Ford's EV Plans.

When I think electric cars, I think the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt - then maybe Tesla and Fisker sports cars. But options for would-be electric car owners are fast expanding, and Ford is about to tap into the growing greener car market with a trio of environmentally friendly cars, including an all-electric vehicle.

That's what I learned at a conference put together by Ford last month in Dearborn, Mich. Along with a hundred or so other bloggers, I got to visit Ford's headquarters - and take part in a star-studded program with talks from Malcolm Gladwell, futurist Joel Garreau, and "actorvist" Ed Begley, Jr. - who spoke glowingly of Ford's foray into greener vehicles.

The most exciting development, of course, is the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, which I really want to test drive. This car will charge up in just three to four hours from a 240-volt charging station - and go about 100 miles on a full charge. That car is expected to start getting delivered late this year. The best part, in my opinion, is that Ford is electrifying a car that's already an established brand with owners and devotees, instead of building a new customer base for a new model from scratch.

Next year, Ford is also going to offer C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid - which like the Chevy Volt will drive in all-electric mode for shorter distances, but also have a gas-powered option that's expected to extend the driving range to about 500 miles. The third car Ford will offer is the C-MAX Hybrid, which isn't electric at all, but is expected to have a better mpg than the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid, currently the most fuel-efficient sedan in America.

In his presentation, Begley emphasized how this trio of cars offers options for everyone. Because as we know, even if everyone suddenly decided they wanted to ditch their gas guzzlers for zero-emissions electric vehicles, the infrastructure just isn't in place to let people charge up those efficient cars. I, for example, would love to get a Ford Focus Electric if I was picking between Ford's three new cars. But as an apartment dweller with nowhere to plug in a car, the only greener Ford option that would work for me is the C-Max Hybrid.

The new cars weren't available for test drives, but I tried driving the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid as part of a contest to see which blogger could get the best miles per gallon by hypermiling. I thought I did pretty well when I achieved a 44.1 mpg on the contest course - only to find out the winner got 70-plus mpg! Maybe I'll get better with practice.

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New Toyota Yaris prices announced

• Three engines available
• Four equipment grades
• Priced between £11,170 and £15,385

The all new, third generation Toyota Yaris will have a more grown-up look when it goes on sale later this year, priced from £11,170.

And it backs up that aggressive pose with a range of beefed up engines with better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions thanks to innovations in weight saving and aerodynamics.

Gearbox options will also include Toyota’s unique Multidrive S continuously variable CVT automatic system with manual override, a sequential seven-step mode operated either through the gear lever or with steering wheel mounted paddle shift – very much in keeping with its new sporty image.

Four option grades are T2, TR, SR and T Spirit and a cost effective multimedia connectivity package comes in the shape of Toyota’s ‘Touch and Go’ system. This provides touch screen controls for audio right from entry level with Bluetooth connection, USB port and rear reversing camera. Upgrades include full satellite navigation and internet information access for downloads through a dedicated Toyota customer portal.

Engines see the frugal three-cylinder 1-litre VVT-i petrol produce 68bhp at 6,000rpm and maximum pulling power of 68ft/lbs at 3,600rpm which should make the engine a good choice for urban motoring. Fuel consumption has been improved by four per cent to a claimed 58.9mpg and CO2 emissions are down by seven per cent to 111g/km.

A 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i engine lifted from theToyota iQ city car generates 98bhp at 6,000rpm and 92ft-lbs of pulling power at 4,000rpm. Mated to the Multidrive S transmission, fuel economy is predicted at 56.5mpg and CO₂ emissions are 118g/km.

The 1.4-litre D-4D engine is matched to a six-speed manual transmission and produces 89bhp at 3,800rpm and maximum pulling power of 151ft-lbs between 1,800 and 2,800rpm. Combined fuel economy has been improved by seven per cent to 72.4mpg and CO₂ emissions are six per cent lower at 104g/km.

The range kicks off with at £11,170 for the 1-litre T2 three door rising to £14,260 for the diesel in TR grade and topping out at £15,385 for the five door 1.33-litre Multidrive S in T Spirit guise.

Orders are being taken now for a UK delivery expected in mid-September.

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18,000 Customers Worldwide orders Range Rover Evoque in Advance

      The launch of the Range Rover Evoque is just one of 40 new product actions that Jaguar Land Rover will carry out in the next five years in the most ambitious market offensive in the history of its two brands. This product creation programme is supported by annual investment of £1.5 billion in developing new models, engines, technologies and vehicle lines.

The first production vehicle of the new Range Rover Evoque has been driven off the line at Land Rover’s Halewood manufacturing plant in Liverpool. It will be donated to the British Motor Industry Heritage trust. 

"The Evoque is an incredibly exciting vehicle that joins a product range which across both of our brands is the strongest we have ever had – and it fits in perfectly." commented Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover Chief Executive Officer." The teams that have designed engineered and built the new Evoque, working together with our research and supplier partners, can be immensely proud of their achievement. Worldwide interest in our new car has been exceptional, with 18,000 customer orders received from customers eager to be among the first to own the new Range Rover.

Halewood Operations is central to the success of the Evoque, with the workforce doubling to more than 3,000 employees in order to deliver the new model. Seventy-five per cent of production is destined for export to more than 170 countries around the world, adding around £2 billion to the UK economy. Moreover, 50 per cent of the components in new Evoque are made in Britain, with contracts worth another £2 billion awarded to more than 40 UK supplier businesses.

“It is a groundbreaking product, a Range Rover with concept car looks, lightweight technologies and the capability to deliver 50mpg fuel economy. At the same time it’s still a true Range Rover that’s agile, nimble, designed to survive in the urban jungle and capable of tackling the toughest climates and terrains thanks to Land Rover’s legendary all-wheel drive expertise.” Speth added

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