New Hybrid Vehicles

[Bronco_Beerslug]

If anyone is thinking of a new auto purchase maybe one of these should be considered.

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Honda Insight
MSRP Invoice

$20,530 $19,176
EPA estimated miles per gallon: 60 city/66 highway w/ 5-speed manual.

The Insight is a hybrid-electric car. It utilizes a small 1.0-liter three-cylinder gas engine coupled with a thin, disc-like electric motor. Sandwiched between the gas engine and the car’s transmission, the electric motor is engaged by an onboard computer whenever the Insight requires more power, such as during hard acceleration or when climbing hills. Though the gas engine is always at work, it gets a constant assist in the form of pure torque from the electric motor. The true beauty of a hybrid is that, unlike an electric car, it does not require downtime for recharging — ever! The battery packs which power the electric motor receive a steady supply of electricity from a number of sources, including when you slow down the car. Using a process known as regenerative braking, energy is captured via engine braking and fed back to the batteries. For those who do not enjoy driving a manual transmission, Honda offers its CVT (Continually Variable Transmission) as an option. This transmission uses a single belt running between two pulleys that vary in diameter. This technology eliminates the use of reduction gears and allows for better fuel efficiency and power transfer.
http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/ke.kb.s...ght;gr/mileage



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Toyota Prius
MSRP Price Range:
$21,515
EPA estimated miles per gallon: 60 city/51 highway w/ CVT automatic transmission.

The Prius received a complete makeover last year, and the new model has Toyota working day and night to keep up with demand. Compared to the original car, the new Prius is wider, longer and sports a hatchback in place of the previous model’s trunk. Equipped with both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, the Prius can switch between the two — or in some cases employ both — to provide power in the most efficient manner while still satisfying the needs of the driver. And it does so without any noticeable interruption. The Prius employs Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology that provides more power and better fuel efficiency than did the last generation Prius.

On the road, you’ll barely be able to discern the difference between the hybrid motor and a standard gasoline-powered engine. The transition between gas and electric motor is so seamless the only way you can tell which motor is working is by monitoring the in-dash LCD screen, which displays a moving diagram of the power flow. The new Prius cuts about two seconds of the original model’s 0-to-60 time, making the run in about 10 seconds. The boost in size and power has not affected the Prius’s fuel economy, which is still well above 50 mpg in city driving.
http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/ke.kb.s...ius;gr/mileage



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Ford Escape Hybrid
MSRP Invoice
$26,830 $24,835
EPA estimated miles per gallon: 36-city/31 highway, 2WD model.

The Escape provides the perfect platform from which to build a hybrid vehicle. Its roomy interior and car-like ride make it the perfect family vehicle, and its manageable size allows it to fit comfortably into any garage or parking space. This is Ford’s first hybrid vehicle, so all eyes will be watching closely to see how the Escape holds up compared to its rivals from Toyota and Honda.

The Escape Hybrid follows the same hybrid principal as the Toyota Prius in that it employs both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. In this case, the gasoline half of the combo is comprised of a special version of Ford’s venerable 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. The entire operation is tied together by a computer brain that determines how and when the two propulsion systems are used. The electric motor and generator do most of the work at startup and during hard acceleration, providing the torque necessary to move the Escape quickly up to speed via a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) automatic. The Escape Hybrid accelerates almost as quickly as its V6 cousin, yet provides a city fuel economy rating of nearly 35 mpg (the 4WD gets slightly less). Passing power is also surprisingly good thanks to the extra torque provided by the electric motor.
http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/ke.kb.s...rid;gr/mileage



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Honda Accord Hybrid
MSRP Invoice

$30,140 $27,115

EPA estimated miles per gallon: 29 city/37 highway w/ 5-speed automatic.

The Accord was on our high-mileage list until its redesign two years ago. The new model missed the cutoff by just 1 mpg, but rules are rules. For 2005, the Honda has made the cut once more by introducing a hybrid version of the Accord. Like the Civic and Insight, the Accord Hybrid relies on an electric motor wedged between the engine and transmission to help it attain its impressive fuel economy figures. The Accord Hybrid earns its fuel ratings despite the fact that it has some 15 more horsepower than the standard gasoline-powered Accord V6.

The Accord Hybrid’s V6 features Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) that cuts off three of the six cylinders when cruising or under minimal load. The electric motor kicks in when you need a quick burst of power, as when passing, and the remaining three cylinders come online when you require constant power, such as when climbing hills. The system works seamlessly, without the slightest hint of numerous lateral passes being made by the Accord’s powertrain team.
http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/ke.kb.s...rid;gr/mileage



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006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Best of Both Worlds: But they ain't cheap worlds
MARK VAUGHN
Published Date: 4/25/05

2006 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER HYBRID
ON SALE: June
BASE PRICE: $33,030
POWERTRAIN: 3.3-liter, 208-hp, 212-lb-ft V6/167-hp, 247-lb-ft permanent magnet motor (total system power 268 hp); fwd, CVT
CURB WEIGHT: 4015 lbs
0 to 60 MPH: 7.5 seconds (mfr.)

The Highlander Hybrid is the latest iteration of what Toyota thinks is The Next Big Thing, that thing, of course, being hybrids.

Toyota is betting heavily people will want hybrids now and in the foreseeable future for one of two reasons, maybe both:

1. They see hybrids as the right thing to do for the environment and Mother Earth.

2. They just can’t stand the price of gas anymore.
http://www.autoweek.com/article.cms?articleId=102205



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Honda Civic Hybrid
MSRP Invoice
$20,900 $19,095
EPA estimated miles per gallon: 46 city/ 51 highway w/ 5-speed manual.

Honda seems to be the fuel mileage champ with four vehicles in this section. The Civic Hybrid uses a combination gas engine and electric motor to fulfill its power requirements. Unlike the Prius, the Civic’s gas engine is always engaged and receives a boost in the form of pure torque from the electric motor when the driver demands more power. This setup has its advantages in that, if the electric motor ever fails or runs out of juice, the Civic can still motor along just fine on its 1.3-liter gas engine.

Everything else about the Civic Hybrid is pretty much the same as the Civic sedan it’s built from. To accommodate the readouts for the electric motor, the standard white-on-black analog gauges have been replaced with a combination analog and digital readout backlit in a cool blue light. While acceleration is nothing to write home about, the Civic Hybrid can keep up and merge with highway traffic, though you will find you have to downshift frequently to pass or accelerate. The optional CVT automatic does an excellent job of delivering power when it’s needed most without sacrificing much in the way of fuel economy.
http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/ke.kb.s...rid;gr/mileage



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[Mile High Shack]

If I could afford 2 car payments, I'd take the cheaper one.....

you have 20 grand you can borrow me bb?

[Rascal]

Why is the only US one a freaking SUV? That annoys me.

I would get a car, preferrebly a domestic one but none of the US manufacturers are on the ball, but I don't like the looks of any of them except for the Accord but that is barely better then my wife's car.

My question about the Accord is this: Does the system rotate which pistons are actually firing and which are not? I've heard before that not firing for extended period of time is bad for the cylinder wall. Anybody hear anything about this? The Accord has no spare tire...forget it. And it costs 3k more then the comparably equipped EXV6...weird. So much for targeting the economically minded buyer.

What I find ironic is my Dad's 89 Geo Metro gets better gas mileage then over 1/2 of these. 65 miles per gallon baby (highway). He had the engine replaced 2 years ago (300,000+ miles) and they brought the new engine in a suitcase...that thing is tiny.

[Mile High Shack]

I’m to the point in my life, that if it runs good and gets good gas mileage, it could look like a pizza box and I’d still drive it

I’m married and don’t have to impress anyone anymore

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Originally Posted by Mile High Shack

If I could afford 2 car payments, I'd take the cheaper one.....

you have 20 grand you can borrow me bb?

That's the same question my kids ask me every once in awhile

Toyota has said 2/3s of all their cars will be hybrids in another 5 years or so. As the technology gets better the mileage and horsepower will increase. The thing with the new cars over the older cars are the safety advantages (airbags, braking, etc...). I wouldn't buy a smaller car without side airbags.
I'm thinking about helping my daughter get into a new Civic. I can actually fit in them and I'm 6'1".
Also, alternative fuels will eventually be used in these hybrids too.

The American makers better get a clue or they are going to fade away.

[Rascal]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

That's the same question my kids ask me every once in awhile

Toyota has said 2/3s of all their cars will be hybrids in another 5 years or so. As the technology gets better the mileage and horsepower will increase. The thing with the new cars over the older cars are the safety advantages (airbags, braking, etc...). I wouldn't buy a smaller car without side airbags.
I'm thinking about helping my daughter get into a new Civic. I can actually fit in them and I'm 6'1".
Also, alternative fuels will eventually be used in these hybrids too.

The American makers better get a clue or they are going to fade away.

Yeap.

Look at the Ford Focus. My wife has one of those and I fit fine and I'm 6'5".

American makers, especially GM, are in serious trouble. Heck even Honda and Toyota are losing money to Kia and Hyunda (sp?).

[Mile High Shack]

Originally Posted by Bronco_Beerslug

That's the same question my kids ask me every once in awhile

Toyota has said 2/3s of all their cars will be hybrids in another 5 years or so. As the technology gets better the mileage and horsepower will increase. The thing with the new cars over the older cars are the safety advantages (airbags, braking, etc...). I wouldn't buy a smaller car without side airbags.
I'm thinking about helping my daughter get into a new Civic. I can actually fit in them and I'm 6'1".
Also, alternative fuels will eventually be used in these hybrids too.

The American makers better get a clue or they are going to fade away.

That’s why GM’s lost so much money last year I believe

I think the same thing kinda happened in the early 80's late 70's when gas prices soared as well, the rice burners kept selling why GM, Ford and Chrysler refused to move fast enough and lost tons of money, caused lay offs etc etc

you'd think they'd move faster this time.

I think I'm just gonna buy a used early 90's nissan sentra and ride it into the ground

[Pezman]

Originally Posted by Mile High Shack

I’m to the point in my life, that if it runs good and gets good gas mileage, it could look like a pizza box and I’d still drive it

I’m married and don’t have to impress anyone anymore

Same here, and until that mid-life crisis comes, screw how I look in my ride, if it saves me some nickels, screws with the oil barons and keeps my contribution to the pollution to a minimum, I'm sold.

Part of the problem is the lazy marketing gurus for the American car makers. They either dont want to employ a campaign for hybrids or dont know how. The SUV being the only choice is a disappointment as well.

[Mile High Shack]

They have no idea what the American consumer wants right now, that’s what I think.

I figure I already have my mid-life crisis car, I just need to fix it up when it comes to that. My 78 Camaro gets about 14 mpg, that’s why I just want to park it and find some cheap used car to bang around in