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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013 |

The seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf and its GTI performance version are making their North American debut at the New York International Auto Show today. Set to hit U.S. dealerships early next year as a 2015 model, the new Golf will be available with three engines, just like the current sixth-generation model sold in the U.S.

As you probably have already noticed, the US-spec Golf looks just like its European version, both inside and out, so we’ll focus on technical aspects in this article.

The big news is that the 2015 Golf’s entry-level model will be powered by a four-cylinder 1.8-liter turbocharged engine instead of the 2.5-liter five-cylinder unit. With 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque, this new engine made in Silao, Mexico, offers the same power as the outgoing unit and 7 more lb-ft (9.5 Nm) of torque, delivered at lower revs. Mated to manual or automatic transmissions, its biggest advantage is said to be fuel economy, although VW didn’t talk numbers.

The next model in the 2015 Golf range will be the TDI Clean Diesel, powered by a four-cylinder common-rail 2.0-liter diesel unit with direct-injection. Rated at 150 horsepower (10 hp more than the outgoing model) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque, the new TDI Clean Diesel shares only the bore spacing with the previous engine, with extensive changes made to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Again, no fuel economy figures were provided for this engine, butVW said the new TDI model will have a standard six-speed manual gearbox and an optional DSG dual-clutch transmission.

Finally, the top of the range GTI model will be powered by an upgraded version of the EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged TSI engine, also made in Mexico and expected to develop around 210 hp and 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) of torque (final figures not yet available). A manual six-speed box will be offered as standard, with an automatic DSG transmission available as an option. The European Performance Pack is expected to be offered in the US during the GTI’s lifecycle.

All versions of the new Golf have the XDS electronic differential lock that improves handling and traction. The 2015 VW Golf for North America will be built at the German automaker's Puebla plant in Mexico.

By Dan Mihalascu

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TUESDAY, APRIL 09, 2013 |

The team over at FordInsideNews claims to have laid its hands on the Blue Oval's 2014 Order Form. In the order guide, it is stated that the 2014 model year Fusion will gain a sixth engine for the North American market in the guise of Ford's brand-new 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol unit, which premiered on the sedan's Chinese-market sibling, the Mondeo, just last week.No output numbers were mentioned for the North American model, but in China, Ford said this three-cylinder engine is projected to produce 177hp (132 kW) at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 177 lb-ft (240Nm) from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm.
Currently, the Fusion is available with the following gasoline engines in the States: a 175hp 2.5-liter inline-four, a 178hp 1.6-liter turbo'd inline-four (EcoBoost), a 240hp 2.0-liter turbo'd four (EcoBoost), and a 141hp 2.0-liter hybrid powerplant in both regular (Hybrid) and plug-in (Energi) variants. This leads to the question why would Ford want to have three engines produced roughly the same output at 175-178hp?
The report claims that the answer is the 1.5-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost will be available with an automatic transmission and Stop-Start, while the 1.6-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost will drop both the auto gearbox and the Start-Stop system and be offered only with a manual transmission.
Other less important changes noted in the order guide include the availability of two new colors named Sunset and Dark Side, while eliminating the Bordeaux Reserve and Gingerale shades, and the addition of a new interior package and "Rid Brick" premium leather options.
Needless to say, we will have to wait for an official release to confirm whether all these updates will indeed apply to the 2014 Fusion.

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