Green Car Journal has announced its five finalists for the magazine’s prestigious 2016 Green Car of the Year® award. The 2016 models include the
Audi A3 e-tron, Chevrolet Volt, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Prius.
An increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year®
program each year, a reflection of the auto industry’s expanding
efforts in offering new vehicles with higher efficiency and improved
environmental impact.
Green Car Journal has been honoring the most important “green”
vehicles every year at the LA Auto Show, since its inaugural award
announced at the show in 2005.
“This is the strongest field of finalists we’ve seen in our annual Green Car of the Year® program,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of the Green Car Journal and CarsOfChange.com. “Each of the five nominees makes a strong environmental statement in distinctly different ways, with a common strategy of recognizing what’s most important to today’s drivers. Their use of wide-ranging powertrain technologies underscores that all approaches are essential to achieving important environmental goals.”
The Finalists:
AUDI A3 E-TRON
The
A3 Sportback e-tron is Audi's entry in the hot plug-in hybrid vehicle
market. This five-door hatchback uses lithium-ion batteries and a 102 hp
electric motor to deliver
up to 19 miles of all-electric driving, after which its 150 hp,
1.4-liter gasoline TFSI engine provides power for extended driving in
efficient hybrid mode.
CHEVROLET VOLT
Chevrolet’s
second generation Volt features sportier styling, better performance,
and a lighter and more powerful two-motor drive system. The
five-passenger, extended
range electric now drives up to 53 miles on batteries alone, with its 1.5-liter gasoline powered generator creating on-board electricity to deliver
an overall 420 mile range.
HONDA CIVIC
Now
in its tenth generation, the all-new Honda Civic delivers exemplary
fuel efficiency in an affordable, conventionally-powered model. The
Civic thoughtfully blends hybrid-like
fuel economy and appealing style, with an array of desired amenities
and advanced electronics that meets the needs of a great many drivers.
HYUNDAI SONATA
Hyundai’s
stylish 2016 Sonata offers it all with efficient gasoline, hybrid, and
plug-in hybrid choices within the Sonata lineup. New this year, the
hybrid delivers up
to 43 highway mpg and features distinctive styling cues. The Sonata
Plug-In Hybrid drives up to 24 miles on batteries with additional range
on conventional hybrid power.
TOYOTA PRIUS
The
venerable Toyota Prius emerges in 2016 a completely redesigned model,
faithfully delivering the attributes expected of an industry-leading
hybrid with important design,
technology, and efficiency updates. It features a familiar yet bolder
exterior and incorporates suspension and other improvements to deliver
improved driving dynamics.
The
Green Car of the Year® is selected through a majority vote by an
esteemed jury that includes celebrity auto enthusiast Jay Leno, plus
leaders of noted environmental
and efficiency organizations including Jean-Michel Cousteau, president
of Ocean Futures Society; Matt Petersen, board member of Global Green
USA; Dr. Alan Lloyd, President Emeritus of the International Council on
Clean Transportation; Mindy Lubber, President
of CERES; and Kateri Callahan, President of the Alliance to Save
Energy.
During the award’s vetting process,
Green Car Journal editors consider all vehicles, fuels, and
technologies as an expansive field of potential candidates is narrowed
down to a final five. Finalists are selected for their achievements in
raising the bar in environmental performance. Many
factors are considered including efficiency, EPA and CARB emissions
certification, performance characteristics, ‘newness,’ and
affordability. Availability to the mass market is important to ensure
honored models have the potential to make a real difference
in environmental impact, and finalists must be available for sale by
January 1st of the award year.
0 comments:
Post a Comment