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Automobiles

Ford to Offer Compressed Natural Gas Prep Package on 2014 F-150

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By Alexander Stoklosa

2014 Ford F-150 CNG Prep Package

Ford has announced that it will offer customers a compressed natural gas (GNG) prep package on the 2014 F-150 pickup. Although it isn’t a full conversion, Ford’s package sets the F-150 up to be converted by a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier. The kit is available only on F-150s equipped with the base 3.7-liter V-6 engine, and it includes hardened valves, valve seats, pistons, and rings. With the prep kit, the F-150 can run on either gasoline or natural gas (via separate fuel systems), as well as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

According to Ford, the CNG/LPG prep package will cost roughly $315, but outfitting the truck with the requisite CNG fuel tank and fuel-delivery systems will set buyers back between $7500 and $9500. Still, Ford claims that customers who opt for the kit and the pricey CNG up-fit can see a return on their investment within 24–36 months, thanks to the ultra-low price of natural gas. The fuel can cost as little as a buck a (gasoline equivalent) gallon—as opposed to the current price of regular gas, which is hovering in the mid-$3 range—meaning fleets that travel lots of miles could legitimately see savings in a short period of time.

Ford claims the F-150 is the only CNG/LPG-capable half-ton pickup on the market, but technically most any vehicle—other half-tons included—can be converted to use natural gas, so the boast is somewhat disingenuous. Perhaps more accurate, Ford is the only manufacturer to offer a preparatory package that primes a half-ton for conversion. (Ram offers a turn-key natural-gas-powered 2500 heavy-duty pickup, and the Mopar catalog offers conversion bits for regular 1500s.) The F-150 is only the latest Ford commercial vehicle to offer a gaseous-prep engine option, and the automaker predicts it will offer eight different compatible models within the next year. Those models include the Transit Connect, the new Transit van, the outgoing E-series van, F-series Super Duty pickups, F-450 and F-550 Super Duty chassis cabs, the F-650 medium-duty truck, and the F53 and F59 stripped chassis. The multitude of CNG-prepped models are part of Ford’s plan to sell 15,000 such vehicles this year.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

Mini Clubvan Dies, Cutesy Panel-Wagon Segment Goes Down with It

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By Jens Meiners

2013 Mini Clubvan

It was the simplest of derivatives, yet it was not without charm. The Mini Clubvan has been terminated from Mini’s U.S. lineup after just 50 units sold since the wagon was introduced last summer, as first reported by Green Car Reports. The panel wagon was differentiated from the Clubman by the removal of the rear seats, and the addition of a partition and a carpeted load floor. Instead of replacing the rear windows with body panels, they were simply foiled. It came in three colors—Pepper White, Ice Blue, and Midnight Black—and with a single powerplant: the standard Mini’s 121-hp four-cylinder.

Apparently, BMW had forgotten about or underestimated the effect of President Johnson’s “Chicken Tax,” which slaps a whopping 25 percent onto imported commercial vehicles. Such an oversight makes us wonder why Mini didn’t simply convert Clubmans into Clubvans after the vehicles were imported into the U.S., which is what Ford does with its Turkish-built Transit Connect. Perhaps the company should prepare a conversion kit for Clubman buyers who find themselves in need of a delivery vehicle, or further differentiation. How about a homemade John Cooper Works Clubvan?

The Clubvan remains on sale in other parts of the world, where Mini says that sales are strong. As things stand stateside, however, the “premium compact delivery van” segment, as BMW calls it, has just been delivered a fatal blow.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

2013 Nissan NV200 Priced from $20,835, Offers Up to 25 mpg Highway [2013 Chicago Auto Show]

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By Alexander Stoklosa

2013 Chicago auto show full coverage

Nissan has announced pricing for the 2013 NV200, which made its production-spec debut at the 2013 Chicago auto show. The compact commercial van will start at $20,835, and Nissan also released the van’s final technical specs, including engine-output and fuel-economy figures.

The NV200 is designed to go head-to-head with the likes of Ford’s Transit Connect, which will be completely new for the 2014 model year. (The Nissan is essentially a four-year-old design that’s been sold in only slightly different forms in other markets since 2009.) Final output figures for the NV200 stand at 131 hp and 139 lb-ft of torque, and power is routed to the front wheels through a CVT. Even though power and torque figures for the new Transit Connect have yet to be released, the Ford will offer a choice of a 2.5-liter four and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four. Both likely will be more powerful than the Nissan’s single mill and do their work through a six-speed automatic.

2013 Nissan NV200

The Nissan’s 2.0-liter/CVT combo is good for 24 mpg in the city and 25 on the highway; again, the Ford’s efficiency is forthcoming, but the outgoing model touted EPA ratings of 21/27 mpg. The NV200′s city efficiency is quite good for a nonhybrid van, which bodes well for the New York taxi companies that will be forced to buy NYC’s Taxi of Tomorrow. (Other municipalities can buy them, too.)

2013 Nissan NV200

Nissan is offering the NV200 in two trim levels—S and SV—and both will be quite affordable, if sparsely equipped. There are several options, including cruise control ($200); back-door privacy glass ($190); Bluetooth connectivity ($250); an Exterior Appearance package ($190), which paints the bumpers, doorhandles, and mirrors body color; and a Technology package ($950), which includes navigation, Nissan’s RearView camera, satellite radio, and a 5.8-inch touch screen. Full pricing and option availability is as follows:

NV200 S: $20,835, includes two-speaker audio system, power windows, and 15-inch steel wheels; cruise control, back-door privacy glass, and Bluetooth available.

NV200 SV: $21,825, includes power door locks with keyless entry, power and heated exterior mirrors, cruise control, six cargo-area hooks, and full wheel covers; back-door privacy glass, Bluetooth, Exterior Appearance package, and Technology package available.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

Chicago: 2013 Nissan NV200 hauls itself into McCormick Place

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By Jeffrey N. Ross

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Nissan has already announced that its NV200 will be New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow, but now small businesses can also take advantage of the compact commercial van when it goes on sale this April. Unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, the Nissan NV200 bound for North America has been stretched by almost eight inches compared to the same van that has been on sale in other global markets since 2009. The 2013 Nissan NV200 will be built in Cuernavaca, Mexico and sold at select Nissan dealerships with a starting price of $19,990 (*excluding the $845 destination charge).

At that price, the NV200 costs thousands less than lead competitors like the Ford Transit Connect and the Ram C/V Tradesman, although it does deliver less cargo volume than both as well. Despite its longer body, the NV200’s 122.7 cubic feet of volume comes in just under the 129.6 cu-ft for the Ford and well under the Ram’s 155.5 cu-ft cargo capacity. The split rear doors and dual side sliding side doors will give plenty of access to the NV200’s cargo area, however, and Nissan says the van is wide enough to accommodate a standard pallet.

The NV200 was designed as much to be a mobile office as it is a hauler, so Nissan made the cabin as such. The passenger seat back can fold down creating a flat space for a laptop, and the center console has been specifically designed for hanging file folders. The base NV200S includes power windows, a two-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system and a 12-volt power outlet, while the NV200 SV (starting at $20,980) adds features such as cruise control, six floor-mounted cargo tie downs, power mirrors and door locks and remote keyless entry. Options include the $950 Technology Package (available on SV only and adds navigation, backup camera and satellite radio), $250 for Bluetooth and $190 for glass added to the rear cargo doors.

Under the NV200’s short hood sits a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder producing 131 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, which is good for 24 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, matching the combined 24-mpg rating of the Transit Connect. The only transmission available is Nissan’s Xtronic CVT, and the NV200 comes with 15-inch steel wheels, front disc and rear drum brakes, and rear leaf springs.

Scroll down for the official specs and info from Nissan.

Continue reading 2013 Nissan NV200 hauls itself into McCormick Place

2013 Nissan NV200 hauls itself into McCormick Place originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

SEMA: Ford picks Fiesta ST, Transit Connect as this year's SEMA darlings

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By Jonathon Ramsey

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SEMA is more than nine months away, but the reveille bugle for the show has just sounded with Ford’s call to aftermarket companies for its project-vehicle program. The 2014 Ford Fiesta ST and 2014 Transit Connect van and wagon are the cars The Blue Oval wants to feature, but applicants can submit project vehicles for any product except the GT500, the Raptor, or anything from Lincoln.

Submissions must be completed in two parts, the first being an email to Ford with an overview of the project, like vehicle theme, promotional plan and location display. The second part must be mailed in on company letterhead and gets down to the nuts and bolts of the vision and the provision of company bona fides. The complete proposal is due on March 1, winners will be notified by May 1. Click the link below to get all the details, and for show attendees, get ready to see some funky Fiestas and wild shaggin’ wagons in Las Vegas come November.

Ford picks Fiesta ST, Transit Connect as this year’s SEMA darlings originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Feb 2013 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog