Unlike other traditional Plug-In style electric cars, the 2010 Prius PHV will only have a limited distance of 12 miles to run on battery alone.  After reaching a distance of 12 miles the plug-in battery is depleted and the Prius returns to standard hybrid mode.  The hybrid mode of this PHV is similar to that of what's found in existing model Toyota Prius's.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Plug-In Prius At Frankfurt Auto Show

Lexus has released a picture of what they think the future of luxury hybrids will be, with the LF-Ch concept.  View the pics below and chime in with your opinions.  I personally don't think anyone looking for expensive luxury would have any need for a smaller package.  But perhaps Lexus is hoping to flesh out a new niche, not yet attained by competing manufacturers.

Lexus LF-Ch Hybrid

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Lexus LF-Ch Hybrid Concept

There have been a number of people speculating about the all new hybrid coming from Lexus and it's relation to the wildly popular Toyota Prius.  Most of  the speculation claims that the Lexus HS 250h is as similar to the Toyota Prius as the Ford Ranger is to the Mazda pickup.  Thankfully for those in the market, this isn't true.

There is a single shared component between the HS 250h and Prius, which is the hybrid technology.  The name of  the system is the series/parallel and refers to the technology, not the actual components.  The series/parallel type hybrid means that the traditional engine component can drive the wheels directly and be disconnected from the drive train to allow the electric motor component to drive the wheels.  This type of system is used in the Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid, and soon Lexus HS 250h.

The rest of the HS 250h is completely different than the Prius.  Some of the main component differences is the 2.4 l engine, double wishbone suspension, and a ton of electronic creature comforts.  There will nothing to confuse onlookers as to what type of car it is, the Toyota or the Lexus.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Is The Lexus HS 250h The Same As a Toyota Prius?

Fuel Efficient Sports Cars

Enthusiasts are already starting to demand a higher performance from their hybrid and ultra high efficienct cars.  Already there are some players in the market that are looking to push the envelope in regards to power in a hybrid and looks that really scream sports car.  Ultimately, and this is just my opinion, a hybrid car will only become truly popular when you don't look at it and automatically know it's a hybrid.

Fisker Karma has already started working on a sports car based on a plug-in type hybrid system.  Also most recently Rasser created a 100 mpg Hummer, that proves you can have the looks of a traditional car with the efficiency of a hybrid.  With advacements like this it begs the question of what the big boys will be bringing to the hybrid sport car market.

Toyota has debuted a prototype of what might develop into a full on hybrid sports car.  The FT-HS Concept is a short wheel base boxster inspired hybrid sports car.  Depending on who you believe, the FT-HS pictured below may be the launching point from reviving the Toyota Supra.  Yes, the next generation Toyota Supra may live on, as a hybrid sports car.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Hybrid Sports Car

First of all, getting 100 mpg is just an arbitrary number.  You may remember me reporting back a few days ago about a Raser Hummer that was created to get 100 mpg.  Essentially these smart plug-in style hybrids are technically getting infinity miles per gallon, if you stay within the battery's charge range.  However, the efficiency of the tiny motors become more realistic after the charge has worn out.  The idea however, with the i MiEV is that most consumers don't drive over 40 miles per day, so the battery limitation is no problem.

Another kind of half truth is that the Mitsubishi iMiEV emits zero emissions, which is true, again if you stay within the cars battery charge radius.  Once the Mitsubishi battery is used up, the tiny motor is used to push it down the road and then the emissions start up just like any other internal combustion motorized vehicle.

Lastly, the price tag for this car or oversized bicycle is a whopping $45,000.  Depending on which side of the green fence you are on, this may or may not be worth the investment.  How long and how many miles would it take before this car starts paying for itself?  Well, if you only drive less than 40 miles per day, as the target market should, then you are looking at a looonnnggg time.

It's fine if you want to buy green vehicles and especially brawny golf carts, just make sure you buy them for the right reason.  I can just see the complaints and lawsuits rolling in once people realize it's not exactly as advertised.

Video of the Mitsubishi i MiEV Hybrid in action.  Short clip from the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show and driving on a test track.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Mitsubishi Electric Mini Car

Contributing factors to the increase in demand would be the new Prius lower price.  No doubt this is in response to the Honda Insight being released to compete in the passenger car hybrid market.  Also, in response to slumping sales in Japan, Toyota has revamped the last generation Prius to help compete with the newer advanced base model.

Hopefully this increase in Prius production is a sign that world economies are starting to turn around.  I'd love to start reading some positive automotive news in the near future.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Prius Hybrid In Demand

According to information direct from Raser the Hummer is only capable of up to 33 mpg on the high way.  Now, I'm not saying that 100 mpg in the city isn't great, but obviously to arrive at these figures there are limits that must be set and gray areas to interpret.  Does that mean that the Hummer will get infinite miles per gallon if it stays under 30mpg?  I mean, I'm not sure of any city where 30+ is the norm, but they could just as easily be talking about an island city with 15 mph speed zones.

Also reported by Raser is that the engine found in the H3 Hybrid is the strongest electric engine available in a passenger vehicle.  Raser claims teh engine found in the H3 Plug-In is 4 times more powerful than the hybrid engine found in the Toyota Prius.  According to reports it can be recharged at home, obviously from the plug-in name plate, but the cost is $.60 per equivalent gallon of gas.  Again, this information is much better than paying an alternative now $2.50 per gallon of gas, but there is still a cost to driving such a hybrid.  Where do you think most of our electricity at home comes from?  I'm willing to bet it's not wind turbines yet, most likely coal, so saving fossil fuels has still yet to be accomplished.

Pictures of the Raser H3 Plug In Hybrid 100mpg

It becomes pretty obvious that perhaps a vehicle the size of the Hummer is required to fit all the drive train components into the package.  There is some serious weight, size, and limitations of fitting this much technology in any lesser vehicle.  No doubt, nows the time to start buying some Raser stock though.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

100 MPG Hummer For Real?

To meet expectations and guarantees, the Chevy Volt's battery must be capable of at least 4,000 recharges and a 10 year life span.  Seems like a pretty tall order, considering that no technology exists amongst the li-ion type battery market.  Basically, it's starting from scratch, and hoping that come 2010 we have a marketable product that everyone will want.  As of this posting it's reported that the battery development has completed and we are only waiting on testing.

I just hope GM doesn't blow it's wad on a car that only delivers half of what was promised.  Already buyers remorse is setting in on the new car market, let's not make it worse with an overhyped product.  Chevy hopes to release the Volt on November 2010.

P.S. European markets will be getting a much nicer and sportier Chevy Volt.

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Chevy Volt Battery May Save GM

Hybrid cars are all about looking green and what better way to save green than buying used hybrid cars.  As of this posting there are over 75 used Toyota Prius's on eBay.  The prices of these used hybrids range in price from $4,000 to $16,000 but are generally in the neighborhood of $10,000.  This is a huge savings over the cost of buying a new Toyota Prius hybrid.

Toyota Prius 2007 Toyota Prius side damage good front dash bags    US $5,500.00

Toyota Prius 2008 Toyota Prius Absolute sale    US $19,989.00

Toyota Prius 5dr HB 04 PRIUS HYBRID CERTIFIED LOW MILES ONE OWNER RED    US $16,999.00

If the Toyota Prius isn't your bag then you can also find a used Nissan Altima Hybrid for sale.  As of this posting it looks like a used hybrid Altima can be purchased for around $15,000.

Nissan Altima Hybrid 2009 ALTIMA HYBRID NAV LEATHER CANADA USA LK    US $1,000.00

Nissan Altima Hybrid 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID CVT LOW MILES BOSE    US $1,025.00

Nissan Altima Hybrid New 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid    US $3,050.00

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Used Hybrid Cars

One of the SunTimes.com reporter got a first hand experience with the new Porsche/VW hybrid technology.

The Porsche-VW hybrid system is unlike any on the market, but it’s closest to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist. Porsche’s system is a parallel full-hybrid system. IMA is a parallel system, but it is considered a “power-assist” system, not a full system, because the electric motor can only aid the engine, not propel the vehicle by itself (except in some light cruising conditions). Honda’s is a parallel system because the engine has a mechanical link to the wheels.

Initial reactions to the Porsche hybrid are much like my own, wondering how they can combine their performance name with a green theme.  Obviously Porsche is committed, releasing 2 test mules already to the media to scrutinze, but under limited conditions.  For example, no one was allowed to juice the Cayenne hybrid up and down some windy roads, so actual performance testing has been held to a minimum.  Sounds like Porsche is more excited about doing up to 30 miles per hour on electric alone, despite the 300lb weight increase.

Cayenne Hybrid

Original automotive content: Automotive Blog

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid