Porsche Cayenne Hybrid

Autoblog is reporting things are 'firming' up for the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Hybrid. At the Melbourne Auto Show, Michael Winkler, Australian managing director for Porsche, noted the hybrid Cayenne would be on the road in 2009. This is later than their stated goal of 2008.

The design is of more interest, though. It seems the hybrid engine is being designed to work with any of the engines in the Cayenne lineup. So, Porsche is being smart about this, making their debut in the hybrid marketplace with a model that is scalable to their entire line.

Lotus Hybrid Proton Gen.2

Lotus is looking to break into the hybrid marketplace with a prototype to be unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show. The new model is named 'EVE', or Efficient, Viable and Environmental.

Lotus is hoping to integrate their hybrid technology into existing cars, rather than develop a dedicated hybrid platform. It will be less expensive to do so, but it may not be the best long term solution. The best counter example would be to consider the most successful hybrid on the road, i.e. the Prius, is a dedicated hybrid. Also Lexus is looking to build a hybrid only.

The Lotus hybrid engine has been fitted into a Proton Gen.2 for the show. The engine shows remarkable improvements, going from 39.2 mpg to 50.2 mpg and reducing tailpipe emissions by 22% (172 g/km to 134 g/km).

Source: theedgedaily.com

Hybrid Cars are on the Top Picks of 2007 -- Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports selects the top picks of 2007 using the following criteria:
ConsumerReports.org - Top Picks 2007

Our Top Picks are recommended vehicles that have met our stringent requirements in three key areas:

* Testing: Of the more than 250 vehicles we’ve recently tested, each Top Pick has scored at or near the top of its category.
* Reliability: Each has proven average or better in reliability, which is based on more than 1.3 million responses to our Annual Car Reliability Survey.
* Safety: Top Picks also performed at least adequately in overall crash protection if tested by the government or the insurance industry. The report card accompanying each Top Pick shows how the vehicle fared in those areas. Based on those multifaceted criteria, we’ve judged these vehicles to be the most well-rounded packages in their categories.

Among the top picks are two hybrids along with a special note of one more.

The top Green Car was the Toyota Prius, with its high fuel economy along with 'reasonable performance.' Special mention of the Honda Civic Hybrid. The Honda Civic took home the top pick in the small sedan category.

The Toyota Highlander Hybrid took first prize in the Midsized SUV category. Noted for its 'excellent overall package,' the Highlander gets moderately better fuel economy along with a 'comfortable, quiet ride', and 'excellent fit and finish.'

The Honda Accord was first in the family sedan category, with the hybrid model noted for its higher mpg.

Related: Hybrid Reliability and Satisfaction as Reported by Consumer Reports
On in Three Will Consider Hybrids
Consumer Reports Admits it Was Wrong
Consumer Reports Prius Most Satisfying to Own

BMW and DaimlerChrysler to Partner on Mild Hybrid Technology

BMW and DaimlerChrysler announced they are expanding their hybrid technology partnership, by looking into mild hybrid technology for luxury vehicles. I'm just not sure why they would want to do that.

Mild hybrid technology is what you get in GM cars like the Saturn Vue Hybrid. Capable of stopping the engine when the car is stopped, regenerative braking, and an electric motor to assist the gas engine is what makes a hybrid engine mild. Full hybrids are capable of powering the car without using gas at low to moderate speeds.

The pros of such a mild hybrid engine are:

1. You get to (call it/market it as) a hybrid
2. Fuel economy numbers go up (slightly)
3. It's cheaper, both in research costs/ production costs
4. It's cheaper to buy, since mild hybrids cost a thousand or two more than their conventional gas only counterparts, while full hybrids can cost several thousands or more.

The cons are you get what you pay for:

1. Marketing-wise, you look weak against the full hybrids from Toyota/Lexus.
2. A lot of the 'wow' factor is erased.
3. The 'green' aspects are less, as well as the fuel savings

But, as I already mentioned, GM, DaimlerChrysler and BMW have already partnered to create a full hybrid system, the dual-mode hybrid. So, perhaps this new partnership should be taken as a rounding out of what they already have.

They are promising mild hybrids in three years, but also note that each car would be distinct to their brand.

BMW had previously announced they would be making mild hybrid cars.