35th Atlanta International Auto Show set to kick off

The Atlanta International Auto Show will celebrate its 35th Anniversary when it returns to the Georgia World Congress Center on March 22-26, 2017.  It is produced by the Metro Atlanta Automobile Dealers Association.

Not only is the Atlanta International Auto Show the largest annual consumer event held annually at the GWCC, it is also one of the nation’s great auto shows, attracting many of the world’s major automotive manufacturers during its five day run.

There will be over 500 new and pre-production vehicles on display on the 400,000 square foot show floor.

Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for kids 6-12, kids 5 and under are free. Cash only for admission. 

2017 Ford Focus RS: Bringing the Heat

It's not often that you can truly pair the terms "high-performance" and "hatchback." But there are some examples, and one recent entrant that can carry the moniker is the 2017 Ford Focus RS.
Aerodynamically engineered to be a speed merchant, Ford says this version of the car has 9 percent less drag than the prior version.  
The power plant is a turbocharged 2.3-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine that makes 350 horsepower and 350 pounds-feet of torque. It is linked to a four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive system has been designed so that it can throw the torque back to either of the rear wheels. 
Drivers can choose their mode with the Focus RS, from normal, sport, track and drift. Drift is fun, but make sure you have a large, empty parking lot. 
Design-wise, the front has a hexagonal grille that gives it an aggressive look, enhanced with the sporty headlights. It is rather low-slung up front, so watch out for scraping that bottom on curbs or elevated parts of pavement. The rear features a large wing spoiler and dual exhaust pipes. Fog lights and 18-inch alloy wheels are also standard features. 
The interior is highlighted by Recaro leather-trim seats that really give it a sports car look. The flat bottom steering wheel and boost gauges complement that look. There is an 8-inch touchscreen with the Sync 3 multimedia system and a Sony premium audio system. Dual-zone climate control is standard.
While we had heard a bit about this car and its performance aspects prior to our tester's arrival, we can honestly say that it outperformed our expectations. This is truly a fun sports car that brings it -- real desire to chew up roads and serve up some thrills. 
Its pricing - starting at around $37,000 and ranging to around $40,000 - is in line with competitors in this segment, which is to say a little higher than can truly be justified. 
But if you're in the market for something small but sporty, and that you won't see in every other driveway or parking lot, the Focus RS is worth a look. 

2017 Ford Fusion Energi: A Stylish Way to Go Green

With a re-styled body and impressive "green" traits, the 2017 Ford Fusion Energi makes a strong case for why someone might choose a plug-in hybrid midsize sedan. 

It is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 141 horsepower with an electric motor paired with an electric continuously variable transmission. There is a 7.6 kWh lithium ion battery that can be charged with a 120-volt cord, which is standard, or an optional 240-volt cord. Fuel economy is rated at 43 mpg city, 41 highway, with a range of 610 miles when there is a full tank of gasoline and the battery is fully charged.
Choose from three driving modes with the Fusion Energi. The Auto EV mode uses electric power when it can, and switches to gas when it must. The EV Now mode uses mostly electricity. The EV Later mode uses gasoline primarily, but switches to electricity for stop-and-go type situations.
The re-designed styling of the Fusion gives it a sportier look. The grille, trimmed in chrome, is more prominent. The LED headlights and fog lights look good, flanking the wider front fascia.
On the interior, the center console is made over to be a bit neater. And the gear shifter knob has been replaced by a dial, which we weren't thrilled with but wasn't a deal breaker.
The Fusion Energi starts at around $34,000 and ranges to about $43,000.
If you're seeking a stylish sedan that uses gasoline sparingly and is more practical than many hybrids, this could be a fine choice.

 

2017 Ford Escape: Sportier look, cool technology features

The Ford Escape has long been one of the more popular small SUVs in an increasingly crowded field. For the 2017 model year, it has been redesigned, with the result being a sporty exterior appearance that gives way to a cozy interior that has a number of good tech features.
The Escape comes in three trim levels: S, SE and Titanium. It is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 168 horsepower. But there are also two new power plant choices: a 1.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 179 horsepower and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 245 horsepower. Each engine is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission, with choice of front- or four-wheel drive.
Depending on which configuration you get, fuel economy ranges from about 20 mpg city and 27 highway to 23 and 30.
The exterior redesign has brought a more tapered look similar to that which has been adopted by many of the Escape's competitors. It is sporty, yet not too radical. It is highlighted by a large hexagonal grille. The Sport Appearance Package black tinted tail lights, black roof rails and black aluminum wheels.
The interior of the Escape is more comfortable than you might imagine, given its small size. There is a 60/40 folding rear seat, with available heated, power front seats, dual zone climate control and memory seat.
Technology features include the available SYNC Connect smartphone app, which lets you start the engine, unlock the doors and locate the vehicle. The Sync 3 system also can work with Apple CarPlay and Android systems.
The Escape starts at around $24,000 and ranges to about $32,000.
If you are in the market for a small crossover SUV with good technology features, decent gas mileage and a sporty look, the Escape is worthy of consideration.

2017 Ford Explorer: Comfort, technology and power

In the full-size SUV market, the Ford Explorer has long been a dominant player. With the 2017 edition of the popular vehicle, that leading position should continue.
The Explorer can seat six or seven over three rows, and offers comfortable seating, especially in the front and center rows. In the second row, a bench that splits 60/40 is standard, but there are optional captain's chairs available, which our test model had. If you fold the seats down, you get a cavernous 81.7 cubic feet of space.
Other interior amenities include the SYNC audio system, with the optional SYNC 3 multimedia system that includes navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satellite radio and two USB ports. For comfort, there is a rear climate control system, front ventilated seats and leather/suede trimmed seats.
There are five trim levels available: base, XLT, Limited, Sport and Platinum.
On the exterior, the Explorer has a mesh-style grille and square LED headlights, both of which were added in a refresh from the previous model year. Other features include power side mirrors, power moonroof and a power liftgate.
Under the hood, you'll find a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 290 horsepower with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel and four-wheel drive systems are available. The front-wheel model gets 17 mpg city, 24 highway and with four-wheel, the numbers are 16 and 23. Also available are a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 280 horsepower and a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that makes 365 horsepower.
A backup camera is standard, with optional safety features that include lane departure warning system, blind spot warning system and hill descent control. 
The Explorer starts at around $32,000 and ranges to about $54,000.
For a comfortable, sporty-looking SUV with handy technology features, it's hard to beat the Explorer.

2017 Hyundai Sonata: Good Midsize Sedan, Good Value

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata has established itself as a popular premium midsize sedan, thanks to its stylish design, solid fuel economy and wide variety of convenience features.
The design, which Hyundai adopted a few years ago in a major overhaul of the Sonata, has been called fluidic and evokes the styling of luxury models. The Sonata, also available as a hybrid, has six trim levels available: SE, Eco, Sport, Sport 2.0T, Limited and Limited 2.0T. Sport models and above get a more highly stylized front end as an added design touch.
The Sonata has a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 185 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. That engine gets 25 mpg city, 36 highway. Another engine choice is the 1.6-liter twin-turbocharged four-cylinder, which makes 178 horsepower and is linked to a seven-speed automatic. It is found in the Eco trim level and gets 28 and 36. The engine choice for the Sport 2.0T and Limited 2.0T is a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 245 ponies with fuel economy of 22 and 31.
For safety, the Sonata comes standard with a backup camera and a tire pressure monitoring system. Optional safety features include lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and a blind spot monitoring system.
The Sonata's interior is quite comfortable, despite not being cavernous. Seating in both the front and rear comes with adequate head and leg room. Cloth seats are standard, but leather is available, as are power heated front seats. 
Another standard feature is Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, which lets you stay connected and gives you a number of convenience tools through your smart phone.
The Sonata starts at around $22,000 and ranges to around $36,000.
For a stylish yet practical midsize sedan, the Sonata fits the build quite nicely.  

Georgia Clean Air Force Marks 20 Years

Since its inception in 1996, Georgia’s Clean Air Force, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Division, has removed more than 1.6 million tons of harmful pollutants from the air that we breathe, thanks to the Enhanced Vehicle Emission Inspection and Maintenance Program throughout Atlanta's 13 metro counties.

This has had a significant impact on the quality of life for Georgia’s residents. Air pollution is a very serious health issue, and studies have shown that air pollution can worsen allergies and asthma symptoms. This is particular concern for vulnerable populations, including seniors and young children.

The removal of the 1.6 million tons of harmful pollutants from Georgia’s air is the equivalent of removing 13,400 vehicles from the road, or planting more than 400 million trees. It is also estimated that Georgia residents have saved $311 million in utility bills since 1996 due to cleaner air.

“In 20 years, the Enhanced Vehicle Emission Inspection and Maintenance Program has proven very effective in removing harmful pollutants from the air in the Atlanta metro area,” said Pamela Earl, Mobile & Area Source Program Manager, Environmental Protection Division. “It is a trend that we look forward to continuing for the next 20 years and beyond.”

In total, Georgia’s Clean Air Force and the Enhanced Vehicle Emission Inspection and Maintenance Program has helped to remove 1.4 million tons of carbon monoxide, 138,800 tons of nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NO_x) and 97,800 tons of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air that Georgians breathe.

For additional information on Georgia’s Clean Air Force, visit www.cleanairforce.com.