As the American car show season winds down, fuel-efficiency and miles-per-gallon have proven to be the industry’s buzzwords of choice. And the Jacksonville International Car and Truck Show seemed to be no different.
From Honda’s enormous display for the new Fit to Ford quietly showing off its all-new 41-city miles-per-gallon Fusion, fuel-efficiency was the name of the game.
But the fun, albeit less-practical stuff, was not neglected. Lamborghini of Orlando was on hand with the Gallardo LP560-4, Gallardo Spyder, a Rolls-Royce and two Bentleys – none of which achieve better than 15 city mpg, but look oh-so-much-better than a Prius.
Ford also brought out the very same 2010 Mustang GT and Shelby GT500 that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show. Not to be outdone, Chevy showed up with a new Camaro and the fabulous Corvette ZR1.
Rounding it out, Nissan brought along its legendary GT-R, quietly parking it next to the diminutive Cube.
But when looking for inexpensive, high-mpg cars, college students often go straight to Japanese manufacturers. But the Americans and Germans have shown they too can play the game.
Compiled By Chris Anderson.
Ford Fusion Hybrid (sedan)
Horsepower: 175
Miles Per Gallon (city/highway): 34/41
Trunk: not listed
Price: $27,995
Source: Ford.com; Motortrend
VW Rabbit (hatchback)
HP: 170
MPG: 21/30
Trunk: 15.1 cubic feet
Price: $16,300
Source: VW.com
Ford Focus
HP: 140
MPG: 24/35
Trunk: 13.8 cu. ft.
Price: $16,180 (coupe); $14,995 (sedan)
Source: Ford.com
Honda Fit (hatchback)
HP: 117
MPG: 27/33
Trunk: 20.6 cu. ft./ 57.3 cu. ft. with seats down
Price: $14,750
Source: Honda.com
Vw Jetta gas/diesel
HP: 170 (gas)/ 140 (diesel)
MPG: 21/30 (gas) 30/41 (diesel)
Trunk: 16 cu. ft.
Price: $17,515 (gas); $22,270 (diesel)
Source: VW.com
Nissan Cube (hatchback)
HP: 122
MPG: EPA testing not complete
Trunk: More than 50 cu. ft. with
seats down
Price: N/A
Source: Nissan.com
Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
HP: 552
MPG: 14/20
Trunk: 3.9 cu. ft.
Price: $201,000
Source: Road & Track
Chevy Cobalt
HP: 155
MPG: 25/37
Trunk: 13.9 cu. ft.
Price: $16,330
Source: Chevy.com
