New EPA mpg findings

(Washington, D.C.-October 12, 2005) EPA and the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) have released the 2006 Fuel Economy Guide to help consumers
make well-informed choices when purchasing new vehicles.

"We know that when consumers are provided the information they need to
make informed, educated decisions they choose products that will both
save them money and help protect our shared environment," said EPA
Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "This year's fleet offers a wider
variety of cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles for car buyers to
select from -- encouraging more Americans to heed President Bush's call
to reduce the demand on the nation's energy supply."

"The Bush administration is working to get more fuel efficient vehicles
on the road by educating the public and by incentivizing the production
and purchase of fuel efficient vehicles," Energy Secretary Samuel W.
Bodman said. "In January, consumers can take advantage of tax credits
worth thousands of dollars by purchasing a hybrid, electric, or hydrogen
fuel cell vehicle. Also, we are working with car manufacturers through
our FreedomCar initiative to develop next generation technology that
will bring more fuel efficient vehicles to market."

Hybrid and diesel vehicles continue to lead the government's fuel
economy ratings, with the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius hybrids and
Volkwagen New Beetle and Golf diesels topping the list. Several hybrid
SUVs are ranked in the top-ten for model year 2006, including the Lexus
RX 400h, Ford Escape Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, Mercury Mariner
Hybrid and Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Hybrid technology can be used to
improve fuel economy and performance. One conventional gasoline-fueled
vehicle made the 2006 top-ten list: the Toyota Corolla with manual
transmission.

Fuel economy estimates, which appear on the window stickers of all new
cars and light trucks prior to sale, are determined by tests conducted
by manufacturers and EPA according to EPA specifications. To ensure
these estimates continue to remain as reliable as possible, EPA plans to
propose updates to the methods used to determine the sticker fuel
economy by the end of the year.

The following are online sources for more fuel economy information:

· The joint EPA and Department of Energy Fuel Economy Web site
offers detailed information on vehicle fuel economy, including a
complete downloadable version of the Fuel Economy Guide. The Web site
is located at: [url]http://www.fueleconomy.gov[/url]

· Comprehensive information about EPA's Fuel Economy program is
available at: [url]http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy[/url]

· The Green Vehicle Guide Web site to give consumers a better
picture of fuel economy and automobile emissions. Consumers can use
this guide to locate the cleanest running and most fuel efficient
vehicle that meets their needs. To access this guide, visit:
[url]http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles[/url]
The 2006 fuel economy leaders within class as well as the lowest fuel
economy models are listed below and available online at:
[url]http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/overall-high.htm[/url]


R188

Highest Fuel Economy Models by Vehicle Class
2006 Model Year
MPG
Class Model city/highway

Two Seater Honda Insight (manual) 60/66

Minicompact Car Mini Cooper (manual 5 spd) 28/36

Subcompact Car Volkswagen New Beetle Diesel (man.) 37/44

Compact Car Volkswagen Golf diesel (manual) 37/44

Midsize Car Toyota Prius (hybrid) 60/51

Large Car Hyundai Sonata (manual) 24/34

Station Wagon Pontiac Vibe (manual) 30/36
Toyota Corolla Matrix (manual) 30/36

Sport Utility Vehicle Ford Escape Hybrid FWD 36/31

Minivan Honda Odyssey 2WD 20/28

Pickup Truck Ford Ranger Pickup 2WD (manual) 24/29
Mazda B2300 2WD (manual) 24/29

Van (Cargo&Passenger) Chevrolet G1500/2500 Chevy Van 2WD 15/20
(4.3 and 5.3 liter engines)
GMC G1500/2500 Svana 2WD Cargo 15/20
(4.3 and 5.3 liter engines)

2006 Model Year Overall Fuel Economy Leaders

MPG
Rank Manufacturer/Model city/highway

1. Honda Insight (hybrid-electric, manual) 60/66

2. Toyota Prius (hybrid-electric) 60/51

3. Volkswagen New Beetle and Golf (diesel, manual) 37/44

4. Volkswagen Jetta (diesel, manual) 36/41

5. Ford Escape Hybrid FWD 36/31

6. Volkswagen New Beetle and Jetta (diesel, automatic) 35/42

7. Volkswagen Golf (diesel, automatic) 33/44

8. Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD 33/29
Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4WD 33/29
Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD 33/29

9. Lexus RX 400H 2WD 33/28
Highlander Hybrid 2WD 33/28

10. Toyota Corolla (manual) 32/41

Lowest Overall Fuel Economy Models*
2006 Model Year

MPG
Rank Manufacturer/Model city/highway

1. Dodge RAM 1500 Pickup 2WD (8.3 l engine, automatic) 9/12

2. Dodge RAM 1500 Pickup 2WD (8.3 l engine, manual) 9/15

3. Bentley Bentley Arnage 10/14
Bentley Bentley Arnage LWB 10/14

4. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 10/17

5. Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S 11/17
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 11/17

6. Aston Martin DB9 Coupe Manual 11/18
Aston Martin DB9 Volante Manual 11/18
Bentley Continental Flying Spur 11/18

7. Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 2WD 12/15
Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 4WD 12/15
Dodge Durango 2WD 12/15
Dodge Durango 4WD 12/15

8. Ferrari F430 12/17
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 57 12/17
Mercedes-Benz Maybach 62 12/17

9. BMW M5 12/18
Maserati Quattroporte 12/18
Volkswagen Phaeton 12/18

10. Bentley Continental GT 12/19
Aston Martin DB9 Coupe 12/19
Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa/GT/G-Sport 12/19
Rolls-Royce Phantom 12/19

*Trucks over 8500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating are exempt from
federal fuel economy requirements.

Lowest Fuel Economy by Vehicle Class*
2006 Model Year

MPG
Class Model city/highway

Two Seater Ferrari F430 12/17

Minicompact Car Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S 11/17

Subcompact Car Maserati Coupe Cambiocorsa/Coupe GT 12/19

Compact Car Bentley Continental GT 12/19

Midsize Car Bentley Arnage 10/14

Large Car Bentley Arnage LWB 10/14

Small Station Wagon Audi S4 Avant (manual) 15/21

Midsize Station Wagon Mercedes-Benz E55 EMG Wagon 15/21

Sport Utility Vehicle Dodge Durango 2WD and 4WD 12/15

Minivan Ford Freestar Cargo Van FWD 17/23
Ford Freestar Wagon FWD 17/23
Mercury Monterey Wagon FWD 17/23
Buick Terraza AWD 17/23
Chevrolet Uplander AWD 17/23
Pontiac Montana SV6 AWD 17/23
Saturn Relay AWD 17/23
Toyota Sienna 4WD 17/23

Pickup Truck Dodge Ram 1500 2WD (8.3 l engine, auto.) 9/12
Cargo Van Ford E150 Econoline 2WD 14/17

Passenger Van Ford E150 Club Wagon 13/17

*Trucks over 8500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating are exempt from
federal fuel economy requirements


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To view all EPA news announcements, go to
[url]http://www.epa.gov/newsroom/index2.htm[/url]