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.

Mitsubishi is working on entering the plug-in electric hybrid car market with a big (or little) bang.  The Mitsubishi i MiEV is the latest creation in smart car technology that is promising the sky in terms of gas mileage at a whopping 100 mpg.  But let's look at what it means to get this kind of eco friendly transportation.

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.

I'm scratching my head trying to find out the specific details around the GM Hummer that is reportedly getting 100 mpg.  An article on ConsumerEnergyReport.com indicates that this new hybrid Hummer is the brain child of Raser technologies.  The Hummer is reportedly a plug-in type hybrid designed for daily local travel.  Basically that last part means that the numbers are slightly scued, to the tune of about 70 miles per gallon over statement.

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.