MotorTrend: Toyota Prius Sports Coupe in Pipeline

June 02, 2011
By Peter Lyon

Toyota has been hinting for years that it would be expanding its Prius model lineup, and the new Prius v we just took for a test drive is likely just the start of a bigger Prius family. Over the past two years, rumors of a minivan, a convertible, and even an SUV variant have been tossed about.

But the one derivative of the bunch that has enthusiasts interested is the American-inspired Prius Sports Coupe project. Our source tells us that without the strong push for this car from Toyota's U.S. arm, this project wouldn't have made it past first base. What you see here is one artist's impression of how the Sports Coupe will look when it debuts in late 2014, the same year the next-generation Prius is expected to surface.

Our insider explains that with development of the Lexus LFA supercar scaling down, and R&D funds and personnel being re-routed, we can expect to see a proliferation of more fun-to-drive hybrid cars over the next three to five years. It seems part-time race car driver and full-time Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda is having some influence on the automaker's car development program.

One of the highlights of this coupe will be the option of a manual transmission that Toyota is developing for hybrids at the Higashi-Fuji proving ground near Mt. Fuji. That manual gearbox will be bolted to the company's next-generation hybrid system with plug-in capability, a system that will be completely new and not inherited from the Prius. Our spies tell us that the sports coupe will employ a rear-drive platform and will incorporate the plug-in hybrid unit with lightweight Li-ion batteries that generate significantly more power than the current Prius, but maintain class-leading mileage and CO2 emissions.

This is just the beginning. Come 2015, our source tells us the company will officially roll out its long-rumored "Prius brand," from which we can expect all future Toyota hybrid models, as well as a hydrogen-powered sedan that reportedly is in development. And the flagship for the new brand will be the Sports Coupe.

Source;
http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_vehicles/1105_toyota_prius_sports_coupe_in_pipeline/index.html

Read more »

MotorTrend: Toyota Prius Sports Coupe in Pipeline

June 02, 2011
By Peter Lyon

Toyota has been hinting for years that it would be expanding its Prius model lineup, and the new Prius v we just took for a test drive is likely just the start of a bigger Prius family. Over the past two years, rumors of a minivan, a convertible, and even an SUV variant have been tossed about.

But the one derivative of the bunch that has enthusiasts interested is the American-inspired Prius Sports Coupe project. Our source tells us that without the strong push for this car from Toyota's U.S. arm, this project wouldn't have made it past first base. What you see here is one artist's impression of how the Sports Coupe will look when it debuts in late 2014, the same year the next-generation Prius is expected to surface.

Our insider explains that with development of the Lexus LFA supercar scaling down, and R&D funds and personnel being re-routed, we can expect to see a proliferation of more fun-to-drive hybrid cars over the next three to five years. It seems part-time race car driver and full-time Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda is having some influence on the automaker's car development program.

One of the highlights of this coupe will be the option of a manual transmission that Toyota is developing for hybrids at the Higashi-Fuji proving ground near Mt. Fuji. That manual gearbox will be bolted to the company's next-generation hybrid system with plug-in capability, a system that will be completely new and not inherited from the Prius. Our spies tell us that the sports coupe will employ a rear-drive platform and will incorporate the plug-in hybrid unit with lightweight Li-ion batteries that generate significantly more power than the current Prius, but maintain class-leading mileage and CO2 emissions.

This is just the beginning. Come 2015, our source tells us the company will officially roll out its long-rumored "Prius brand," from which we can expect all future Toyota hybrid models, as well as a hydrogen-powered sedan that reportedly is in development. And the flagship for the new brand will be the Sports Coupe.

Source;
http://www.motortrend.com/future/future_vehicles/1105_toyota_prius_sports_coupe_in_pipeline/index.html

Read more »

Gas prices increase car buyers' hybrid sales

Here we go again....
As gas prices hit an average $3.51 a gallon nationwide on Monday, automakers and dealers are starting to see an uptick in sales of their most-fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrids and electrics.

Toyota's Prius, which has a commanding lead in market share among hybrids, saw a 69.9% sales increase in February compared with February last year, Autodata reported. Among others, Honda's Civic hybrid had a 53.8% sales increase, and sales of Ford's Fusion hybrid were up 11.7%.

Dealers say they believe customers are starting to take notice of gas prices in making their buying decisions, though numbers still are small.

"It's just starting," says Adam Lee, chairman of 20-dealership Lee Auto Malls in Maine. "We are not seeing a dramatic increase in sales (of hybrids and small cars), but we will."

The number of potential car buyers researching hybrids at the Edmunds.com with the gas price run-up.

"We've had kind of a slow, steady increase in prices" that has helped automakers prepare, says Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com senior analyst.

Four out of five consumers in a Kelley Blue Book survey say that gas prices are influencing vehicle choices, up 11 percentage points from January.

Automakers say they are far more ready with fuel-efficient traditional cars, in addition to alternative-power vehicles, to handle soaring gas prices than they were in 2008, when average prices peaked at $4.11 a gallon.

"We are fairly well positioned for it," says Al Castignetti, vice president for Nissan in the U.S. With small cars, plus a bevy of new, smaller crossovers, "I have such a broad array of product offerings."

Ford Motor points to now having four models that get more than 40 miles per gallon.
Demand for four-cylinder engines has risen dramatically, says General Motors spokesman Tom Henderson, and GM is selling every one of the Volt extended-range electric cars that it can produce.

For now, most automakers aren't making big changes at factories to shift to more small or hybrid cars or making big ad buys to tout them. Says Honda spokesman Kurt Antonius, "People already perceive Honda's cars and trucks as fuel efficient, so we don't need to develop a special ad campaign during these challenging times at the pump."

Most car buyers won't make dramatic changes until gas prices pass $4 a gallon nationally, predicts Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation, the country's largest new car dealership chain.

By Chris Woodyard, USA Today

Source;
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/environment/2011-03-08-ecocars08_ST_N.htm#

Read more »

Gas prices increase car buyers' hybrid sales

Here we go again....
As gas prices hit an average $3.51 a gallon nationwide on Monday, automakers and dealers are starting to see an uptick in sales of their most-fuel-efficient vehicles, including hybrids and electrics.

Toyota's Prius, which has a commanding lead in market share among hybrids, saw a 69.9% sales increase in February compared with February last year, Autodata reported. Among others, Honda's Civic hybrid had a 53.8% sales increase, and sales of Ford's Fusion hybrid were up 11.7%.

Dealers say they believe customers are starting to take notice of gas prices in making their buying decisions, though numbers still are small.

"It's just starting," says Adam Lee, chairman of 20-dealership Lee Auto Malls in Maine. "We are not seeing a dramatic increase in sales (of hybrids and small cars), but we will."

The number of potential car buyers researching hybrids at the Edmunds.com with the gas price run-up.

"We've had kind of a slow, steady increase in prices" that has helped automakers prepare, says Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds.com senior analyst.

Four out of five consumers in a Kelley Blue Book survey say that gas prices are influencing vehicle choices, up 11 percentage points from January.

Automakers say they are far more ready with fuel-efficient traditional cars, in addition to alternative-power vehicles, to handle soaring gas prices than they were in 2008, when average prices peaked at $4.11 a gallon.

"We are fairly well positioned for it," says Al Castignetti, vice president for Nissan in the U.S. With small cars, plus a bevy of new, smaller crossovers, "I have such a broad array of product offerings."

Ford Motor points to now having four models that get more than 40 miles per gallon.
Demand for four-cylinder engines has risen dramatically, says General Motors spokesman Tom Henderson, and GM is selling every one of the Volt extended-range electric cars that it can produce.

For now, most automakers aren't making big changes at factories to shift to more small or hybrid cars or making big ad buys to tout them. Says Honda spokesman Kurt Antonius, "People already perceive Honda's cars and trucks as fuel efficient, so we don't need to develop a special ad campaign during these challenging times at the pump."

Most car buyers won't make dramatic changes until gas prices pass $4 a gallon nationally, predicts Mike Jackson, CEO of AutoNation, the country's largest new car dealership chain.

By Chris Woodyard, USA Today

Source;
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/environment/2011-03-08-ecocars08_ST_N.htm#

Read more »

The future's hybrid say Honda and Toyota

4 March 2011
-Five Toyota hybrids by 2012
-Honda CR-V and FR-V replacements could be hybrids
-More powerful, sporty Honda hybrid considered

Honda and Toyota continue to vie for supremacy in the world of hybrids, and have big plans to expand the number of models they sell in Europe, based on the architectures and concept models on show at the title="Geneva motor show report"Geneva motor show.

Toyota showed off the Prius+, a seven-seat version of the Prius V it revealed at the Detroit motor in January, plus a hybrid version of the next Yaris supermini, badged Yaris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) Concept. Both will become production reality in 2012 aongside a plug-in version of the current Prius which we have already title="Toyota Plug-in Prius driven"driven.

Honda had its new twin-motor hybrid platform, also first seen at Detroit, which it'll use to underpin a range of mid-range vehicles.

Although Honda isn't saying what these will be, research and develoment chief Tomohiko Kawanabe would not deny that the CR-V crossover and a replacement for the FR-V compact MPV were the sort of cars that might benefit from it.

However, he also said that the company is looking at other ways of expanding its hybrid range, and a more powerful version of the sporty petrol-electric CR-Z coupe could not be ruled out.

Hybrid demand is growing
By the end of 2012 Toyota will have five hybrids on sale in Europe - Auris, Prius, Prius plug-in, Prius+ and Yaris. Some will retain today's nickel-metal hydride battery system, while others will have the more efficient, smaller but more expensive lithium-ion set-up being trialled in the Prius plug-in .

'Lithium-ion has merits in terms of compactness and energy storage, and it is needed to give a longer range on battery power alone,' said Guillaume Gerondeau, the vice-president in charge of product for Toyota Motor Europe.

While today's Prius has a maximum range of only two miles on pure battery power, future plug-in models will be able to manage six times that.'The Yaris hybrid will have lithium-ion batteries and its use of space (packaging) has been optimised around this', said Gerondeau. 'Until now, cost and packaging were the two big negatives of small hybrids,' he said, 'but now we have appropriate solutions.' He is unperturbed about electrifying a car that is already economical with petrol or diesel power, claiming that CO2 will be even lower (less than the 89g/km of today's Prius) while other emissions will also be reduced.

'Demand for hybrids is growing,' he said. 'More and more customers are putting powertrain technology as their first priority. According to our research, in 2006 it was 4%; in 2008 it grew to 8% and in 2010 it was 16%.' Toyota will add even more hybrids when new-generation models start to appear after 2013, and has pledged to have a hybrid version of every car it sells by 2020.

Kawanabe says the new Honda twin-motor hybrid system is designed to overcome the limits of the company's current IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) fitted to the CR-Z, Insight and Jazz. 'It is designed to achieve better fuel efficiency with a smaller battery than IMA. We will have a range of 10 miles in EV [electric vehicle] mode and start extending this as the battery becomes bigger.'

Kawanabe says the twin-motor set-up will give the performance of a 2.5-litre conventional engine with lower fuel consumption and emissions. It is likely to be too big for use in an uprated CR-Z, but he believes it would be 'a good idea' to increase the power of the hybrid sports car and admitted that Honda is 'seriously thinking about' how it could be done.

Source;
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/the-future-s-hybrid-say-honda-and-toyota/255718#

Read more »

The future's hybrid say Honda and Toyota

4 March 2011
-Five Toyota hybrids by 2012
-Honda CR-V and FR-V replacements could be hybrids
-More powerful, sporty Honda hybrid considered

Honda and Toyota continue to vie for supremacy in the world of hybrids, and have big plans to expand the number of models they sell in Europe, based on the architectures and concept models on show at the title="Geneva motor show report"Geneva motor show.

Toyota showed off the Prius+, a seven-seat version of the Prius V it revealed at the Detroit motor in January, plus a hybrid version of the next Yaris supermini, badged Yaris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) Concept. Both will become production reality in 2012 aongside a plug-in version of the current Prius which we have already title="Toyota Plug-in Prius driven"driven.

Honda had its new twin-motor hybrid platform, also first seen at Detroit, which it'll use to underpin a range of mid-range vehicles.

Although Honda isn't saying what these will be, research and develoment chief Tomohiko Kawanabe would not deny that the CR-V crossover and a replacement for the FR-V compact MPV were the sort of cars that might benefit from it.

However, he also said that the company is looking at other ways of expanding its hybrid range, and a more powerful version of the sporty petrol-electric CR-Z coupe could not be ruled out.

Hybrid demand is growing
By the end of 2012 Toyota will have five hybrids on sale in Europe - Auris, Prius, Prius plug-in, Prius+ and Yaris. Some will retain today's nickel-metal hydride battery system, while others will have the more efficient, smaller but more expensive lithium-ion set-up being trialled in the Prius plug-in .

'Lithium-ion has merits in terms of compactness and energy storage, and it is needed to give a longer range on battery power alone,' said Guillaume Gerondeau, the vice-president in charge of product for Toyota Motor Europe.

While today's Prius has a maximum range of only two miles on pure battery power, future plug-in models will be able to manage six times that.'The Yaris hybrid will have lithium-ion batteries and its use of space (packaging) has been optimised around this', said Gerondeau. 'Until now, cost and packaging were the two big negatives of small hybrids,' he said, 'but now we have appropriate solutions.' He is unperturbed about electrifying a car that is already economical with petrol or diesel power, claiming that CO2 will be even lower (less than the 89g/km of today's Prius) while other emissions will also be reduced.

'Demand for hybrids is growing,' he said. 'More and more customers are putting powertrain technology as their first priority. According to our research, in 2006 it was 4%; in 2008 it grew to 8% and in 2010 it was 16%.' Toyota will add even more hybrids when new-generation models start to appear after 2013, and has pledged to have a hybrid version of every car it sells by 2020.

Kawanabe says the new Honda twin-motor hybrid system is designed to overcome the limits of the company's current IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) fitted to the CR-Z, Insight and Jazz. 'It is designed to achieve better fuel efficiency with a smaller battery than IMA. We will have a range of 10 miles in EV [electric vehicle] mode and start extending this as the battery becomes bigger.'

Kawanabe says the twin-motor set-up will give the performance of a 2.5-litre conventional engine with lower fuel consumption and emissions. It is likely to be too big for use in an uprated CR-Z, but he believes it would be 'a good idea' to increase the power of the hybrid sports car and admitted that Honda is 'seriously thinking about' how it could be done.

Source;
http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/the-future-s-hybrid-say-honda-and-toyota/255718#

Read more »

Globe and Mail: Honda’s sport hybrid a precursor of future “sporty” cars

BOB ENGLISH
Globe and Mail Update

Driving through a bend delicately balanced on the keening knife edge of tire adhesion is always a neat thing to do, whether in the latest Porsche Turbo S or something like Honda’s new “sport hybrid” CR-Z.

The only real differences are the vastly faster cornering speeds and g-force generated by Porsche’s prodigious grip, and their very intimate correlation with the pucker factor you experience and the consequences you hope you don’t.

Obviously the CR-Z, even with its little electric motor whirring away helpfully, can’t come close to matching the Porsche’s acceleration, or its comparatively tiny discs the massive stopping force of the German car’s brakes. Or the sheer thrill of driving something as truly potent.
But it turned out the CR-Z, which I had the unique opportunity to drive back-to-back with the Porsche on a track recently, has a nice enough balance of (adequate) power and (capable) handling to validate its “sporty” claim.

What I found most interesting was seeing it as a harbinger of the direction mainstream, lower order “sporty” cars – the kind most of us can afford – seem to be evolving in as more car makers explore adding a jolt of voltage to keep the performance spark bright as fossil fuels fade from the scene.

The trend to using hybrid and pure electric power systems to improve performance has already begun, of course. The recent Honda Accord hybrid, Lexus GS450h and BMW X6 hybrid and the Tesla sports car come to mind. And the pace seems to be amping up with high-end makes – Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Audi and Porsche – revealing electrification projects in the past year. But Mitsubishi, Subaru and Mazda, among others, have also revealed they’re accelerating down this road.

The CR-Z isn’t Honda’s first save-the-planet two-seater sold here. That honour goes to the CR-X of the early 1980s, fondly remembered as a little pocket road rocket, but originally pitched as an econo-car. It was followed by the less fondly recalled early-1990s Del Sol.
Honda’s third two-seater was the Insight hybrid of 2000, the first modern hybrid sold in North America, which introduced the integrated motor assist system employed by the CR-Z, which tests the consumer waters in another hybrid niche.

Honda describes the $23,490 CR-Z as a driver-focused vehicle offering efficient and fun performance. If you include looking cool in the “driver-focused” element, then the CR-Z has half the equation handily covered with its stand-out-in-any-crowd exterior styling.

And the other half with an interior a cut above most others in the mid-$20,000 price range with its nifty bright-blue three-D instruments and pod-like protrusions from each side that put commonly used controls close to the driver’s hands. A two-tone colour treatment and nickel-like trim are also nice touches.

The only thing that might warrant serious criticism is the fact there are only two seats, which while emphasizing its sporty personality, limit its practicality, although you can cram a fair whack of stuff (711 litres) in the back.

Equipment includes automatic climate control, power mirrors, locks, etc., tilt/telescope wheel, audio system with all the appropriate places to plug things in and steering wheel controls, Bluetooth connectivity, stability control and a hill holder feature with the manual gearbox.

The 122 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque generated by its 1.5-litre, rev-y, gasoline-fuelled four-cylinder in combination with the Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system obviously isn’t a lot, but it only has 1,205 kg to propel. The manual gearbox version still takes a rather drawn-out 9.8 seconds to get to 100 km/h though, so don’t sit next to somebody at the light revving your engine.

Once under way, it feels lively enough if “Sport” is selected from the three-mode drive system, which kicks in the electric boost earlier and quickens up the electric steering. Normal and econo would seem redundant as fuel economy is pretty phenomenal in Sport and the other two settings dull down the driving experience.

Suspension is econo-car-conventional with MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam axle under the back, with under-achieving 195/55R16 tires that deliver better mileage than stick and steering sharpness. Braking is fair, but a few laps on the track are all you can ask of them before they get a bit hot and bothered.

In reality, the CR-Z offers more a pretence of “performance” than the real thing, which might make it a precursor of the “sporty” cars we’ll be driving in the future.

Source;

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/reviews/hondas-sport-hybrid-a-precursor-of-future-sporty-cars/article1873669/

Read more »

Globe and Mail: Honda’s sport hybrid a precursor of future “sporty” cars

BOB ENGLISH
Globe and Mail Update

Driving through a bend delicately balanced on the keening knife edge of tire adhesion is always a neat thing to do, whether in the latest Porsche Turbo S or something like Honda’s new “sport hybrid” CR-Z.

The only real differences are the vastly faster cornering speeds and g-force generated by Porsche’s prodigious grip, and their very intimate correlation with the pucker factor you experience and the consequences you hope you don’t.

Obviously the CR-Z, even with its little electric motor whirring away helpfully, can’t come close to matching the Porsche’s acceleration, or its comparatively tiny discs the massive stopping force of the German car’s brakes. Or the sheer thrill of driving something as truly potent.
But it turned out the CR-Z, which I had the unique opportunity to drive back-to-back with the Porsche on a track recently, has a nice enough balance of (adequate) power and (capable) handling to validate its “sporty” claim.

What I found most interesting was seeing it as a harbinger of the direction mainstream, lower order “sporty” cars – the kind most of us can afford – seem to be evolving in as more car makers explore adding a jolt of voltage to keep the performance spark bright as fossil fuels fade from the scene.

The trend to using hybrid and pure electric power systems to improve performance has already begun, of course. The recent Honda Accord hybrid, Lexus GS450h and BMW X6 hybrid and the Tesla sports car come to mind. And the pace seems to be amping up with high-end makes – Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Audi and Porsche – revealing electrification projects in the past year. But Mitsubishi, Subaru and Mazda, among others, have also revealed they’re accelerating down this road.

The CR-Z isn’t Honda’s first save-the-planet two-seater sold here. That honour goes to the CR-X of the early 1980s, fondly remembered as a little pocket road rocket, but originally pitched as an econo-car. It was followed by the less fondly recalled early-1990s Del Sol.
Honda’s third two-seater was the Insight hybrid of 2000, the first modern hybrid sold in North America, which introduced the integrated motor assist system employed by the CR-Z, which tests the consumer waters in another hybrid niche.

Honda describes the $23,490 CR-Z as a driver-focused vehicle offering efficient and fun performance. If you include looking cool in the “driver-focused” element, then the CR-Z has half the equation handily covered with its stand-out-in-any-crowd exterior styling.

And the other half with an interior a cut above most others in the mid-$20,000 price range with its nifty bright-blue three-D instruments and pod-like protrusions from each side that put commonly used controls close to the driver’s hands. A two-tone colour treatment and nickel-like trim are also nice touches.

The only thing that might warrant serious criticism is the fact there are only two seats, which while emphasizing its sporty personality, limit its practicality, although you can cram a fair whack of stuff (711 litres) in the back.

Equipment includes automatic climate control, power mirrors, locks, etc., tilt/telescope wheel, audio system with all the appropriate places to plug things in and steering wheel controls, Bluetooth connectivity, stability control and a hill holder feature with the manual gearbox.

The 122 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque generated by its 1.5-litre, rev-y, gasoline-fuelled four-cylinder in combination with the Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system obviously isn’t a lot, but it only has 1,205 kg to propel. The manual gearbox version still takes a rather drawn-out 9.8 seconds to get to 100 km/h though, so don’t sit next to somebody at the light revving your engine.

Once under way, it feels lively enough if “Sport” is selected from the three-mode drive system, which kicks in the electric boost earlier and quickens up the electric steering. Normal and econo would seem redundant as fuel economy is pretty phenomenal in Sport and the other two settings dull down the driving experience.

Suspension is econo-car-conventional with MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam axle under the back, with under-achieving 195/55R16 tires that deliver better mileage than stick and steering sharpness. Braking is fair, but a few laps on the track are all you can ask of them before they get a bit hot and bothered.

In reality, the CR-Z offers more a pretence of “performance” than the real thing, which might make it a precursor of the “sporty” cars we’ll be driving in the future.

Source;

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/new-cars/reviews/hondas-sport-hybrid-a-precursor-of-future-sporty-cars/article1873669/

Read more »

Canadian Driver: First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

I am very curious to see how the Volt will perform in a winter, this is a great read....
Review and photos by Grant Yoxon

Detroit, Michigan – While driving silently through Detroit on a cold day in January, I am reminded of a comic book quote from my childhood, “It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Superman!”
In this case, the Chevrolet Volt is neither a bird nor a plane. It is not a hybrid, although it does have both an electric drive unit and a gasoline engine. But it is not a battery electric vehicle either because it does have that gasoline engine on board.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range, meaning it is propelled by an all-electric drive unit, but with the assistance of a gasoline engine that generates electricity for the electric drive system, can be driven without a recharge or fill up for up to 610 kilometres. Amongst electric vehicles, it truly is Superman.

The Chevrolet Volt is powered by GM’s unique Voltec propulsion system which, in simple terms (for a more detailed explanation, see the accompanying feature, “Deeper into the technology: the Voltec electric drive system”) consists of a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 149-hp electric drive unit that propels the car exclusively on electricity for up to 80 kilometres, depending on terrain, driving style and climate. When the car’s battery reaches a minimum charge, a 1.4-litre gasoline engine starts up to maintain the minimum charge of the battery enabling the Volt to continue on its way for an additional 530 kilometres, give or take.

On this blustery winter day, we drove approximately 40 kilometres before the driving mode graphic in the driver’s display indicated we had switched from pure electric to extended driving range mode. Not until we came to a stop light, however, did we hear the engine.

Once tuned into the sound of the engine, you realize that it seems to operate with a life of its own. Unlike a gasoline powered car or a hybrid, the rise and fall of the engine speed is not related to the action of your right foot. RPMs increase or decrease according to the needs of the battery pack. It is an unusual feeling to be sitting at the same stop light and hear the engine accelerate while the car is sitting still!

While driving exclusively in electric mode, the driver’s display indicates that we are achieving 250+ miles per gallon (the display can be easily switched to metric) or infinity in other words, but once the car switches to extended driving mode, the fuel consumption figure begins to drop. Over a full 610 kilometre drive, it is expected that the Volt will achieve, according to the US EPA, 37 mpg (6.3 L/100 km) in extended range mode and 60 mpg (3.9 L/100 km) in combined electric and extended range modes. However, if used locally and charged regularly, the Volt will use little to no fuel at all.

The Volt can be charged using either a household 120-volt plug in or a dedicated 240-volt charging station. The Volt comes equipped for the former with a 20-foot charging cord stowed in the back. Charging time takes 10-12 hours on 120V, but only four hours on 240V. Owners can schedule immediate charging or coordinate the charging for their departure time or to take advantage of lower-cost off-peak electric rates. If the vehicle is plugged in, recharging can be controlled remotely using an OnStar mobile app for iPhones and Android smart phones or by accessing an application at MyVolt.com.

While the Volt may not be range limited, our time in the Volt was, with about an hour and a half inside the car, so naturally our driving impressions are somewhat limited. Our drive took us on Detroit’s freeways and suburban streets on our way to GM’s Hamtramck Assembly Plant where the Volt is built along side the Cadillac STS and the Buick Lucerne (although it shares nothing in common with these two).

The Volt has three drive modes – ‘normal’, ‘sport’ and ‘mountain’. The latter, which limits electric range and maximum drive output – the Volt has a maximum speed of about 160 km/h – ensures the Volt has the power to drive up sustained grades. ‘Sport’ mode reconfigures the accelerator settings to provide quicker accelerator response, with zero to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) estimated to be less than nine seconds. Although maximum output is unaffected, the Volt feels more powerful and accelerates quicker. Call this the ‘fun’ mode.

The transmission has a ‘low’ setting, which is not low in the conventional sense of selecting a lower gear for descending steep grades. It is no different than the normal ‘drive’ setting with one exception – regenerative braking, where electrical power is captured and stored in the battery, is dramatically increased. The car decelerates rapidly when the accelerator is released. When combined with ‘sport’ mode, it is the perfect combination for stop-and-go driving.

On the freeways and streets we drove on, the Volt performed no differently, although much more quietly, than any other mid-sized sedan. Power is excellent, although, the more rapidly you accelerate, the more quickly the battery will deplete. Driving style is one factor that affects electric range. (kinda figured that)

The driver is presented with a full range of information and functionality displayed on two seven-inch screens, one behind the steering wheel, the other mounted on the centre stack. A full-colour, high resolution display replaces the speedometer and other gauges found in conventional vehicles and provides information on the battery state of charge and electric range, speedometer, fuel level and extended mode range, driving efficiency, trip information, tire pressure, oil life, and vehicle system messages. The second screen is the primary interface for infotainment, climate controls and efficiency. This latter function is multi-faceted including information on energy usage and energy efficiency, power flow and charging routines. Through this screen the owner can select a charging mode – immediate, delayed departure time and delayed rate and departure time mode, in which the Volt calculates the charging start time based on utility rates, rate preference and the programmed departure time. In this mode, the Volt will charge during the least expensive rate periods.

Surrounding the centre stack screen is a variety of touch-sensitive redundant controls for infotainment and climate, selecting drive modes, programmable charge modes, power door lock and unlock and the electric parking brake actuation and release.

The Volt’s advanced technology is not simply under the hood, but evident throughout the vehicle. Touch-sensitive controls, full-colour graphic displays, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation radio with 60-GB hard drive (30 GB for music storage), AM/FM/DVD-ROM/MP3 playback capability, voice recognition, XM satellite radio with XM NavTraffic/Weather, premium energy saving Bose sound system with six speakers and sub-woofer is the kind of technology one would expect in a premium, near luxury sedan.

The Volt is equipped with standard Jet Black premium cloth seats with Ceramic White accents, but can be ordered with leather seating and heated front seats. Only two option packages are available – a rear camera and park assist package and a premium trim package consisting of leather seating, premium door trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats.

In the US, the Volt starts at $41,695, not unexpected for a premium sedan. The rear camera option is priced at $695 while the premium trim package can be added for $1,395. While the Volt is available now in select U.S. markets, it will not be released in Canada until mid-summer 2011. Canadian pricing will be announced closer to its release, but expect a base MSRP in the mid-forties.

Some may balk at that kind of pricing, but the Volt is not a compact battery electric commuter or just a well-equipped hybrid. It is an extended range electric vehicle that is also a premium sedan, one that you will use 365 days of the year, a vehicle that you will drive to work or to a city 400 miles away, that is equipped with luxury appointments and the latest information and entertainment technology as well as the only range extending electric powertrain available on the planet.

If the battery electric vehicle is the bird and the hybrid is the plane, the Volt really is Superman.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2011/01/17/first-drive-2011-chevrolet-volt.htm?page=all

Read more »

Canadian Driver: First Drive: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

I am very curious to see how the Volt will perform in a winter, this is a great read....
Review and photos by Grant Yoxon

Detroit, Michigan – While driving silently through Detroit on a cold day in January, I am reminded of a comic book quote from my childhood, “It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s Superman!”
In this case, the Chevrolet Volt is neither a bird nor a plane. It is not a hybrid, although it does have both an electric drive unit and a gasoline engine. But it is not a battery electric vehicle either because it does have that gasoline engine on board.

The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended range, meaning it is propelled by an all-electric drive unit, but with the assistance of a gasoline engine that generates electricity for the electric drive system, can be driven without a recharge or fill up for up to 610 kilometres. Amongst electric vehicles, it truly is Superman.

The Chevrolet Volt is powered by GM’s unique Voltec propulsion system which, in simple terms (for a more detailed explanation, see the accompanying feature, “Deeper into the technology: the Voltec electric drive system”) consists of a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 149-hp electric drive unit that propels the car exclusively on electricity for up to 80 kilometres, depending on terrain, driving style and climate. When the car’s battery reaches a minimum charge, a 1.4-litre gasoline engine starts up to maintain the minimum charge of the battery enabling the Volt to continue on its way for an additional 530 kilometres, give or take.

On this blustery winter day, we drove approximately 40 kilometres before the driving mode graphic in the driver’s display indicated we had switched from pure electric to extended driving range mode. Not until we came to a stop light, however, did we hear the engine.

Once tuned into the sound of the engine, you realize that it seems to operate with a life of its own. Unlike a gasoline powered car or a hybrid, the rise and fall of the engine speed is not related to the action of your right foot. RPMs increase or decrease according to the needs of the battery pack. It is an unusual feeling to be sitting at the same stop light and hear the engine accelerate while the car is sitting still!

While driving exclusively in electric mode, the driver’s display indicates that we are achieving 250+ miles per gallon (the display can be easily switched to metric) or infinity in other words, but once the car switches to extended driving mode, the fuel consumption figure begins to drop. Over a full 610 kilometre drive, it is expected that the Volt will achieve, according to the US EPA, 37 mpg (6.3 L/100 km) in extended range mode and 60 mpg (3.9 L/100 km) in combined electric and extended range modes. However, if used locally and charged regularly, the Volt will use little to no fuel at all.

The Volt can be charged using either a household 120-volt plug in or a dedicated 240-volt charging station. The Volt comes equipped for the former with a 20-foot charging cord stowed in the back. Charging time takes 10-12 hours on 120V, but only four hours on 240V. Owners can schedule immediate charging or coordinate the charging for their departure time or to take advantage of lower-cost off-peak electric rates. If the vehicle is plugged in, recharging can be controlled remotely using an OnStar mobile app for iPhones and Android smart phones or by accessing an application at MyVolt.com.

While the Volt may not be range limited, our time in the Volt was, with about an hour and a half inside the car, so naturally our driving impressions are somewhat limited. Our drive took us on Detroit’s freeways and suburban streets on our way to GM’s Hamtramck Assembly Plant where the Volt is built along side the Cadillac STS and the Buick Lucerne (although it shares nothing in common with these two).

The Volt has three drive modes – ‘normal’, ‘sport’ and ‘mountain’. The latter, which limits electric range and maximum drive output – the Volt has a maximum speed of about 160 km/h – ensures the Volt has the power to drive up sustained grades. ‘Sport’ mode reconfigures the accelerator settings to provide quicker accelerator response, with zero to 60 mph (96.5 km/h) estimated to be less than nine seconds. Although maximum output is unaffected, the Volt feels more powerful and accelerates quicker. Call this the ‘fun’ mode.

The transmission has a ‘low’ setting, which is not low in the conventional sense of selecting a lower gear for descending steep grades. It is no different than the normal ‘drive’ setting with one exception – regenerative braking, where electrical power is captured and stored in the battery, is dramatically increased. The car decelerates rapidly when the accelerator is released. When combined with ‘sport’ mode, it is the perfect combination for stop-and-go driving.

On the freeways and streets we drove on, the Volt performed no differently, although much more quietly, than any other mid-sized sedan. Power is excellent, although, the more rapidly you accelerate, the more quickly the battery will deplete. Driving style is one factor that affects electric range. (kinda figured that)

The driver is presented with a full range of information and functionality displayed on two seven-inch screens, one behind the steering wheel, the other mounted on the centre stack. A full-colour, high resolution display replaces the speedometer and other gauges found in conventional vehicles and provides information on the battery state of charge and electric range, speedometer, fuel level and extended mode range, driving efficiency, trip information, tire pressure, oil life, and vehicle system messages. The second screen is the primary interface for infotainment, climate controls and efficiency. This latter function is multi-faceted including information on energy usage and energy efficiency, power flow and charging routines. Through this screen the owner can select a charging mode – immediate, delayed departure time and delayed rate and departure time mode, in which the Volt calculates the charging start time based on utility rates, rate preference and the programmed departure time. In this mode, the Volt will charge during the least expensive rate periods.

Surrounding the centre stack screen is a variety of touch-sensitive redundant controls for infotainment and climate, selecting drive modes, programmable charge modes, power door lock and unlock and the electric parking brake actuation and release.

The Volt’s advanced technology is not simply under the hood, but evident throughout the vehicle. Touch-sensitive controls, full-colour graphic displays, Bluetooth connectivity, navigation radio with 60-GB hard drive (30 GB for music storage), AM/FM/DVD-ROM/MP3 playback capability, voice recognition, XM satellite radio with XM NavTraffic/Weather, premium energy saving Bose sound system with six speakers and sub-woofer is the kind of technology one would expect in a premium, near luxury sedan.

The Volt is equipped with standard Jet Black premium cloth seats with Ceramic White accents, but can be ordered with leather seating and heated front seats. Only two option packages are available – a rear camera and park assist package and a premium trim package consisting of leather seating, premium door trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel and heated front seats.

In the US, the Volt starts at $41,695, not unexpected for a premium sedan. The rear camera option is priced at $695 while the premium trim package can be added for $1,395. While the Volt is available now in select U.S. markets, it will not be released in Canada until mid-summer 2011. Canadian pricing will be announced closer to its release, but expect a base MSRP in the mid-forties.

Some may balk at that kind of pricing, but the Volt is not a compact battery electric commuter or just a well-equipped hybrid. It is an extended range electric vehicle that is also a premium sedan, one that you will use 365 days of the year, a vehicle that you will drive to work or to a city 400 miles away, that is equipped with luxury appointments and the latest information and entertainment technology as well as the only range extending electric powertrain available on the planet.

If the battery electric vehicle is the bird and the hybrid is the plane, the Volt really is Superman.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2011/01/17/first-drive-2011-chevrolet-volt.htm?page=all

Read more »

Car Advice: Honda Insight VTi-L v Toyota Prius: hybrid car comparison

Here is probably the most comprehensive comparison between these two Hybrids that I've ever seen....
http://www.caradvice.com.au/96626/honda-insight-vti-l-vs-toyota-prius-hybrid-comparison/

Conclusion

The 2011 Honda Insight VTi-L is the car for you if:
-You want a safe compact car with an impressive standard features list
-You don’t have a burning desire to drive in fully electric mode
-You think you’ll get a kick out of driving efficiently and growing digital dashboard trees
-You want to pay for the vehicle now and are not considering financing it

The 2011 Toyota Prius is the car for you if:
-You have fuel efficiency and low emissions among your top priorities
-You would prefer a little extra space and performance
-You can live without satellite navigation, a USB port and other practical gadgets
-You are planning to finance it

Read more »

Car Advice: Honda Insight VTi-L v Toyota Prius: hybrid car comparison

Here is probably the most comprehensive comparison between these two Hybrids that I've ever seen....
http://www.caradvice.com.au/96626/honda-insight-vti-l-vs-toyota-prius-hybrid-comparison/

Conclusion

The 2011 Honda Insight VTi-L is the car for you if:
-You want a safe compact car with an impressive standard features list
-You don’t have a burning desire to drive in fully electric mode
-You think you’ll get a kick out of driving efficiently and growing digital dashboard trees
-You want to pay for the vehicle now and are not considering financing it

The 2011 Toyota Prius is the car for you if:
-You have fuel efficiency and low emissions among your top priorities
-You would prefer a little extra space and performance
-You can live without satellite navigation, a USB port and other practical gadgets
-You are planning to finance it

Read more »

Peugeot EX1 Concept EV Breaks It’s Own Records In China

Well, this is my first official post with regards to anything Peugeot....
At the 2010 Paris Motor Show French automaker, Peugeot, revealed it’s EX1 concept car in celebration of it’s 200th anniversary. Now the 250 kilowatt car, powered by two electric motors (one per axle) which produces 340 horsepower is breaking records again. Records already set by the EX1 in France back in September.

Chinese blogger, Han Han, and French explorer, Nicolas Vanier, whom set the initial records, were each behind the wheel at China’s Chengdu military airport in the province of Sichuan. But it was Han Han whom broke the September records with new times of 7.0862 seconds in the eighth-mile sprint and 12.6754 seconds in the quarter-mile run.

The EX1 also established an unofficial time of 3.49 seconds in the sprint from 0-to-100 kilometers per hour (0-62 miles per hour). Both record times set by Han Han have been certified and will be reportedly approved by the Chinese Auto Sports Federation, which assures accuracy of the measurements.

The EX1 has come to be a record setting EV.

Read more »

Peugeot EX1 Concept EV Breaks It’s Own Records In China

Well, this is my first official post with regards to anything Peugeot....
At the 2010 Paris Motor Show French automaker, Peugeot, revealed it’s EX1 concept car in celebration of it’s 200th anniversary. Now the 250 kilowatt car, powered by two electric motors (one per axle) which produces 340 horsepower is breaking records again. Records already set by the EX1 in France back in September.

Chinese blogger, Han Han, and French explorer, Nicolas Vanier, whom set the initial records, were each behind the wheel at China’s Chengdu military airport in the province of Sichuan. But it was Han Han whom broke the September records with new times of 7.0862 seconds in the eighth-mile sprint and 12.6754 seconds in the quarter-mile run.

The EX1 also established an unofficial time of 3.49 seconds in the sprint from 0-to-100 kilometers per hour (0-62 miles per hour). Both record times set by Han Han have been certified and will be reportedly approved by the Chinese Auto Sports Federation, which assures accuracy of the measurements.

The EX1 has come to be a record setting EV.

Read more »

Toyota is developing magnesium-sulfur battery at Michigan technical center

According to Bloomberg report, Toyota is had at work developing a magnesium battery for their future hybrid models. The magnesium-sulfar alternative to lithium models is being developed at the carmaker’s technical center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, while the Toyota research centres in Japan work on other ideas for powering electric cars and hybrids

Going from nickel-metal hydride to lithium ion, you essentially double the energy capacity. Lithium ion theoretically, under ideal conditions, has a capacity of about 2,000 kilowatt hours. That’s still not enough to really make a very competitive battery that’s necessary for future plug-in, electric and hybrid-electric vehicles,” said Jeffrey Makarewicz, the engineer managing the U.S. project.

We shouldn’t expect the new tech to arrive any time soon - lithium-ion batteries aren’t going anywhere as magnesium battery powered vehicles are still a good decade away, Makarewicz said.

Toyota has been the pack leader when it comes to hybrid cars for a long time, but it’s lacking a fully electric model in the range. Nissan and GM have both launched rechargeable vehicles that use lithium-ion packs in the past few months. But Toyota wants its batteries to offer twice as much juice as their competitors.

In the meantime the company is hedging its bets with hybrid models, as Toyota expects “much more modest” demand for battery-only vehicles during the next few years because of power-pack limitations, said Bob Carter, US group vice president. In the same time period Nissan is targeting global annual sales of at least 500,000 battery-powered LEAFs and models from affiliate Renault.

Source;

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/toyota-developing-magnesium-batteries-as-alternative-to-lithium-29613.html

Read more »

Toyota is developing magnesium-sulfur battery at Michigan technical center

According to Bloomberg report, Toyota is had at work developing a magnesium battery for their future hybrid models. The magnesium-sulfar alternative to lithium models is being developed at the carmaker’s technical center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, while the Toyota research centres in Japan work on other ideas for powering electric cars and hybrids

Going from nickel-metal hydride to lithium ion, you essentially double the energy capacity. Lithium ion theoretically, under ideal conditions, has a capacity of about 2,000 kilowatt hours. That’s still not enough to really make a very competitive battery that’s necessary for future plug-in, electric and hybrid-electric vehicles,” said Jeffrey Makarewicz, the engineer managing the U.S. project.

We shouldn’t expect the new tech to arrive any time soon - lithium-ion batteries aren’t going anywhere as magnesium battery powered vehicles are still a good decade away, Makarewicz said.

Toyota has been the pack leader when it comes to hybrid cars for a long time, but it’s lacking a fully electric model in the range. Nissan and GM have both launched rechargeable vehicles that use lithium-ion packs in the past few months. But Toyota wants its batteries to offer twice as much juice as their competitors.

In the meantime the company is hedging its bets with hybrid models, as Toyota expects “much more modest” demand for battery-only vehicles during the next few years because of power-pack limitations, said Bob Carter, US group vice president. In the same time period Nissan is targeting global annual sales of at least 500,000 battery-powered LEAFs and models from affiliate Renault.

Source;

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/toyota-developing-magnesium-batteries-as-alternative-to-lithium-29613.html

Read more »

Honda CRZ Japans Car of the Year Award Winner, Memorial Edition

The Honda CR-Z got a lukewarm welcome in the international automotive media, or should I write confused welcome : cool and lame in equal proportions, nice to look at, entertaining on the inside, almost fun to drive… but not quite : it is not easy to give it thumbs up, or thumbs down.

The Japanese press, on the other hand, likes it much. So much that it gave it the coveted Japanese Car Of The Year 2010. That made Honda feel proud, and they decided to make a CR-Z “α Japanese Car Of The Year Memorial Award Edition” which is also a good way to put the CR-Z back in the news as the sales are slowing somewhat.

Besides winning the 7Tune award of the longest model name of the year, this CR-Z features a special “Pearl Deep Sapphire” color and special 16 inches alloys.

In the cockpit the changes are limited to a set of aluminum pedals… and the obligatory commemorative plate, as well as a uprated satnav with hands free calling, and that’s pretty much it.

1000 cars will be produced and sold between January and March of next year, available as a 6 speed manual or CVT transmission, at the hefty price of 2,794,000 yen. It might look a little steep for a slab of blue paint and a self-congratulating plate, but you also get the super-connected top of the range navigation system that a lot of customers put in anyway, so I guess Honda know what they are doing.

What was your Japanese car of the year ?

7tune – The Ultimate JDM Experience
Words – Pierre-Laurent RibaultSource and Photos – Honda

Source;

http://www.7tune.com/news-honda-cr-z-jcoty-memorial-edition/

Read more »

Honda CRZ Japans Car of the Year Award Winner, Memorial Edition

The Honda CR-Z got a lukewarm welcome in the international automotive media, or should I write confused welcome : cool and lame in equal proportions, nice to look at, entertaining on the inside, almost fun to drive… but not quite : it is not easy to give it thumbs up, or thumbs down.

The Japanese press, on the other hand, likes it much. So much that it gave it the coveted Japanese Car Of The Year 2010. That made Honda feel proud, and they decided to make a CR-Z “α Japanese Car Of The Year Memorial Award Edition” which is also a good way to put the CR-Z back in the news as the sales are slowing somewhat.

Besides winning the 7Tune award of the longest model name of the year, this CR-Z features a special “Pearl Deep Sapphire” color and special 16 inches alloys.

In the cockpit the changes are limited to a set of aluminum pedals… and the obligatory commemorative plate, as well as a uprated satnav with hands free calling, and that’s pretty much it.

1000 cars will be produced and sold between January and March of next year, available as a 6 speed manual or CVT transmission, at the hefty price of 2,794,000 yen. It might look a little steep for a slab of blue paint and a self-congratulating plate, but you also get the super-connected top of the range navigation system that a lot of customers put in anyway, so I guess Honda know what they are doing.

What was your Japanese car of the year ?

7tune – The Ultimate JDM Experience
Words – Pierre-Laurent RibaultSource and Photos – Honda

Source;

http://www.7tune.com/news-honda-cr-z-jcoty-memorial-edition/

Read more »

Honda has Prius in sight

HONDA is embarking on a four-car hybrid program with a range of new petrol/electric models scheduled for launch here before the end of 2012. They started this week with the five-door Insight and continue next year with the CRZ hybrid sports coupe, Jazz hybrid and then the new generation Civic hybrid some time in 2012.

All will feature a similar parallel hybrid powertrain based around a 1.3 or 1.5-litre single cam, petrol four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing coupled to an electric motor for what Honda calls integrated motor assist.

Essentially Honda hybrids run on their petrol engine with assistance when accelerating from an electric motor fed by a battery pack and electric control unit between the rear wheels.

Honda Insight is a direct competitor for Toyota’s slightly larger Prius which has a 1.8-litre petrol engine hooked up to an electric motor. The Prius has 100kW whereas the Insight has 72kW.

It drives the front wheels via a constantly variable transmission and uses regenerative braking and deceleration to charge the battery pack which, in the Insight’s case, is optimized for size and weight tipping the scales at a mere 38kg complete with the electronic control module. Honda says Insight is 37 per cent more economical than a conventional petrol-powered car of similar size generating considerably less emissions rated at 109g/km of carbon dioxide. Insight gets 4.6 litres/100km fuel consumption Honda’s most frugal vehicle.

It’s designed for smooth aerodynamics outside and convenience inside with a family Honda look to the controls based around a convex dash and Civic type wheel.

Seats for five are provided inside with a good size load space expandable after folding the rear seats. The spare is a space saver.

Honda fits Insight with an economy assist system that “coaches” the driver to drive economically through the use of a multi-coloured speedo and a “reward” system. The car can also be set-up for maximum fuel efficiency and low emissions.

Used carefully, up to 20 per cent fuel savings are possible.

Apart from the hybrid powertrain Insight is fairly conventional underneath with a strut front suspension, simple torsion beam rear and electric power steering. The chassis is optimized for strength and crash protection. Insight’s nickel metal hydride battery is designed to last 15 years or 240,000km and a replacement, if needed, costs $1850.

Two models are available; the VTi at $29,990 and the VTi-L at $33,990.

The base model is well equipped, and so is the high grade version which gains auto wipers, 16-inch alloys, fog lights, satellite navigation, rear view camera and other goodies.

Both have a five-star Australasian new car assessment program crash rating and are manufactured in Japan.

On the road, Insight is a bit like driving your average 1.6-litre hatch except that is has start/stop at idle and hardly makes the fuel gauge move. Dynamics are quite sporty so the drive experience is rewarding with reasonable acceleration.

It’s comfortable over a longish time and makes minimal noise or vibration.

Though it’s noble to be “green”, we think Insight buyers are going to appreciate the car’s fuel economy above all else and the fact that it’s many thousands of dollars less than Toyota Prius.

Source;
http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/honda-has-prius-in-sight/

Read more »

Honda has Prius in sight

HONDA is embarking on a four-car hybrid program with a range of new petrol/electric models scheduled for launch here before the end of 2012. They started this week with the five-door Insight and continue next year with the CRZ hybrid sports coupe, Jazz hybrid and then the new generation Civic hybrid some time in 2012.

All will feature a similar parallel hybrid powertrain based around a 1.3 or 1.5-litre single cam, petrol four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing coupled to an electric motor for what Honda calls integrated motor assist.

Essentially Honda hybrids run on their petrol engine with assistance when accelerating from an electric motor fed by a battery pack and electric control unit between the rear wheels.

Honda Insight is a direct competitor for Toyota’s slightly larger Prius which has a 1.8-litre petrol engine hooked up to an electric motor. The Prius has 100kW whereas the Insight has 72kW.

It drives the front wheels via a constantly variable transmission and uses regenerative braking and deceleration to charge the battery pack which, in the Insight’s case, is optimized for size and weight tipping the scales at a mere 38kg complete with the electronic control module. Honda says Insight is 37 per cent more economical than a conventional petrol-powered car of similar size generating considerably less emissions rated at 109g/km of carbon dioxide. Insight gets 4.6 litres/100km fuel consumption Honda’s most frugal vehicle.

It’s designed for smooth aerodynamics outside and convenience inside with a family Honda look to the controls based around a convex dash and Civic type wheel.

Seats for five are provided inside with a good size load space expandable after folding the rear seats. The spare is a space saver.

Honda fits Insight with an economy assist system that “coaches” the driver to drive economically through the use of a multi-coloured speedo and a “reward” system. The car can also be set-up for maximum fuel efficiency and low emissions.

Used carefully, up to 20 per cent fuel savings are possible.

Apart from the hybrid powertrain Insight is fairly conventional underneath with a strut front suspension, simple torsion beam rear and electric power steering. The chassis is optimized for strength and crash protection. Insight’s nickel metal hydride battery is designed to last 15 years or 240,000km and a replacement, if needed, costs $1850.

Two models are available; the VTi at $29,990 and the VTi-L at $33,990.

The base model is well equipped, and so is the high grade version which gains auto wipers, 16-inch alloys, fog lights, satellite navigation, rear view camera and other goodies.

Both have a five-star Australasian new car assessment program crash rating and are manufactured in Japan.

On the road, Insight is a bit like driving your average 1.6-litre hatch except that is has start/stop at idle and hardly makes the fuel gauge move. Dynamics are quite sporty so the drive experience is rewarding with reasonable acceleration.

It’s comfortable over a longish time and makes minimal noise or vibration.

Though it’s noble to be “green”, we think Insight buyers are going to appreciate the car’s fuel economy above all else and the fact that it’s many thousands of dollars less than Toyota Prius.

Source;
http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/lifestyle/story/honda-has-prius-in-sight/

Read more »