01 02 03 Ford Taurus Automatic Transmission 220338 on 2040-parts.com

White House pushes automakers toward 54.5-mpg target by 2025

The White House is pushing automakers to agree by Wednesday to a corporate average fuel economy target of 54.5 mpg by 2025--a figure 1.7 mpg less than the 56.2 mpg standard it floated earlier this month. The easing of the White House plan stems from a concession to makers of light trucks and SUVs, and particularly larger vehicles in that segment, such as Ford's F-150, sources said. The latest White House proposal, the most definitive of any it has put forth, calls for a 5 percent annual mileage increase for cars from 2017-2025, said industry and congressional officials who asked not to be named because their discussions with the White House are confidential.

Hyundai confirms luxury Genesis Brand to take on Lexus & Infiniti

Hyundai are planning to launch the Genesis Brand (Hyundai Veloster pictured) The rise and rise of Hyundai (and Kia too) has lead to speculation for some time that the next stage in their evolution is a proper luxury brand to take on Infiniti and Lexus, and it’s now confirmed that Hyundai will be launching the ‘Genesis’ brand within two years. Not to be confused with the ‘Not for the UK’ Hyundai Genesis, the Genesis brand will be a range of cars from Hyundai offering real competition for the luxury brands from Nissan and Toyota, but with a dose of Hyundai pricing and warranty thrown in to the mix. Hyundai’s product manager in Australia – Roland Rivero - has come out and confirmed that the Genesis brand is in  the making and will initially – at least in Australia – offer two RWD cars.

BMW wins engine of year

By Ben Whitworth Motor Industry 09 May 2007 05:51 BMW’s twin turbo 3.0-litre engine – the mighty 306bhp straight six from the 335i - has taken top honours at the 2007 International Engine of the Year Awards, the engineering equivalent of the Oscars. This is an unprecedented third year in a row that BMW has clinched the title of International Engine of the Year Award – in 2006 it was the M6’s V10 that took the title, and the M5’s V10 claimed gold in 2005. Other winners, judged by the panel of 62 motoring journalists from 30 countries across the globe, included Porsche for its biturbo 3.6-litre flat six (unbelievably, the first time Zuffenhausen has won an IEYA award), Toyota for the Prius’ 1.5-litre hybrid unit, and Volkswagen’s TSI twincharger 1.4-litre unit.