Thu 30 Mar 2006
The Honda car has a petrol engine supplemented by batteries which charge while the car is idling.
Some of the 1,200 people surveyed by the company thought “hybrid” meant two cars welded together. Others thought hybrids had to be plugged in at night.
BBC Transport Correspondent Tom Symonds said sales of such cars were growing.
Of the drivers who said they knew about hybrids, more than 40% did not know that it was a vehicle which operated using a combination of petrol and electric power.
Tue 28 Mar 2006
Toyota Motor Corp. has priced its new Camry hybrid – a gasoline-electric version of America’s most popular car — at $25,900, around $5,000 cheaper than rival Honda Motor Co.’s Accord hybrid.
A direct comparison is difficult because the cars have different engine sizes and standard features, but the gasoline version of the Camry and Accord sedans compete in the same segment.
Both Japanese auto makers, which lead the industry in the advanced fuel-efficient powertrain, are aiming to reduce the cost of hybrid systems to limit the premium consumers pay to around $2,000.
A comparable version of the gasoline-only Camry sells for $20,500.
Mon 27 Mar 2006
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the all-new and much-anticipated 2007 Camry Hybrid.
The Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in America four years running and for eight of the past nine years, is completely new for 2007. The world-class sedan not only redefines global standards for comfort, performance and design, but also is available, for the first time, with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive.
Toyota extends its hybrid leadership by making its exclusive Hybrid Synergy Drive available in the 2007 Camry. The Hybrid Synergy Drive System consists of gas and electric power sources that are complementary and produce a combined 187 horsepower. This system varies power between gas and electric, or both, as needed.
The first half of this system consists of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine that generates 147 hp and is coupled to a continuously variable transmission. The second half of the Hybrid Synergy Drive equation consists of a small, high torque electric motor that produces 40 horsepower, an ultra-small inverter with a specially designed compact battery and a transaxle to provide the economy and seamless performance hybrid drivers seek.
Mon 27 Mar 2006
The Honda Accord Hybrid will serve as Official Pace Car for the 2006 IRL IndyCar® Series season, IRL officials announced, marking the first time a car utilizing hybrid technology has been used to pace a major auto racing series.
complete stories
Wed 22 Mar 2006
AAA, one of the nation’s leading member organizations that provides motorists with solutions to all of their automotive needs, has selected its top cars for 2006 in 13 distinct categories, including “Cool Car of the Year.”
more
Fri 17 Mar 2006
Toyota’s latest luxury car is powered by the world’s first commercially mass-produced hybrid system that’s especially designed for rear-wheel-drive vehicles.
The Japanese automaker said Thursday the Lexus GS450h, powered by an electric motor and gasoline engine, will go on sale in North America and Japan in April and in Europe in May.
Sat 4 Mar 2006
Honda Accord Hybrid
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda Insight
Toyota Prius
Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid
Ford Escape HEV
GMC Sierra Hybrid
Dodge Ram Hybrid
