The Top New Flex-Fueled Autos of 2008

Looking for a way to drive without burning so much gasoline? Consider a flexible-fuel vehicle, or FFV, that allows running on gasoline, E85 ethanol, or a mixture of the two fuels. E85 fuel is a blend of 85 percent ethanol alcohol and 15 percent gasoline. The small percentage of gasoline is necessary to overcome ethanol's cold starting issues and also as a safety measure, since pure alcohol burns with an invisible flame. Grown and produced in America, ethanol has grown in popularity since it benefits the local economy while reducing dependence on foreign oil from often unstable regions of the world.

An FFV uses a sophisticated sensor to identify what percentage of each fuel is flowing through its fuel lines. It then adjusts engine management controls accordingly so the transition from one fuel to the other — or a change in mixture of the fuels — is transparent to the driver. Though you can't find E85 everywhere yet, fuel availability and the infrastructure to support it is growing at a significant pace.

For 2008, there's a more diverse selection of flexible-fuel vehicles than ever with a choice of 30 models from 11 different automakers. The Big Three domestics — Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors — lead the way, followed by Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. In all, a total of 750,000 2008 FFVs are expected to be sold in the United States, joining the more than 4 million already on the road.

The advantages and challenges of E85 strike a fine balance. It is a completely viable choice in the mix of energy options for the near- and mid-term. However, since this fuel is mostly made out of corn at this time, fueling massive numbers of vehicles in the future will require more affordable methods for creating ethanol from non-food sources such as corn husks, fast-growing woody grasses, and other biomass.

E85 is rated as high as 105 octane, much higher than unleaded gasoline, so a performance improvement may be noticeable. E85 also burns cleanly, delivering lower tailpipe emissions and a reduction in overall greenhouse gases. However, it has a lower energy density than gasoline so fuel economy and driving range can be reduced by 25 percent or more. Ethanol is generally less expensive at the pump and this works to offset greater volume of ethanol required to drive each mile.

The number of FFVs being offered by major automotive brands continues to grow each year. At present, these choices include popular sedan, minivan, crossover vehicle, and SUV models as follows.

CHEVROLET

For 2008, three different Chevy powertrains can be ordered as FlexFuel models thanks to the addition of the 3.9-liter V-6 in the new Uplander crossover and two engine offerings in the recently introduced Impala. The FlexFuel Impala can be ordered with either a 3.5-liter V-6 or a more powerful 3.9-liter V-6 on 2LT and LTZ models. The backbone of the Chevrolet FlexFuel fleet continues to be the 5.3-liter V-8 available in a variety of light truck platforms from the Silverado pickup to the Avalanche, Tahoe, Suburban, and Express full-size van.

CHRYSLER

Chrysler also offers three different engines with FlexFuel capability. The mid-size Sebring Sedan is powered by a 2.7-liter V-6 and can be ordered as a convertible, the only one in our round-up. The Chrysler minivan is now catering to a group of young buyers who grew up in the back of their first generation T-115 minivan. The redesigned Town & Country is powered by an impressive 3.3-liter V-6. Aspen, Chrysler's stylish rendition of the Dodge Durango, is powered by the 4.7-liter V-8 and can be ordered in both two and four wheel drive configurations.

DODGE

As you might expect, the Dodge flexible-fuel engine lineup is similar to those offered in Chrysler products, but covers more models. Dodge Avenger is a sporty mid-size sedan that delivers very respectable fuel economy from a 2.7-liter V-6. The Grand Caravan with 3.3-liter V-6 power is an ideal green family hauler. Dodge's truck line makes good use of the flexible-fuel 4.7-liter V-8 in the Dakota mid-size pickup, Durango SUV, and full-size Dodge Ram 1500 pickup.

FORD

The best selling vehicle in America — the Ford F-Series pickup — is offered with an E85 compatible 5.4-liter Triton V-8. Ford's big Crown Victoria sedan powered by an E85 flexible-fuel engine is offered to the public as a taxi cab, and in black-and-white issue as a Police Interceptor model.

GMC

The truck division of GM makes use of the proven 5.3-liter V-8 with 320 horsepower and 340 lbs-ft of torque to power all four full-size GMC FlexFuel truck models. The common E85 compatible powertrain can be ordered on the recently redesigned Sierra pickup, Yukon SUV, Yukon XL, and full-size Savana van.

JEEP

As Jeep expands its footprint to include both larger and smaller SUV platform, it's not surprising that Chrysler's flexible-fuel technology should find its way into the mix. Both the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander can be equipped with an all new 4.7-liter V-8 that offers 30 percent more horsepower than their predecessors.

LINCOLN

Just because you prefer a more traditional full-size American luxury sedan, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to power it with E85. Lincoln's plush Town Car has a 4.6-liter flexible-fuel V-8 option delivering just that.

MERCEDES-BENZ

The first German automaker to offer an E85 FFV to its U.S. product line, Mercedes is expanding its portfolio to include other fuel alternatives to gasoline and clean diesel. The C 300 Sedan is being offered in both sport and luxury models powered by a flexible-fuel 24-valve 3.0-liter V-6 with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

MERCURY

Cousin to the Ford Crown Victoria, the Mercury Grand Marquis offers a bit more panache in the full-size luxury class. Grand Marquis' 4.6-liter flexible-fuel SOHC V-8 produces 224 horsepower and is available in both GS and LS models.

MITSUBISHI

Mitsubishi's long standing relationship with Chrysler provided the Japanese automaker with a mid-size pickup entry on the same platform as the Dodge Dakota. The Mitsubishi Raider is powered by the same 4.7-liter V-8 as the Dakota and offers E85 flexible-fuel capability.

NISSAN

Large platform vehicles are ideal candidates for E85 flexible-fuel technology. Nissan offers flexible-fuel capability on both the full-size Titan pickup truck and big Armada SUV. The sophisticated FFV 32-valve 4.6-liter DOHC V-8 produces 318 horsepower and 385 lbs-ft of torque.

2008 E85 FLEXIBLE-FUEL VEHICLES

MAKE	MODEL	ENGINE	GAS MPG	E85 MPG
Chevrolet	Impala	3.5-liter V-6	18 city / 29 hwy	14 city / 21 hwy
Chevrolet	Impala	3.9-liter V-6	18 city / 28 hwy	13 city / 20 hwy
Chevrolet	Avalanche	5.3-liter V-8	14 city / 19 hwy	11 city / 14 hwy
Chevrolet	Express	5.3-liter V-8	14 city / 18 hwy	10 city / 13 hwy
Chevrolet	Silverado	5.3-liter V-6	15 city / 20 hwy	11 city / 15 hwy
Chevrolet	Suburban	5.3-liter V-8	14 city / 19 hwy	11 city / 14 hwy
Chevrolet	Tahoe	5.3-liter V-8	14 city / 19 hwy	11 city / 14 hwy
Chevrolet	Uplander	3.9-liter V-6	16 city / 23 hwy	12 city / 17 hwy
Chrysler	Aspen	4.7-liter V-8	13 city / 17 hwy	9 city / 12 hwy
Chrysler	Sebring Convertible	2.7-liter V-6	18 city / 26 hwy	13 city / 19 hwy
Chrysler	Sebring Sedan	2.7-liter V-6	19 city / 27 hwy	13 city / 20 hwy
Chrysler	Town & Country	3.3-liter V-6	17 city / 24 hwy	11 city / 17 hwy
Dodge	Avenger	2.7-liter V-6	19 city / 27 hwy	13 city / 20 hwy
Dodge	Dakota	4.7-liter V-8	14 city / 19 hwy	9 city / 12 hwy
Dodge	Durango	4.7-liter V-8	14 city / 19 hwy	9 city / 12 hwy
Dodge	Grand Caravan	3.3-liter V-6	17 city / 24 hwy	11 city / 17 hwy
Dodge	Ram 1500	4.7-liter V-8	13 city / 18 hwy	9 city / 12 hwy
Ford	Crown Victoria	4.6-liter V-8	15 city / 23 hwy	11 city / 16 hwy
Ford	F-150	5.4-liter V-8	13 city / 18 hwy	10 city / 13 hwy
GMC	Savana	5.3-liter V-8	13 city / 18 hwy	9 city / 12 hwy
GMC	Sierra	5.3-liter V-8	15 city / 20 hwy	11 city / 15 hwy
GMC	Yukon	5.3-liter V-8	14 city / 19 hwy	11 city / 14 hwy
GMC	Yukon XL	5.3-liter V-8	14 city / 19 hwy	11 city / 14 hwy
Jeep	Commander	4.7-liter V-8	13 city / 18 hwy	9 city / 12 hwy
Jeep	Grand Cherokee	4.7-liter V-8	14 city / 19 hwy	9 city / 12 hwy
Lincoln	Town Car	4.6-liter V-8	15 city / 23 hwy	11 city / 16 hwy
Mercedes	C300	3.0-liter V-6	18 city / 25 hwy	13 city / 19 hwy
Mercury	Grand Marquis	4.6-liter V-8	15 city / 23 hwy	11 city / 16 hwy
Mitsubishi	Raider	4.7-liter V-8	14 city / 19 hwy	9 city / 12 hwy
Nissan	Armada	5.6-liter V-8	12 city / 17 hwy	9 city / 13 hwy
Nissan	Titan	5.6-liter V-8	12 city / 17 hwy	9 city /13 hwy