Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online!
Automotive Forums .com - the leading automotive community online! 
-
Latest | 0 Rplys
Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Tesla Motors > Model S
Reply Show Printable Version Show Printable Version | Email this Page Email this Page | Subscription Subscribe to this Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 04-28-2015, 10:28 AM   #1
AF News Desk
Your Source For Auto News
 
AF News Desk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Champaign, Illinois
Posts: 337
Thanks: 41
Thanked 57 Times in 30 Posts
AAA ranks Tesla Model S P85D best green car of 2015, Versa is best value

Reviewers from all parts of the automotive world just seem to love the Tesla Model S, whether it's the pragmatists at Consumer Reports or the enthusiasts at Car and Driver. You can add one more to that list because the 2015 P85D grabs the top spot in AAA's fifth annual Green Car Guide, after Tesla's win last year too. The organization's ranking of 88 green models also names the 2014 Nissan Versa SV as the best value in the segment.

To take the victory, the P85D had to score the most points over 13 categories, including emissions, acceleration and cargo capacity, and it won handily with 94.87 points. There was nearly a tie for second place, though. The 2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium scored 85.5 points, and the 2014 BMW i3 narrowly came in third with 85.4.

The best value award is based on the as-tested price per point scored. So while the Versa SV only had 64.5 points overall, its low price meant that each one cost just $249. Second place went to the Versa Note SV with 64.63 points at $260 each, and third was the Hyundai Accent GLS with 61.1 points for $269 each.

Keep in mind, AAA's ranking doesn't attempt to find the most environmentally friendly vehicle, rather it tests the green car segment to give recommendations to buyers. Battery electric powertrains, compressed natural gas, clean diesel, hybrids, partial zero-emissions vehicles, and simply models with high fuel economy are all counted by the organization. The results are published in a 160-page magazine, which you can read here. It also offers suggestions on economical driving and explains some of the fuel-saving tech currently available.

Related Video:


Show full PR text
Top Green Vehicle is a 2015 Tesla, According to Fifth Annual AAA Green Car Guide

ORLANDO, Fla., April 20, 2015

The 2015 Tesla Model S P85D earned the top score in the 2015 AAA Green Car Guide, the motor club announced today. The Palo Alto-based automaker's car is featured with more than 80 other green vehicles in the 2015 AAA Green Car Guide. The best green car value award went to the 2014 Nissan Versa SV.

To help those in the market for a green car or truck, the 160-page, comprehensive fifth annual AAA guide reviews 88 battery electric vehicles, compressed natural gas-powered (CNG) vehicles, clean diesels, hybrids, partial zero emission vehicles (PZEVs), and vehicles with high fuel economy. These vehicles were tested and scored by the Automobile Club of Southern California's Automotive Research Center (ARC) in 13 categories (braking, fuel economy, emissions, handling, ride comfort, etc.). The report also contains comprehensive information about green technologies from the ARC evaluators.

"Low-emission vehicles and hybrid choices vary in quality, price and size. The AAA Green Car Guide is one of our ongoing programs to help consumers navigate the wide-ranging green car marketplace," said Greg Brannon, AAA's director of Automotive Engineering. "AAA's expertise and history of automotive research with alternative fuel vehicles continues to benefit AAA members and the public today."

"The center also has a long-term interest in helping motorists cut their fuel bills and clean the air," said ARC Manager Megan McKernan. "Green vehicles offer motorists a way to reduce emissions and save fuel and, depending on the choice of green vehicle, can help motorists save cash, especially when gas prices are high," she added.

"For the 2015 guide, the research center divided the vehicles into six car classifications and identified the winners and finalists in each category," said McKernan. "We also recognized overall 'Green Car' and 'Best Value' winners," she said. "The Tesla took two awards – best overall and large car category."

In describing the top-scoring green vehicle manufacturer, which held onto the top spot from last year, McKernan said, "All evaluators rated the Tesla high for comfort and ride quality. It handled well on our slalom course, and it has the best acceleration times of all the vehicles."

The Tesla P85D has a 253-mile range, but even with a 240-volt charger, it can take 12 hours to fully re-charge, according to McKernan. "Despite charging time, the Model P85D was our top-scoring electric vehicle this year."

The 2014 Nissan Versa SV tops the 2015 guide list as the best green car value when price is factored in, according to McKernan. "It's priced under $17,000, averages about 35 miles per gallon and has a spacious interior making it an affordable fuel-sipping car," she added.

The research center tracks significant changes to a vehicle from model year to model year. If no significant changes were made to the power train in 2015, a prior model year's results were used. For example, staff tested a 2014 Mazda3 sedan. No significant changes were made to its powertrain in 2015, so the 2014 results were include in the 2015 AAA Green Car Guide.

Overall Top Scoring Green Cars:

2015 Tesla S P85D Performance (Electric) 94.87
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium (Electric) 85.50
2014 BMW i3 (Electric) 85.40
2015 Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium Partial Zero-Emissions 83.86
2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI SE Clean Diesel 80.91

Best Value: Cost-Per-Point Scores:

2014 Nissan Versa SV (Gasoline) $249
2014 Nissan Versa Note SV (Gasoline) $260
2013 Hyundai Accent GLS (Gasoline) $269
2015 Toyota Yaris LE (Gasoline) $273
2014 Kia Soul+ (Gasoline) $276
2015 AAA Green Car Guide Category Winners:

Large car: Tesla Model S P85D (Electric)
Midsize: Audi A7 TDI Quattro Tiptronic (Clean Diesel)
Compact: Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium (Electric)
Subcompact: BMW i3 (Electric)
SUV/Minivan: Subaru Outback 2.5i Premium (PZEV)
Pickup Truck: Ford F-150 Supercab Lariat (Gasoline)

The ARC's engineers and technicians – who have more than 100 years combined experience – evaluated the vehicles. Each category was scored on 0-10 points. Scores were totaled to determine top vehicles. Then, each vehicle's total score was divided by its "as-tested" price to determine its cost per point for best value. The guide lists vehicle specifications, test scores, data and observations in one-page summaries.

Tested vehicles were selected based on emission certifications from the California Air Resources Board and U.S. EPA fuel economy ratings. Tests were performed at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana and on Southern California roads. Testing procedures were developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), the EPA and the Auto Club.

The guide will be available to AAA members at no charge at AAA branches while supplies last. It also can be downloaded on the iPad or on the AAA web site. More information can be found at www.AAA.com/greencar.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 55 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/28/a...5-versa-is-be/
__________________
-----------------------------------
Have a news tip/idea? Let us know!

Email newsdesk@automotiveforums.com or send us a private message with a link to the content you think AF Members should check out!
AF News Desk is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply

POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD

Go Back   Automotive Forums .com Car Chat > Tesla Motors > Model S

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:52 AM.

Community Participation Guidelines | How to use your User Control Panel

Powered by: vBulletin | Copyright Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
 
 
no new posts