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EMBARGOED UNTIL 12:01 A.M. OCTOBER 11, 1998 EPA LISTS FUEL EFFICIENCY ESTIMATES FOR NEW CARS

Release Date: 10/11/98
Contact Information:

Fuel economy estimates for 1999 model-year vehicles published today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rank the Chevrolet Metro as the most fuel efficient gasoline car at 41 miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving and 47 mpg on the highway. The Ferrari 550 Maranello received the lowest fuel economy rating in any vehicle class of nine mpg city and 14 mpg highway.
Other fuel efficient gasoline cars are the Suzuki Swift, another model of the Chevrolet Metro, the Honda Civic and two Honda Civic HXs, the Toyota Paseo sedan and convertible models, the Mitsubishi Mirage, and the Toyota Tercel. The 10 most fuel efficient gasoline vehicles range from 41 mpg city/47 mpg highway to 32 mpg city/37 mpg highway. The models in the top 10 vary from minicompacts to subcompacts.

Diesel-fueled cars also rank high in fuel efficiency, with Volkswagen's Beetle, Golf and Jetta models achieving mileage ratings ranging from 42 mpg city/49 mpg highway to 34 mpg city/45 mpg highway.

The Chevrolet Tracker two-wheel drive convertible and Suzuki Vitara two-door two-wheel drive sport utility vehicles are virtually tied for first spot among the 10 most fuel efficient 1999 light duty trucks, with 25 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. “Light duty trucks” include sport utility vehicles, minivans and pick-up trucks. The other top 10 in this category are three other models of the Suzuki Vitara, another model of the Chevrolet Tracker, and four models of the Toyota RAV4.

There is a large variation in fuel economy available within each class of comparable vehicles. By choosing the most fuel efficient vehicle in a category, drivers can save hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs. Consumers can use the 1999 Fuel Economy Guide to comparison shop for the most fuel efficient vehicle that meets their needs. In addition to saving money on fuel, a more fuel efficient vehicle reduces emissions that can cause global warming, as well as reducing the nation’s dependence on oil imports.

This year, the guide includes some new features to help consumers in choosing fuel efficient vehicles. Vehicles in the "special purpose vehicle" class are subdivided into sport utility vehicles and minivans. And, for the first time, alternate-fueled and electric vehicles are listed separately in the guide. EPA's Web publication of the guide (address given below) includes a listing ranked by fuel economy, in addition to the listing by vehicle class/manufacturer. The guide should be available free at all new car dealerships later this fall.

Passenger cars and light trucks account for about 40 percent of U.S. petroleum consumption. Good driving practices and proper vehicle maintenance improve fuel economy and reduce tailpipe emissions for both old and new vehicles.

The mpg ratings for individual vehicles appear on window stickers of all new cars and light trucks prior to sale. The fuel economy labels also provide consumers with information regarding the gas guzzler tax that must be paid for certain vehicles. For instance, purchasers of the Ferrari 550 Maranello will pay a $6,400 gas guzzler tax. By law, light-duty trucks are not subject to the gas guzzler tax.

Fuel economy estimates are generated in conjunction with EPA's vehicle emission testing program. Pre-production vehicles are tested under controlled laboratory conditions, for both emissions and fuel economy. EPA has reported fuel economy comparisons since 1974.

The Fuel Economy Guide for 1999 is available on the Internet at the EPA Website address: https://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/mpg.htm

(Attached are lists of the 10 most and least fuel efficient automobiles and SUVs, minivans and trucks.)

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1999 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates

TEN HIGHEST FUEL EFFICIENT GASOLINE CARS

Model Engine Description Transmission City Highway
Size / # of Cylinders


Chevrolet: Metro 1.0 liter (61 CID)/3 M5 41 47

Chevrolet: Metro 1.3 liter (79 CID)/4 M5 39 43

Suzuki: Swift 1.3 liter (79 CID)/4 M5 39 43

Honda: Civic HX 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 M5 35 43

Honda: Civic HX 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 AV 34 38

Toyota: Paseo 1.5 liter (91 CID)/4 M5 33 41

Toyota: Paseo
Convertible 1.5 liter (91 CID)/4 M5 33 41

Mitsubishi: Mitsubishi
Mirage 1.5 liter (90 CID)/4 M5 33 40

Toyota: Tercel 1.5 liter (91 CID)/4 M5 32 40

Honda: Civic 1.6 liter (97 CID)/4 M5 32 37


HIGH-RANKING DIESEL CARS

Volkswagen: New
Beetle (Diesel) 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 M5 42 49

Volkswagen: New
Golf (Diesel) 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 M5 42 49

Volkswagen: New
Jetta (Diesel) 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 M5 42 49

Volkswagen: Jetta (Diesel) 1.9 liter (116 CID)/4 M5 40 49

Volkswagen: New
Beetle (Diesel) 1.9 (116 CID)/4 L4 34 45

Volkswagen: New
Jetta (Diesel) 1.9 (116 CID)/4 L4 34 45

Volkswagen: New
Golf (Diesel) 1.9 (116 CID)/4 L4 34 45




1999 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates

TEN LOWEST FUEL EFFICIENT CARS

Model Engine Description Transmission City Highway Size / # of Cylinders

Ferrari: 550
Maranello 5.5 (334 CID)/12 M6 9 14

Lamborghini:
DB123/144 Diablo 5.7 (348 CID)/12 M5 10 13

Ferrari:
F355/355F1 3.5 (213 CID)/8 A6 10 14

Rolls Royce
Motor Cars Ltd:
Silver Spur
Park Ward 6.8 (412 CID)/8 L4 10 15

Ferrari: 456
MGT/MGTA 5.5 (334 CID)/12 L4 10 15

Ferrari:
F355/355F1 3.5 (213 CID)/8 M6 10 15

Bentley:
Brooklands
R Limo 6.8 (412 CID)/8 L4 10 15

Ferrari: 456
MGT/MGTA 5.5 (334 CID)/12 M6 10 16

Rolls Royce
Motor Cars Ltd:
Silver Spur 6.8 (412 CID)/8 L4 11 16

Bentley: Turbo RT 6.8 (412 CID)/8 L4 11 16

Bentley:
Continental R 6.8 (412 CID)/8 L4 11 16

Bentley:
Continental T 6.8 (412 CID)/8 L4 11 16

Bentley: Azure 6.8 (412 CID)/8 L4 11 16

Bentley:
Continental SC 6.8 (412 CID)/8 L4 11 16



1999 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates

TEN HIGHEST FUEL EFFICIENT SUVs, MINIVANS AND TRUCKS

Model Engine Description Transmission City Highway
Size / # of Cylinders

Chevrolet:
Tracker 2WD
Convertible: 1.6 (97 CID)/4 M5 25 28

Suzuki: Vitara
2-Dr 2WD 1.6 (97 CID)/4 M5 25 28

Suzuki: Vitara
2-Dr 2WD 1.6 (97 CID)/4 L4 25 27

Chevrolet: Tracker
4X4 Convertible: 1.6 (97 CID)/4 M5 25 27

Suzuki: Vitara
2-Dr 4WD 1.6 (97 CID)/4 M5 25 27

Toyota: RAV4
Soft Top 2WD 2.0 (122 CID)/4 L4 24 29

Toyota: RAV4
2WD 2.0 (122 CID)/4 M5 24 29

Toyota: RAV4
2WD 2.0 (122 CID)/4 L4 24 29

Toyota: RAV4
Soft Top 2WD 2.0 (122 CID)/4 M5 24 29

Suzuki: Vitara
2-Dr 4WD 1.6 (97 CID)/4 L4 24 27



1999 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates

TEN LOWEST FUEL EFFICIENT SUVs, MINIVANS AND TRUCKS

Model Engine Description Transmission City Highway
Size / # of Cylinders

Ford: F250
Pickup 4WD 5.4 (330 CID)/8 L4 12 15

Ford: Expedition
4WD 5.4 (330 CID)/8 L4 12 16

Lincoln: Navigator
4WD 5.4 (330 CID)/8 L4 12 16

Dodge: Ram 1500
Pickup 4WD 5.9 (360 CID)/8 L4 12 16

GMC: C2500
Sierra 2WD 6.0 (364 CID)/8 L4 12 16

Chevrolet: C2500
Silverado 2WD 6.0 (364 CID)/8 L4 12 16

Dodge: Durango
4WD 5.9 (360 CID)/8 L4 12 16

Ford: Expedition
4WD 4.6 (280 CID)/8 L4 12 16

Cadillac: Escalade
4WD 5.7 (350 CID)/8 L4 12 16

Chevrolet: K1500
Tahoe 4WD 5.7 (350 CID)/8 L4 12 16

GMC: 1500
Yukon 4WD 5.7 (350 CID)/8 L4 12 16

Dodge: Ram
Pickup 4WD 5.2 (318 CID)/8 L4 12 16