Ford Vehicles - Commencing with all 2008 model year vehicles, the EPA is changing how fuel economy is calculated and estimated for cars, trucks and SUVs. The new calculations, which will appear on the window stickers of new vehicles, are meant to more accurately reflect the fuel economy drivers can expect in real world driving by accounting for additional factors such as air conditioning, driving at high speeds, rapid accelerations and temperature effects.
As a result, fuel economy numbers will be lower for every '08 vehicle introduced, even if the powertrains have not changed. While the estimates will be lower, performance of the vehicles should be similar to or better than the 2007 models.
Ford Motor Company will introduce several early '08 models that will arrive in showrooms beginning in January 2008. The Ford Escape, Escape Hybrid, Mercury Mariner and Mariner Hybrid will all carry the newly calculated EPA estimates.
America's drivers can expect these new estimated fuel economy numbers to accompany early '08 model year vehicles in the original display design. Newly designed labels with the new estimates will appear on vehicles by summer 2007.
For more information, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ and http://www.mpgwillvary.com/