A hybrid vehicle uses multiple propulsion systems to provide motive power. This most commonly refers to gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, which use gasoline (petrol) and electric batteries to power internal-combustion engines (ICEs) and electric motors.
Already facing a global recall of catastrophic proportions – around 8 million Toyotas have been recalled because of defective accelerator pedals – Toyota’s is bracing itself for another global recall, this time for the Toyota Prius.
Reports have been coming out in Toyota’s home country of Japan, particularly from the country’s biggest newspaper, Yomiuri, that the automaker is scheduled to announce the recall of its Prius line sometime in the next few days because of growing braking concerns that seems to have plagued the hybrid vehicle.
Contrary to the problems associated with other Toyota models, the problem with the Prius seems to be solvable through a software upgrade, which can be done rather easily and less time than the bigger accelerator issues that has afflicted a large chunk of Toyota’s fleet.
Nevertheless, the impending recall of the Prius is the last thing Toyota needs right now, especially after it has all but shattered its reputation as a safe and reliable brand. Where this goes is anybody’s guess, but the way things are going, it’s going to take a while before Toyota can re-establish its image and reputation that has been stained and tarnished to incredulous levels.
The Ford Fusion entered the 2010 model year with two new versions added to the line-up: Hydrid and Sport. The new Fusion features new design (inside and out), improved and new technologies and new powertrains with improved fuel consumption.
The 2010 Fusion features a more aggressive front fascia with new headlamps, grille and fog lamps; the three-bar grille in particular is larger with a more modern look. The fog lamps are housed below in a trapezoidal-shaped lower opening to help complete the more-muscular look. At the rear there are new modernized taillights and decklid to help give the vehicle a more unified look from front to rear.
The hybrid version is powered by a combination of a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers 155 hp and 136 lb.-ft. of torque and a nickel-metal hydride battery. The hybrid vehicles can operate up to 47 mph in pure electric mode, approximately twice as fast as some competitors. Plus, the city driving range on a single tank of gas is expected to be more than 700 miles.
The Sport version get a 263-hp V-6 Duratec engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. It is offered as a FWD model, but AWD is also available.
The model line-u include (besides Sport and Hybrid): S, SE, SEL. The S version gets a 2.5-liter I-4 engine that delivers 175 hp; the SE and SEL get a new 3.0-liter V-6 engine that delivers 240 hp.
A new trailer for Honda’s new promotional campaign, “Live Every Litre” has been released and the search is on for the lucky few that can not only be part of the documentary/movie, but also be one of the first in the world to ever drive the Honda CR-Z.
The “Live Every Litre” project is a collaboration between Honda and Cludio Von Planta, a Swiss filmmaker responsible for, among other things, the ‘Long Way Round’ and ‘Long Way Down’ motorcycle series’, which starred Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman.
The whole gist of the “Live Every Litre” project is that Honda wants to have ordinary citizens go on their very own roadtrip in a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ kind of way while driving the CR-Z wherever he decides to go. For their part, Von Planta and the rest of his crew will film the whole road trip in its entirety before editing all the footage to make into a feature-length film.
The journey will begin before the Honda CR-Z makes its market debut in Europe – around May – and will take the lucky driver on a European road trip on-board the world’s first six-speed manual hybrid.
Check out the trailer of the “Live Every Litre” project and find out how you can join the contest to drive the CR-Z on a European road trip of a lifetime.
When Jean Todt relinquished his role as CEO of Ferrari last year, the man who most claim to be driving force behind the Italian super car builder’s engineering efforts, Amedeo Felisa, took over the reigns of the prancing horse. During the opening of a new Maserati-Ferrari showroom in Sydney, Australia, the current Chief Executive Officer offered up a little insight into the Maranello based sports car builder’s future. Plans that include a 458 Spider, a 599hybrid concept that will be on display in Geneva next month as well as an even more powerful light weight GTO variant of the V12 powered GT car and a new Enzo super car.
According to Mr. Felisa: "We will present the new concept of the hybrid at Geneva. It will be based on the 599, but that doesn’t mean it will debut on that model,...We have a plan to introduce on our cars new technology that will reduce consumption and emissions,...The next step is to apply the technology on Ferrari cars." An approach that the Scuderia gained some experience with the F60, regardless of the fact that the FIA has banned the hybrid like Kinetic Energy Recovery System from Formula One competition in 2010.
When the entire auto industry convenes in Chicago next week for the Chicago Auto Show, Kia will finally be on the clock to lift the covers off of their new Ray concept car. But just like any car manufacturer that gets a kick out of teasing a lot of us with their still-to-be-unveiled vehicles, Kia decided to show us another teaser photo of the 2010 Ray Plug-In Hybrid Concept.
The photo, which shows the car’s front fascia and headlights, doesn’t reveal that much. But then again, that’s what teaser photos are all about, right?
As far as details surrounding the concept car are concerned, to the best of our knowledge, we don’t know a whole lot about it except that it looks edgier than just about any car Kia has come out with recently and solar panels just might be present on the roof of the Ray. Other than that, our best guess on the concept is as good as yours.
By our count, that’s two teasers Kia has released of the Ray concept – one of which looked more like a digital rendering than an actual photograph. The good news is, we won’t have to wait long to see the official concept break cover in Chicago next week.
Hopefully by then, we’ll have more answers than questions regarding Kia’s new concept car.
Unveiled back at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is now rumored to entering production. According to sources at InsideLine, BMW will produce between 5,000 and 10,000 units of the 21st century plug in hybrid keeping the same diesel burning and electric poer train combination. According to the same sources at Edmunds, this might be the second true production super car after the Giugiaro M1, but "there will be less of the synthetic glass and more solid structure added to the final design." We expect the production version of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics 2+2 seater plug in hybrid to debut sometime in 2012.
Powered by a three cylinder turbo diesel power plant combined with two electric motors for a maximum output of 356 HP and 590 lb-ft of peak torque. This ensures that the new 2+2 will consume 75.1 MPG and emit only 99 grams/km of CO2 while being able to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.8 seconds and reach a very green top speed of 155 MPH.
Peugeot’s new SR1 hybrid roadster concept is scheduled to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, which is still in March, but as far as the French carmaker is concerned, a little pre-emptive teasing of the SR1 wouldn’t hurt anyone.
A few weeks after releasing the first batch of photos of the SR1 hybrid, Peugeot has followed that up with a promo video of the car, complete with laser lights, techno music, and a touch of digital effects here and there.
The SR1’s noticeably sleeker design – a stark change from what Peugeot is known for – is a testament to the brand’s attempt in streamlining a new and edgier direction for the company, which, as far as we’re concerned, is a welcome change for a car brand that hasn’t exactly wowed us with their car’s aesthetic designs.
As far as we’re concerned, the sexy SR1 hybrid roadster concept is definitely a step in the right direction.
The Korean automaker Hyundai has been hard at work in order to meet the future Environmental Protection Agency’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards whereby a manufacturer’s range must average 35 MPG. With a commitment to weight reduction and efficiency, and the new Blue-Will Plug-in Hybrid concept that made its debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit is further evidence of Hyundai’s commitment to a greener tomorrow with its panoramic glass roof and solar cells for recharging the batteries that allows for an electric only driving distance of up to 40 miles on a single charge and an average fuel economy of more than 100 MPG. In case you weren’t able to attend the show in Cobo hall, here is the Hyundai presentation for your viewing pleasure.
The folks responsible for taking the LF-A to the Nurburgring, Gazoo Racing, have just unveiled the the GRMN Sports Hybrid at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon, a concept car based on the Toyota MR2 that utilizes a gas/electric hybrid power train to move the lightweight mid engine rear wheel drive two seat sports car. The GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept was created to show the world what a green dream car can be. The goal was to create a 1,300 kilogram vehicle that would be able to combine the fun of driving at speed with the wind in your hair with an efficient power source in order to offer the best of both worlds to the consumer. Gazoo Racing added a wide body kit to keep the modified MRS looking planted and make room for the additional hardware that makes up the four wheel drive hybrid drive train system.
The Japanese automaker Honda is gearing up for the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon later this week where they will unveil the Insight Sports Modulo Concept. Following the trend of sporty and practical factory tuned models, the Sport Modulo modified Insight is the world’s largest engine builder’s way of saying that even hybrid models can be fun. As it comes from the factory, the Honda hybrid comes with excellent aerodynamic numbers, a comfortable passenger compartment and a fun chassis all a reasonable price, this Sports Modulo Concept expresses the joy of driving through an “Exciting Eco” theme. The automotive re stylists have enhanced the Insight’s appearance with a new ground effects package made up of chiseled lines and larger air dams. With the Sports Modulo concept vehicle, Honda hopes to demonstrate what their in house customization program has to offer the next generation hybrid buyer.
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