2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid is winning a lot of awards recently. The latest of them is "International Engine of the Year 2004" for Toyota Prius Hybrid Synergy Drive System announced in Germany with highest score ever recorded in competition. The jury comprised of 56 motoring journalists from 24 countries worldwide. Some of the other awards it got are:-



`` Best New Engine of 2004

`` Best Fuel Economy Engine

`` Best 1.4-liter to 1.8-liter



The 4 awards made Prius Hybrid Synergy Drive as the maximum awards gainer in the engine awards history. Over 28,000 Prius with Hybrid Synergy Drive have been sold world wide in the 1st quarter of 2004.



Toyota would become first manufacturer to offer both SUV and passenger car with the launch of Highlander Hybrid.



The awards show the acceptance, popularity and importance of hybrid technology worldwide.

GM will be introducing 2005 GMC Sierra hybrid car as one of its early hybrid cars. The electric motor would supplement 5.3 liter V8 engine with automatic transmission. As the truck decelerates the motor is turned into generator and also saves fuel by engine start/stop function and regenerative braking. At the red light engine stops running but other accessories runs with battery power and as driver releases brakes the electric motor provides fast starting power without any delay.



The electric motor could generate 14,000 watts of continuous electric power. GM claims, this truck would have an improvement on gas mileage by as much as 10%. Four 120 volts power outlets would allow driver to use television, compressors, refrigerators etc anywhere anytime. In case of requirements it could supply power for 32 hours non stop.



The engine is shut down before tank is emptied so that drivers are alerted and enough gas is present to reach station for refueling. Ground fault detection system protects power supply circuits which in turn prevents short circuits and overloads.



The benefit for GMC Sierra is that it could also be used as generator in case of necessity.

As on GM website here



The 2007 model for Chevrolet Equinox would be using VTi variable transmission in Ecotec four-cylinder engine. The VTi along with electric motor would increase the fuel economy for the car to as much as 15%. During deceleration or when engine is idle the belt alterator starter system will shut the engine with the use of battery power. At the time of starting the battery power would restart the vehicle very fast without any extra emission.



The fuel efficiency would further improve by the use of continuously variable transmission and charging the battery while braking.

Using advanced propulsion technologies General Motors is going to introduce strong hybrid powertrain to sport utility vehicles. Chevrolet Tahoe equipped with GM's gas-electric hybrid powertrain will debut in 2007. The car would feature Displacement on Demand cylinder deactivation technology which will improve fuel economy by 30%.



GM is also producing parallel hybrid trucks. According to Larry Burns, vice president, Research & Development and Planning, “The advanced technology race is a marathon, not a sprint,” . GM is also into development of hydrogen fuel cells.



More details here

Functionality Of the Car



`` The hybrid cars are smaller in size. What is needed is bigger cars like SUV & trucks.



`` The Hybrid cars needs to be more powerful.



`` The mileage needs to be further improved by use of some more fuel saving technologies so that people are compelled to buy hybrid cars.



`` Incentives in the form of tax reduction to make hybrid cars more popular and competitive.



`` Should be readily available as long list of waiting list is seen at booking for the car.



`` Awareness should be generated. As more car sales does not only mean profits for car manufacturers but also profits to society in terms of limited fossil fuel saved, less damage to environment, less dependence on other countries for fuel.....

Federal tax deduction



Toyota Prius — Model Years 2001 - 2004

Honda Insight — Model Years 2000 - 2004

Honda Civic Hybrid — Model Years 2003 and 2004



Detailed description is here



Colorado Department of Revenue



2004 Toyota Prius:

`` Incremental price difference - $3,150

`` Tax Credit available $2,678



2004 Honda Insight (Automatic):

`` Incremental price difference - $5,070

`` Tax credit available $4,310

2004 Honda Insight (Manual 5-speed):

`` Incremental price difference - $5,070

`` Tax credit available $3,803



2004 Honda Civic Hybrid (Automatic):

`` Incremental price difference - $3,440

`` Tax credit available $2,580

2004 Honda Civic Hybrid (Manual 5-speed)

`` Incremental price difference - $3,240

`` Tax credit available $2,430



Detailed description is here



In addition, individual states offer incentives, rebates, or grant programs to encourage purchase and leasing of hybrid and low/zero emission vehicles.

1. Hybrid car owners complain of less mileage for their car then as projected by the car manufacturers.



The mileage of the cars is tested in laboratories at perfect driving conditions .In real sense a car has to face wind resistance, faulty roads, air conditions, gizmos which was not used when the mileage was tested. However the mileage also depends on the type of driving so it may vary from person to person. Do gasoline cars not show mileage different from projected.



2. Dangerous in case of accidents for rescue workers.



Hybrid cars generate around 500 volts. But it is not that dangerous as being projected in case of accidents. However the fuel lines are more dangerous then electric lines. The 2 hybrid cars manufacturers Honda and Toyota are trying their best to educate people and rescue workers about the safety measures.



3. Not profitable



It is true. But in 3-4 years of run it would be profitable in terms of $$ saved from gasoline. The prices of gasoline is already more then $2. As the prices would increase the car would be more profitable which seems very likely. :)

The 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid engine gets power from both gasoline and batteries. More details about Hybrid cars. It gives 650 miles on a single tank of gas. The battery does not need to be recharged by power source but it recharges itself by the power produced by gasoline. The exhaust is very low hence less damage to environment.



1.3 liter, 4 cylinder, 85-horsepower, hybrid engine which gives 46 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on highways. The unique things in the car is use of latest technology as VTEC®, Dual-Point Sequential Ignition (i-DSI), Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™). Electric motor supplies extra power when car accelerates. It gives a faster start and recharges its batteries when brakes are applied.



Honda Civic Hybrid 5 speed MT



MSRP: $19,650

Invoice:$17,955

Engine: 1.3L 4 cylinder 85 horsepower

Fuel: 46 mpg city, 51 mpg highway



Honda Civic Hybrid CVT

MSRP: $20,650

Invoice:$18,867

Engine: 1.3L 4 cylinder 85 horsepower

Fuel: 48 mpg city, 47 mpg highway



Honda Civic Hybrid 5 speed MT PZEV



MSRP: $19,800

Invoice:$18,092

Engine: 1.3L 4 cylinder 85 horsepower

Fuel: 46 mpg city, 51 mpg highway



Honda Civic Hybrid CVT PZEV



MSRP: $20,800

Invoice:$19,004

Engine: 1.3L 4 cylinder 85 horsepower

Fuel: 48 mpg city, 47 mpg highway

2006 Lincoln Mark LT will have 5.4-liter, three-valve Triton V-8 engine which would output 300 hp. This car is very similar to F-150 SuperCrew with some slight changes. With high-intensity discharge headlamps would give a good look to the car in nights. The 20-inch chrome wheels could easily carry a payload of 1620 pounds. It has 5.5 foot bed to carry cargo. More details for the vehicle would be available when it would near to production which could start somewhere in the beginning of 2005.



Details:-



Engine: 5.4-liter, three-valve Triton V-8

Horsepower: 300hp

Torque: 365 foot-pounds

The joy of riding a family car with a truck like toughness. 2006 Honda SUT has a seating capacity of 5 and also has a 5 foot cargo bed which makes it favorable car for outings. It is based on Pilot/MDX platform. One could ride the vehicle with all the comforts and still could load a lot of cargo. The car is perfect for people who like the utility of a sport-utility vehicle and the look of a pickup.



It would have a VTEC V-6 engine and 240-260 horsepower. The safety features are:-



` Vehicle stability assist

` Front side airbags

` Side curtain airbags



Commercial production for this car would begin at Alliston, Ontario, plant in 2005. More information for this vehicle would be available by next year.

King County Metro(Seattle) recieved 1st hybrid bus recently. It is to recieve total of 235 diesel electric buses from GM at the rate of $645,000 per unit.



The GM hybrid buses improves fuel economy by 60% and reduce emissions by 90%(hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, particulate) and 50%(oxides of nitrogen). The hybrid bus produces better torque from its electric motors and a 50% more acceleration then conventional diesel buses.

The prices of gas has reached beyond $2 per gallon, dependence on oil from imports, environment damage due to exhaust, Time to switch to better mileage, environment friendly Hybrid cars.



43,435 vehicles sold in US last year. There is a huge leap in the sales of hybrid cars this year with Honda Civic Hybrid selling 3000 cars last month alone.



Leading the path to hybrid cars is environment conscious California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger leads with maximum number of hybrid car sales in US. Schwarzenegger is planning a "hydrogen highway network plan" that includes the installation, before 2010, of hydrogen fuel stations on the Golden State's most important motorways.



"Bigger is better" but they leave a hole in your pocket, environment... If you drive 15,000 miles a year the fuel cost for a large SUV would be $2,600 where as for a smaller car it would be around $1900 and for hybrid cars $600.

Some of the car models will be introduced in the year 2006. More Details would be available here as we get more details.



2006 Acura MDX

2006 Acura RSX

2006 BMW M5

2006 Buick Park Avenue

2006 Cadillac XLR

2006 Chevrolet Corvette

2006 Chevrolet Equinox

2006 Chevrolet HHR

2006 Chevrolet Impala

2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

2006 Dodge Charger

2006 Dodge Dakota SUT

2006 Ford Explorer

2006 Ford Fairlane

2006 Ford Mustang Cobra

2006 Ford Super Duty

2006 Ford Thunderbird

2006 GMC Envoy Denali

2006 Honda Civic

2005 Honda Odyssey

2006 Honda Pilot

2006 Honda SUT

2006 Hummer H3

2006 Hyundai Santa Fe

2006 Jaguar XK

2006 Jeep Commander

2006 Jeep Compass

2006 Jeep Wrangler

2006 Kia Optima

2006 Kia Sephia

2006 Lamborghini SUV

2006 Land Rover Defender

2006 Land Rover

2006 Lexus GS

2006 Lexus VX 470: It could replace Land Cruiser twin LX 470 and would be a luxury version of Sequoia.

2006 Lincoln LS

2006 Lincoln Mark LT

2006 Lincoln Zephyr

2006 Mazda Tribute

2005 Infiniti G35:



There is nothing concrete know so far for this vehicle. But the rumor is that it will be available in coupe and sedan, better interior, new wheels and an increase of 20 HP.



2005 Infiniti Q45:



Only one trim for this model is available which is 5 passenger luxury sedan(4 door). It has 4.5 litre V8 engine with 340 horsepower. It has standard 5 speed automatic transmission. Interior is quite luxarious made up of maple wood with chrome accents , sport contour seats.



Basic facts:

4.5L V8 340 HP engine

17mpg city /25 mpg highway fuel efficiency

Voice-activated controls

DVD navigation system

RearView monitor

Climate controlled seats

** Batteries of hybrid cars are charged by the car itself. Whenever the car slows down from high speed, energy is wasted in conventional cars, where as in hybrid cars this energy is utilized to charge batteries.



** City driving gives better mileage for hybrid cars due to regular stop and start phenomenon of driving



** Hybrid restarts the engine whenever brake pedal is released.



** Air conditions, wipers all runs same as in conventional cars.



** Light engine, light body is used but the car is very stable.



** Driver never know when the car is switching over from gasoline to electric power.

1.0-liter, 12-valve, 3-cylinder engine, Honda Insight is a light weight car as body is made up of light weight aluminum alloys and magnesium. The engine and transmission is efficient as measures are taken to reduce friction, better then conventional cars. The major attraction is that its 1st tune up could be done at 105,000 miles ( except fluid and filter changes). Honda claims the car mileage as 60mpg city /65 mpg highway thus a tank of gas could take you more then 700 miles.



Honda Insight has a starting price of $19,180. The safety equipments are:-



`` Front and rear crush zones

`` Dual side-impact door beams

`` Box-sectioned cabin floor

`` Reinforced hexagonal frame extrusions

`` Anti-lock braking system

`` Dual front airbags

`` 3-point seat belts



The trims available for Insights are:-



Honda Insight 5-spd MT

MSRP: $19,180

Invoice: $17,917

Engine: 1.0L I3 67HP

Fuel: 60/66 mpg



Honda Insight 5-spd MT w/ AC

MSRP: $20,380

Invoice: $19,036

Engine: 1.0L I3 67HP

Fuel: 60/66 mpg



Honda Insight CVT w/ AC

MSRP: $21,380

Invoice: $19,969

Engine: 1.0L I3 65HP

Fuel: 57/56 mpg

The exhaust comprising of unburnt Hydrocarbons, Oxides - nitrogen, Carbon Monoxide creates havoc with our environment. We zoom away with our car leaving behind gases, which is piling up for our future generation. If this continues to happen the day is not far when this planet would be unfit for living.



When engine is not tuned, older cars with old and outdated technology, Fuel quality adds another big load on nature. Few important points for regular car users:-



`` Change engine oil as recommended.

`` Proper use of lubricants

`` Ignition timing

`` Spark Plug

`` Tire Pressure

`` On red-light if more then 2 minutes halt is required switch off engine.

`` Try to drive at constant speed



The pollution caused by vehicles could lead to respiratory problems, cardio-vascular (agina), could affect fetuses (**), nervous system, nausea, headaches, encephalopathy in children resulting in lower IQ. Others affected are aquatic life, trees etc.



It is high time we think of alternatives such as electric cars or hybrid cars. Just give it a thought and help environment and future generations.

The first hybrid car "Toyota Prius" was introdused in Japan market in 1997 and thus the begining of environment friendly vehicles. It came to America only in 1999 with honda Insight. The car gets power from gasoline and battery hence the name hybrid car.



The 1st hybrid car concept was introduced in 1928 by Ferdinand Porsche. Where as commercial production of this car was started much later i.e in 90's. However the technology was used in other machine such as a diesel locomotive train where the source of power was both electric and diesal run motors.



The early cars where Honda Insight and Toyota Prius. The hybrid cars which is available in the market are:-



`` Honda Insight

`` Toyota Prius

`` Toyota Highlander Hybrid

`` Lexus RX 400h

`` Ford Escape Hybrid

`` Honda Civic Hybrid

One of the most fuel efficient car on earth and for the earth. The "Blue tooth technology" is really a good feature in this car. With a blutooth enabled cell phone when one enters the car it reads the phone and becomes a car phone. The fuel consumption practically is about 50-55 mpg so that means less dent in your pockets. Above all this car is also good for somebody else like mother nature, aunt environment as it emits less exhaust hence less pollution.



MSRP - $20,295

Invoice - $18,687

Engine - 1.5L 4cyl CVT

Length - 175 Inches

Width - 67.9 Inches

Height - 58.1 inches

Ground clearence- 4.9 Inches

Front Head - 39.1 Inches

Front Hip- 51 Inches

Front Shoulder- 55.3 Inches

Rear Head- 37.1 Inches

Rear Shoulder- 53 Inches

Rear Hip- 51.6 Inches

Front Leg - 41.9 Inches

Rear Leg - 38.6 Inches

Acceleration - 10.37 seconds(0-60mph)

Torque - 82 ft-lbs.

Horsepower - 110 hp

The conventional cars uses gasoline as its source of power. The electric cars gets their power from batteries. But Hybrid car is one that gets power from two sources. The common example is car running on both gasoline & battery.



Today most of the car manufacterers are going to introduce their models for hybrid car. The common features in a hybrid car are:-



Smaller Engines:-

This smaller engine has enough power to move around in free way but when it is needed th get the car moving uphill it needs extra power which is readily provided by the electric motar and the battery thus not affecting the performance of the car.



Engine shutoff:-

Whe car takes brake or reaches a red light the engines run by gasoline shuts down and power is supplied by the electri motor and battery.



Efficiency:-

The efficiency of the hybrid cars is achieved by>>

# Recovering energy and storing it in the battery

# Engine shut off at redlight and when car pauses for a while.

# Using advanced aerodynamics to reduce drag

# Using low-rolling resistance tires

# Using lightweight materials for making body of car.

Saving when you have is better then panic when you don't. Wake Up and join the movement of saving fuel, environment to give a better life and clean air to our next generation. If you can't ride a bicycle then use a hybrid car.



2005 Ford Escape Hybrid comes with 300-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery, 2.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 65kW electric assist motor and a 28 kW generator. It gives 35-40 mpg better then conventional V-6-powered cars without compromising on performance.



At red light a conventional car just creates waste** emissions, where as Ford Hybrid engine shuts down its engine when at rest. While starting the generater starts the car with very low emission. The battries are charged when car is running and energy is restored when brakes are applied. Thus helping the power plants too :) .

Save fuel and help the country, environment & your pocket :). Use public transport, ride a bicycle , walk, or drive a 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid. The hybrid cars are a step towards cleaner air and less dependence on gasoline.



This Honda car is powered by Accord’s stellar 3.0-liter, 240-horsepower V6 engine. It would be fitted with Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. It deactivate the 3 cylinders at an specific driving conditions from 6. In the process it saves the valuable fuel with no sacrifice in performance. It would also use Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system.

It is HIGH time we start thinking about hybrid cars. The prices of fuel will increase every comming year. The time demands cars which could run on very less or no fuel. No fuel cars or car running on batteries is in its early stages so cars running on less fuel should be hot as of today. The 3 major benifits would be:-



* Gas Mileage($$)

* The environment(Save Earth***)

* Oil dependency



The great news about 2005 Toyota Highlander is 27.6 miles per gallon. It will be the the world's first 7 seater hybrid suv. All this comes with powerplant output of 270 horsepower is very impressive. It would have 3.3L, 6 Cylinders engine powered by Hybrid Synergy Drive technology avaiable in Toyota Prius.



Safety wise 2005 Toyota Highlander offers stability control system and a tire pressure monitoring system as standard equipment whereas front seat-mounted side airbags side curtain airbags for the 2nd and 3rd rows are optional.



Features:-



Car- 2005 Toyota Highlander

Class- SUV

Engine- 3.3L, 6 Cylinders

Seating- 7

Cargo Space-80.6 cubic feet

Speed- 0-60 mph < 8 seconds