Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid [w/VIDEO]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2009 Mariner Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford took pride in being the first automaker on the planet to offer a hybrid utility vehicle when it introduced the first battery-assisted Ford Escape in mid-2004. The Escape hybrid has had mixed success over the past few years, but with gas prices hitting $4 per gallon, the Blue Oval is selling every unit it can produce. For the 2008 model year, one in eight Escape sales are hybrids, which is impressive when you consider that it averages $30,000 per vehicle. In 2006, the Escape was joined by the lower volume Mariner Hybrid, giving Ford two entries in the hybrid soft-roader market, and a green model to sell at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships.

The Escape got a thorough makeover on the outside for 2008, but most of the mechanicals remain a carryover from the previous generation. For 2009, Ford finished the job on the Escape and its sheet metal sibling from Mercury and the hybrid models followed suit. The changes include a new engine that provides more power and improved efficiency, some cosmetic tweaks, and several technological upgrades. Ford is betting that the changes will improve their footing in the green scene, so we took a loaded Mercury Mariner hybrid into the Autoblog Garage to see if the fuel-sipping CUV could win us over.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid


All photos Copyright (C)2008 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid [w/VIDEO]

Review: 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid2009MercuryMarinerHybridAutoblog garageAutoblogGarageford motor companyFordMotorCompanygreen techGreenTechhybridmarinermariner hybridMarinerHybridmercurymercury marinermercury mariner hybridMercuryMarinerMercuryMarinerHybridreviewWed, 25 Jun 2008 19:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1235487/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/06/25/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-mercury-mariner-hybrid-w-video/1235487/article-detail.xml 1235487 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/marinerhybrid-45006_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/marinerhybrid-45006.jpg <![CDATA[F1 making itself even more green]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/19/f1-making-itself-even-more-green/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/19/f1-making-itself-even-more-green/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/19/f1-making-itself-even-more-green/#commentsFiled under:


Green and racing don't seem like natural allies. Making a car more environmentally friendly or making a racecar go faster seemed to be at opposite ends of the spectrum when it came to automotive technology. And yet there have been glimpses of the two coming together for the benefit of all. The Audi R10 immediately springs to mind. Well now the world's premiere motor sport is getting into the swing of things as well.

Not content to be associated with green light standing starts or the huge wads of greenbacks that represent its revenue stream, Formula 1 is thinking green technology too. The FIA has just announced that it has reached an agreement with the constructors to introduce green technologies over the next 5 years. Teams are being asked to draft regulations pertaining to renewable energy for implementation by 2009.

In particular the "recovery and reuse of energy" are being looked at. Waste heat and exhaust gases are to be studied as possible recoverable energy sources to that end. Does that signal a return to turbochargers for F1? We'll have to wait and see. Another development from the meeting was the creation of a Working Group to discuss new ways to control the costs associated with wind tunnels, simulators and their related personnel.

[Source: ITV]

F1 making itself even more green originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Sep 2006 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autobloggreenf1fiaformula 1Formula1green techGreenTechTue, 19 Sep 2006 09:32:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/671140/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/09/19/f1-making-itself-even-more-green/671140/article-detail.xml 671140 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/09/fiagreen2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/09/fiagreen2.jpg <![CDATA[Volvo announces green initiative]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/30/volvo-announces-green-initiative/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/30/volvo-announces-green-initiative/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/30/volvo-announces-green-initiative/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ford's Volvo division has announced an initiative to build more fuel-efficient vehicles with lower emissions. The plan details smaller engines, cleaner diesels, hybrids and other alternative drivetrains, as well as lighter building materials to cut weight for its global fleet.

West coasters in Sweden will be pleased to know that the landscape in Gothenburg will be enhanced by a hybrid technology development center responsible for developing hybrid drivetrains for Volvos and other vehicle platforms that can share the technology.

What doesn't make sense is the fact that this news comes on the tail of an announcement earlier this week by Bill Ford that the company is pulling back on its hybrid efforts... we'll see how it shakes out, but expect Volvo's new green initiative to play a big role in Ford's effort to become a producer of more environmentally friendly vehicles.

[Source: Reuters via Automotive News]

Volvo announces green initiative originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jun 2006 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative drivetrainalternative fuelsAlternativeDrivetrainAlternativeFuelsgreen techGreenTechhybridvolvoFri, 30 Jun 2006 17:34:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/638595/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/06/30/volvo-announces-green-initiative/638595/article-detail.xml 638595 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/06/volvo-logo_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/06/volvo-logo.jpg -1 2