Electric and Hybrid

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Lexus 450h AWD hybrid, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

In Mica’s assessment, the vehicle’s interior is stunning and comfortable. And he’s impressed by the car’s quiet, powerful hybrid engine and its gas mileage as a luxury vehicle. He’s not as keen on the car’s exterior design. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast

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Toyota plans to increase Prius production to 1 million in 2011

Toyota hopes to sell one million models annually worldwide early into this year. The manufacturer’s second hybrid, the Sai sedan, was recently introduced in Japan. The Prius became Japan’s best-selling car in 2009. “For the foreseeable future, the focus of Toyota‘s (low-emission car) strategy will be on hybrids, not electric or fuel-cell cars,” said Yoshihiko Tabei, chief analyst at Kazaka Securities. “Except for Honda, Toyota is facing little competition in hybrids and is set to put distance between itself and other automakers.” The Honda Insight in the primary rival to the Prius, but its sales greatly trail Prius sales. According to a report in Japanese business newspapers, Toyota will add about 10 hybrid models to its existing lineup in the

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GM boss says Hybrids, Electric vehicles not that important

Lutz downplayed the importance of electric and hybrid cars for the future of General Motors at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The longtime auto industry insider suggested hybrid cars are not as important as the press would lead the public to believe. He also had some strong words for those who don’t like the recent GM bailout. “If you don’t like your tax dollars going to bailout GM,” buy a Chevy, now,” Lutz said. Roman Mica, contributing editor of TheWeeklyDriver.com, produced this video at the Detroit Auto Show. It features Lutz addressing the topic of electric and hybrid cars. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new

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Edmunds.com unveils recommended cars, trucks for 2010

The guide contains Edmunds.com’s Top Recommended Vehicles — shopping lists for consumers interested in any market segment. Another section of the guide, What You Should Know before Buying, provides valuable segment-specific guidance no car shopper should miss. “You’re ready to buy a new vehicle, but how do you go about narrowing down the choices?” Karl Brauer, Editor in Chief of Edmunds.com asked. “Consumers can really use a friend in this overwhelming process; our buying guides give them the benefit of our extensive experience testing and researching every car on the market.” Here are Edmunds.com top recommended vehicles for 2010: Sedans Under $15,000 —- Honda Fit, Hyundai Elantra Under $20,000 —- Mazda MAZDA3, Suzuki Kizashi, Ford Fusion Under $25,000 —- Honda

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Chevrolet, GM showcase Spark, Cruze, Volt at Detroit Auto Show (Video)

Lutz describes each car in the video below produced by The Weekly Driver’s contributing editor Roman Mica. He’ll be reporting throughout the show, one of the car industry’s most important yearly auto industry gatherings. To read more of Mica’s car reviews and to view his videos from the Detroit Auto Show, visit his web site: www.TFLcar.com James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine

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Ford sweeps Detroit Auto Show honors with Ford Fusion Hybrid and Transit Connect

The double victory for Ford on Monday marked only the third time in the history of the award an automaker swept the competition. The honors are voted on by a panel of about 50 U.S. and Canadian automotive journalists. The Ford Fusion Hybrid, the gasoline-electric hybrid that debuted in the U.S. market in March 2009, has gas mileage ratings of 41 mpg in the city and 36 mpg highway. It was honored over the Buick LaCrosse and the Volkswagen Golf/GTI. A utilitarian truck shorter than the Fusion, the Transit Connect defeated the Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback for the truck title. Introduced in 2002, the Transit Connect is a leisure activity vehicle that replaced the Ford Escort van line. “A

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Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen TDI, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The 2010 Jetta Sportwagen is not as well known as the Toyota Prius. But the two vehicles have been compared. The Prius is the much talked about, industry-leading hybrid. The Jetta TDI is the increasingly popular and peppy diesel. The Prius made many of 2010 Best-of-the-Year lists and even topped some of the compilations. But the Jetta and its surprising value and impressive gas mileage ratings weren’t too far behind. In short, the Prius revolutionized the hybrid industry in the United States and the Jetta may well do the same for cleaning-burning diesel engines. The Weekly Driver Test Drive There’s no easy Northern California or San Francisco Bay Area connection to Mendocino. In either of the two major options to

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Ford Escape Hybrid, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

A hybrid sport utility vehicle? About six years ago, the idea still seemed outrageous. But then the Ford Escape hybrid debuted. Skeptics sneered. But now SUV hybrids are plentiful from several manufacturers. In other words, there’s competition for the Ford Escape, even if some of the competition remains from Ford via the very similar Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute. The Escape hybrid is a “full” hybrid electric system, meaning the system can switch automatically between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power or a combination of electric battery and gasoline engine operating together. That means  maximum performance and efficiency. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Inclement weather or off-road treks are always good ways to test an SUV. I didn’t do

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Think Global will soon begin U.S. production of new electric car, The City

The Oslo-based company, reorganized with a $47 million capital injection, is “30 to 60 days” from announcing a U.S. production site for its cars, Richard Canny, chief executive officer, told Bloomberg. Three U.S. cities are vying for the production facility with the announcement of the location expected before the end of January, 2010. The City has a range of 112 miles on a charge and will cost about $30,000 in the U.S. after a $7,500 federal tax credit, Canny said. The company said it has orders for 2,350 cars. Think Global hired investor Valmet Automotive, a contract manufacturer, to build the cars. The first customers will be in The Netherlands and other European countries. U.S. sales are expected to begin

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Honda electric concept car: The Native

Honda has come a long way since its original eco-friendly car, the first generation Insight. Its latest effort is the concept car, the Honda Native. It can change colors. Designed by Tudoran Liviu, the Honda Native concept comprises an electric engine powered by a heavy-duty lithium-ion battery pack and can house three passengers including the driver. This ultra compact car with great aerodynamic features has been designed for the massively congested future traffic where speed will be ignored over low space riding efficiency. The interior is designed from lightweight materials such as aluminum and offer an OLED display to provide information regarding the performance of the car and a touchscreen control panel for easy access to all other functions. Honda

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Lexus GS450h, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It’s a heavy heavyweight in the premium sedan market. It features extraordinary technology, including some features other hybrids don’t offer. The GS 450h operates in gas-only or electric-only mode or a combination, for example, with little difference in performance but plenty of eco-friendly ambition. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (8) Rating of 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds. In a hybrid? Impressive is an understatement. Cargo Room (7) Nicely configured and deep trunk, but where’s the light? Side pockets pull out for easy access. Front-seat cup holders a little snug. Controls (6) Elegant dials. Nothing too high-tech. Independent temperature controls “ping” when increased or decreased. Some numbers and switches and not-so-easy to reach, so there’s a learning curve. Details (7) Wood

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Toyota Prius, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Video Review

In the video above we test the 2010 Toyota Prius V to find out if the third generation Prius can carry the torch as the hybrid car poster child and live up to Toyota‘s expectations. Here’s are some of the new Prius’ specifications: Price as Tested: $33,079.00; Engine, Transmission: Hybrid Synergy Drive 1.8L DOHC 16V VVT 4-Cylinder; Horsepower: 134; G-Tac Test Data test at 5430 feet above sea level; 1/4 Mile: 17.35 second at 67 mph 0-60 mph: 9.63 seconds; 60-0 mph stopping: 114 feet; Max Acceleration: 0.44 g’s EPA Fuel Economy Estimates, City: 51 mpg, Highway: 48 mpg; Combined: 50 mpg; As tested: 46.3 mpg; CO2 per year: 4,995 lbs. Facts & Figures: 2010 Toyota Prius Specification Details Engine

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Honda Civic (Hybrid), 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

But the 2009 Civic hybrid has a refreshed exterior design, more interior space and is more attractive than its biggest competitor. Still, the new and improved Civic hybrid isn’t an overt bargain. Among four available trims, the Civic hybrid with leather trim seats and a navigation system is now a $27,000 car. That’s pricey for a Honda Civic — until considering that the average new price of a car in the United States is now nearly $30,000. Then the Civic hybrid makes a lot more sense. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (4) With its continuously variable transmission, the Civic has a near-limitless number of gear ratios. It’s a nice feature, but none of the gears help the hybrid’s acceleration. But

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Step aside, Toyota Prius (51 mpg). Meet the 2010 Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion (61.9 mpg)

And therein lies the problem. Debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show with its sibling, the Golf R (the most powerful Golf at 270 horsepower), the second-generation Golf BlueMotion is the most fuel efficient Golf of all time. But it’s not likely going to be available in the United States, according to a report by the Car and Driver journalist attending the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. The Golf BlueMotion is currently available in Germany starting at € 21,650 (approximately $28,000). The European price includes German and EU taxes. The new Golf BlueMotion features a 1.6-liter TDI diesel engine with 105 horsepower. The power is delivered via a front-wheel, five-speed manual transmission. The Golf BlueMotion also benefits from aerodynamic changes, plus

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Auto industry dilemma: Adweek examines the selling of electric cars in the United States

The article provides details in several areas: * The Next Big Thing: More and more electric cars coming from a wider range of automakers – from BMW’s Mini-E to Nissan’s Leaf; making the move to the mass market; * Current consumer perception: “range” anxiety, higher price points, and the need to learn about more options in the category – how will automakers change minds?; * A need for the uncomplicated: educating the average consumer through advertising; * From the traditional test drive to viral marketing – marketers going all out. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this

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