2013 Ford Fusion Se Hybrid Only 5,995 Miles **47 Mpg** We Want Your Trade* on 2040-cars

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Ford reveals new Galaxy van for Europe [w/video]

Here in its home market, Ford may be focusing more on crossovers, but overseas, minivans are still playing a crucial roll for global automakers. So while the Aerostar, Windstar and Freestar may have given way to the Flex and Edge, over in Europe, the Blue Oval automaker has revealed the all-new fourth-generation Galaxy. Following up on the MPV initially launched in 1995, replaced in 2000 and again in 2006, the new Galaxy features updated styling and equipment to position itself as the luxury counterpart to the sportier S-Max that just relaunched last year. Behind the Aston-style grille that's been finding its way onto just about every new passenger car Ford makes is a range of updated engine options, including two EcoBoost gasoline engines (a 1.5-liter unit with 158 horsepower or a 2.0 with 237) and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel available in states of tune ranging from 118 hp all the way up to 207. The flexible seven-seat cabin features a flat load floor, seats that stow and even deploy at the push of a button and an available full-length retractable panoramic sunroof. The new integral link rear suspension promises a smooth ride, with an available self-leveling feature just one of the many convenience and safety systems integrated into Ford's new European family hauler – the full extent of which you can read in the press release below. On your way down, you may want to check out the stunt which Ford staged with illusionist Darcy Oake to launch the new Galaxy. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Expert: 54.5 mpg CAFE standard can be reached without many plug-ins

Johnson Controls executive Brian Kesseler isn't likely to get any holiday presents this year from Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn or Tesla Motors head Elon Musk, but lots of other folks might be happy with what he has to say about automakers' efforts to reach stricter fleetwide fuel-economy standards. Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress, Kesseler said automakers wouldn't need to sell an extensive number of plug-in vehicles in order to meet the 54.5 mile per gallon Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard the US government set in 2012 for 2025 model-year vehicles. In fact, he said, components such as stop-start engine technology, turbochargers and direct injection may actually do the trick. Already, things like smaller engine sizes and lighter cars are already playing major roles in spurring fuel-efficiency gains. Of course, Johnson Controls sells batteries specially built for stop-start systems, so Kesseler does have a bit of skin in this game. The 54.5-mpg CAFE standard equates to about a 40-mpg "real world" fuel-efficiency level. To put that into perspective, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in a report late last year that model-year 2013 average fuel economy was an even 24 mpg. That was up from 23.6 mpg for the 2012 model year and 22.4 mpg for 2011. News Source: Automotive NewsImage Credit: AP Government/Legal Green Ford Fuel Efficiency mpg CAFE standards ecoboost johnson controls

Ford considering return to Le Mans with new EcoBoost LMP2

If you want to see a Ford racing prototype, you need look no further than the United SportsCar Championship, where the Blue Oval fields two Daytona Prototypes powered by an EcoBoost-branded 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6. But according to the latest rumors, that may not be enough for Ford, which has as much brand to promote overseas as it does back home.
That could be why Racer magazine is reporting that Ford may be poised to return to Le Mans in the coming years. As we all know, Ford competed at Le Mans in the mid-through-late '60s, bringing home four consecutive overall wins with the legendary GT40. The new program would not, according to Racer, seek to relive those glory days, but would instead compete for class wins in the LMP2 category.
Currently, LMP2 regulations are somewhat split between the United SportsCar Championship in North America on the one hand and ACO-sanctioned series like the European Le Mans Series, Asian Le Mans Series and FIA World Endurance Championship on the other, but plans are underway for the regulations to be unified in time for the 2017 season. That could be when Ford is targeting its return, allowing it to compete on both sides of the Atlantic to maximize its exposure.