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Ford Confirms Fuel Economy Figures for 2013

With only weeks left before the refreshed 2013 Taurus lands in dealerships across the U.S., Ford has released the official EPA fuel economy ratings for its refreshed full-size sedan. The Blue Oval notes that all three engine options of the 2013 model have now been certified at 25 mpg or higher in EPA highway estimates.
The new addition to the Taurus family, the 237HP 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost model, has received an EPA certification of 32 mpg on the highway and a combined rating of 26 mpg – the automaker has not yet released a figure for city driving.
Ford highlights the fact that the new Taurus 2.0-liter turbo returns a better highway economy than the 2012MY Chrysler 300, Chevrolet Impala, Dodge Charger and Toyota Avalon, adding that it's 26mpg combined rating is higher than the Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetec diesel, Porsche Panamera S Hybrid as well as the V6 models of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry.
The improved 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 that delivers 290hp (up from 263hp) returns 19mpg city, 29mpg highway and 23mpg combined (for the FWD model), while the flagship SHO model, which sports a 3.5-liter EcoBoost with 365HP, is rated at 17mpg city, 25mpg highway and 20mpg combined.

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Ford Focus EV Buyers in California get Access to HOV Lanes and up to US$10,000

A week after Ford revealed that it's all-electric Focus achieved a 105 MPGe combined EPA rating, the company announced that owners of the car in California can access the High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes. That, in itself, is another selling point for Ford. According to the Texas Transportation Institute's Urban Mobility Report, the Los Angeles and San Francisco-Oakland metropolitan area rank third and seventh respectively in having the worst congestion in the entire United States.
This alone, says Ford, adds an average of US$1,464 in fuel costs annually, which a Focus Electric driver is avoiding. Furthermore, the Ford Focus Electric is now included in the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Program (CVRP).
This means that, apart from the standard US$7,500 federal tax incentive offered to all buyers of “green” vehicles, it also qualifies for the State of California new US$2,500 rebate putting the total to US$10,000.
“Californians have a legacy of embracing electric vehicles”, said Ford’s global director of sustainability and vehicle environmental matters John Viera. “Programs like the Clean Vehicle Rebate provide an excellent incentive for the continued adoption of electric vehicles," he added.

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Road and Track Car

The editors of Road and Track named the Nissan 350Z one of the best sports cars under 30 grand and said, "This is a true sports coupe." I'd have to agree, seeing as though the 350Z's VQ engine received the 2007 Ward's 10 Best Engines Award. And due to the fact that I admittedly have a soft spot for sports cars with the Z badge.

Over the past few years, Nissan has improved the car's ride and overall daily-driver appeal, while improving the horsepower at the same time. Current 350Z's have the VQ35HR 3.5L V6 that turns out 306 HP and 268 lb-ft of torque, the same engine shared with its Infiniti G35 cousin, just with less horsepower. Consequently, the Infiniti G35 could have easily made it onto this list, if it weren't for the Nissan 350Z producing more horsepower for less money with the same engine. With a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds (Car and Driver), you're getting a lot of speed for a sports car that starts at just under $28,000.

Ford Mustang GT Deluxe

A classic sports car favorite among most of us and one of J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Initial Quality winners as well. Incidentally, Ford won a total of five of these awards this month for their various vehicles. The Ford Mustang GT classic 4.6L engine shows that sometimes 300 HP just feels better when it's coming from a grumbling V8 that will put a smile on your face in 4.9 seconds (Road and Track). And with a price tag of only $25,695 you'll never be sorry with the Ford Mustang GT.

If 300 horses aren't enough for you, then you can always jump up to the Ford Mustang Shelby GT, which adds an extra 19 wild horses to the pack. But then again, you'd just be missing that $35,000 mark. While you're there, you might as well take a look at the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 that so many of us love to see fly past us.

Honda S2000

Possibly the purest sports car in this group, what the Honda S2000 lacks in overall power and amenities, it more then makes up for in handling and driving pleasure. The S2000 can make sports cars costing twice as much blush on the twisties. Since this little monster's debut as a 2000 model, not much has changed to the overall design. A few changes on the outside have kept a modern look, but the interior is way past its expiration date. Some nice tweaking over the years by Honda has improved the mid-range torque issues and everyday drivability over earlier models.

This 2.2L naturally aspirated four cylinder produces 237HP and gives the driver a 0-60 time of 5.8 seconds. The 50/50 weight balance helps keep the Honda S2000's wheels under control, as does the limited slip differential. If you want a spicier looking Honda S2000 with no air conditioning or radio, wait until the release of the S2000 CR in the fall. It should be about 90 lbs lighter than the original and be the "Closest thing you can get to a Honda-built racecar with license plate holders and a horn," according to John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Pontiac Solstice GXP/Saturn Sky Red Line

The new GXP version of the Solstice is powered by a 260 horsepower two-liter engine with direct fuel injection, variable valve timing and a turbocharger. The GXP also gets sportier suspension tuning, StabiliTrak, and styling enhancements.

Turbo lag is minimal, as is the trunk space, so you won't be waiting around for long to get this sports car going. With an MSRP at $27,115 this sports car won't get you down the road as fast or as cheap as the Ford Mustang GT, but the extra style and sex appeal will allow you to get the looks you want while you cruise.

Audi TT 2.0T

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Last but not least comes the Audi TT, which just scrapes the top of our 35 grand budget at $34,800. The 2007 TT has that oh-my-good-ness curb appeal you want from a sports car. The base level Audi TT comes with a 2.0L turbo-charged engine, shared from the A3, which produces 200HP and seven more lbs-ft of torque. The only options you can add to the 2.0T are satellite radio and heated front seats, but it comes with fringe benefits you'd expect to find in an Audi, like a tire pressure monitor system, retractable rear spoiler and automatic climate control.

With a 0-60mph time of 6.2 seconds, the Audi TT isn't as fast as some of the other cars on this list, but consider that what's under the hood won Engine of the Year for both 2006 and 2007 in the International Engine of the Year competition. Audi says that the 2.0 TFSI engine, "combines vigorous pulling power with particularly high everyday suitability."