My Perfect Automobile » Hybrid Cars

Toyota Camry is Top Hybrid on Consumer Reports List

Larry Bell — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:01:08 +0000

Toyota Camry Hybrid

The recent Consumer Reports car quality list ranked an all-electric car at the top for the first time ever. Tesla’s Model S sedan notched an almost perfect score and made automotive history in the process. Lost in much of the media coverage was the fact that Toyota’s Camry Hybrid placed fourth on the list, and was the highest-ranking hybrid among the candidates. In fact, the top ten cars on CR’s list included just one with a base price under $30,000. That honor also went to Camry Hybrid, which carries a sticker of $29,052 (the price of the model that Consumer Reports tested).

Toyota Camry Hybrid: Video

For a thorough review of the Camry Hybrid, view the short clip above. Notably positive, the reviewer offers up interesting factoids about the car. For one thing, most owners are finding they get better mileage than the listed 40/38. Camry is Toyota’s best-selling mid-sized sedan for a reason; year in and year out, Camry delivers a wealth of standard features that people want, need, and enjoy. In addition, this particular hybrid features 10 airbags on the base model, two of which are knee-airbags, one of the more high-tech safety amenities in modern automotive design.

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Technically, there was a three-way tie for fourth place in the CR rankings, with Audi’s A6 and Infiniti’s M37 joining the Camry Hybrid with statistical ratings of 93 (out of a possible score of 100). Note, however, that both the A6 and the M37 cost almost twice what Toyota’s hybrid model does. No matter how one does the math, Toyota’s Camry Hybrid provides more quality per dollar than any vehicle among the CR top ten.

Among the top three, Tesla’s Model S costs $89,650, second-ranked BMW 135i carries a price tag of $37,650, and third-place Infiniti G37 sedan is $37,225. Those three cars scored 99, 97, and 95, respectively.

http://www.toyota.com

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

Chevy Volt for $10K Less?

Larry Bell — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:36:53 +0000

Chevy Volt

General Motors CEO Dan Akerson has hinted that the next generation Chevy Volt might be priced as much as $10,000 less than the current base sticker of $39,995. During a recent industry event, Akerson also noted that the future version of Volt would likely be lighter and more profitable. A $10K price cut would put the Chevy Volt smack in the middle of competitors’ EV price profile. Ford, Toyota and Nissan already offer electric vehicles that straddle the $30,000 price point.

Chevy Volt: Video

For someone who was not originally a fan of the Chevy Volt, the narrator of the above video clip certainly changed his mind. Now, during an extended review ride, he discusses some of the car’s interesting nuances of performance in cold and warm weather. Driving around the streets of Wisconsin, the driver switches between gas and electric drive several times, demonstrates the basics about home charging, and explains the wonders of what he calls “stealth,” or silent, driving. The bottom line from his demo drive is that the Volt is comfortable, fun to drive, handles very well, and gets incredible mileage.

Chevy Volt Price

Industry sources early this year reported that GM is thinking about reducing Volt’s engine size from four to three cylinders, and reducing the current 1.4-liter displacement to either 1.0- or 1.2- liters in an effort to improve fuel efficiency and trim the car’s weight. Apparently, the company is considering the smaller engine for the Cadillac ELR and the Chevy Volt, both of which use the Voltec drivetrain. As is typical in such situations, GM has neither confirmed nor denied specifics about the engine in its next generation Volt, but CEO Akerson’s more recent allusion to a lower price tag for the future Volt would make sense if the company were to cut engine size for the ELR and Volt.

For more about the Chevy Volt, and all the other vehicles made by Chevrolet, see the U.S. carmaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.chevy.com

Larry Bell

Range Rover Hybrid Ready for Frankfurt

Larry Bell — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:50:25 +0000

Range Rover Sport Hybrid

The upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show will feature the debut of a diesel hybrid Range Rover as well as the Range Rover Sport Hybrid. In order to maintain the vehicles’ spacious interiors, both will carry under-floor battery packs. All indications from company spokespersons point to generator placement being midway between the combustion engine and transmission. So far, there has been no official decision about selling the new vehicles in the U.S. market.

Range Rover: Video

See the above clip from the Shanghai Auto Show to get a glimpse of the enthusiasm on the Range Rover team. Though the RR Sport Hybrid will not be unveiled until the Frankfurt Auto Show, Shanghai’s event featured its share of surprises from the RR team. The company is preparing a four-cylinder version of the car as well as the diesel hybrid for Frankfurt. According to Land Rover officials, the hybrid will boast a fuel efficiency rating in the 44 mpg range. Most of RR’s newer engines carry an eight-speed box, regen braking, and stop-start technology. All the new features contribute to a smaller carbon footprint.

Range Rover Hybrid

The pedigree of the Range Rover can get a bit complicated. The vehicle is produced by the British company Land Rover, which itself is part of the Jaguar Land Rover grouping under overall corporate ownership of global auto giant Tata Motors. Because Land Rover has invested so heavily in Range Rover’s name and technology, many consumers mistakenly use the names interchangeably.

Diesel hybrid vehicles have become very popular in Europe and Asia during the past decade, though only now are beginning to gain sales traction in the U.S. Some industry analysts believe that the Range Rover Sport Hybrid could make its way to American showrooms if sales in Europe prove to be strong.

For more information about the Range Rover, see Land Rover’s official corporate website:
http://www.landrover.com/us/en/rr/

Larry Bell

Qoros Wins China’s “Most Beautiful Automobile” Award

Larry Bell — Tue, 07 May 2013 23:11:03 +0000

The Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid Concept car

Qoros Auto Co. took home the top prize from Car and Driver China magazine in the “Most Beautiful Car” category. The company’s Qoros 3 was the recipient of the trophy, as chief designer Gert Volker Hildebrand graciously stated, “I promise we will do our best to come back on stage here pretty soon in order to thank you for future awards.” The model is the first production car Qoros has offered.

Qoros Hybrid: Video

For a fascinating look at a car company that is little known in the U.S., but is currently making a big name for itself in Asia and Europe, see the video clip above. It features the Qoros press conference from last week’s Shanghai Auto Show, where the automaker took home the “Most Beautiful Car” trophy for its latest model design.

Qoros

Qoros has one of the more unusual, and clever, names of any carmaker in the world. The Chinese name for the company is Guan Zhi ,which is a combination of the words for “adaptation, learning, or observation,” and “perfection, or striving to be the best.” In English, the name Qoros was chosen for an equally thoughtful reason. Q stands for quality, namely the organization’s desire to be held to the highest international standards. In addition, the word is a sound-alike for the Greek word, “khoros,” which means “a chorus of voices.” As the company’s literature explains, “Qoros the company is therefore an expression of many voices and talents from all over the world, working together as one team to create quality products.”

The Qoros headquarters office is in Shanghai. The company develops high quality, innovative vehicles for young drivers who live in metro areas. Since 2007, the year of its founding, Qoros Auto Co. has employed an international team of specialists from inside and outside the auto industry. Qoros was formed as the result of an equal partnership between China’s largest carmaker, Chery Automobile, and the Israel Corporation, an international holding company. For more about Qoros, see the company’s official corporate website below:
http://www.qorosauto.com/en

Larry Bell

McLaren P1 Hybrid Does Arctic Testing

Larry Bell — Mon, 06 May 2013 23:19:16 +0000

McLaren P1 hybrid supercar

McLaren Automotive tested its upcoming P1 hybrid super car on barren swaths of the Arctic Circle in north Sweden. In the rarefied air of ultra-costly car sales, the McLaren will face off against several other heavy-hitting elites, like the recently unveiled LaFerrari and Porsche’s unique 918 Spyder. Boasting 664 pound-feet of torque, a limited top speed of nearly 220 mph, and a breathtaking total 903 horsepower, the P1 is worth every penny of its $1,150,000 sticker price.

McLaren P1 Freeze Drive

McLaren Automotive is putting the final touches on its one-and-only batch of P1 super cars for 375 lucky customers. The company promises the car will be “the best driver’s car in the world on road and track,” so expectations are high. The short video clip above is exciting footage of the super hybrid being run through some tests in icy conditions. Considering the stratospheric price tag of the P1, don’t feel out of place being a bit nervous watching the test car almost lose its footing a couple of times on that lonesome Arctic track. At least there were no other vehicles around to bump into!

McLaren P1 Hybrid

The P1 hybrid gets to 60 mph in less than three seconds. The automotive work of art made its debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, and borrows style cues from the McLaren MP4-12C as well as the McLaren F1. Some keen-eyed observers have noted that the car’s headlights replicate the company’s logo. The two-door coupe is being assembled in Surrey, England. It features a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission and a twin-turbo, 3.8-liter V8 engine. The combustion powertrain is mated to a 176-horsepower KERS electric motor that is capable of taking the P1 12 miles on nothing but electric propulsion. In all-electric mode, the car tops out at just 30 mph, a far cry from its actual speed capacity of 239 mph. Alas, that speed is electronically limited to a more modest 217 mph for production purposes.

For more about the McLaren P1 and the rest of the company’s great looking cars, see Mclaren’s official corporate website:
http://www.mclarenautomotive.com

Larry Bell

EV Car Sales: Second-Generation Volt by 2016

Larry Bell — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:36:19 +0000

EV Car Sales (Pictured: Chevy Volt)

Amid a flurry of plug-in car sales announcements late last week, GM CEO Dan Akerson said Chevrolet Volt would unveil a second-generation model not later than 2016. The Chevy Volt, Nissan’s all-electric Leaf, and the Tesla Model S electric sedan all jockeyed for top sales spot in April. While Volt’s sales were down compared to April 2012, the model did manage a 3 percent increase for the first four months of 2013, compared to the same period last year. April marked the second month in a row that Volt was slightly outsold by the Nissan Leaf, as Tesla Motors appears to have beaten both those cars in the monthly sales derby.

EV Car Sales: Video

The video clip above contains the sort of footage that electric car enthusiasts live for, a Formula-E burnout on the streets of L.A. It is all quite legal of course, as the demo was under the auspices of city officials there to promote alternative fuels. Notice the odd lack of noise compared to combustion car burnouts, where decibel levels are almost deafening. Some hardcore-racing fans claim a race is not a race without noise. Formula-E followers, on the other hand, love the hum and rev of the smooth-running electric motor. The good news is, you still get the burnout.

EV Car Sales

Tesla Motors does not reveal monthly sales data, but analysts estimate that the luxury electric sedan topped the much less expensive Volt and Leaf in April sales. As gasoline prices have leveled off, one company official at Chevrolet noted that competition between GM’s Chevy Volt, Nissan’s Leaf and Tesla’s Model S will become more competitive. Volt ruled the roost for a number of months, but now that Nissan has gone into full domestic production with its Leaf, and cut its price by $6,000, the battle of the plug-ins is getting underway. For its part, Tesla Motors expects to sell 20,000 Model S cars by the end of 2013.

For more about the carmakers mentioned above, see their official websites:
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Gov’t Fleet Will Add 10,000 Hybrids

Larry Bell — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:54:13 +0000

Ford Fusion Hybrid

The U.S. government announced this week that it would add 10,000 hybrid vehicles to the federal fleet in an effort to cut fuel usage and reduce carbon emissions. According to estimates by the General Services Administration (GSA), the move will save about 1 million gallons of gasoline each year. The agency’s acting administrator, Dan Tangherlini, said, “At a time when government needs to make every tax dollar count, GSA is committed to creating more energy efficiency and cost-saving opportunities like the fleet consolidation program that make government smarter and reduce our environmental footprint.”

Hybrid Cars: Video

Government purchasing agents at GSA have plenty of hybrid vehicles to choose from in reaching their goal of adding 10,000 hybrids to the federal fleet. The short video clip above offers a quick look at one of Volkswagen’s offerings for 2013. The Jetta Hybrid is the product of a German automaker who has built a powerful reputation in the field of diesel engineering. The reviewer’s impression of the car? He finds the Jetta Hybrid agile, peppy and fun to drive, even though is can’t match mpg numbers of its direct competitor, the Toyota Prius.

Gov’t Fleet

In 2011, the president instructed federal agencies to rid their fleets of SUVs and other large cars in order to save money and improve air quality. The U.S. Interior Department will be among the early adopters of the new push. It plans to buy about 300 hybrid vehicles to improve fuel usage in its own fleet. GSA is helping fund the program by financing the additional costs for any federal agency that swaps out its older cars for hybrid sedans. GSA is in charge of administering the new program and hopes to create a government fleet in which about 10 percent of the cars are hybrids.

For more information about Ford Motor Co. and Volkswagen, see the companies’ official corporate websites:
http://www.ford.com
http://www.vw.com

Larry Bell

Used Cars or New Cars? Experts Give Buying Advice

Larry Bell — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 01:45:26 +0000

Used or New? (pictured: a new LaFerrari hybrid)

Car buyers often fret at the prospect of choosing between a new vehicle and a used one. Lately, many experts in the automotive press have been making the case for used cars, especially in a challenging economy. Because mainstream models now last much longer than in days past, and because buyers can find certified pre-owned cars at respected dealerships, used cars have been gaining in reputation and sales numbers. In fact, certified pre-owned vehicles are among the most popular choices on dealer lots in major cities. Improved reliability and longer product life mean a used car might very well have 10 or more solid years of usage in its future.

Used Cars: Video

Whether you are searching for a new or used car, the above video clip will be of great interest to hybrid fans especially. It lists ten of the best hybrids available. The venerable Chevy Volt made the cut of course, as did Honda’s attractive Insight and one of the genre’s new stars, the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The Lincoln MKZ hybrid, the Lexus CT 200h, along with Toyota’s Camry hybrid, all made the list as well. In fact, Korean automaker Hyundai gets special mention as being one of the most reasonably priced of the bunch, while Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI is the lone diesel model in the elite ten. Buick’s LaCrosse eAssist wins kudos for its luxurious interior and over-35 mpg fuel efficiency. That’s nine in all. Watch the video and see what the author listed as his number-one pick of the hybrid segment. You might be surprised.

For those in the market to buy or sell a used car, the classified section of MyPerfectAutomobile has something for every automotive taste. Browse the huge selection and use the online tools to drill down to your specific favorite. The direct link for MPA’s classifieds is:
http://myperfectautomobile.com/classified/

Larry Bell

Hybrid Market Share Grew 41 Percent in 2012

Larry Bell — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:05:18 +0000

Hybrid car sales (pictured: Toyota Camry hybrid)

The market share for hybrid car sales grew by 41 percent in 2012, according to an extensive study done by Experian Automotive. Total overall market share for hybrids stands at 3.1 percent and is expect to continue climbing in each quarter of 2013. Experian also analyzed characteristics of borrowers who purchased hybrid cars. The company found that hybrid purchasers had higher credit ratings, on average, than buyers of non-hybrid automobiles. A company spokesperson said, “Hybrid vehicle owners have long been perceived as environmentally conscious consumers. While they may have made the vehicle purchase due to caring for the environment, our research shows that hybrid owners are economically-minded as well.”

Hybrid Car Sales: Video

For a close-up look at the BMW i8 hybrid sports car doing the circuit at Nurburgring, see the short video clip above. When hybrid car sales kick into high gear, the 2014 BMW i8 will already be on the streets. Set for a late 2013 production date, the car is the final evolution of BMW’s Vision Efficient-Dynamics concept, which made auto show rounds several years ago. The high-performance hybrid boasts a combined 349 horsepower and a 4.6-second ZTS (zero-to-sixty) time. According to BMW, the i8 will achieve 78 mpg and will be able to roll for 22 miles on electric power alone. The gasoline engine in the i8 is a 6-cylinder, 3.0-liter. The car was one of the more popular show pieces for BMW on the international auto show circuit.

Hybrid Car Sales

Experian’s study summary noted that the average dollar amount financed for a hybrid purchase was $25,807, with an average monthly payment of $461. Buyers of new hybrid cars had credit ratings of 790, compared to the average U.S. score of 755 for buyers of non-hybrid cars.

For more about the company that compiled the data for the hybrid car sales study, see Experian’s official corporate website:
http://www.experian.com

Larry Bell

Wireless Plug-In for Buick Riviera Concept

Larry Bell — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:04:58 +0000

Buick Riviera wireless plug-in concept

GM unveiled its Buick wireless plug-in concept at a special showing in Detroit, just hours before the vehicle’s official debut at the Shanghai Auto Show. Not destined for production, the concept’s shocking color, gull-wing doors, and wireless charging system are considered hints of Buick’s future design language. GM Shanghai president Ye Yongming said of the concept, “By seamlessly integrating advanced technologies, flexible functions and contemporary aesthetics, the new Riviera heralds the start of a new chapter for the 110-year-old Buick brand.”

Buick Riviera Concept: Video

Buick used the Shanghai Auto Show to officially debut the car that marks what its makers call, “the start of a new chapter” for Buick. That, according to Shanghai GM President Ye Yongming, is what the newest plug-in version of Riviera is all about. The stunning vehicle, shown in the video clip above, features a package of high-tech components including wireless plug-in capability, intelligent four-wheel steering, and electro-magnetic suspension. The automaker refers to these functions collectively as BIP, or Buick Intelligent Performance. The Buick Riviera Concept electric car is the fourth concept vehicle from the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) and GM Shanghai. The car’s charging unit is positioned inside the Buick porthole design.

Buick Riviera

According to GM, the new Riviera’s design was inspired by the well-known Chinese adage, “The greatest good is like water.” One of the vehicle’s features is a green “eco mode,” that allows for sports car-like performance even while functioning in hybrid drive. GM and its joint venture partners look to show more than 50 new vehicles at the Shanghai show, several of which are the product of joint venture efforts. Buick sold just over 700,000 cars in China last year and was part of the overall GM strategy to increase sales in what is becoming the most important auto market in the world.

For more information, see the official Buick corporate website:
http://www.buick.com

Larry Bell

Chevy Volt MPG Stats Amaze Analysts

Larry Bell — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:35:14 +0000

2013 Chevy Volt

General Motors announced that Chevy Volt owners collectively surpassed 150 million miles of all-electric driving sometime in early April. Having now compiled a mountain of data about the car, its capabilities and its drivers’ habits, Chevrolet noted that the average Volt owner fills the tank once every 900 miles. That makes for approximately $1,300 in fuel savings per year for the typical Volt owner. Chevrolet reported an 8.4 percent increase in sales for the car through the initial quarter of 2013, notching 4,244 units sold for the first three months of the year. The company is on track to sell over 25,000 of the range-extender electric vehicles if current sales trends hold for the remainder of 2013.

Chevy Volt: Video

For those who have not had the chance to drive a Chevy Volt, the video clip above is one of the better online offerings of a Volt in action, and includes detailed shots of the interior and exterior. Filmed at the 2013 Vancouver Auto Show’s Ride-and-Drive, the clip covers all the basics and then some. In just over two minutes, viewers get a comprehensive overview of the award-winning, historic Chevrolet vehicle. An official Chevrolet film, the clip does a bit of question-and-answer with people who have just completed their test drive in the Volt.

Chevy Volt

GM points out that while average drivers fill up every 900 miles, many are avoiding gasoline altogether. One driver in the company survey had covered 23,500 miles and used just two tanks of fuel. That driver goes about 9,500 miles between fill ups. Many Volt owners report similar, astronomical MPG numbers based upon the fact that they mostly stay within the car’s 38-mile all-electric range on each trip. Since 2011, Chevy Volt owners are the most satisfied drivers in the world, with a full 90 percent attesting that they would purchase another Volt automobile.

For more about the Chevrolet Volt, and for Chevy’s corporate site, see the links below:
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt-electric-car.html

Larry Bell

Prius Plug-In Test Reveals Surprising Data

Larry Bell — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:13:32 +0000

Toyota Prius Plug-In

Results of a three-year trial show that plug-in hybrid cars can have a significant impact on fuel economy, perhaps causing as much as a 45 percent drop in fuel usage overall. Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid cars were given to city employees in Strasbourg, France, in order to collect detailed data about usage, fuel consumption, personal driving habits, and other relevant behaviors. Study participants covered about 2,500,000 miles during the three-year period and used 145 different charge points to replenish the cars’ batteries.

Prius Plug-In: Video

For a fun look at hybrid car enthusiasts doing something positive to help their fellow citizens, and enjoying themselves in the process, view the hilarious video clip above. An official production of Toyota Motor Corp., the clip highlights how the Toyota Positive campaign works. Those with helpful, fun ideas can submit them to Toyota. If the company likes the pitch, it will back the plan and offer the use of a Prius car. According to official Toyota literature, the idea should, “…combine the good-natured public spirit with the positive power of our new Prius Plug-in Hybrid. Submit your positive ideas and we could give you one of our pioneering hybrid cars to bring it to life. Let’s spread some positivity.”

Prius Plug-In Test

The drivers charged their vehicles an average of 1.1 times per day. One interesting fact from the study is that frequent charging is directly related to low fuel usage. While 60 percent of recharging sessions took place at work, the other 40 percent were done at drivers’ homes.

For more about Toyota, maker of the world’s best-selling hybrid vehicle, see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.toyota.com

To learn more about the Toyota Positive competition, and to see how you can join the fun, visit the company’s instructional link about the event:
http://www.youtube.com/toyotapositive/

Larry Bell