2010 Toyota Prius IV

Third-generation sedan raises the bar for hybrid performance

By Nina Russin

2010 Toyota Prius

Prius is a Latin word meaning “to go before.” That’s exactly what Toyota did, prior to unveiling the original hybrid sedan in 1997. Ten years before the great recession and record-breaking oil prices, Toyota invested heavily in alternative fuel technology.

Rather than outsourcing, the automaker kept Prius development in-house. Doing so cost more, and slowed the process down. But once accomplished, it also set Toyota up for a leadership position in what has turned out to be a burgeoning market.

Today, Priuses are everywhere: I see almost as many used by cab companies and delivery services as I do privately-owned vehicles. While the federal tax credit helped to stimulate sales early on, it can’t account for the car’s overwhelming popularity.

The reason the Prius is so popular is because it’s easy to live with: durable enough for four-season climates, with a surprisingly versatile interior. Since the nickel-metal hydride battery recharges using regenerative energy, owners don’t have to fuss with plugging the car in.

This year, Toyota introduces the third-generation Prius, with better fuel economy than the model it replaces, and some compelling new features. An optional solar roof panel powers a remote air conditioning system that pre-cools the car. The new model is also safer, with a standard driver’s knee airbag, and available adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Sedan

Clean, green and so much fun

By Nina Russin

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan

Diesel technology has evolved significantly over the past two decades. The new generation of clean diesel cars are fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly, nimble performers. Last year, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI SportWagen won our ALV green car of the year award. This week, I had the chance to drive the wagon’s four-door sibling: the Jetta TDI sedan.

The secret to diesel performance is its low-end torque. The Jetta TDI develops peak torque of 236 foot-pounds at 1750 rpm: just above idle. As a result, the car can accelerate extremely hard from a stop.

Common-rail technology and on-board computer controls have eliminated the lag that plagued older diesel cars. Throttle response on the Jetta TDI is virtually indistinguishable from its gas-powered counterpart.

Diesels emit less carbon dioxide than gas cars: carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas thought to be a major factor is global warming.

But here’s the best part: diesel cars yield between 25 and 30 percent better fuel economy than equivalent gasoline models. The fuel economy improvement is applicable to both city and highway driving. And unlike hybrids, the buyer doesn’t pay extra for the technology. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

Stylish mid-sized sedan goes green

By Nina Russin

2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid

This year, Ford and Mercury add hybrid options to their popular mid-sized sedans. The Fusion and Milan share the same powertrain: a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with a 106-horsepower electric motor and continuously-variable automatic transmission. A nickel-metal hydride battery pack is mounted between the trunk and back seats.

The difference between the two sedans is styling: the Milan appeals to a more upscale audience with a dressed-up exterior and interior. The premier grade (tested) rides on 17-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, two-tone leather trim, a leather wrapped steering wheel and metallic finishes on the instrument panel have a similar feel to contemporary home furniture.

Eco displays on the instrument panels are slightly different. The Fusion records fuel economy on a bar graph to the right of the speedometer. The Milan uses a leaf display: the number of leaves reflects the driver‘s efficiency.

Several months back, I spent a week in the Fusion Hybrid; this week I had a chance to test drive the Milan. My Fusion test drive had left me with extremely favorable impressions: I averaged over forty miles per gallon on a mixture of highways and city streets.

While I drove the Fusion in relatively mild weather, I was testing the Milan during the hottest part of the Phoenix summer. Average temperatures during my test drive were 108-110 degrees. I was curious to see how the extreme temperatures would affect my fuel economy and the car’s overall performance. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Mid-sized sedan yields 40 mile-per-gallon fuel economy

By Nina Russin

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid

When Ford execs at last year’s LA Auto show predicted that the new Fusion Hybrid would outperform the competition, there was a collective sigh from the audience. Journalists tend to shy away from blanket statements; the fact that the Ford press conference followed several earlier announcements making similar claims didn’t help.

Last month, a team of Ford engineers and professional drivers traveled over 1400 miles in a Fusion Hybrid on a single tank of gas. The record-setting road trip set tongues wagging. Doubting Thomases though we may be, journalists love to be proved wrong. The team averaged over 80 miles-per-gallon in the Fusion: almost twice the EPA estimate.

This week, I had the opportunity to get behind the wheel myself. Although my eco-driving skills lag far behind the champion hyper-miler and NASCAR driver on the Ford team, I averaged 43.7 miles-per-gallon during a 70 mile test drive that was evenly divided between highways and surface streets. That’s almost five miles-per-gallon better than the EPA average, and I was running the air conditioner. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Lexus HS 250h

Hybrid sedan fills out the entry luxury line-up

By Nina Russin

2010 Lexus HS 250h

The HS 250h is Lexus’ first dedicated gasoline-electric hybrid. The sedan, that rolls into dealerships this August, is the third pillar in an entry luxury strategy that also includes the comfort-focused ES, and high-performance IS models.

Power comes from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine and two electric motors, mated to a continuously variable automatic transaxle. A compact inverter converts direct current from the car’s nickel-metal hydride battery into alternating current for the motors. The battery is located between the car’s rear seat and trunk.

An electric power steering pump, similar to the design on other Toyota and Lexus hybrids is lighter and more fuel efficient than a hydraulic mechanism. The electric pump eliminates parts that would traditionally wear out and require replacement during the car’s life cycle.

A fully-independent suspension includes a front stabilizer bar to keep the chassis flat while cornering. Buyers who purchase the base model can upgrade from standard 17 to 18-inch wheels by adding a touring package. The option group also includes heated front seats and a sport suspension. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Honda Insight EX

Affordable hybrid averages over 40 mpg

By Nina Russin

2010 Honda Insight

The original Honda Insight was an uber-cool  hatchback with a small, but loyal cult following. It was cool because it had incredible fuel economy (70 mpg) and went like spit. The problem was that it only held two passengers, and had very limited cargo space.

The all-new Insight promises to have wider appeal. It’s bigger, holding up to five passengers, and has enough room behind the rear seats to store luggage or groceries. Best of all, the Insight is priced within reach of the average buyer: the base LX model starts at $19,800.

Having been a huge fan of the original Insight, I was excited about getting behind the wheel of the 2010 model. The test car is the EX grade that starts at $21,300. Unlike the base model, the EX includes Eco Assist: the speedometer background changes color to reflect driving efficiency. The background is green when the driver is maximizing fuel economy; blue when he’s not. I must admit, I was most often in the blue.

Despite that, I averaged 42 miles-per-gallon: a slight improvement over the EPA estimate. While the continuously variable transmission doesn’t produce the spitball performance of the original Insight, the new model is still a fun car to drive.

The Eco Assist feature is fun to play with: perhaps too much fun because I found myself focusing on that rather than the road. Honda has done a great job on interior ergonomics, from the Insight’s right-size steering wheel to its intuitive center stack. Read the rest of this entry »

2009 Shanghai Motor Show Begins

Chinese market growth attracts Automakers’ debuts and green initiatives

By Jol Dantzig

Porsche Panamera World Premier

Record numbers of automakers have come to China to participate in the Shaghai Motor Show which opened today, Monday April 20th. Despite the financial turndown around the globe, China remains a strong market for cars, showing an increase of 5% in March. The rise in sales is across all ranges and accordingly displays of major and minor brands included luxury, exotic and increasingly more hybrid and alternative fueled vehicles as well.

As if to underscore the importance of this show, Porsche chose Shanghai for the world launch of the Panamera, the maker’s first-ever four-door sedan. Porsche is also promising a hybrid version in the near future. Hybrids from Toyota, Honda and Nissan are featured prominently along with Ford’s Fusion and eco-friendly Iosis MAX concept. Similarly, Mercedes Benz is highlighting their new C Class with Bluetec Diesel technology.

Clearly, the emphasis on green engineering for China and the rest of the world is on display in Shaghai. How soon we see all of these ideas here in the US may depend upon their reception overseas.

Honda Insight Rolls Into Dealerships

Pricing begins at $19,800

2010 Honda Insight

Honda’s affordably-priced Insight goes on sale this week: pricing starts at $19,800 for the LX. The upscale EX with navigation starts at $23,100.

Honda is targeting Gen Y and empty nesters with its new compact hybrid. Since most hybrid cars sell for $25,000 or more, Honda is hoping the Insight will hit a yet-untapped sweet spot in the market. The automaker projects sales of about 90,000 cars per year.

Styling from the A-pillar forward is similar to the FCX Clarity: Honda’s production fuel cell car. Unlike the original Insight that debuted ten years ago, the new car has a spacious interior with seating for up to five passengers.

Power comes from a 1.3-liter engine rated at 98 horsepower, and a 10-kilowatt electric motor. A continuously-variable transmission optimizes fuel economy and eliminates clunky downshifts. Average fuel economy is 41 miles-per-gallon. Driving range between fill-ups is over 400 miles. Read the rest of this entry »

2010 Toyota Prius

Toyota ups the ante with its third-generation hybrid

By Nina Russin

2010 Toyota Prius

The problem with doing something well is that everybody else wants a piece of it. When Toyota rolled out the first Prius in 2001, industry insiders saw a limited production car for a niche market.

But Toyota knew its hybrid sedan had more potential than sales of 12,000 units that year suggested. The name, Prius, comes from a Latin verb meaning “to go before.” As it turned out, the public’s initial reaction was a swell before the tidal wave of popularity that followed.

Today, Toyota has sold 700,000 Priuses in the US: 1.2 million world wide. The public has taken to gasoline/electric hybrids like ducks to water.

As a result, the duck pond is loaded with competitive products, including the affordably-priced Honda Insight.

When Toyota began work on the third-generation Prius in 2004, it assigned two thousand engineers to the project. The new model doesn’t look radically different than the car it replaces, but looks can be deceiving. Read the rest of this entry »

All-new Honda Insight Starts Under $20,000

Most Affordable New Hybrid Available in the U.S.

Looking for a five-passenger dedicated hybrid for under $20k? Check out the all-new 2010 Honda Insight, which goes on-sale March 24. At $19,800 for the Insight LX, you get 1.3-liter i-VTEC® gasoline engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor that together contribute to an EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy rating of 40/43 miles per gallon.

“The all-new Honda Insight brings the cost of entry for hybrid technology within closer reach of an entirely new car-shopping audience,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “In addition to making good environmental sense, hybrid technology is now entering a new era where it can also make financial sense for a broader range of customers.”

A sleek exterior blends design elements from the original 2000 Insight’s highly aerodynamic side profile with a front-end design similar to the hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity, a marquee environmental product for Honda. The interior offers a roomy passenger environment with a configurable rear seating and cargo area that benefits from 60/40 split fold-down seats.

Major features standard to the Insight LX include front, front-side and side-curtain airbags; an anti-lock braking system; a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT); Eco Assist; automatic climate control; tilt and telescope steering column; manual driver’s seat height adjustment; power windows; a four-speaker AM/FM audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio input for external digital music players; and much more.

A more premium version is also available: The Insight EX, with a MSRP of $21,300. For complete details, visit the official site.