Hybrid Car Review

Mahindra & Mahindra launched their micro-hybrid SUVs, the Scorpio and Bolero, but are they really hybrids?

The new SUVs from M&M come with start-stop technology that will give drivers around 5% savings in fuel. Start-stop technology turns the engine off when the car is stopped and restarts it when the vehicle is ready to go. In this case, when the clutch is pressed.

Many car companies are thinking of releasing this technology across their line-ups, since it's a relatively cheap solution to increase fuel economy slightly. Given new government restrictions and emissions rules, car companies are looking to increase fuel economy across the board and this is just one way of doing it.

But that doesn't really make it a hybrid car. A hybrid, by definition, has more than one engine (and more than one power source) to power or move the vehicle. A mild hybrid can't be moved by the secondary engine, although it 'assists' the main engine, while a full hybrid can be moved by either engine.

By calling these two 'micro-hybrids', M&M get to grab onto the hybrid reputation for fuel economy, but there may not be a real justification for it.

It may be time to define the term hybrid for everyone. With plug-in hybrids, E-REV, gas-electric hybrids (HEV), mild hybrids, full hybrids, and micro-hybrids out there, unless a clear standard is created and stuck with, the consumers who want to purchase these cars are the ones who will get lost. None of the car makers want that.

Source: M&M launches 'micro-hybrid' Scorpio, Bolero- Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times