2003 Honda Civic Hybrid Car: Affordable And Green

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid

Car makers have come up with an innovation by producing vehicles that can help both the environment and the driver's budget. They have manufactured a certain type of car that can function with more than one power-source option. These are the hybrid cars. And one that offers comfort and style: 2003 Honda Civic hybrid car.

What is a Hybrid Car?

A hybrid car is a one that uses more than one energy source to power the car. A gasoline engine and an electric battery run it. These are what we now know as the Gas Electric Hybrid Cars.

A hybrid car can either be a full hybrid or an assist hybrid type. A full hybrid is a car that can run either with a gasoline engine or through batteries or both, while a gasoline engine primarily runs an assist hybrid and the battery takes charge of the gas engine when gas runs out.

There are three most popular hybrid cars in the market. The first car that had been released was the Japanese-made Toyota Prius in 1997, and then followed by Honda Insight, also a Japanese-made car, which was released to the American and Canadian markets in 1999. A few years later, Honda again released another hybrid car: the Honda Civic hybrid.

Features of the Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda Company developed another option for hybrid car lovers. This model is a bigger and better hybrid car, which is competitive with other previously manufactured hybrid cars.

Physical Structure

The 2003 Honda Civic hybrid looks like the first released Honda hybrid car, the Civic Insight but this has four doors instead of just two. This car has 174.8 inches length, 67.5 inches width and 56.3 inches height. It weighs around 2,700 pounds. It can accommodate a maximum of 5 passengers and can carry weight up to 435 kilos. Its trunk has a volume of 10.1 cubic feet. The body is made from steel.

The car comes out in two colors. These are magnesium metallic and gray.

Interior

2003 Honda Civic Hybrid is neatly structured. All parts are well distributed and located. All the controls are grouped together which makes it easier to manage and control. It also has a storage area that has enough space to fit a wallet or a coin purse found at the center area between the driver and the passenger. In addition, it also has a glass-holder. It is very convenient for placing your beverages.

The gauge meters are colorfully made. It comes with blue color and is easier to read especially during nighttime when light is limited.

The interior has a classic color of black and tan. The seats are covered with a suede-like cloth that is very soft and it also has a new pattern design. The back part has a wide area where passengers can move freely and with ease.

Technology

The Honda Civic hybrid car has a 1.3 liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, with 85 horsepower at 5,700 rpm. It has 47/48 (highway/city) fuel consumption. It has an Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system wherein the gasoline engine stops and the battery works in place of it.

Advantages Of Hybrids Over Conventional Cars

Like other hybrids, this car consumes less gas, which can be seen clearly when the distance of travel is gauged. It likewise produces lesser carbon dioxide to the environment. With the conventional cars, the amount of the carbon dioxide is equal to the fuel that is used. Once the carbon dioxide released is decreased, there will also be lesser chances of pollution, thereby decreasing the factors that can affect global warming.

Since there is lesser consumption of gasoline, your budget for gasoline is considerably less.

Aside from these, the maintenance of the car is not as frequent as a conventional car. Motor and batteries of a hybrid car do not involve any special attention because they do not bring out as much carbon dioxide as the other cars. The brake pads in hybrid cars are not frequently used so it lasts longer as compared to the conventional car's brake pads.

In the US, tax breaks are available to those individuals who use hybrids, such as 2003 Honda Civic hybrid. This is the way for the government to support the car manufacturers and drivers who likewise help clean the environment.

Chevrolet Volt Attracts New Customers

Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet has introduced a new demo program to help spread the word about their new 2011 Chevrolet Volt. They now have demo cars at dealerships in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. Chevrolet has sent more than 550 Volts for the use of customer test drives. The program has been working so well, that Chevrolet plans to keep expanding the program to give more Chevy Volts to more dealerships. Chevy expects to have demo Volts in more than 2,500 U.S. dealerships by the end of the year. According to GM, almost 9 out of 10 customers who traded in a vehicle for their purchase are new to the Chevy brand. That is why Chevy has decided to allocate so many vehicles to dealers for demo purposes instead of selling them to customers. Buyers need to experience driving the electric car before they even consider buying one. That is why GM has decided to make this program part of their plan to gain exposure for the Volt and Chevy brand.

The Volt not only gains exposure for Chevy, but it is also bringing more customers to dealerships across the United States for a test drive. Rick Alpern, general manager of Keyes Chevrolet in Van Nuys, California explains, "The Volt is clearly bringing new customers to our dealership. We are seeing customers who own competitive brands that have never visited a Chevy dealership before. Now they have a Chevy on their shopping list because of the Volt."

The Volt is also gaining exposure for Chevrolet's line of gas friendly vehicles such as the Cruze, Equinox, and Malibu. The Volt is Chevrolet's newest and least familiar gas friendly car. However with the Volt's extended-range ability, the Volt is becoming very popular among gas friendly cars. The Volt has a total driving range of 379 miles. The first 35 miles can be driven without gas and tailpipe emissions using a full charge of electricity from its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the battery gets low, a gas-powered engine/generator flawlessly operates to extend the driving range to another 344 miles with a full tank. Although Chevrolet used to announce a 40-mile extended range, the more realistic value is closer to 35 miles. However some economical Volt owners have gone a month without filling up with gas and have plugged in more often instead. With gas prices on the rise, the Chevy Volt is the perfect vehicle for anyone looking to save money.

Hybrid Sports Cars 2011

2011 Nissan Hybrid Sports Car 370Z

Many car manufacturers are building the hybrid cars. Now some of the car manufacturers like Nissan, Mazda, Ferrari, BMW and Toyota have entered in the business of manufacturing the hybrid sports cars.

The "hybrid car" term refers to the vehicle that moves on two or more power sources. One of the power source used in these types of cars is electric motors to drive the engine. The other power source is possibly the internal combustion engine. The car may run on either, -a petrol or a diesel engine. Hybrid cars are fuel-efficient cars. As they run on two power sources, they generate enormous power.

2011 Nissan Hybrid Sports Car 370Z Hybrid:

Nissan has launched a hybrid sports car named 370Z Hybrid in 2011. It has 3.7 liter engine and the fuel efficiency in this sports car is increased up to 50%. It is equipped with excellent interior features. It has the 3.7 liter V6 engine equipped with the six speed gearbox.
It is not that this hybrid car is faultless. The coupe version of this car is quite noisy when equipped with larger wheels and tires. This car generates the power of 332 hp at 7000 rpm. It has the options for manual transmission and automatic transmission.

The manual transmission comes with six-speed gears while the automatic transmission features seven speed gears with the manual shift assist.

The 2011 Nissan sports car gives the fuel efficiency of 18 mpg and 25 mpg respectively in traffic and on highway. This hybrid vehicle is far more superior to its predecessor non-hybrid model. It does not sacrifice any of the previous performance or power in the new hybrid version of the car.

This sports car is available in three models - a standard entry level model, a touring car, and the 370Z touring with sport package option. The cost of these cars ranges between $37,520 and $43,890.

Other Hybrid Sports Car Brands:

Apart from Nissan, Porsche is in the process of developing two hybrid cars. The hybrid version of 918 is claimed to have out-standing fuel efficiency of 78 mpg. It is said to be the plug-in hybrid with the 500 hp engine and two electric motors that add up to 250 hp of extra power. The car can drive up to 16 miles on the electric engine in E drive mode.

The Honda CR-Z is a hybrid sports car manufactured by Honda. It gives the fuel efficiency of 59mpg. It has the 1.5 liter engine capacity combined with the power of 122 hp.

Ferrari 250 GT 'Tour De France': One of the Most Beautiful Cars Ever Made!

Ferrari 250 GT

From 1954 to 1959, Ferrari manufactured approximately 100 long wheel base (LWB) chassis, 250 GT coupes. They were aimed primarily at doing battle in sports car endurance racing events world wide. These beautiful cars hold the distinction of being the longest running road and race production series in Ferrari's history! Shortly after their introduction, one of the very first variants won at the 1956 Bahamas Race Week, held in Nassau. This win was to be the beginning of Ferrari's domination of GT racing with three-liter sports cars.

As they crushed their competition in races like the Tour de France (TdF), as well as other important sports car events, these Ferrari's became the ride of choice among top drivers of the period. Starting in the city of Nice and taking several days and over 3000 miles to run, The Tour de France was a prestigious event in GT racing of that time. In true rally fashion, it tested car design and ability, as well as driver's skill and endurance. The Tour de France punished both car and driver in grueling road rally, circuit and hill climb stages. This mega-race was so hard that in some years of it's running; 70% of entrants would never finish to take the checkered flag! After Ferrari took the top three places at the 1957 TdF, the organizers lent their event's name to this winning car that seemed to own the race.

The one thing that is common to these one hundred legendary cars is their 3 liter engine. The design of this engine was headed by Gioacchino Colombo and would be the smaller of two engines developed by Ferrari. After a very serious accident at LeMans in 1955, the three liter displacement limit was imposed by race officials in an attempt to slow cars, get them slightly more balanced in the area of power to weight and ultimately lessen the chance of high speed accidents. This powerplant was the answer to those new restrictions. Ferrari's new three liter engine was still fully capable of producing 230 to 250 horsepower with plenty of torque to slingshot the little GT car to winning speeds.

Each LWB chassis received a hand-crafted body. The look was based on several Pinin Farina show cars. Most bodies were built by Scaglietti & Co, however, Zagato (of Milan) who was revered for their lightweight construction techniques, bodied some consistently competitive examples. Continuous development, and bodies crafted by hand make no two 250 GT Berlinettas the same. Changes made to the body from year to year, as well as subtle details such as sliding or wind-up windows, cowled, covered or open headlights; not to mention an array of hood louvers and scoops give each car a unique personality. The first TdF's were fashioned after the Ferrari 250 Mille Miglia, both sporting rear ends much like Aston Martin's DB5. Later appearance changes included smaller rear windscreens, the addition of C pillar louvers to aid cockpit cooling and more pronounced rear fenders. By 1959, a new front end included open headlights to comply with Italian law.

To see these cars in action is breathtaking. They are beautiful to watch and deadly to compete against. I've seen old black and white footage of the 1960 Grand Prix D'Europe (TdF) which shows these cars at their competitive best. You need to watch them in action to fully understand what they were to auto racing history and fine car design.

Insight to 2010 Dodge RAM

Dodge RAM

The new RAM from Dodge comes with all new design features and styles. The release of diesel powered Dodge RAM is expected to be delayed, but the hybrid version of RAM will hit the market by the end of 2010.

The hybrid powertrains to be equipped in the new RAM model will be produced as a joint venture by BMW, Mercedes and General Motors. It will be similar to the engine found in the models like GMC Sierra gas electric hybrid pickup and Chevrolet Silverado.

The next generation RAM comes powered by a 5.7 liter pushrod hemi V8 engine that can produce mileage of 25 miles per gallon. The new RAM model is expected to have the towing capacity of 6100 pounds.

The 2010 Dodge RAM will be offered in five trim levels namely Power Wagon, ST, TRX, SLT and Laramie. The bumpers, hood and grille are unique to the heavy duty models, but reflect the light duty RAM model released in the model year 2009. The hood in the new variant will be taller when compared with the previous versions and is provided so as to provide more cooling capacity.

The 2010 Dodge RAM 1500 has regular base, and short bed pickup cab comes powered with 3.7 liter V6 engine that can produce power up to 157 kilo watts at the rate of 5200 rotations per minute and torque of 235 lb ft at the rate of 4000 rotations per minute. The 3701 cc 3.7 liter V6 comes with the compression ratio of 9.7, two valves per cylinder, 93 mm bore length, and 90.8 mm stroke length.

How to Buy a Used Hybrid Car

Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Cars are cars that require two or more sources of power for their operation. The biggest reason for the popularity of used hybrid cars is their tremendous potential of reducing the consumption of fuel and exhaustion of the emissions. The level of advancement of the batteries, along with the advanced technology pertaining to usage of power has majorly commercialized their use.

The initiation of the manufacturing and sale was done in the 1960s when the US Congress made the launch of bills with the basic premise that their production will lead to reduction in air pollution as well as the development of an alternative mode of transport. The energy transmitted from the electric motor is cleaner comparatively and emit lower quantity of toxins. The range of power is very long making these cars very economical to the users.

Moreover, in order to promote their sales, the US Government under President Bush started giving tax benefits to the purchasers since 2006. Although the initial cost of the cost is comparatively higher while purchasing, the subsequent maintenance costs are pretty lower. The users will get tax credits as per the decreased level of consumption of gasoline and the saving of fuel over the lifetime of the vehicle.

It has been proposed that about 20% of each major city in the United States must have a fleet of hybrid cars by 2015 and measures are being taken to impose the same because the highest level of emission of carbon-di-oxide is in the US. Some of the notable eco-friendly cars on the market include the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV, the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid SUV, the Toyota Highlander SUV, the Dodge Ram, the Mercury Mariner SUV, the Chevy Silverado pickup, the Sierra pickup, and the Dodge Ram pickup. These cars have a big market for first-time sales and a bigger market for second hand cars. The cheapest of them has been launched by Honda named the new 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid model and is worth $19,950. BMW ActiveHybrid 7 has been priced at approximately $102,500; while the Chevrolet Tahoe costs $37,500. The Cadillac Escalade is worth $62,500. These enable saving of hundreds of dollars by purchasing new hybrid cars.

Used hybrid cars gained significance maximum in the last decade because of the tremendous reduction in the demand for oil in comparison to normal cars. The principal source of energy for these cars is electricity and not oil. The most benefitted companies are the technology and the utility ones, who have become leaders in the auto segment with respect to the used hybrid cars. Even the level of efficiency rises in case of these cars since they give higher mileage.

Luxury Debuts - Lexus Hybrid and Porsche Panamera

Lexus Hybrid

Lexus Hybrid 2009

Playing in advance, Lexus presented the next generation of the RX Suv at Los Angeles car show that will arrive to the market in June 2009. Changing the design of the headlights and the muzzle, with much more imposing grille and bumper.

The rear is more squared and cornered then the previous model, but the shape of the trapezoidal headlights helps make the line more slender. There are some changes that even more evident: the inclination of the pavilion and new lines of side windows make the RX 450h a cleaner version.

There are more news under the hood: the heat propeller, a 3.5 petrol V6 now develops 295 horse powers, that make it 27 more than the previous model. Among the innovations there are also two energy recovery systems that act on the start & stop and the exhaust recirculation. The non-hybrid version, the RX 350, has the same V6, paired with a sequential six-speed transmission. The first data on consumption of 450h speak of an average of 14.8 kilometers per liter with CO2 emissions equal to 192 g / km.

Porsche Panamera

 Porsche Panamera

The new Porsche Panamera, the German four-door is just stunning! It seems Panamera wants to shout to the whole world "I have four seats and four doors!" On the other hand Porsche has increased its dimensions: this super sedan is huge beauty of 1931 mm wide and 4970 mm long, with considerable height for a GT of 1418 mm. One thing we know for certain, the survival rate of the driver and passengers after impact will be significant because we are close to the size of a BMW 7 Series or Mercedes A Class S.

The V8 engine that powers the Panamera vary from 300 to 500 hp and will be available in both turbo and direct injection with manual or six-speed dual shift, better known by the unpronunciabile name Porsche-Doppelkupplung ( PDK). Then we are waiting for a recently announced hybrid, a revolution in the revolution.

2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid Review

Ford Fusion Hybrid

Body Style and Trim Level:

2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a mid size hybrid vehicle available with single trim option. This single trim model is armored with some standard accessories like 17 inch alloy wheel, blind spot mirrors, rear parking sensors, My key system which limits audio volume and top speed, automatic headlamps, keyless entry with security code pad, cruise control, eight way driver and four way passenger power seats, dual zone automatic climate control, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, leather wrapped steering wheel, eco friendly cloth upholstery, auto dimming rear view mirror, Ford Sync electronic interface which include Bluetooth, Voice command and I-Pod control and audio system with six speakers, satellite radio, CD or MP3 Player, steering wheel mounted controls and specialized gauge cluster.

2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is also offered with Moon and Tune value package which include some advanced features such as Sony audio system with 12 speakers and upgraded sunroof. Driver's vision Package includes blind spot warning system with cross traffic alert and rear view camera. 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid can also be armored with some optional features such as voice controlled navigation system, 10 GB of digital music storage, single CD or MP3 player, Sirius travel link with real time weather, traffic and other information.

Engine and Performance:

2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is armored with dual powertrain which include 2.5 L capacity four cylinder gasoline engine and pared with electric motor capable of generating 191 HP of power. This combo powertrain is mated with continuously variable automatic transmission and front wheel drive channel. This sedan is capable of accelerating from zero to 60 MPH in 8.7 seconds which is quick for a hybrid vehicle.

Specifications:

* Base Number of Cylinders: 4
* Base Engine Size: 2.5 liters
* Base Engine Type: Inline 4
* Horsepower: 191 HP
* Drive Type: FWD
* Turning Circle: 37.5 feet

Mileage:

* City: 41 MPG
* Highway: 36 MPG
* Combined: 39 MPG

Design and Performance:

Fusion Hybrid is offered with high quality interior feature which include soft touch material and attractive dash layout. Center stack of this sedan is bit populated with control buttons which presents austere look. Sync system is integrated with Bluetooth and audio functions along with voice recognition technology. Ford Fusion Hybrid is offered with a distinctive dash layout which houses pair of color display, dubbed smart gauges and traditional speedometer. Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan offers plenty of room for front occupants and commendable position behind the steering wheel. Cargo space of this sedan is much smaller than Toyota Pirus and slightly bigger than Altima and Camry Hybrids.

Dimensions:

* Length: 190.6 inch
* Width: 72.2 inch
* Height: 56.9 inch
* Wheel Base: 107.4 inch
* Curb Weight: 3720 pounds
* Gross Weight: 4701 pounds
* Front Head Room: 38.7 inch
* Front Hip Room: 54 inch
* Front Shoulder Room: 57.4 inch
* Rear Head Room: 37.8 inch
* Rear Shoulder Room: 56.5 inch
* Rear Hip Room: 53.3 inch
* Front Leg Room: 42.3 inch
* Rear Leg Room: 36.7 inch
* Luggage Capacity: 11.8 cubic feet
* Maximum Cargo Capacity: 12 cubic feet
* Maximum Seating: 5

Safety:

2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is armored with some standard safety accessories which include stability control, antilock disc brakes, full length side curtain airbags,, front seat, My-Key, rear parking sensors, blind spot warning system, traction control.

This sedan has gained GOOD rating for both side impact crash and frontal crash protection from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Other Specifications:

* Front Brake Type: 11.8 inches ventilated disc integrated regenerative braking
* Rear Brake Type: 11 inch solid disc integrated regenerative braking
* Steering System: rack and pinion power steering with Speed proportional electric assist
* Steering Ratio: 16.0:1
* Front Suspension Type: Independent, coil springs, double wishbones and stabilizer bar
* Rear Suspension Type: Independent, coil springs, multilink and stabilizer bar
* Front Tire Size: P 225/50 R 17 93 V
* Rear Tire Size: P 225/50 R 17 93 V
* Tire Brand: Michelin
* Tire Model: Energy MX V4 S-8 M+S
* Tire Type: All Season
* Wheel Size: 17 X 7.5 inches front and rear
* Wheel Material: Aluminum alloy (front/rear)
* Manufacturer Curb Weight: 3720 Pounds
* Curb Weight As Tested: 3801 Pounds
* Weight Distribution, F/R: 59/41 (%)
* Recommended Fuel: 87 Octane unleaded
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 17 Gallons

2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Pros:

Engage Handling

Spacious interior

Useful Sync system

Excellent fuel economy

Comfortable ride

Cons:

Dash is packed with button interface

Significant Premium price

Ferrari Enzo Extremely Fast With V12 Engine

Ferrari Enzo

This car is known as "Enzo", the name was taken from the Ferrari founder's name, first announced at the 2002 at Paris Motor Show. The Enzo produced very limited to keep this car still exclusive, only produced as much as 400 units while it predecessor only produced 349 cars, and since its launch, all units have been sold out even though the price reach $1 million.

Following it Predecessor
Equipped with 12-cylinder (V12) mid-engine that make Enzo fastest in the street, also featured with several F1-technology, the design is based on it predecessor Ferrari F40, both are using the same engine, The F50 was introduced in 1995 to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary.

Engine Specifications
Enzo is sports car designed with machine on center with 43.9/56.1 (front / rear) weight distribution. This machine is known use at Ferrari's F140 65, namely V12 (A V12 engine is a "V" engine with 12 cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of six cylinders) with 4 valves per cylinder, double overhead cams and variable valve timing. Using a Bosch Motronic ME7 fuel injection is used and naturally aspirated engines. It replaces the 5998 cc (366 in) and produces 660 PS (485 kW, 651 hp) at 7800 rpm and 657 N m (485 pounds · ft) at 5500 rpm redline is 8000 rpm.

Chassis and it performance
Enzo uses semi-automatic transmission (also known as the F1 gearbox) using paddles to control automatic shifting and clutch mechanism, with LED lights on the steering wheel that can convey a message to the driver when to change gear. gearbox has a shift time of just 150 milliseconds.

With a configuration such that Enzo can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km / h) 3:14 (3.1) seconds and can reach 100 mph (160 km / h) in just 6.6 seconds ¼ mile (~ 400 m) time. Is 11.0 at 136 mph (219 km / h) and top speed has been recorded to as high as 363 kilometers per hour (226 mph).

New Luxury Nissan Hybrid Launched

Nissan CR-Z

Japanese car manufacturer, Nissan Motor Co. showcased the new gas-electric hybrid, called Fuga in Tokyo, Japan. The hybrid will hit the market in Japan on Nov. 2. The price starts from 5.8 million yen (Rs. 32 lakh) - much expensive than the regular petrol version which starts at about 4.3 million yen (Rs. 23.5 lakh).

It will be launched in US markets early 2011. It will be launched in Europe also but the date has not been fixed yet. Nissan hopes to sell 200 vehicles a month in Japan.

Nissan's Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga while interacting with the press said that sales will likely be bigger than 200 in the U.S., where the Infiniti is already popular. He declined to give any number or reveal the price tag.

Mileage of the new hybrid Nissan Fuga is estimated at 19 km/liter under Japanese test-driving conditions, which is about double the comparable gas-engine vehicle. Mileage for the U.S. is still unclear, according to sources in Nissan.

The luxury car boasts of same stylish design, opulent interiors and top-of-the-line sound system that are synonymous with the Infiniti luxury brand.

The hybrid version switches between a gasoline engine and an electric motor to deliver a more fuel efficient drive, cutting down on gas emissions and increasing mileage 100%.

Nissan's COO declared that "This premium car delivers both the highest quality mileage and the highest quality drive".

The Nissan hybrids power is stored in a lithium-ion battery. It is similar to what you will find in electronic gadgets such as laptops. Nissan has collaborated with Japanese electronic giant NEC Corp. for battery development.

Nissan's rival Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid uses traditional nickel metal hydride batteries. Recently, all major automakers have been experimenting with newer lithium-ion for powering cars.

Nissan has been lacking a mass-produced hybrid in its stable. It's only hybrid Altima sedan, sold only in the U.S., uses Toyota 's hybrid system. Nissan decided to develop its own hybrid system. COO Shiga said Nissan is working on other hybrid models, including smaller models, but did not divulge any details.

The launch of the Fuga points to the fact that Nissan is trying hard to catch up with its more illustrious rival Toyota. Nissan is playing catch up to Toyota which has hybrid versions of its Lexus models. Even Honda also offers hybrid versions of Insight, Fit and CR-Z.

Nissan's focus in recent years has been zero emission vehicles as declared by Nissan's CEO Carlos Ghosn. There commitment to this endeavor can be seen in Leaf electric vehicle which is ready for launch in December, 2010.

Ford Fusion Version 2010 - The Winner of the Price of Motor Trend Magazine

Ford Fusion Version 2010

Ford Fusion and namely the 2010 version, is the winner of the price - Car of the year, of the Motor Trend magazine. The blue oval model managed to survive among the extremely strong competition, where the rivals against the Fusion were 23 other cars, among which was Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, BMW 7 Series D¸ Mercedes-Benz E-Class. But the company of Ford showed its flexibility in these hard times, providing the car users and the car market with one remarkable car and charming car for the great majority of drivers. The editor-in-chief of Motor Trend magazine - Angus MacKenzie was very pleased with the new version of Ford Fusion and the fact that, this car is competitive with car that are best sellers like Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. He also added that it is not surprising the fact that Fusion entered in the list of 10 top sold cars in the United States.

The new Fusion managed to win the price of the magazine because this model has combined all the things desired from a new model of a car - it has a good quality, it has a good price, it is well-equipped, and there is a possibility for the customer to choose from sport of hybrid modification.

The American Ford Fusion has nothing to do with the car with same name that is selling in Europe. The American sedan is manufactured on the platform of Mazda 6 and the basis engine is four-cylinder petrol unit with volume 2.5 liters. The car could be also found with six-cylinder petrol unit engines with volume 3.0 and 3.5 liters. And as we mentioned early this model of Ford Fusion has also a hybrid version that uses engine with volume 2.5 liters but reduced to 152 hp power there is also a version with electro motor with power of 106 hp. The fuel consumption for the hybrid is about 5.7 liters for 100 kilometers.

In the long 60 year story of the price "Car of the year", models from the Ford factory have been winners 11 times. The magazine chooses each year off road car of the year too and this year the price winner was again Ford but this time Ford F-150.

The new model of Ford Fusion is one remarkable car, it has a great appearance and it also provides the drivers with one flawless driving experience. And further more the tempting price has made this car one of the most preferred in the United States of America for the last year. This time the designers and the engineers from Ford has come up with one great suggestion for all drivers who are looking not only for a good looks of the car, but for great performance and a price that is not so unreachable by the casual car user.

Best Honda CRZ Hybrid Features

Honda CRZ Hybrid

The Honda CRZ hybrid is one of the most recent models to be introduced into the automotive industry by the Honda Motor Company. The car has had great success since its release into the world. The small hybrid car starts at just $19,200. We are going to take a look at a few of the best features available on this model.

Our ultimate favorite feature of this car has to be the fact that it is a hybrid model. The hybrid technology helps the driver attain an impressive 35 miles per gallon in the city and 39 miles per gallon on the highway. This fuel efficiency makes this car a great option for those that have a very long daily commute that they will be making; it would make a great commuter car. This also means that you will not only be saving money on gas, but you will also be emitting much fewer emissions than you would be in a less fuel efficient model.

Our next favorite feature is the looks of this new model, it reminds us of the older Honda CRX model. The CRX was very widely known among tuning companies and is a very popular choice for a track car today. The New Honda CRZ is very comparable in size to the old CRX and the styling is very similar. The car has two doors and has a hatchback which allows owners to put very large items in the trunk of the car. I'm hoping that the CRZ will eventually become a popular choice for auto tuners to make a hybrid track car.

The Toyota RAV4 EV Is Making A Comeback

The Toyota RAV4 EV

Between 1997 and 2003 Toyota released an all electric version of its popular RAV4 sport utility vehicle.

If you are unfamiliar with the RAV4, it's considered a compact crossover SUV that is considered one of the more fuel efficient vehicles in its class. While the gas powered RAV4 SUV is very popular, the electric RAV4 was not.

Between 1997 and 2003 sales were flat. Not many people were interested in an all electric SUV.

Now, the electric RAV4 is about to make a comeback. In 2010, Toyota announced a partnership with Tesla Motors to develop a new electric RAV4, which will be called the RAV4 EV. It is predicted to be out sometime in 2012. While there is still some time before the RAV4 EV hits the market, here are some things you need to know about it if you are thinking of buying one.

Like all electric vehicles the RAV4 EV will have a lithium battery. According to Toyota, it will be a lithium metal oxide battery with an output range around 30 kwh. Additionally the body of the RAV4 EV will be much different than the typical body of a standard RAV4. The front bumper, grille, headlamps, and fog lamps have all been redesigned. The new look gives the electric SUV an aerodynamic look. The RAV4 EV will also have a custom paint job as well as special logos that separate it from standard RAV4 SUVs.

Inside the new RAV4, there will be new seating and trim. It will include a multimedia dashboard as well as a push-button shifter. It will also have a 73 cubic foot cargo area when you fold down the rear seats. By comparison the standard 2011 RAV4 does not have all of these features. But if you can't wait for the RAV4 EV the standard RAV4 is a quality vehicle.

The 2011 RAV4 starts at $21,925 and has a variety of options such as integrated floor lamps, electronic on demand 4 wheel drive and many other options. In terms of gas mileage, it gets 22 miles per gallon during city driving and 28 miles per gallon during highway driving.

According to Toyota, the new RAV4 EV SUVs are testing around the 100 mile range before they need a charge. However this number may change once the vehicle is put into production in 2012.

Since the RAV4 EV is not due out until 2012, you will have some time to consider whether or not this is the right vehicle for you.

The benefits of electric cars include the fact that you're helping the environment. These types of cars decrease the United States' dependence on oil. However, it may be difficult to find qualified mechanics to work on these vehicles once they come out.

Toyota Prius - Fuel Efficient Car

Toyota Prius

Hybrid cars are gaining good currency among the car user. The main reason of the popularity is the fuel efficient quality. Toyota Prius is one of the most popular cars when it's come to Hybrid cars. With the ever rising fuel prices, this model seems to viable option. Toyota motors launched one of hybrid car, named Prius in India, in 2009. The best part of this vehicle is that both petrol and an electric motor can be used to run.

In comparison to other cars, the hybrid cars are much more fuel efficient and have the ability to run from petrol and diesel. The release levels are also much less and prove to be great environment-friendly. It is quite roomy vehicle occupy five passengers and allow them to seat comfortably. The balanced dash has an innovative look and feel to it, missing a conventional gear lever and selecting for a digital gear system instead.

However, the instrument panel has been turned to the top of the dashboard, and displays important information such as speed, battery charge amount as well as and fuel economy. When its come to safety features, it is equipped with a numbers of safety features such as seven airbags, traction control, all-disc antilock brakes, and an electronic constancy system among others.

The engine of Toyota Prius is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor powered by a Ni-MH battery pack. The Prius contains many high-tech features into its engine, including an electric water pump, exhaust gas upturn, and regenerative braking, all in the name of effectiveness.

Honda Civic Hybrid And Petrol Car Model Overview

Honda Civic Hybrid

A Honda Civic is a compact car that comes with plush interior, exhilarating drive, stylish look and advanced technology. Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI) launched the sedan in India in 2006 and is the eighth generation Civic. The model was face-lifted in 2009 September and recently re-launched a special variant, equipped with additional features of cruise control system in steering wheel, rear windscreen sunshade and many more. A Honda Civic is the entry level sedan on D-segment that competes with Skoda Laura, Chevrolet Cruze, Skoda Octavia and Toyota Corolla. Honda Civic is available as the petrol versions and hybrid versions. The petrol version comes with three variants - 1.8 S MT, 1.8 V MT and 1.8 V. The hybrid version comes with 1.3 L engine with constant variable transmissions. The petrol version also comes with Inspire and Elegance models. Honda Civic price ranges between 12 lacs and 14.5 lacs.

Honda Civic Engine and Specifications

The Civic has a 1.8L, 4-cylinders, 1799 cc, i-VTEC petrol engine that has a capacity to crank the maximum power of 132 PS at the rate of 6300 rpm and maximum torque of 17.5 kgm at the rate of 4300 rpm. Both automatic and manual transmission variants come with five speed gearbox along with the paddle shift, which ensures to give powerful acceleration. The advanced i-VTEC technology plays significant role in performance, fuel economy and engine power. The Civic exterior measures 4545 mm in length, 1750 mm in width and 1450 mm in height. Wheelbase of 2700 mm, ground clearance of 170 mm and the Kerb weight is 1240 kg.

Honda Civic Performance

The manual and the automatic transmissions deliver smooth ride. Installation of advanced i-VTEC technology assures to deliver quality engine performance with better fuel efficiency and fast acceleration. i-VTEC technology has throttle system and drive-by-wire that make sure to keep the exhilaration active even after the ride is completed. With the help of computer assistance the throttle valve is controlled by electric gesture as a replacement for of traditional mechanic wire.

Honda Civic Exterior, Interior and Safety

The entire (both front and rear) has sporty appearance, as the front portion is fully covered with sporty components that come with smoky headlights; the lower grille of the front portion is placed at the center with fog lamps at both the edges with metallic coat and Honda logo placed in the middle. The Base model provides body color door handles and door protectors and the higher ends come with chrome plated handles. The rear trunk and the rear bumper go well with each other. Honda Civic has cockpit styled interiors that compliments with its stylish exterior. The sedan is equipped with auto AC system that ensures to deliver even chillness to the entire chalet. An elegant instrumental cluster is neatly placed on the dashboard along side the audio system with CD-player and an audio control in the armrest of the rear side.

As part of safety system the Civic is equipped with the standard safety systems like Electronic Break Force Distribution (EBD), Anti-breaking System (ABS), SRS Airbags for driver and front passenger, pre-tensioned seat belts and so on.

Nissan Leaf Vs Chevy Volt

Chevy Volt

Nissan Leaf

Two of the top competing electric/hybrid vehicles currently on the market in the USA happen to be Nissan's Leaf and Chevy's Volt. While the Volt is actually a hybrid vehicle that has a rather extensive range, and the Leaf is purely an electrical vehicle, the two models do share some similarities as far as price, mileage per charge or per gallon (Volt) and safety specs are concerned. Let's take a look at how they stack up to one another, and even take a peek at their pricing so you can decide which one is best suited for your needs.

Overall Range

The Leaf is the winner as far as being most environmentally friendly is concerned. It has an engine capable of just over 100 horsepower and on a full charge it can go just over 70 miles; however, it takes a few hours to charge up the high performance battery. The Volt makes sense for green drivers that want more out of their money at the pump. You can get about 35 miles on a charge and nearly 400 miles from a full tank of gas. Volt offers 37 MPG, whereas the Leaf offers about 99 MPGe, which the Volt ranks near to at 93 MPGe.

Features and Specs/Safety

The Volt offers a spacious cabin with seating for four, and has some unique styling features that are very desirable, high-tech and futuristic. The Leaf also offers this same couture of design. However, the Leaf seats five persons, not four, and is a bit more spacious. The federal government has not yet performed its crash test ratings on either of these models. Both models feature full airbags and anti-lock brakes, and the Volt even offers a pedestrian alert function.

Pricing

With most hybrid and electric vehicles that are available these days, you will have to pay a bit more money than you would for normal gas-powered cars. Still, these two models offer some competitive prices and serious bang for your buck. The Leaf actually beats out the Volt by nearly 8,000 dollars, which is shocking. A well equipped Volt will run you around 40k, whereas a similarly equipped Leaf will only cost you about 32k, mostly because the vehicle is smaller than the Volt and costs less to manufacture.

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid - The New Green SUV

Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

Porsche made its place in the world when it came out with the Cayenne hybrid SUV. Even though it was a luxury car it still drove like a sports car and unlike any other SUV, the Porsche Cayenne had precision and the customers loved it. The original "bellied" look, the five seat cabin, dual range, and precise steering and brakes, made it appealing.

The newest model has improved greatly from the Classic Cayenne. The body style has been upped; eight-speed automatic transmissions have been added to the wheel and come in four different types: the beginning Cayenne, S model, Cayenne Turbo and the S Hybrid. The gas/electric model is the newest yet, but the customers seem to love it. The mileage on the hybrid is much higher than other cars. Also when the driver lifts his foot the car shifts into electric mode and is able to reach high speeds.

If the car is stopped for too long it will automatically shut down the engine, thanks to the new Auto-Stop feature. In the U.S. the driver must turn on this function, but in the European one it has already been activated. But as with every luxury car there is a drawback the case of the Porsche it's the price, the simplest model begins at $46,000 and can go up to $100,000. The hybrid is much more almost $67,000, which makes it the most expensive SUV on the market. But this hasn't been able to stop sales in the least, and about two hundred and eighty thousand have been sold.

Customers have also complained about the cramped space of the rear seat, and small cargo area. The gadgets that come along with the car are also difficult to understand so most of the buyers just use them as show. The 2011 model hasn't been tested yet it still has the protection application: Park Assist, Stability Management (which makes the car stable in dangerous circumstances), Lane Change Assistant, Cruise Control and Dynamic arch Lights. It comes with a four-year fifty thousand-mile warranty.

Some buyers have said that the SUV doesn't do very well over tough terrain. And this is sad but true, even though it has all this impressive off-road hardware, it still struggles in rough terrain. The Cayenne has only one very close competitor and this is the Volkswagen Touareg. the are almost the same but the Touareg starts at $6,000 less than the Porsche, and many consider it a better option of choice then the Cayenne. But if you want a car that is sleek, has a sporty look and has a fine driving record, then the Porsche is what you should get even if it might cost a little more.

Hyundai Accent Gas Mileage

Hyundai Accent

If you're in the market for a new car and you have been eying the seemingly unstoppable rise in oil prices, mileage is likely more important than every. Compact cars like the Hyundai Accent have been renowned for great gas mileage without the drawback of a much higher cost like you will see in comparable hybrid models like the Prius. The Hyundai Accent fuel economy has only continued to grow more efficient, and Hyundai has made a commitment to making sure their entry level models give consumers the most bang for their buck.

The Accent is broken down into two types: The two door hatchback model and the slightly more popular 4 door sedan. You will notice slight variations on mileage, with much of that depending on the transmission type you choose. As a general rule, manual transmissions eek out slightly better mileage than their automatic counterparts. Here is a break down of the Hyundai Accent's gas mileage by model year for the previous 5 years (expressed in miles per gallon).

    * 2007 Hatchback: 27 miles per gallon city/32 highway
    * 2007 Sedan: 27 miles per gallon city/32 highway
    * 2008 Hatchback: 27 miles per gallon city/32 highway
    * 2008 Sedan: 27 miles per gallon city/32 highway
    * 2009 Hatchback: 27 mpg city/33 highway
    * 2009 Sedan: 27 mpg city/33 highway
    * 2010 Hatchback: 27 mpg city/36 highway
    * 2010 Sedan: 28 mpg city/34 highway
    * 2011 Hatchback: 28 mpg city/34 highway
    * 2011 Sedan: 28 mpg city/34 highway

Going forward, the company has also pledged to increase the fuel economy of its cars. The automaker began releasing monthly mileage reports for Hyundai's sales, a first in the industry. Hyundai also debuted a concept hybrid version of the Hyundai Accent in 2006, and there have been rumors that the Accent may be ready to make the hybrid transition in the near future.

Audi A6 Gives Hybrid Car Buyers Another Option

Audi A6

Audi surprised many industry experts by unveiling the Audi A6 Hybrid sedan at the North American International Auto Show.

The company was expected to introduce the gas powertrain A6; rolling out the A6 Hybrid was big news. "Many people didn't expect a hybrid model to debut alongside [the new A6 sedan]," CNet reported.

The Audi A6 Hybrid is designed for the U.S. and European markets. The car features a gas-electric hybrid powertrain that combines Audi's 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected gasoline engine with an electric motor. The combination delivers a combined 245-hp.

The A6 Hybrid has an estimated fuel economy of just under 38 mpg. The hybrid powertrain uses an 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission sends power to the front-wheels. (Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system is not available in the hybrid model.)

The A6 Hybrid can operate in gas-alone mode, electricity-alone mode, or a blend of two. When running only on electric power, Audio claims the A6 has a maximum speed of 62 mph, accelerating to that speed in about 7.3 seconds. The car's range on electrical power alone is only about two miles.

All cars in the A6 line (hybrid and gasoline versions) have a new body built of aluminum and high-strength steel. Road & Track reported that this combination "makes the car 15 percent lighter than a comparable one made entirely of steel."

Audi claims that it made a great effort to maintain similar looks to both the gas and hybrid versions. According to Autoblog.com, "Audi officials say they have gone out of their way to keep it aesthetically true to the conventional gas-powered model."

Maybe they shouldn't have tried so hard. Some were not impressed with the looks of the car. When Car and Driver editors got a look at the newly designed car last year they reported "we couldn't help but feel disappointed...the exterior underwhelms."

The car's interior is another story. "The interior is arguably best in class." said the same Car and Driver editors. The Audi A6 has real wood veneers, leather seats, and many other amenities a driver (and passenger) would expect in a luxury car.

As is the case with other Audi models, the A6 features a high-end infotainment system. The Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) system supports navigation, communication, and entertainment features. Information is presented through an MMI display in the center of the dashboard. In particular, the A6's MMI Navigation-plus system offers HD radio reception and a color display that provides real-time traffic and 3D topography graphics that include the buildings in many cities.

Honda Accord Hybrid - Reviews, Ratings, Retired

Honda Accord Hybrid

Brought on the U.S. market in 2005, the gasoline-electric Honda Accord sold briskly in its first year - 25,000 cars. Just two years later, only 6,100 cars sold. Why the quick drop and what does this mean for potential buyers of a used Accord hybrid? Well, it seems this hybrid car failed because it was built more for power than fuel economy. In the end, buyers opted for hybrids with better gas mileage, and the greenest Accord was retired in 3 short years.

The Honda Accord hybrid runs using variable cylinder management, meaning that it can shut off three of its six cylinders to conserve momentum and fuel. This technology was also seen in the Honda Odyssey minivan. As a result of the hybrid technology, the Honda Accord was rated as getting anywhere from 24-37 miles per gallon, depending on the model year and driving conditions. The average on GreenHybrid.com is currently at 29 mpg.

USA Today heralded the new, 2005 Honda Accord hybrid as the "best hybrid yet." Sales were high and the car was quickly becoming one of the best-selling hybrids available. Unfortunately for Honda Motor Company, that exuberance faded as fast as it appeared.

In 2007, sales slowed and buyers were no longer willing to pay the $3,000 premium to own the hybrid Accord over the gas-powered, four-cylinder traditional gas-only model. The two cars looked the same and, after having features such as a power sunroof and extra four-inches added (making the car heavy enough to move up t the next weight class for mileage testing), got virtually the same mileage. At the same time, the benefit of fuel economy and the image of being "green" were stronger with other available hybrids. Treehugger.com called the 2006 Honda Accord hybrid a "mixed bag" because although it was rated AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology, Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle), its fuel usage was too similar to standard four-cylinder vehicles.

A person in the market for a slightly used, low-mileage hybrid Accord should be prepared to pay about $18,000-$30,000. For similar vehicles in about same price range, with as good or better mileage, potential buyers might also consider a Nissan Altima hybrid ($25,000) or a Toyota Camry hybrid ($25,200). If you are looking to stretch your dollar further as gas prices around the country rise, you might find that you can get more bang for your buck with the newer hybrid vehicles. Even so, this more eco-friendly, full-size sedan from Honda seemed to have everything going for it, and it will be sadly missed.

2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid Car

2011 GMC Yukon Hybrid

Yukon was introduced by GMC in the year 1992. Since then, every single Yukon model has been appreciated not just by the buyers, but by automobile experts as well. The 2011 GMC Yukon lives up to the expectations and is considered to be a Sports Utility Vehicle that has the ability to deliver excellent performance and great quality.

The 2011 GMC Yukon hybrid car is available in a four drive as well as a two drive. The later version is equipped with a 5.3 liter V8 engine. The higher version in the two wheel version is available with 6.2 liter engine. On the other hand, the four wheel drive version is also available in 5.3 liter engine as well as the 6.2 liter V8 engine.

The 2011 GMC Yukon SUV is priced on a higher side as compared to its earlier versions. However, the amazing features of this vehicle are good enough to justify the slight rise in the price. The official price of this vehicle is around $53,240.

Like most of the earlier Yukon models, the 2011 GMC Yukon too is expected to maintain the wonderful fuel efficient standards set by GMC. The two wheel drive version has the ability to touch 14 mpg on city roads while you would witness a whooping 20 mpg while driving the vehicle on a highway. On the other hand, the four wheel drive would offer 19 mpg on highway and 12 mpg while driving on city roads.

The 2011 GMC Yukon hybrid car is also highly rated for its safety value. GMC vehicles have always offers the best safety standards to its buyers and this brand new model is no different. It includes the popular OnStar feature along with side airbags that are placed in the front seat. The model is equipped with antilock brakes. It has also got airbags placed at the ceiling to protect the head from any kind of impact.

The 2011 GMC Yukon comes with a three year warranty period. The vehicle would be under warranty for a period of three years or a running of 36,000 miles. It also offers a five years warranty which includes roadside assistance. Apart from all the above features, the 2011 GMC is also appreciated for its interior as well as the exterior looks.

The 2011 GMC Yukon is all ready to register its name in the all time great Sports Utility Vehicle list.

The All-New Toyota Prius Rocks!

All-New Toyota Prius Rocks

If you're doing some research on hybrid vehicles and specifically trying to learn everything you can about the Toyota Prius, this should be a great place to start. Over the next few weeks, I'll be writing a series of posts about the most popular hybrid car in the relatively short history of hybrid automobiles. Rather than start with the first and oldest Prius model and work our way forward, we'll begin with a preview of the upcoming version and finish by going back in time.

Rumors about what we supposedly know so far.

For starters, the next generation Toyota Prius gets a much needed increase in engine size, moving from the 1.5 liter engine we've seen from 2004-2009 to a 1.8 liter powerhouse.

In addition, the new Prius is an inch wider and and inch shorter in length. Statements have been made by Toyota that the next generation Prius might include some form of plug-in hybrid option (aka PHEV), and a lithium-ion battery. Lithium batteries are said to be more powerful and lighter than the nickel ones in past model year Prius.

Not much...yet.

Probably the best available information on how the next Toyota Prius will differ from what we've seen during the last 5 years comes from a test drive and article in Popular Mechanics. To summarize, the prototype mentioned in this article still had a 1.5L engine, along with two (2) nickel-metal hydride (NiMh) batteries - the same ones the current version uses. The driver was able to reach speeds of about 50 mph using only the batteries, and estimates were that this prototype would be able to travel 3-4 miles without ever engaging the gas engine.

Does anyone have a clue?

The next generation Prius features a sophisticated three-link independent rear suspension, exceptional rigidity due to extensive use of high-strength steel, and high crash-safety scores.

Three Toyota Prius' are better than one.

Lastly, I ran across a post on Motor Authority citing another article in Automobile Magazine that mentioned Toyota's plans to release three new hybrid vehicles labeled the Prius A, B, and C, with the new models due in the next few years. So...there you have it. After reading and scanning nearly a hundred pages of pure speculation about the secret Prius, I really don't feel like we know anything yet. When that changes, we'll get you the good stuff.

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

2011 Chevrolet Tahoe

The 2011 hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe is a fuel efficient and competent sports utility vehicle. This car ranks first among the eight affordable big SUVs. The Tahoe has enough space for nine passengers and it offers a better fuel economy rate and towing ability. According to many reviewers this is the best SUV in the present market. The vehicle has an inviting and comfortable interior. The hybrid vehicle is powered by a V-8 engine that has a displacement of 5.3 liter and produces 320 horse powers and torque of 335 pounds. This is definitely an improvement on the fuel economy which puts this car ahead of its rivals. This highly fuel efficient car offers an impressive 23 mpg in the highways and 20 mpg in the city.

With the 320 horse power the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe has an effortless towing capacity of 8500 pounds and is perfect for a family out on a winter vacation with the snowmobiles or a fishing expedition. The car can also accommodate cargo of 108.9 cubic feet and the 271 off road suspension is really helpful for people riding the SUV on a rough terrain. The Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid car comes with a package that includes mono tube shocks, springs, skid plate wheel flares and an automatic locking system. Apart from this there are other essential features like recovery hooks, aluminum wheels, chrome grille and assist steps.

The all new 2011 hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe possesses the wireless Bluetooth technology which helps the driver to communicate comfortably by holding the steering wheel. When the call commences the music system is also muted by it. The well known OnStar navigation system helps the driver in driving effortlessly and easily to the destination, as he is guided by an automatic voice accurately at every turn. The XM NavTraffic works together with the GPS system for showing traffic updates. A clear and balanced audio is provided by a surround sound system from Bose.

The 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe is well equipped with safety features that include six air bags, one safety cage, and crash response system along with many other features. The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid can be a good choice if you want to save money on fuel. The pricing of this SUV ranges from $37,144 to $53,325. Overall this vehicle remains an excellent option for families who require space, comfort, performance and the latest technology. The 2011 hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe will fulfill all these requirements.

2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid Review

2011 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima is now available both in sedan as well as coupe styles. The hybrid models really represent success if they are judged according to the design. The base price of Nissan Altima Hybrid 2011 is about $19,900. The 2.5 model includes several features such as, CVT, power windows, steering wheels are tilted or telescoping, adjustable driver's seat and the temperature indicator.

The 2.5 sedans as well as 2.5 S sedans and the coupe have got 175 HP which you can enjoy. The feeding rate of fuel is not lowest but is pretty good for an engine of 2.5. In the market Nissan Altima Hybrid has got no competition from other models such as Toyota Camry or the hybrid Chevrolet Malibu. All the sedans of Altima comes with the CVT which acts as an automatic transmission but only delivers power such as rheostat. The 2011 Nissan coupes are now available with CVT choice or 6 manual transmission speeds, which is regardless of the engine size.

Over all Altima hybrid provides a smooth ride, quick as well as agile. The car is sporty but it is family friendly. It is really a fun to take a ride in this car and for comforts you don't have to sacrifice the performance. The V-6 hops starting from 0 to 60 mph within 6.6 seconds.

There is a small distance between the rear and front axles, the coupe is easy to handle. The base Nissan Altima hybrid car with 4 cylinders of 2.5 L is good but now the competitors have also got sportier models of same range price. The length of Altima has been cut down by 2 inches as compared to the last model, which result in small legroom. The sedan can hold about 4 adults comfortably but the headroom as well as legroom will be small.

Nissan Altima Hybrid uses top materials for its design and class as compared to others. It has an aggressive as well as unique personality. It has been a favorite family car for many years. The blend of style as well as sport rolled in this family vehicle has made it popular.

This 4 cylinder model has about 23 MPG in the city road and 32 MPG on the highway. The engine V6 should have about 19 MPG in the road of city and on highway it has 27 MPG. Nissan Altima offers a warranty of 36,000 mile for 3 years and 60,000 mile warranty for 5 years.

2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid

2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota, one of the leading names in the automotive industry, has always impressed the customers with their latest features and designs. They have been constantly improving their cars. After the last renovation of the Camry in the year 2007, the Japanese car manufacturer is rebranding the car as 2011 hybrid Toyota Camry with new features and designs.

This car will compete in the market with the Ford Fusion, the Hyundai Sonata and the Honda Accord. Designed in the form of the compact sedan with four doors, the car will roll out in different models starting from the basic model to the latest premium XLE.

The architecture of the all new 2011 hybrid Toyota Camry is done on the basis of the dimension of the older models but it has some minor changes. The new model is expected to have a bigger wheel base that facilitates the luxurious cabin area. The styling is designed in an aero-dynamical way and involves a lower roof line. The level of ground clearance will also be reduced which will give a comfortable transit. A sleek look is offered to the vehicle by this design and it makes the appearance bolder.

With its metallic front the car is capable of generating a momentum of 169 horse power. This is provided with a displacement of 2.5 liters along with 4 cylinders that are incorporated with sixteen valves and they operate on the DOHC technology. The 2011 Camry hybrid car from Toyota will be assembled with a V-6 engine that is powered for producing 268 horse power of momentum. These two mechanisms of engine are mated with a manual transmission of six-speed. It will also give the driver the chance to choose the automatic transmission. Fluency is achieved by these engines with the system of front wheel drive. The engine with a displacement of 2.5 liters provides the car enthusiasts with an ultimate performance of about 34 mpg on the highways and 33 mpg on the streets of the city.

This all new 2011 hybrid Toyota Camry offers the customers with a wide range of optional as well as standard features. The standard features involve power windows and power locks. The dashboard has an elegant look with its telescopic and tilt steering wheel, that is preloaded with USB connections and audio system controls. The driver's seat can be easily adjusted. The car also has some innovative features for safety like the override technology.

This sophisticated looking car from Toyota is priced between $21,400 and $25,700. The reputation of Toyota has been well supported by the innovative design of the 2011 hybrid Toyota Camry.

Why You Should Use A Hydrogen Car

 Hydrogen Car

Are you looking for a way to save fuel? If your answer is yes, then this article is meant for you. Well, here in this article, I will make you familiar with the advanced features of hydrogen cars. Make sure that you go through this article once if you want to enjoy a cost-effective drive. Hydrogen cars are gaining a lot of popularity these days. They are the best alternatives to petrol and diesel cars.

Hydrogen cars are basically alternative fuel vehicles which use hydrogen gas as fuel. In some of the vehicles, hydrogen gas is used as a secondary fuel option. Nowadays, hydrogen automobiles are paving their way into the market because of their enhanced fuel efficiency and advanced features. People from all across the world prefer these next generation automobiles because they are well enhanced with many advanced and hi-tech features. Once you have purchased these hydrogen vehicles, you are not at all required to spend large amount of your money on petrol or diesel.

Most of the car manufacturing companies are laying their emphasis on the development of these hydrogen powered vehicles. Well, I would like to tell you that hydrogen powered cars have many benefits and advantages in comparison to ordinary vehicles. Some of them are mentioned below.

Advantages of hydrogen cars

1. Improved mileage

Most of the individuals prefer hydrogen cars in comparison to petrol cars and diesel cars because of their enhanced mileage. You can switch on to these advanced automobiles if you want to get rid of your fuel hungry vehicles. You can easily cover a distance of 100 miles in just 8 ounces of hydrogen gas. The engines which are present in these vehicles convert the chemical energy of hydrogen gas into mechanical energy. Hydrogen fuel can also improve your car's efficiency and horsepower.

2. Cheaper to run

These cars are very much cost-effective in comparison to petrol cars. You are not at all required to spend money on fuel after purchasing these automobiles. This feature simply makes these vehicles a perfect choice for most of the individuals.

These are the two major benefits that you can enjoy with the hydrogen cars. If you want, you can transform your petrol or diesel car into a hydrogen car. All you need to do is to install a fuel cell kit also known as water for gas or gas conversion kit. Well, if you are not aware, then I would like to bring this to your knowledge that fuel cell kits are easily available in the market these days and they are not at all costly. The most important feature of these kits is that they are not at all complicated and are easy to install. You must also consider all the necessary precautions while using hydrogen cars. If you are facing any kind of problem, then you can take the help of the automobile experts.

2011 Hybrid Mercedes Benz M-Class

2011 Mercedes Benz M-Class

When we think about Mercedes-Benz, luxury, class, durability and safety come in mind. The 2011 hybrid Mercedes-Benz M Class is no exception either. The 5-passenger, 4-door luxury car comes with 5 trims and ranges from ML350 Blue TEC SUV to ML63 AMG. The other Models in M-Class include ML350 RWD SUV, ML450 Hybrid SUV and ML550 SUV.

At the start of the range, ML350 has 7 automatic gears giving fuel utilization of 16 mpg in city and approximately 20 mpg on highways. Engine Specifications: Horsepower of 210[@]3800, Torque 400[@]1600, Fuel Tank Capacity - 25.1 gal approximately. Size - 3.0L/182.

Specific features of this model include: Child Safety Door Locks and Power door Locks

Anti Theft Alarm and Vehicle Theft Tracking Notification, Selective Unlocking, Front and Rear Power Disc Brakes, Front and Rear Body Color Bumpers, Turbocharger and intercooler, DVD Player and SD Card Reader. In addition to this there are 2 Fog lights in front, Tire Pressure Monitor and Trip Computer. You will also find a Digital Clock, Compass, Automatic Climate Control and Tachometer.

The ML63 model has 7 speed automatic transmissions and gives fuel consumption of 11 mpg in city and approximately 15 mpg on highways. Engine Specifications: Horsepower of 503[@]6800, Torque 465[@]5200, Fuel Tank Capacity - 25.1 gal approximately. Size - 6.3L/379.

Specific features of this model include: Six Seated Air Bags, 4-Wheel ABS, Traction Control and Auto-on Headlights. Apart from this you have Electronic Stability Control, Back-up Camera and Vehicle Anti-theft System. For the comfort factor it has Dual Zone Front Air Conditioning. Some more features include Keyless Entry, Mirrors with Memory, Driver and Passenger Illuminated Vanity Mirror, Front and Rear Reading Lamps, Heated Driver and Passenger Seats, and last but not the least the Navigation System.

The ML350 comes with a price tag of $50,490 and the more advanced ML63 comes at $92,590. The other models in the range are ML350 SUV Type priced at $48,990, ML450 Hybrid will cost $55,790 and ML550 SUV will cost $57,590. All Grand edition M Class Models come with 19-inch light alloy wheels with Y-spoke design, which makes them a class apart from the rest. Comfort and Style have been prioritized with Power trunk Closing Assist, Rear Seat Entertainment System and One touch Window functionality. Safety and Security features are as detailed as you will find in any Mercedes-Benz, keeping up with the company's reputation of making some of the safest cars on road.

Available in 10 colors, the 2011 hybrid Mercedes-Benz M-Class will give you abundant options to choose from. With Auto-dimming driver rearview mirrors, Brushed Aluminum Running Boards with Rubber Studs and Enhanced Voice Control, the 2011 hybrid Mercedes-Benz M Class is the car to buy if you're looking forward to driving perfection!

The Insights of Lexus CT200h

Lexus CT200h

There is a reason premium car buyers in the know generally avoid entry-level models. These are the people not interested in mere style over actual substance - in other words, they won't buy into fancy badges on a model lacking in equipment, power and worst of all, refinement. It is this minority segment that owns the mid- to high-end cars we all dream of owning someday.

Basic-tier luxury models, however, do serve an automaker's long-term purpose, which is to reel in the young, upwardly mobile and make them identify with the brand. If it works out, said manufacturer creates a potential pool of customers who will be back, hopefully, to purchase the more expensive models in the future.

It is this strategy that Lexus is banking on with the CT200h. It is a bold, if not outright risky, move - considering our local context. For not only is the Lexus CT200h a hatchback bereft of the proper boot that buyers here crave, it is also only available as a hybrid. Then there's the hatchback body style, which normally appeals to the youthful instead of the typically more mature (and well-heeled) Lexus clientele.

Lexus' game plan, however, seems to be succeeding, judging by the 70 pre-orders the CT200h received prior to its launch. In fact, such is Lexus' confidence that it expects the car to account for a third of all its Singapore sales in the near future.

It is a daring claim to make, but it all becomes clear once you approach the Lexus CT200h. Look past the startling Flare Yellow paint job featured in these pages (the red works way better) and you will be met by a sharp but elegantly styled hatchback with an arrow-like face and low-slung stance. Those knife-edged creases on the car's nose are probably the ones responsible for its low drag coefficient of 0.28 - it looks like they were put there to slice through the air.

The athletic cues continue down the hatchback's length, with subtle creases to give it an air of sportiness. While not as striking as the front, the rear end fortunately does not look like an afterthought - that element belongs to the rear passenger windows, which would have looked out of proportion to the ones in front if not for the additional "kink" behind them.

Certainly well intentioned is the Lexus CT200h cabin, which possesses a premium feel thanks to the smart cockpit and use of quality materials - some of which are particularly earth-friendly. Items such as the boot liner and floor carpets, for example, are made of a plastic containing up to 30 per cent organic material.

Ironically absent from the cars to be sold here, though, is the bamboo trim option. Its prevalence in Asian culture notwithstanding, bamboo also happens to be a very renewable wood source due to its ability to grow by as much as a foot a day.

Wonderfully present in this Premium variant, on the other hand, is the Mark Levinson audio unit, which now shows a marked improvement in terms of radio reception. Also available is the mouse-like Remote Touch controller for browsing the on-board systems. It's easy to use when switching between radio stations or your iPod tracks, but becomes cumbersome when you need to input a destination in the navigation menu. A touch-screen interface would have been better in this regard.

Also in need of improvement is the rear bench seat, which doesn't offer much headroom and is outright stingy when it comes to foot space beneath the front seats. Then again, given the car's compact size and the extra room occupied by the battery pack, the flat rear floor in the back can already be classified as an engineering feat.

What Lexus has further refined is the ultra-efficient 1.8-litre petrol electric drivetrain lifted straight out of the Toyota Prius. Already known for its ability to operate seamlessly, Lexus has developed it to the point where you can barely feel the engine starting up as you move off.