Tag: used

CVT Transmission To Increase MPG on 2014 Chevy Spark

2014 Spark CVT Transmission Adds MPG Available at VanDevere Chevrolet in Akron Ohio

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/cvt-nets-2014-chevrolet-spark-39-mpg-highway-118628/

By: Nick Saporito

 

Several weeks ago it was revealed that Chevrolet was replacing the Spark’s four-speed automatic transmission in favor of a new continuously variable automatic. Today Chevy finally revealed EPA ratings of 30 mpg city and 39 mpg highway for the 2014 Spark, a two mile per gallon increase in both city and highway ratings over the 2013 model.

When the Spark launched last year, there was some criticism toward the car’s fuel economy ratings when paired with the automatic transmission. Amongst its competitors, the Spark was towards the bottom, with only the Fiat 500 having a lower average fuel economy rating. GM apparently took the criticism to heart by swapping the transmission out, or at least had the foresight of knowing that consumers would expect better fuel economy out of such a small car.

Regardless of the motivation, the increase in Spark’s automatic fuel economy means that the five-speed manual version of the car has only a very slight advantage with a 31 mpg city rating, sharing the same 39 mpg highway rating with the automatic.

For 2014 the Spark continues to be powered by a 1.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine that generates 84 horsepower and 83 foot-pounds of torque.

Spark Vs. Closest Competitors (from EPA)
Chevrolet Spark Automatic Fiat 500 Automatic Scion iQ Automatic Smart Fortwo Automatic
City MPG 30 27 36 34
Highway MPG 39 34 37 38
Combined MPG 35 30 37 36

 

It’s Back: The 2014 Kia Sedona Minivan

2014 Kia Sedona Available at VanDevere Kia in Akron Ohio

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/03/2014-kia-sedona-rises-from-the-dead-same-as-it-ever-was/
By  Steven J. Ewing
 

Don’t throw away your car seats just yet, Korean minivan enthusiasts – the Kia Sedona is back on the market. If you recall, Kia killed its minivan offering at the end of 2012 (there was never a 2013 model). But here’s what’s making us scratch our heads: Despite the fact that Kia did confirm that the Sedona would eventually be back, we were under the impression that it would return with a proper replacement for the aging van. (Earlier reports suggested something along the lines of that cool KV7 concept.) Instead, the reincarnated Korean minivan you see here is, well, the same as it ever was. Consider our buzz killed.

That’s not to say there haven’t been a couple of delightfully refreshed bits thrown into the new package. For starters, the Sedona wears a slightly updated schnoz with a redesigned grille, LED positioning lamps and standard foglamps inside the reworked lower fascia. (If we’re honest, the Kia looks a bit Ford Windstar-ish from the front three-quarter angle.) There’s a new 17-inch wheel design for the 2014 model year, and aside from a couple enhancements to the interior in terms of storage, that short list rounds out the full extent of the new updates.

All Sedonas are powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 that debuted in the 2011 model, producing 269 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque, mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy ratings fall in at a rather mediocre 17/24 miles per gallon (city/highway).

Pricing starts at $25,900 for the base LX model with 16-inch wheels and a cloth interior, while upmarket EX vans with leather and 17-inch wheels command $30,900 – both prices exclude $850 for destination. That’s sort of a bargain, considering that the segment-leading Honda Odyssey will run you something like $45,000 when fully decked out.