Due to hit U.S. showrooms this fall, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL class will have a 15% improvement in fuel economy and a 23% reduction in carbon emissions. It will do all of this with a smaller engine than in the past, yet it will produce more power. Find out how it will accomplish that here.

Ford’s once-popular Explorer may not be ready for the automotive graveyard just yet – it’s getting a second life in 2011 as a more fuel-efficient crossover. Read more about how Ford plans to improve the Explorer, starting with better gas mileage.

Continental has developed a new tire that is said to improve fuel economy plus reduce harmful CO2 emissions. And according to Continental, the all season ProContact with EcoPlus Technology provides those benefits without sacrificing performance. Read more here…

Ford’s new entry into the subcompact vehicle market is earning rave reviews for fun, function and fuel economy. What makes the all-new Fiesta so special? Find out here…

Hybrids have been using stop-start technology for years, and now Hyundai and Kia are planning to introduce the technology to their gas-engine vehicles within the next two years. Stop-start engine technology turns off gas engines when vehicles come to a stop and then restarts them when drivers touch the accelerators.

According to Timothy White, Hyundai-Kia’s senior powertrain manager, this new feature should provide about a 3 percent increase in fuel economy.

Can choosing smarter routes help you get better fuel mileage? Ford thinks so. The automaker’s MyFord Touch allows drivers to choose the fastest and shortest route or a more fuel-efficient ‘Eco-Route,”  all of which are based on historical and real-time traffic data. This feature will be available this summer on the 2011 Edge and 2011 Lincoln MKX and on the 2012 Focus later in the year.

Love fast cars? And really, who doesn’t love good gas mileage? Well if you’re looking for a combination of the two, you may be in luck. A new crop of cars, including Ford, Chevy, BMW, Volkswagen and Hyundai, seem to be offering both. So take less out of your wallet at the pump and put the pedal to the metal!

Buick is making a strong recovery in the United States, thanks in large part to high gas mileage and luxury, all neatly wrapped up in reasonable prices. And to top it off, the average Buick buyer is getting younger. Read more about the trend here.

Will Mazda be the first Japanese automaker to introduce a clean diesel into the U.S. auto market? Probably. The company announced plans to introduce the midsize in 2012, and thinks it could get as much as 42 miles per gallon. The new diesel engine being used is expected to realize a 20% miles-per-gallon improvement over the current 2.2-liter diesel.

New gas mileage requirements help you save at the pump

The Obama administration is mandating tough new gas mileage standards on vehicles for model years 2012 – 2016 – much tougher than ever before. So how do the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) requirements help us as a nation? Here are 5 reasons to love ‘em:

1. More money in your pocket.
   Beginning with 2012 model year automobiles, automakers must improve fuel economy by about 5% per year, each year through 2016. That means you’ll get more mileage out of every tank of gas and more for your money.
2. Fewer trips to the gas station.
   Since you’ll be able to go farther on a tank of gasoline, you won’t have to find time to stop at the gas station as often. That translates to time for a coffee run.
3. Cleaner environment.
   According to the EPA and the Transportation Department, the new standards would reduce CO2 emissions by about 960 million metric tons over the lifetime of the regulated vehicles. That’s like taking 177 million cars and light trucks off the road in 2030.
4. Less dependence on foreign oil.
   The Department of Transportation (DOT) estimates that the new requirements will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, that’s twice the amount of oil imported from the Persian Gulf in 2008. President Obama adds that it’s the equivalent of taking 58 million cars off the road for a whole year. 
5. Better technology, more choice.
   In order to meet these new requirements, automakers will need to improve upon or develop new technology. And since all automakers face the same guidelines, consumers will benefit by having more options when it comes to purchasing a new fuel-efficient vehicle.