3rd-Gen Prius Expected to Get 90+ MPG

khallgeisler — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Mark your calendars: the next-generation Toyota Prius is expected to debut next January at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Internet rumor mill has it that the car could debut in U.S. showrooms as early as April 2009 -- a mere three months after its official unveiling in Detroit. Toyota could even up the Prius's fuel economy to more than 90 mpg.

The engine is slated to grow from 1.5 liters to 1.8 liters, which means an extra 25 horsepower -- a noticeable increase. That might be enough to allow the size of the Prius to grow a bit and accomodate even a long-legged driver.

The increase in power doesn't sap the car's efficiency, though; rather, it should increase the mileage, too. U.S. News said recently the Prius 3G could get 94 mpg, while AutoBlogGreen reported a more reasonable -- and realistic -- 50-55 mpg. The EPA rates the 2008 Prius at 48 city, 45 highway.

If you can wait another year or two, Toyota has confirmed that plug-in Prius hybrids with cutting-edge lithium-ion batteries will be available to consumers in the U.S. in 2011. If you can't wait, hacking your Prius is the only way to go today, thanks to companies like Hymotion and Hybrids Plus.

Honda's New Hybrid To Do Battle with Prius

khallgeisler — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Gas prices have risen so high -- thanks to oil prices being over $130 a barrell -- that Honda decided to rethink its hybrid program, which to date has exactly one model: the Civic. Why bother to put a hybrid in a small, inexpensive car that already gets 34 mpg on the highway? Because people will buy it, that's why.

After last month's sales numbers, car makers seem to have gotten the message. Buyers want smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. And if there's a hybrid on board, all the better. Honda heard the message loud and clear, then rolled out its plans to have a four-car hybrid lineup by 2015: the Civic; the Fit; the sporty CRZ; and, as early as next year, a hybrid-only model Honda hopes will knock the Prius from its high and mighty (and million-selling) perch.

The unnamed hybrid will debut in 2009 to do head-to-head battle with the Prius. Like Toyota's best-selling hybrid, this car would be a five-door sedan available only with a hybrid powerplant, but Honda head honcho Takeo Fukui wouldn't say how much it would cost. No name, no price ... sounds vague, though it will likely be based, looks-wise, on the company's Clarity hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicle.

future cars

3rd-Gen Prius Expected to Get 90+ MPG

Honda's New Hybrid To Do Battle with Prius