Hybrids
Lexus LF-LC Concept In-Depth Video Released [Video]
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Lexus debuted its LF-LC concept at this year’s Detroit International Auto Show and in doing so snagged the spotlight and our attention. We got our first look at it there and were impressed to say the least. The LF-LC concept introduces bold styling choices that force the car apart from the crowd both inside and…
Electric Vehicles Outselling Hybrids in China
Last year some 2,713 Hybrids were sold in China, out of a total of some 14.5 million cars and trucks. Yet EV sales were around double the Hybrid total; 5,655 units to be exact.
Infiniti M35h Crowned Fastest Full Hybrid in the World [Video]
Chances are a burnout is pretty far from the picture when you think of a hybrid, but in this case speed is the name of the game. Last friday we posted a story about a teaser video featuring the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid titled “World’s Fastest Full Hybrid,” but just when you thought the message was…
Fisker Cuts Sales Goals Again
Citing complex certification processes, Fisker Automotive has cut its sales target for the plug-in hybrid electric Karma once again. Initially set at 15,000 units for 2012, in November the American start-up automaker headed by renowned automotive designer Henrik Fisker shopped the forecast to 12,000 units in November. Now Fisker has reduced that goal once again,…
Toyota Yaris Hybrid Revealed: Geneva Motor Show Preview
Closing in on a year since the reveal of the Yaris HSD Concept at the Geneva Motor Show, Toyota has released the first production images of the gasoline-electric sub-compact. Sporting the front-end of the FCV-R hydrogen fuel cell concept, the Yaris Hybrid is powered by the same Hybrid Synergy Drive engine-motor combination as found in…
NHTSA Closes Chevy Volt Fire Probe
After an extensive two-month investigation into the Chevrolet Volt’s fire related incidents, the U.S. safety regulators of the National Transportation Safety Administration have announced that the case is closed. The conclusion: the Volt’s plug-in hybrid battery pack does not pose a significant fire risk following a crash. According to NHTSA’s statement, the organization “does not…
The World’s Fastest Hybrid Is? [Video]
And the world’s fastest hybrid is? The Porsche Panamera Hybrid S? Sure… that sounds believable, especially after watching the teaser video below. But wait… The hybrid Porsche sedan isn’t the only car in the clip below. Watch carefully at the 0:15 mark and you’ll see the reflection of another car in the Porsche’s shiny paint….
Toyota Prius v Out-Sells Chevy Volt in Just 10 Weeks
Earlier this month a new reports noted that Chevrolet Volt sales were more successful in its first year than the sales numbers of the Toyota Prius hybrid on its first year back in 2000. What little optimism Chevrolet might have had on the Volt’s sales performance were quickly silenced when data revealed that Toyota dealt…
Toyota Hybrid Le Mans Race Car Revealed
The dominating diesels will have a fuel economy foe at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, thanks to a new hybrid race car from Toyota. Set to compete in the top-tier LMP1 class later this year, the first photos of the hybrid electric drive prototype have hit the net, thanks to a tweet by…
Toyota NS4 Plug-in Hybrid Concept Video – First Look: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
It’s a look into the future says Toyota. Unveiled last week at the Detroit Auto Show, the NS4 plug-in hybrid concept was built to showcase a new plug-in hybrid model Toyota is planning that will sit separate from the Prius in its lineup. The car will get a next-generation hybrid drivetrain and also features several…
Toyota Prius Tuner Cars of the Tokyo Auto Salon [Gallery]
To say there’s a strong tuner car culture for hybrids in Japan might be a bit too generous. Oh, there’s no doubt the Japanese love to modify the cars, but perhaps the term “customization” is more accurate. At this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon there was the usual selection of Prius model with wild bodykits and…
Mugen CR-Z Promotes Honda Hybrid Race Program: 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon
With the launch of the CR-Z, Honda wanted to emphasize that hybrids can in fact be sporty, now the automaker is continuing to promote the idea in its home market with the Honda Sports & Eco Program. Essentially an amateur racing series it lets drivers compete using spec CR-Zs (outfitted with Mugen wheels and an…
Mugen Honda CR-Z RR Concept Double Take: 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon
Built by Honda‘s Mugen tuning division in Europe, the on-again-off-again CR-Z RR concept is, at last word, off again. So weren’t we shocked then to discover not one, but two of the cars on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon. As much as we’ll miss its good looks of the CR-Z RR with its wide…
Toyota Prius GT300 Race Car is Mean and Green: 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon
Racing a Prius might sound like the start of a joke, until you see this. Unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon in Japan, this Toyota Prius is fully prepped and sporting its race livery. Significantly wider and lower than a factor model, this Prius is designed to compete in Japan’s Super GT racing series starting…
Toyota Prius c Gets Tuner Treatment: 2012 Tokyo Auto Salon
If you’re looking to make 53 mpg look a little cooler then Toyota in-house tuning division Modelista has you covered. The style-oriented arm of Toyota has just announced a new lineup of accessories for the Prius c, which is sold as the Aqua in Japan. Already looking like a slightly-cooler Yaris, the Prius c gets…
IBM Develops Next Generation Lithium-Air Electric Battery
Electric powered vehicles have long faced challenges in battery cell packaging and the difficulties of maximizing range optimizing weight and placement. In the past, nickel-metal hydride cells failed to store enough energy to propel an EV any more than 100 miles and required a lengthy recharge after the battery depletes. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) does improve the…
Consumers Do Not Find Hybrids Appealing
For the last number of years, automakers have been pushing gas-electric products at auto shows across the world. However, according to researcher LMC Automotive, hybrid sales in the United States have slowed last year to 2.2 percent compared to 2.4 percent in 2010. Mike Jackson, chief executive of auto retail chain AutoNation Inc., said that…
NHTSA Closes Honda Accord Hybrid, Kia Sorento Investigations
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that investigations of the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Kia Sorento have both ended. The NHTSA first looked into Accord Hybrid models after initial investigations linked unintended acceleration to a fatal accident. After a thorough investigation, the agency found no evidence of defect within the Accord Hybrid. No…
Chrysler Reserves Diesel Engines For Large Vehicles
The fuel wars are heating up as automakers search for new ways to squeeze more mileage out of their cars. While some might take this chance to preach doom and gloom for future cars, Chrysler–Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne isn’t ready to call the Road Warrior just yet. Some companies are turning to electric vehicles, others…
Infiniti Extended Range Sports Car Concept Teased [Video]
Infiniti knows sexy. Their cars have flowing curves that look right at home next to car show babes, a set of golf clubs or a well-manicured lawn. That’s why it really was a tease when they released photos last October of their new extended-range electric sports car. The company is still playing coy about the…
Toyota Prius c Video – First Look: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Expanding the Prius range of vehicles to four, the new “c” model is the smallest and most affordable Prius yet. Toyota also promises it will be the most fun to drive and it will get an even higher fuel economy rating than the standard Prius with 53 mpg combined. Unveiled this week at the North…
2013 Acura ILX First Look – Video: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
With a new flagship supercar planned in the NSX Concept, Acura also unveiled a new entry-level model at the Detroit Auto Show this week. Called the ILX, it’s based on the new Honda Civic platform, but significantly modified. It also gets some distinct bodywork and three unique engine choices, including a hybrid option – the…
Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid Video – First Look: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
It should come as little surprise that Volkswagen has unveiled a new Jetta Hybrid at the Detroit Auto Show. After all, the Jetta itself was designed to appeal more to American tastes and something Americans increasingly love are hybrids. Powered by an all-new hybrid engine and getting an incredibly high fuel economy rating, watch the…
Lexus LF-LC Concept Video – First Look: 2012 Detroit Auto Show
Easily one of the stars of this year’s Detroit Auto Show, and arguably the best looking, the Lexus LF-LC hybrid coupe concept is a bold look at the future styling direction of the brand, while also hinting at a new model. With styling cues from the new GS and the LFA supercar, there’s plenty of…
