozen models, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) makes no apologies for berating “the worst-performing mass market automobiles” sold in 2024 in the U.S. The most diminutive car on the list is a Chevy Corvette Z06. At the top of this particular heap is the Mercedes-Benz AMG G63, a gas-powered SUV that the environmental agency says was “the worst-performing vehicle of the more than 1,200 models assessed by Greener Cars and has an annual fuel cost over $4,000.” Not to mention its MSRP of around $184,000. Rank Make & Model Powertrain Green Score MSRP Estimated Annual Fuel Cost* 1 Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 Gas 20 $184,000 $4,242 2 Ram 1500 TRX 4x4 Gas 22 $98,335 $3,819 3 Ford F150 Raptor R Gas 24 $79,975 $3,777 4 Cadillac Escalade V Gas 26 $152,295 $3,388 5 Dodge Durango SRT Gas 26 $74,995 $3,332 6 Jeep Wrangler 4dr 4X4 Gas 27 $35,895 $3,260 7 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 4x4 Gas 28 $91,945 $3,058 8 Mercedes-Benz G550 Gas 28 $143,000 $3,186 9 GMC Hummer EV SUV EV 29 $98,845 $1,746 10 GMC Sierra Gas 29 $37,700 $3,069 11 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Gas 30 $114,395 $3,169 12 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S680 Gas 30 $234,300 $3,031 *ACEEE analysis using EIA data of the annual cost of driving 15,000 miles In terms of numbers, the dirty dozen of the meanest includes seven SUVs and three trucks. Lonely at the middle of the list is the sole electric, the GMC Hummer EV, which weighs in at 9,000 pounds. The council notes that “though EVs have lower emissions than similarly sized gasoline models, the Hummer demonstrates that size and efficiency, not just fuel source, are important factors in a carÂ’s environmental impact.” ItÂ’s also worth reminding prospective buyers that the average fuel cost of a vehicle on the “Greenest List” eats up only a fifth of the fuel cost of a vehicle on the Meanest List, “showing that greener options can also be more affordable.” The ACEEE also put out a "Greener List" of efficient gasoline and hybrid cars that don't require plugging in.  By the Numbers Green Cadillac Chevrolet Dodge Ford GMC Hummer Jeep Maybach Mercedes-Benz RAM Emissions Fuel Efficiency Green Automakers Truck SUV Electric Hybrid

Cadillac CT6 hits dealers in March for $54,490

When the Cadillac CT6 hits dealerships in March of 2016, it will carry a starting price of $54,490 (including a $995 destination charge). That strikes us as a reasonable asking price. For some context, the CTS, which sits a rung down the size and pricing ladder at Cadillac, starts at $46,555. A BMW 5 Series sedan begins its pricing journey at a bit over $50,000 while the larger 7 Series commands a bare minimum of $82,000. So, while the Cadillac's range-topping CT6 isn't exactly a 5 Series or 7 Series competitor, its pricing strategy seems to reflect an interesting position in the luxury-car playing field. For that $55,000-ish asking price, the CT6 comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that pushes 272 horsepower to the rear wheels. When equipped with a 335-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6 engine and all-wheel drive, the CT6 nudges up just slightly to $56,490. Again, that's a reasonable $2,000 surcharge for more power and four driven wheels. Continuing up the CT6 structure brings us to the 400-horsepower, twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V6 for $65,390 that also comes with all-wheel drive. All models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission. At the very top of the pricing scale sits the CT6 Platinum, which carries a MSRP of $84,460. As noted earlier, that puts the tip of Cadillac's CT6 spear just into the starting territory of BMW's biggest luxury sedan. A plug-in hybrid model is promised that will offer 335 horsepower and 432 pound-feet of torque with double the fuel efficiency of a comparable non-hybrid CT6, but Cadillac hasn't yet announced pricing for that model. We're eager to find out exactly where the CT6 lands on the scale of high-end luxury cars in America. One thing is for certain, though: Cadillac is clearly trying pique the interest of German cross-shoppers with its top-level offering. Check out the press release below for more details from the automaker about its so-called Cadillac Touring 6 Sedan. Related Video: 2016 Cadillac CT6 Range-Topping Sedan Slated for March Launch NEW RANGE INCLUDES CT6 STARTING AT $53,495; CT6 PLATINUM PRICED FROM $83,465 2015-11-02 Cadillac extends the top of its range with the 2016 Cadillac Touring 6 sedan, which begins production in Detroit in January, with initial shipments to dealers in March. Through the integration of new technologies, the first-ever Cadillac CT6 creates a new formula for the range-topping sedan and substantially expands the Cadillac portfolio.

Cadillac CT6 styling will be evolutionary, not like Elmiraj

Well, this is at least a little disappointing. It turns out Cadillac's long-awaited flagship, the CT6, won't be ushering in a wholesale change in the company's design. That's coming from GM Design guru Ed Welburn, meaning it should be taken as gospel (unless of course he's just trying to hoodwink us). "It'll be different and it will certainly stand out in the portfolio," Welburn told Automotive News. "But you won't see a real shift in direction." Instead, Art and Science will be shown in yet another new form, and will "continue to evolve," according to Welburn, although what that means is unclear. What we can say for certain, though, is that Art and Science on the CT6 will not evolve into the stunning Elmiraj Concept. "I think Elmiraj was more of an influence on some other things we're working on for Cadillac," Welburn said, we're guessing with a smirk and an air of mystery. Considering we have yet to see the CT6, it's hard to tell whether this will be good news or bad, although based on the critical reception to the Elmiraj, we're a little bit disappointed by Welburn's statements. Still, only time will tell whether the styling of the CT6 will really work out.