Hybrid Cars

Toyota debuts two new Prius models at Detroit Auto Show

The Toyota Prius outsells all other hybrid cars combined. But Toyota knows its competitors have plenty to offer, which is why the carmaker debuted two new hybrid models at the Detroit auto show. The roomier Prius v and compact Prius c concept were introduced to complement the Prius and stable of 14 Toyota hybrid vehicles available globally. Toyota is also planning 11 more hybrid or other “green” vehicles during the next two years. Last year, sales of the Toyota Prius, first available in the U.S. in 1997, increased 36 percent last year to 140,928 units. “Prius has become to hybrids what Kleenex is to tissues and Levi’s are to jeans,” Bob Carter, Toyota brand’s U.S. chief, said at the media

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Porsche debuts new single seat hybrid sports car

Porsche unveiled its 918 RSR, single-seat hybrid coupe based on the 918 Spyder that debuted last year, at the Detroit Auto Show. Its will be produced in limited numbers next year. The 918 RSR has butterfly doors, a carbon-fiber body and a roof-mounted air intake that spins as the car moves. The racing stripes and the number 22 honor the Porsche 917 that won the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans. The engine of the new Porsch gets 767 total horsepower using flywheel technology at the wheels and a six-speed racing transmission with paddle-shifters at the steering wheel. It’s based on the same configuration found in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS hybrid. Wolfgang Durheimer, Porsche‘s chief of development, introduced the

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Tata Nano, world's cheapest car, set for U.S. debut in New York

The Nano, “the People’s Car” which debuted in India last year amid much anticipation as the newest offering of Tata Motors, is currently available in its native country. But the Nano (only one) will be make its first United States appearance as a “design achievement” at the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York. The bright yellow edition of the Nano will be on display at the Great Hall of the museum, located at 2 East 91st Street in Manhattan. The Nano will be on display with accompanying literature and pictures through mid-April. “The Cooper-Hewitt is showing the Tata Nano because, as the world’s most affordable car, it is a design achievement and it has public fancy,” said Cara Mc-Carty,

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Lexus RX, 450h, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The RX 450h no longer attracts a “wow-factor” response because it initiated a new vehicle segment. Instead, it garners attention for the same reasons as its siblings — class. In short, it deserves the manufacturer’s luxury brand high praise reputation. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (5) An increase of 27 horsepower to 295 is one of the numerous changes this year. The vehicle is also 400 pounds heavier. The new statistics don’t make a lot of acceleration difference. The hybrid won’t win a drag race off the line. But when a powerful, steady burst is necessary, the 450h is quicker than some SUVs I’ve driven equipped with V8s. Braking/Steering/Handling (6) Steady, firm braking with a surprisingly small turning radius. When

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Chicago Auto Show, 2010: New models, concept cars from Ford, Chevy, Honda, Toyota, Kia

The new Ford Edge, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Avalon, Silverado HD and of futuristic KIA Ray, were all also included. The show continues through Feb. 21. Check out Mica’s highlights from the Chicago Auto Show in the video below: 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

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Hertz plans to introduce Nissan Leaf into rental car fleet

The Leaf can seat five adults and is designed to travel up to 100 miles on a single charge. It will be available at select Hertz rental sites, though the company did not specify where. Nissan expects to begin selling the Leaf in the United States later this year. The Japanese company also plans to use its partnership with French automakers Renault to mass market electric vehicles worldwide in 2012. 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

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Toyota's rise to recall crisis: Reuters details carmaker's woes in timeline

Reuters was the first to report the recall of the top-selling Prius this week and the news service has been on the competitive edge of the ever-fluctuating automotive industry story since 2000. With Toyota‘s recall now of nine of its vehicles, Camry to Corolla, Lexus to Prius, Reuters has posted a piece its calling: “Timeline: Toyota‘s rise and run-up to its recall crisis.” It begins in 2000 when it reports Toyota launched program known as “Construction of Cost Competitiveness for the 21st Century.” Its aim was to cut costs of 180 key car parts by 30 percent, saving nearly $10 billion by 2005. The dateline is current with the latest in the series of Toyota recalls. Here’s the link: Toyota

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Ford reveals Fusion Hybrid, Milan Hybrid join Prius with braking issues

In the aftermath of Toyota’s floor mat and braking issues in nine of its models, including top-selling Camry, Corolla and Prius, Ford has also discovered potential problems with the braking system in the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid. Unlike the Prius, the Fusion and Milan hybrids don’t lose braking power while the driver steps on the brake pedal, bit it can feel that way. The cars have two separate braking systems – a regenerative system that gently slows the car by reversing the spin of its electric motor, which also recharges its batteries, and conventional brakes at the wheels. The brake pedal operates these systems electronically. But if something interferes with the electronics, it presses the

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Toyota CEO emerges from silence, outlines current woes, Prius, Lexus plans

Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda, speaking for the first time since his embattled company has recalled millions of its vehicles and is considering further recalls with Prius and perhaps Lexus models, has outlined the Japanese manufacturer’s plans. Here are the key points of what Toyoda, the grandson of the Toyota founder, said at a news conference in Nagoya, Japan, late Friday, which was shown at Toyota’s Tokyo office by satellite feed. Also included are other key points of the current Toyota scandal: * Toyota‘s president apologized for the automaker’s global recalls and promised to beef up quality control by setting up a special committee he would head himself. * Toyota is still deciding what to do to fix braking

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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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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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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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Hybrids Rule: 2008 's Top Five (Part 2)

Honda Civic — Base Price, 24,350; Safety Features, Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags; Fuel Mileage estimates, 49-51 mpg; Warranty, Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles, Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles. Economy to design, functionality to comfort, the country’s second most popular hybrid has as much to offer as any car on the road and at any price. The 2008 edition (the Civic’s 36th year) is the third year of the second generation of the hybrid and is part of the ever-expanding array of one the most enduring enduring vehicles on the road today. Long gone is the Civic’s former staid appearance. It’s now a sporty, full-sized sedan that comfortably seats five. And it has

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Nissan Altima (Hybrid), 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

A midsize sedan with strong competition among hybrid and non-hybrid family vehicles, the Altima hybrid offers surprising versatility and holds its own in many areas against non-hybrid leaders Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. There is one problem. Hybrid buyers throughout most of the country are out of lucky since the Altima hybrid is available in only eight states. My weekly test drive (in California) included a 500-mile round-trip from Sacramento to the Monterey Peninsula. As I’ve referenced many times in reviews, I make the same drive at least a half-dozen times per year and there’s no better testing conditions. High speed, wide-open freeway segments to the tight-cornered ascents and descents on and near Pacheco Pass and the San Luis Reservoir,

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Toyota Prius, Corolla, 2009: Weidel On Wheels

As a consumer and parent who usually who pays my daughter’s gas bill, her thinking is applauded and appreciated. Even with gas taking a much needed downward turn, prices are still high enough that gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles are no longer the rage. In fact, auto manufacturers are beginning stray from SUVs. With gas price still an over-riding theme and shoppers seeking value, here are two gas-conscious vehicles offered by Toyota in 2009. * Prius — A good friend owns a Prius and swears by its considerable merits. The gas mileage (he claims close to 50 mpg) is fabulous, even if you don’t drive the car like my buddy, whose road habits resemble a cautious 70-year-old woman. But even the

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Honda Begins Limited U.S. Distribution Of Hydrogen Car, Clarity

The FCX Clarity runs on hydrogen and electricity, emits only water and none of the gases believed to induce global warming. Honda began transporting the first supply of the vehicle June 16 from Takanezawa, Japan to Los Angeles. A few dozen of perhaps 200 of the vehicles expected to be available in coming months have created a buzz among Hollywood celebrities, according to the Associated Press. The news service reported actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Harris, filmmaker Christopher Guest and Ron Yerxa and businessmen Job Spallino and Jim Salomon are among the Clarity’s first customers. Honda believes its new car is two times more energy efficient than a gas-electric hybrid and three times that of a standard gasoline-powered car.

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