California To ‘Require’ Sales Of Electric And Plug-In-Hybrid Vehicles
January 30, 2012 by Kurt Ernst
Filed under Automotive, Electric, Hybrid, News, Nissan
The 2012 Nissan Leaf electric car. Image: Nissan Motors
Just when you thought that legislators in the Golden State had come to their senses, something happens to reaffirm our opinion that California may be the least-car-enthusiast-friendly state in the country. After showing some degree of sanity by agreeing to adopt the proposed EPA mileage standard of 54.5 mpg by 2025, California has announced that, by 2025, a minimum of 15.4 percent of sales must be of electric, plug-in-hybrid or hydrogen powered vehicles. Read more…
2012 Chevrolet Volt Review & Test Drive
December 7, 2011 by Malcolm Hogan
Filed under Automotive, Chevrolet, Electric, Featured, Hybrid, Test Drives
The all-new 2012 Chevrolet Volt has entered into its second year of production remaining mostly unchanged with the exception of a few tweaks. Having been on American roads for a year now, the new Volt continues to be among the most fuel efficient cars on the market.
The Autopocalypse Cometh: Ferrari Enzo Successor To Be A Hybrid?
October 6, 2011 by Kurt Ernst
Filed under Automotive, Ferrari, Hybrid
A Ferrari Enzo on a London Street. Image: Ed Callow
The original Ferrari Enzo, built from 2002 until 2004, was a no-compromise hypercar that borrowed heavily from Ferrari’s Formula One experience. It used a carbon-fiber monocoque, a carbon-fiber body, an electrohydraulic shift transmission and carbon-ceramic brakes. Power came from a mid-rear mounted 6.0-liter V-12 engine, good for 651 horsepower, and the handling was refined by none other than Michael Schumacher. Read more…
The Numbers Prove It: Consumers Aren’t Buying Hybrids
September 21, 2011 by Kurt Ernst
Filed under Automotive, Hybrid, News
The 2011 Lexus GS 450h, one of the few hybrids whose sales have increased. Image: Toyota
Over the next few years, expect to see a flood of new hybrid vehicles hit the market, as automakers scramble to reach the federally mandated corporate average fuel economy numbers recently approved by the Obama administration. By 2016, small passenger cars much achieve an average CAFE of 41 mpg; by 2021, just ten years from now, the value jumps to 51 mpg. Larger passenger cars must achieve 31 mpg by 2016 and 38 mpg by 2021. Read more…
2011 Lexus CT 200h Premium Hybrid Review & Test Drive
September 13, 2011 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, Hybrid, Lexus, Test Drives
‘LEXUS SCORES ANOTHER LONG RUNNER’
The all-new 2011 Lexus CT 200h hybrid is Lexus’s fifth hybrid and second dedicated hybrid. While all other hybrids from auto manufacturers, including Lexus and Toyota have been either hybrid sedans or sport utility vehicles, the all-new CT 200h is a versatile compact, five-door sport wagon that continues the brand’s commitment to unparalleled quality, sophistication and technology.
2011 Toyota Prius Hybrid Review & Test Drive
August 10, 2011 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, Hybrid, Test Drives, Toyota
‘THE ORIGINAL AND STILL THE BEST’
It has been a couple of years since I tested a new Toyota Prius hybrid but I have tested several other hybrids from the manufacturers who have started to build them.
I took a base two Prius and found that overall the hybrid is still the best with higher mpg specs, its unique styling, comfort and roominess and versatility.
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Review and Test Drive
July 27, 2011 by Malcolm Hogan
Filed under Automotive, Chevrolet, Featured, Hybrid, SUV, Test Drives
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In a world still vastly filled with SUVs that consume monstrous amounts of fuel, the new 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid changes things from the norm by offering the most fuel efficient truck-based SUV on the market.
2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid Review and Test Drive
July 26, 2011 by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, Hybrid, Infiniti, Test Drives
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‘BREAKING THROUGH YOUR EVERDAY HYBRID’
With V8 power and 4-cylinder fuel economy, the new Infiniti M35h hybrid challenges drivers to rethink everything they know about luxury sedan hybrids, including the word ‘compromise’. What makes what was previously thought impossible is now possible with the Infiniti M Hybrid’s unprecedented balance of three attributes: Power-the innovative one-motor, two-clutch parallel hybrid system in the Infiniti M35h delivers thrilling performance and is capable of driving in pure electric mode at speeds up to 62mph; Luxury-maintaining the Infiniti M sedan’s engaging driving feel and extensive array of standard comfort, luxury and convenience features; Efficiency-utilizing the Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid system, with a powerful yet compact Lithium-ion battery pack, advanced 3.5 liter V6 engine, 50kW electric motor, connected to an electronic 7-speed automatic/sequential shifting transmission helps achieve an estimated fuel economy of 32mpg/highway and 27mpg/city with a net horsepower rating of 360.
