Plug-in hybrid

Plug-in hybrid

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is any vehicle powered by a combination of internal combustion engine and electric motor with storage batteries that can be recharged by connecting the vehicle by plug to an external electrical power source. Plug-in hybrids typically have characteristics of both conventional hybrid electric vehicles and of battery electric vehicles. While PHEVs are usually passenger vehicles, plug-in hybrid technology has been implemented or proposed in delivery vans, trucks, buses, military vehicles, and other medium- to heavy-duty vehicles.

The cost for electricity to power PHEVs in California is about one fourth the cost of gasoline. If their batteries are charged from renewable energy such as wind or hydropower, PHEVs use minimal amounts of fossil fuel for their all-electric range, and may thereby reduce dependence on petroleum and mitigate global warming by alleviating the greenhouse effect. Plug-in hybrids have been identified as having significant potential as alternative fuel vehicles.UNIQ13a008212792c924-ref78178390706c535e00000001

Plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles are not in mass production as of early 2007, although some manufacturers have indicated that they intend to introduce PHEV production models. Prototypes have been built to demonstrate the technology and to encourage its widespread adaptation. Conversions of production model hybrid vehicles may be available from conversion kits and conversion services pending commercial production. Most existing PHEVs are conversions of Toyota Prius hybrid cars. These prototypes retain the Prius's "idle-off" capability and regenerative braking, among other characteristics, while adding extended electric-only drive capability, and electrical plug charging.

All-electric range is designated by the form PHEV-(number) representing the number of miles the vehicle can travel on electric power alone. For example, a PHEV-10 can travel ten miles without the use of petroleum gasoline.

Lexus RX 400h Hybrid Review

Lexus RX 400h Hybrid Review

Currently, Lexus is using the fourth generation of Hybrid Synergy Drive from Toyota. The Lexus RX 400h, Lexus ES 350, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Highlander are all built on the same platform with slight modifications between the sedans and the SUVs.

The gasoline-powered part of the engine system is a 3.3L 3MZ-FE V6, very similar to the one found in the RX 330. It produces 268 HP when aided by the two additional electric motors. Under normal driving conditions, only the front motor and gasoline engine will be used. The rear motor will only be used under full-throttle acceleration or when the front wheels lose traction (if so equipped). The gasoline engine will switch off automatically when the vehicle is either stationary, decelerating, or being driven at a slow speed and the electric motor will take over. A Ni-MH battery is responsible for powering the motors, and it is charged during deceleration and from the heat energy caused from braking.

Contents [hide]

1 High Points

2 Low Points

3 Performance and Handling

4 Gas Mileage

5 Safety

6 Pricing

7 Reliability and Maintenance

8 Interior and Comforts

9 Exterior

10 Styles and Major Options

11 Main Competitors

12 External Links

 

High Points

Acceleration

Fuel economy

Headlights

 

Low Points

Body styling

Floaty suspension

Rear visibility

 

Performance and Handling

The assistance of the electric motor increases the vehicle's performance, the RX 400h Hybrid can reach 60 mph (97km/h) in less than 8 seconds which is quicker than the normally aspirated RX 330. Despite the increased performance, the RX 400h consumes roughly the same amount of fuel as a compact four-cylinder sedan and it qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) in America.

The great downfall of all the power offered up in the RX 400h, is that the suspension stuggles to find the balance of "supple yet sporting" this Hybrid strives to acheive. Reducing radius turns and older roads with higher speed limits bring this crossover SUV to its knees.

 

Gas Mileage

As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Trim

2006 RX 400h FWD

2006 RX 400h AWD

MPG

33/28

31/27

 

Safety

Front seat-mounted side airbags (SRS)

Driver's and front passenger's advanced airbag system (SRS) with crash-severity sensors

Front and rear roll-sensing side curtainairbags

Driver's knee airbag

Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM)

ABS with Brake Assist

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)

Reinforced Body

Three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners seatbelts for all seats

Daytime Running Lights

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

Traction Control (TRAC)

Direct Tire Pressure Monitor System

Theft-Deterrent System with engine immobilizer

LED tailights

 

Pricing

Today's actual prices for the Lexus RX 400h can be found at CarsDirect.

Model Trims

FWD

AWD

MSRP

$44,660

$46,060

Invoice

$39,746

$40,992

 

Reliability and Maintenance

 

Interior and Comforts

Brushed-aluminum accents lend to an upscale and modern look. Hybrid specific instruments consist of an illuminated meter on the left that displays the level of power generated by the hybrid powertrain, instead of a tachometer. Gas-electric power distribution can also be monitored through the multi-information display or on the optional navigation system.

The cabin as a whole is simply luxurious. Leather seating is soft although the slightly bunched up ruffles may turn off some buyers. Entry and exit is easy, there is no need to climb up or duck down. The front seats are positioned off the floor at a comfortable height. Lateral support is good, foldable armrests on both front seats provide additional comfort on longer trips.

Rearward visibility is rather poor. The RX 400h benefits from having the optional navigation system and rear-view camera. The camera is automatically activated when the transmission is shifted into reverse. You can't drive backward by simply watching the screen, however. The system includes Bluetooth and voice activation. Downsides to this amount of integration is pressing two buttons to change the fan speed rather than one and a difficult to read trip odometer. Audio controls are at the bottom of the center console. The radio has big knobs for volume and tuning, that are easy to use. The Lexus premium audio is a 132-watt, eight-speaker system with AM/FM/cassette with six-disc in-dash CD changer. The optional Mark Levinson audio system features 11 speakers and 210 watts.

The rear seats fold down, however they don’t fold down perfectly flat due to the battery packs. Once the rear seats are folded, there is 83.9 cubic feet of cargo space. This slightly surpasses most competitors, the BMW X5 and the Infiniti FX. The RX 400h does not offer a third-row seating area.

 

Exterior

Subtle styling differences which separate the RX 400h from its siblings include; a new front bumper for increased cooling, a new grille, new fog lamps and new tail lamps with LEDs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs. In addition, Lexus has supplemented the RX 400h with specific 18-inch wheels. The wheels are 7 inches wide and the tires are designed to provide grip in corners rather than offer low levels of rolling resistance. This says a lot about the intent of the RX 400h. Lexus could have gone the other way and improved fuel efficiency further with hard Low Rolling Resistance Tires, but chose to enhance handling instead.

The body design resembles something unoffensive more so than something attractive. It fails to meet the efforts of its non-hybrid rivals Volvo XC90 and Land Rover LR3

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota Camry Hybrid Review

Camry Hybrid shown in Blue Ribbon Metallic

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a hybrid version of Toyota's popular Camry sedan, introduced for the 2007 model year in May 2006. The Camry Hybrid utilizes a four-cylinder gasoline engine together with electric motors to produce a peak of 187-hp (140 kW). Estimated U.S. sales are

 60,000 per year or 15% of total Camry sales.

The Toyota Camry is a mid-

size car that has been the best selling car in the United States for eight of the last nine years starting in 1997. The Camry name comes from the English phonetic of the Japanese word "Kammuri," which means "Crown." Over 400,000 American families buy Camrys each year because of its roominess and reliability, in addition to a good value to cost ratio. The Camry also sells very well in Australia and a number of Asian markets, in particular Cambodia where the vast majority of cars are Camrys, but it has not sold as well in Europe. Related luxury models which share major chassis components with the Toyota Camry are the Lexus ES, sold in the United States, and the Toyota Windom, sold in Japan until 2006.

The Camry is primarily configured as a four-door sedan but at different times has also been available as a five-door hatchback, two-door coupé, and a station wagon. The Camry name was first launched in 1980 with the Toyota Celica Camry. The first model line independently named the Toyota Camry was launched in 1982 for the 1983 model year. An offshoot of the Camry, the Toyota Camry Solara, has been available as a coupe and a convertible.

The Camry underwent major redesigns and upgrades in model years 1987, 1992 (1990 in Japan), 1997, 2002 and most recently in 2007. Other than the original Celica Camry, the Toyota Camry has always been an FF layout vehicle. This means the engine is transversely mounted to drive the front wheels. Some models have been offered with all-wheel drive.

The second and third-generation Camrys were rebadged to be sold as the Holden Apollo in Australia. The Holden equivalents were not successful even though they came from the same factory as the Camry. Since 2000, Daihatsu has sold a Camry twin named the Altis.

Nissan Altima Hybrid

Nissan Altima Hybrid

The Altima Hybrid is built off Nissan's redesigned 2007 Altima sedan. It is being introduced for the 2007 model year and expected to be released early in the 2007 calendar year. The hybrid version will give better fuel economy and lower emissions.

Nissan is licensing the drive system technology from Toyota; however they will offer the same 2.5-liter engine from the current 4-cylinder Altimas. Although they are rivals, using Toyota's technology will move the Altima Hybrid to market faster and Toyota can recapture some of their technology investment.

The standard and options on the Altima Hybrid and the current Altima are expected to be the same. The only difference for the customer will be the gasoline-electric engine and the advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission) combination.

The Smyrna, Tennessee plant is being readied to assemble the new hybrid. Estimated U.S. sales are 50,000 units in its first year of production. The plan is to roll these vehicles out in 8 states where the market for hybrid vehicles is higher and across Canada as well. These include California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine and New Jersey.

Saturn Aura Green Line

Saturn Aura Green Line

The Saturn Aura Green Line

Following in the footsteps of the Saturn VUE Green Line, the Aura Green Line will feature the same 2.4L inline-4 and will be the first production hybrid passenger car for General Motors, however will not be available to consumers until early 2007 as a 2008 model.

Saturn launched the 2007 Aura at the New York International Auto Show to rave reviews. The announcement that the same vehicle will be produced as a hybrid model is a giant step for the company. Until now, GM has only focused on hybrid technology in trucks and buses.

Early reports indicate that GM will likely use their belt alternator starter (BAS) hybrid system coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), similar to what is available currently for the Saturn VUE Green Line.

The BAS system combines engine controls with a precision electric motor/generator, providing an estimated fuel economy savings of 10-15 percent. This system is widely known as a mild hybrid. If successful, the system could be readily available on other mid-size car models as demand warrants. Since the Aura shares it's Epsilon platform with the Chevy Malibu, GM has speculated that car will also receive hybrid trimmings. See WikiCars' Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

General Motors Corporation is using the BAS-based Green Line hybrid system to try to deliver a simple hybrid architecture flexible enough and at a low enough cost to use on a global scale.

See WikiCars' comprehensive Saturn Aura review.

Pricing

Pricing is speculated to remain close to the 2007 Saturn Aura with a slight premium for the hybrid technology. It would not be unreasonable to expect the Saturn Aura Green Line to have an MSRP between $21,000 and $26,000 depending on trim level.

 

Gas Mileage

It is estimated that the Saturn Aura Green Line will achieve 12-15 percent greater fuel economy over the non-hybrid version, which is not currently rated by the Environmental Protection Agency EPA

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

A hybrid powertrain option will be available on the Chevrolet Malibu for model year 2008. Early reports indicate that GM will likely use their belt alternator starter (BAS) hybrid system coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), similar to what is available currently for the Saturn VUE Green Line.

The BAS system combines engine controls with a precision electric motor/generator, providing an estimated fuel economy savings of 10-15 percent. This system is widely known as a mild hybrid. If successful, the system could be readily available on other mid-size car models as demand warrants.

While much of the emphasis on the redesigned Malibu will be on style and design, GM engineers will be looking to keep all of the practical features of the current generation Malibu while integrating them with the new Hybrid system so as not to lose the main buyers of this vehicle. Typically young families and the rental car industry are key buyers that will not sacrifice practicality easily.

It is not confirmed whether GM has plans to also offer the hybrid powertrain option in it's Maxx version at this time. However GM does report that the Malibu Hybrid will be built at their Kansas City facility. The Malibu shares it's Epsilon platform with the Saturn Aura so it is most likely that the Aura Green Line will be released first as a 2007 Model.

Pricing

Pricing is speculated to remain close to the 2008 Malibu (when it is released) to remain competitive in this market.

 

Gas Mileage

The new Malibu Hybrid will most likely have a 4 cylinder, 2.4-liter engine with front-wheel drive and achieve 12-15 percent greater fuel economy over the non-hybrid version, which is currently rated by the Environmental Protection Agency at 32 mpg highway and 24 mpg city. EPA

Honda Insight Review

The Insight is Honda's lowest priced Hybrid car offering. After having been on sale since late 1999, it will not be offered after the 2006 model year. A replacement model has been rumored for 2009

High Points

Best Fuel economy of any gasoline powered car in America

Fun to drive (one of the fastest stops in the world)

Unique teardrop design (100 mpgs behind trucks)

Exclusiveness (extremely rare and possibly collectible)

Digital speedometer (including mileage gauge)(If you like it)

 

Low Points

Extremely focused design

Digital speedometer (including mileage gauge)(If you hate it)

Limited practicality

Loud roadnoise

 

Performance and Handling

All things considered, it is quite good. Even with its meager power output of 67 horsepower (73 with Integrated Motor Assist), the Insight is reasonably peppy in urban driving conditions (when equipped with the 5-speed manual). The Insight's low curb weight helps add to driving enjoyment. The 5-speed manual transmission models have a crisp and accurate gear lever which makes clean and fast shifting easy. Drivers looking for an automatic option will find the CVT much to their liking. The seemless operation does come at the expense of acceleration, although only to a minor degree. An idle engine-off feature aids economy but can be jerky at times (on manual transmission models).

 

Gas Mileage

The 2006 Honda Civic is ranked as the most economical vehicle, with 60/66 MPG.

 

Safety: 4 Stars (out of 5)

ABS 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS)

Front Impact Airbags driver and passenger

Side Impact Beams

Front and rear crush zones

Box-sectioned cabin floor

Reinforced hexagonal frame extrusions

3-point seat belts with pretensioners

4 Star National Highway Traffic Safety Agency NHTSA crash test rating

 

Interior and Comforts

The Insight's interior blends modernism with minimalism. This is exaggerated somewhat by the digital dash and Integrated Motor Assist display screen. The Insight's instrument panel provides a simplistic and stylish presentation of data, in addition to an excellent view of the instrumentation. Two large cub holders are in a convenient place yet do not disturb drivers who opt for the manual gearbox. Material quality is typical Honda, being tastefully selected and precisely assembled. There are no rear seats and the rear hatchback load area is quite shallow due to the battery pack below the carpet. Anyone planning to take an Insight out to pick up some shopping should kept this in mind. Both of the seats offer excellent lateral and back support. Visibility is quite good, with the exception of shorter drivers possibly having difficulty with the rearward view due to the slope of the rear hatch.

 

Exterior

Aerodynamic aids abound on seemingly every single exterior surface. The Insight was, clearly, the product of a very focused effort from Honda. The teardrop silhouette of the exterior, combined with the rear fender skirts and aerodynamically styled light alloy wheels produce one of the lowest coefficients of drag (Cd) of any production automobile in the world at 0.25. It's interesting to note that the front fenders and rear wheel skirts are plastic, and few people notice the difference in design or style.

 Styles and Options

The Insight is available only as a two-door hatchback. There are only two trims available: Manual or CVT. The manual transmission version can be optioned with air conditioning, while the CVT model gets automatic climate control as standard equipment.