Epa Fuel Economy

Stephen L. Johnson, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said he planned to propose new regulations for testing vehicle fuel economy by the end of this year and wanted the tests in place by the 2008 model year. The update would be the first major change to the EPA's fuel economy tests since 1985. The EPA tests vehicles to get the estimated city and highway fuel economy that is displayed on window stickers.

2011 Bentley Continental GT Base price: $192,495 (including destination charge) Price, as tested: $215,675 Powertrain: 6-liter, twin-turbocharged W-12; six-speed automatic transmission with sport mode and manual shifting Horsepower: 567 at 6,000 rpm Torque: 516 pound-feet at 1,700 rpm 0-60 acceleration: 4.4 seconds Curb weight: 5,115 pounds Wheelbase: 108.1 inches ...

2010 Lotus Evora Base price: $73,500 Price, as tested: $85,680 Powertrain: transversely mid-mounted 3.5-liter DOHC V-6 with variable valve timing, six-speed manual transmission; rear-wheel drive with limited-slip differential Horsepower: 276 at 6,400 rpm Torque: 258 pound-feet at 4,700 rpm Curb weight: 3,046 pounds 0-60 mph: Under 5 seconds Wheelbase: 101.4 inches...

2010 GMC Terrain FWD V-6 Base price: $29,250 Price, as tested: $35,135 Powertrain: 3.0-liter direct-injection V-6 with variable valve timing; six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode; front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive optional) Horsepower: 264 at 6,950 rpm Torque: 222 at 5,100 rpm Curb weight: 4,012 pounds 0-60 mph: 8 seconds (est.) Wheelbase: 112.5 inches Overall length: 185.3 inches EPA fuel economy: 17/25 mpg, city/highway Final thoughts: This dog won't hunt.

Base price: $15,995 (including destination charge) Price, as tested: $20,192 (estimated) Powertrain: 1.3-liter, DOHC, four-cylinder engine with dual intelligent variable valve timing; single-speed, continuously variable automatic transmission with sport mode Horsepower: 94 at 6,000 rpm Torque: 89 pound-feet at 4,400 rpm 0 to 60: 11.8 seconds Curb weight: 2,127 pounds Wheelbase: ...

2012 BMW 650i convertible Base price: $91,375 (including destination charge) Price, as tested: $103,525 Powertrain: 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged, DOHC, 32-valve V-8 with VVT; eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting and sport mode. Horsepower: 400 at 5,500-6,400 rpm Torque: 450 pound-feet at 1,750-4,500 rpm 0-60 acceleration: 4.9 seconds Curb weight: 4,531 pounds Wheelbase: 112.4 inches Overall length: 192.8 inches EPA fuel economy: 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway Final thoughts: Choose your own adventure.

2011 Kia Sportage EX AWD Base price: $25,490 Price, as tested: $29,990 Powertrain: 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four-cylinder engine; six-speed automatic transmission Horsepower: 176 at 6,000 rpm Torque: 168 pound-feet at 4,000 rpm Curb weight: 3,355 pounds Wheelbase: 103.9 inches Overall length: 174.8 inches EPA fuel economy: 21 mpg city/28 mpg highway ...

2011 Nissan Quest LE Base price: $28,550 (including destination charge) Price, as tested: $43,740 Powertrain: 3.5-liter DOHC, 24-valve V-6; continuously variable automatic transmission Horsepower: 260 at 6,000 rpm Torque: 240 pound-feet at 4,400 rpm 0-60 acceleration: 8.0 seconds (according to Car and Driver magazine) Curb weight: 4,548 pounds    Wheelbase: 118.1 inches Overall length: 200.8 inches EPA fuel economy: 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway Final thoughts: The quest continues for Nissan's minivan.

2011 Hyundai Equus Base price: Not yet announced but estimated at $56,000-$60,000 Price as tested: Not yet announced but estimated at $63,000-$67,000 Powertrain: 4.6-liter Tau V-8, DOHC, 32 valves with dual continuously variable valve timing, six-speed automatic Horsepower: 385 at 6,500 rpm (premium fuel) Torque: 333 pound-feet at 3,500 rpm (premium fuel) Curb weight: 4,486-4,592 pounds Wheelbase: 119.9 inches Overall length: 203.1 inches EPA fuel economy: 16 city, 24 highway Final thoughts: Derivative but wonderful