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Posts Tagged ‘hybrid’
Tue, October 28, 2008 4:58 am By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
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 Most of the car manufacturers are these days interested in developing hybrid cars. This is just because, there is a heavy demand for hybrid cars in the automobile market. Most automakers are looking forward to make use of this popularity to a big extend. There is a high demand for environmentally friendly and fuel efficient vehicles, that has allured big names like BMW into the manufacturing of such cars. BMW, one of the biggest names in the car industry is launching its hybrid car. The car with hybrid technology comes filled with customary luxury. BMW has always been a big name in car making and never shied away from innovations. Like any model from BMW, the new hybrid car is also going to be a big hit among the masses.
BMW by launching its hybrid car is looking at a technology that is quite different from the one that other car manufacturers use for their hybrid vehicles. BMW is going ahead with a new cutting edge technology. The BMW hybrid car runs on gas and Hydrogen, instead of gas and electricity. Yes, it is a controversial path when it comes to hybrid vehicles, but BMW feels that in this way it could solve out the problems borne by cars that run on hydrogen.
BMW, the German car maker that has always looked fro more innovations in technology has a big dream of launching cars that could run on hydrogen. The BMW hybrid car is just a beginning for that. May be it may take another 20 years or so; but yes BMW is confident of that. The last a few years were spend by BMW on working over hydrogen technology. The background of this is the fact that hydrogen is definitely a great solution for environmental problems due to regular gasoline engines.
Well of course there shouldn’t need any fear of the availability of sophisticated features on the hybrid cars that were brought out by BMW. The riding of BMW hybrid car assures you power, style, elegance, and of course sophistication that you have always longed.
Tags: BMW, Cars, hybrid, Fuel, environment, Hydrogen, Power, electricity, gas, Germany, elegance
Sun, September 21, 2008 7:22 am By James Coolridge
 Concept cars are created by automakers to showcase new technologies and designs, but they are not mass-produced. Explore the future of automotive and see what you might be driving in a few years.
Automakers often turn to airplanes when working out designs for a new car. Both airplanes and vehicles need to be aerodynamic if they’re going to perform well, whether in the air or on the road. The auto industry, especially companies that make fast sports cars, is starting to use the same materials out of which airplanes are manufactured. Carbon fiber and fiberglass composites, used for wings and other structural elements on planes, can help make the bodies of cars stronger and lighter at the same time. This also means faster performance (because of less weight) and better crash safety.
Exactly what Lamborghini, the maker of some of the most powerful and recognizable sports cars in the world, is doing with its newest model, the Lamborghini Reventon. Everything from the arrow-shaped design of the Reventon’s body to the interior console finds inspiration from some of the military’s most powerful flying machines, right down to the air intakes.
Mazda new concept car dubbed “Kazamai” which means “swirling crosswinds” in Japanese.It’s a crossover, a sporty SUV. At first glance a five-point grille, 22 inch wheels and aerodynamic profile. Mazda worked a little bit under the hood, too, with next-gen direct injection engine and a newly-developed transmission which passes power to all wheels via its four-wheel drive system. The driving dynamics have been developed to create a fun-to-drive vehicle and Mazda states that if the model makes it to production form, we can expect frugal fuel consumption and greatly reduced CO2 emissions. How else?
Aquatic cars aren’t exactly cutting-edge. So the news that concept car designer Rinspeed would unveil a new aquatic car to make a huge splash. It’s a sports car, it’s a zero-emission vehicle, it was inspired by James Bond — and it drives underwater, inspired dream is now a reality.
But the sQuba does something a little unusual for a car, even an aquatic car — it dives underwater and moves around freely like a small submarine. If the thought of cruising around below the waves exploring lake bottoms and visiting marine animals is appealing, imagine doing it in an open-top convertible, The whole idea seems a little strange, even illogical, until you ponder the logistics of submarine-automobile design but sQuba can successfully navigate underwater environs in its own stately manner.
Conceptual cars are the next generation auto to be seen which will be much more creatively designed and much higher technocratic.
Tags: Concept Cars, hybrid, automobile, designer
Mon, June 23, 2008 6:17 am By Matt Davis
 Hybrids offer a cleaner ride. Introduced a decade ago as the “gas-saver of the future”, hybrids literally share the burden with the electric motors. They combine both gas and electric power. The result is positive- a clear and environmental-friendly drive.
Fully hybrid vehicle saves gas and stops the harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere. In addition to this, the full hybrid version shuts itself off during an idle stop. This way, the unnecessary idling emissions are eliminated by the electric motor.
City road is ideal for a full hybrid car to give better mileage. Though the engine and body of hybrid car is very light, the car is very stable. You will never know when your hybrid car has switched over from gas to electric power.
All the positive aspects of hybrid cars have made the automobile industry to think the hybrid way. Many leading manufacturers including Honda, Ford, Lexus, Chevrolet, and Toyota are now offering their hybrid varieties. The latest models are high-powered, fast and sportier. Some manufacturers are even thinking of introducing hybrid SUVs and trucks.
Now you know, why there’s an ever growing demand of hybrid cars. Saves money, saves environment and great to drive!
Tags: Cars, hybrid, mileage
Sat, June 21, 2008 12:21 pm By James Coolridge
 Who will not love to own a tall wagon that gets greater mileage? Well, we are talking about the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid, which fulfills all that you need from a wagon!
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid is a handsome truck with comfortable interiors and tough exterior. The hybrid is bold and a good move for Ford. According to the Detroit News notes, “This makeover makes sense,” its reviewer states. “Still a top-selling compact SUV in a crowded market, the Escape may now be more appealing to people downsizing their vehicles but not their expectations.”
The Escape Hybrid comes in one trim with either front- or four-wheel drive. Everything in the Escape Hybrid is electronic, ranging from the brakes to steering to the gas pedals.
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid is quicker than the regular four-cylinder Escape and feels almost as fast as the V6 model. Two-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive models are offered.
Tags: hybrid, Ford, Escape
Tue, May 20, 2008 12:50 pm By James Coolridge
 We don’t have any clue when gasoline prices are going to come down. The hefty bills paid every time we fill our cars with fossil fuels are perhaps making life difficult. The invention of hybrid cars is considered to be the perfect cure for the trouble of fossil fuel driven cars. Well, they may be good solutions as they can run on both gas and batteries without the need for recharging. But, think the other side- can we really afford the costly cure? Well, we should have swelling bank balance to enjoy the luxury of driving the environment- friendly hybrids. You will have to make real savings because the batteries too come expensive which need to be replaced from time to time.
Take for example Honda’s tiny Insight- a light-weight two-seater with limited cargo space and price tag of $21000 is powered by a tiny three-cylinder engine with an occasional assist from batteries that recharge by reclaiming the energy expended when you slow down or brake. But, it is expensive when you consider its size and lack of utility.
We give you another example of Honda’s Civic Hybrid. Though it is a bestseller, it will cost you whopping $22000 though it is not the best! Another option given by the company is the Accord Hybrid, which is best known for its unique twist in the power from its small electric motor primarily to boost performance. But, will you really want to spend as much as $30000 for this Hybrid?
The latest news is that the hybrid pickups from Chevrolet, GMC and Dodge are in the works to hit the market soon.
Do you know that your normal car can be converted to run on more water than gas making it a hybrid? The end product of this is water which is not harmful emissions as what is done by the combustion of fossil fuels? All that being said, do you still want to burden your own economical budget with this luxury? Why should you not consider this option? Think it over…
Tags: hybrid, environment, gasoline, cost, budget
Thu, April 24, 2008 9:14 am By Robert Freeman
 The company officials of BMW, at the international media launch of BMW’s new X6 “Sport Activity Coupe” announced that the two mode hybrid will be launched in 2009. The X6 will be BMW’s first application of the two mode hybrid system that is being developed along with General Motor, Daimler and Chrysler.
According to the officials, the BMW will be using a nickel metal hydride battery for the initial applications. As per the company’s engineers, the BMW engine won’t be using cylinder deactivation.
It’s known that BMW X6 will be built in their Spartanburg South Carolina plant alongside the X5 and X3. The hybrid setup is expected to improve fuel efficiency by twenty percent.
BMW ActiveHybrid is far superior to conventional hybrid vehicles in terms of driving dynamics. Its fuel consumption and emission ratings are up to 20 per cent better than as compared to the other cars with conventional drivetrain technology.
The X6 Hybrid will probably save some amount of gas as compared to the regular models. Interacting with the two-mode active transmission, the concept, through electrical support, offers two operating modes, one for setting off and driving at low speeds, one for higher speeds. This ensures optimum use of the torque generated as a function of driving conditions.
BMW’s trendsetting development strategy for the world is its BMW Active Hybrid. The ActiveHybrid is based on a modular concept following the strategy of “Best of Hybrid” to integrate the most appropriate, optimum components in each case in different concepts.
Tags: hybrid, BMW X6 Two-Mode, ActiveHybrid, fuel efficiency
Thu, April 3, 2008 9:20 am By James Coolridge
 Although Lexus RX 400h is a luxury model, the price of this one’s premium class is merely 10 percent higher than the gas-only model, RX 350. Not only the city mileage is up by almost 50 percent but also the highway mileage is boost up by more than 4 percent. This makes the Lexus RX 400h a compelling buy. The RX is similar to the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, which has a lower overall price and 1 mpg higher highway mileage, but that model’s higher price premium gives it a lower rank. With optional AWD, the RX 400h (26/24 mpg) is an even better deal, with mileage improvements of 53 percent and 9 percent compared to the all-wheel-drive RX 350. EPA-estimated mileage: 27/24
Tags: hybrid, Lexes, RX, 400h
Mon, March 31, 2008 8:55 am By James Coolridge
 Lexus’ GS 450h sedan comes in last because its cost increase outweighs the gains it gets in mileage. The base GS is the GS 350, a relatively efficient and low-priced V-6 model. There’s a 24 percent premium between it and the GS 450h, and what you get for it is a 16 percent city mileage improvement and a 7 percent decrease in highway driving. One could argue that the 450h is being shafted because Lexus offers such a high-mileage gas-only version. (When compared to the V-8-powered GS 460, the hybrid isn’t very expensive and gets better mileage.) But our assumption is that you want a GS and don’t want to pay a lot for efficiency. The 450h’s gains over the V-8 460 certainly have worth, but only you can conclude how much. In this ranking, the GS hybrid looks like a lot of money for little gain. EPA-estimated mileage: 22/25
Tags: hybrid, Lexus GS 450h
Mon, March 31, 2008 8:54 am By James Coolridge
 To people who say a full-size truck defeats the purpose of a hybrid, we say “nonsense.” People who want or need a large SUV may have even better reason for cutting back on gas than the owner of an already-efficient car does. The Tahoe Hybrid gives up practically none of the original’s capability, including towing, and gets a stunning 50 percent increase in city mileage and 16 percent bump on the highway. It comes in eighth not because of its size, but because of its added cost: 43 percent more than the lowest-priced gas-only Tahoe. In a rare twist, the cheapest Tahoe isn’t the most efficient. The LT trim level gets higher mileage (it’s an engine thing) but also a higher price. Here the price premium is less, at 35 percent, but the Hybrid’s highway mileage is only 10 percent better than this version, rather than 16 percent. EPA-estimated mileage: 21/22
Tags: Chevy, tahoe, hybrid
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