The base Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price or MSRP of the new third generation of Toyota Prius will currently range from $22,400 to $27,670, depending on the trim package. The revolution will be effective in late October.

In spite of the recession in its sales and the slightly higher price, Toyota is showing little concern about selling Priuses. Actually, Toyota had only 3 days of provide of Toyota Prius in mid September.

In the fourth quarter of 2009 the supply might get even thinner, as the company plans to pay out $1 billion on marketing. That spend is more than 40 percent of the carmaker would typically spend in the quarter. The campaign will contain funding for more incentives and advertising, while dealer will granting more higher profit margins. Irv Miller, the vice president for Toyota’s US sales unit, at a meeting with its dealers in Las Vegas said, “”We see the economy is starting to strengthen a bit, we’ve stopped playing defense. It’s time to go on the offense.”

A Family of Toyota Prius

Miller also said that Toyota plans to add more variants to Toyota Prius line up. He not describe when the timetable. For about two years, the company has hinted at the idea of a family of Priuses, ranging in size from compact to small sports utility or a wagon. The idea has been openly discussed first time in front of top Toyota brass and dealers in Las Vegas meeting.

One of the participants who attended the meeting said, “The Camry hybrid and Highlander hybrid do OK, but calling it ‘Synergy Drive’ never resonated with customers.” Stewart told to Automotive News that Prius it’s a magic name. When you tell anybody that you drive a Toyota Prius, everybody knows what you mean. Stewart said the Priuses will not be a separate sub-brand like Scion.

Additionally, Nikkei, the Japanese business daily report that Toyota plans to start in on commercial production of plug-in hybrids in 2012, and in the first year Toyota will producing between 20,000 and 30,000 units. Toyota expected to sell its plug-in hybrid for about $48,000. Toyota also enlarges its evaluation of plug-in hybrids by leasing five hundred of its third generation of Prius in Japan, the US, and the whole of Europe – government agencies and corporation.

The Main Reason Why Expanding Toyota Prius

The main reasons why Toyota expanding the Prius brand beyond one vehicle is to dominate global hybrid car market. The Ford Fusion Hybrid was marketed as a better more fuel-efficient alternative to the Toyota Camry Hybrid. And Honda is aiming for greater hybrid affordability with the Honda Insight and other future small hybrids. At the same time, a long list of established car companies—as well as a growing number of start-ups and Chinese manufacturers—have announced plans for electric and plug-in hybrids. Last week, BYD –Chinese auto company, said that it to overtake Toyota as the world’s largest automaker in about 15 years, using electric cars, hybrids and other plug-in cars as a key strategy.

2008 Hybrid Cars

Source: HybridCars.com

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evolution of honda insight hybrid

Evoking the aerodynamic five-door sedan design first deployed on the FCX Clarity fuel cell car, the new 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid has a low center of gravity and seats five.

2010 Honda Insight Hybrid combines a 1.3-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy i-VTEC engine and CVT, with a new generation of Honda’s IMA hybrid system. The Insight’s IMA system includes a 10 kW (13 hp) electric motor that delivers 68 lb-ft (92 Nm) of torque and a compact Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) consisting of a 5.75 Ah, 100.8V NiMH battery pack, Power Control Unit (PCU), motor Electric Control Unit (ECU), and cooling system.

Combined output and overall torque of the engine and motor is 98 hp (73 kW) @ 5,800 rpm, with max torque of 123 lb-ft (167 Nm) @ 1,000-1,500 rpm.To further support fuel-efficient driving, the Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) as standard equipment on all models.

The strength of the Insight is the value it brings because of its pricing.  And as the cheapest hybrid, Honda may take over the hybrid car market.

The 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid car made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January and goes on sale in the US in April 2009.

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Integrated Motor Assist History

Integrated Motor Assist

The 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, nevertheless, can activate the electrical motor even though the auto is coasting with out turning the internal combustion engine along, although contrary to Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive or perhaps GM and also DaimlerChrysler’s Global Hybrid Cooperation, the Integrated Motor Assist features a to a lesser extent powerful motor generator that allows the vehicle to be able to slow or stop it’s charge per unit associated with deceleration to a lesser extent; it wouldn’t operate on without having turning on the engine which can be straight linked to it’s electric motor.

The idea behind IMA is to apply regenerative braking to be able to recapture a few of the energy missed through deceleration, and also reprocess which energy later to aid speed up the automobile. This has 2 effects: it increases the pace of speedup, plus it reduces the work required from the gasoline engine. The speedup rise is very important because it enables the engine being scaled as a result of a smaller but to a greater extent fuel efficient variant without having rendition the automobile excessively slow or even weak. This smaller engine will be the primary reason vehicles built with IMA improve highway fuel consumption rate than their more traditional counterparts.

Additionally, automobiles built with IMA can shut off their own engine if the auto stops and use the electrical motor to be able to quickly spin it back up once the driver emits the brake foot pedal. There is also a standard starter like a backup, which makes it the only output hybrid system which could operate using its high voltage electric system disabled, only using it’s engine just like a conventional vehicle. Nevertheless, because the IMA also works since the automobile’s alternator, finally the 12 Volt accessory assault and battery might require another charge.

Honda Insight and Integrated Motor Assist

Coming from 1999 to 2006, Honda Insight relied on Integrated Motor Assist system from Honda. The Integrated Motor Assist system assisted the electrical motor to perform start and stop sequences using the accelerator engine throughout sealed driving weather condition. This technique besides kept the hybrid battery charged aside turn the engine in to a generator.

The Honda Hybrid still utilizes the Integrated Motor Assist system; however it experienced a couple of improvements which are based in the up-to-date model. The Honda Insight can perform 40 miles per gallon in the city and also 43 mpg on the highway. The combined fuel consumption rate is 41 mpg.

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Toyota Prius on all its model and Honda Insight on the Insight EX and LX models has requirements to earn the IIHS Top Safety Pick award. Prius and Insight has good ratings in ratings in all three tests (front, side, and rear crash testing) and offer electronic stability control too.

The Toyota Prius Hybrid has an average efficiency rating of 51 mpg, this rating make it as the most fuel efficient vehicle on the market today. The Honda Insight has a combined city and highway rating of 41 mpg.

The IIHS’s side test simulates a crash with a pickup truck or SUV going at 31 mph. The frontal test they use vehicle that have same weight as the test car and moving at 0 mph. The insurance group also simulates a stationary vehicle being rear-ended by a car moving at 20 mph. The test result tell us that the side crash test results apply no matter what size cars we are comparing, but in the front crash test results are meaningful only when you using the same weight comparing models.

In the Honda Insight’s front crash test, the side curtain air bag prevented the dummy’s head from any hitting structures, although there was a risk of rib fractures in the side impact test – but the risk is slightly. In the Toyota Prius’s frontal test, the driver’s head hit the pillar (but the impact was relatively low) between the back and the front windows. The driver dummy’s head suffered slightly more on an impact when the car hit the steering wheel though the air bag.

The video of 2009 Toyota Prius crash test

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And now, I want to share something very special according to this issue. I want review 2011 affordable hybrid cars for you.

1. 2011 Affordable Hybrid Cars: Toyota Camry Hybrid

MSRP: $26,575

2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid comes in at 35 miles per gallon on the highway and 31 miles per gallon in the city fuel efficiency. The features of this car are come stocked with keyless ignition, six speakers stereo, dual-zone climate control, power driver’s seat, and many more. The Toyota Camry Hybrid gives you a more conventionally styled alternative to the Toyota Prius. With MSRP about $26,575, this vehicle is only nominally more expensive than the conventional Toyota Camry – good option for those who can afford it.

Learn more about: 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid

2. 2011 Affordable Hybrid Cars: Honda Civic Hybrid

MSRP: $23,950

2011 Honda Civic Hybrid is a solid option for you whose looking for a hybrid car with muted contemporary styling. The fuel economy of this car at 40 miles per gallon in the city and 43 miles per gallon on the highway. The features of this car including steering wheel, keyless entry, cruise control, steering wheel mounted control, automatic climate control and many more. The plus point for the well crafted interior and an excellent track record which give us a pleasant.

Learn more about: 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid

3. 2011 Affordable Hybrid Cars: Toyota Prius

MSRP: $23,050

The Toyota Prius is the best seller hybrid cars in its category. The car is always leading in fuel efficiency and give passenger comfortable interior with a low initial asking price. With 51 miles per gallon in the city and 48 miles per gallon on the highway, Toyota Prius offers you the best solution for fuel efficient compare than any hybrid. Besides that, Toyota Prius is very comfortable for adult passenger because the interior provides enough head and knee room for them. That’s all make sense is it the most affordable hybrid cars.

Learn more about the 2011 Toyota Prius

4. 2011 Affordable Hybrid Cars: Honda Insight

MSRP: $19,800

The Honda Insight Hybrid Cars boasts a similar aerodynamic exterior and delivers much of the same comfort and aesthetics to the Toyota Prius. This is the economy hybrid punch from Honda Company. The fuel efficiency of this compact car comes in at 40 miles per gallon in the city and 43 miles per gallon on the highway (keep in mind that Prius not a compact car but delivers midsize proportions). The feature of Honda Insight Hybrid come complete with automatic climate control, height adjustable driver’s seat, full power accessories, and many more.

Learn more about the 2011 Honda Insight

5. 2011 Affordable Hybrid Cars: Honda CR-Z

MSRP: $19,200

The Honda CR-Z Hybrid is the most 2011 affordable hybrid cars on the market in this year. This vehicle allows you to switch the mode from normal, eco, and sport driving. The EPA rating of this car about 35 miles per gallon in the city and 39 miles per gallon on the highway. Honda hopes they can get more attention from the youth market with Honda CR-Z Hybrid cars.

Learn more about the 2011 Honda CR-Z

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Among all carmakers Honda was at the peak, with every Acura and Honda vehicle surveyed having better than average predicted reliability. And then, with 98 percent – Toyota and Lexus models were right behind them. Ford Company secured its position as the only one automaker from US with world class reliability.

Almost all hybrid cars have a good position in most reliable cars. There were no hybrid cars that on the list of least reliable cars.

Most Reliable Car and Efficiency

In this month report, the EPA’s released its fuel economy rankings with hybrid gas electric vehicles dominated in this category – 9 of the top 10 vehicles for the 2010 model year are hybrid gas electric vehicles. As last year result, Toyota Prius still in the top with fuel economy of 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. And then Ford Fusion Hybrid and its Mercury Milan twin, the Honda Insight Hybrid and Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Nissan Altima Hybrid models behind the Prius.

Hybrid gas electric vehicles establish the dominant as both the most reliable car and most fuel efficient – the result is the combine of the CR rankings and EPA.

The annual CR most reliable car ratings are based on a survey covering more than 1.4 million automobiles owned or leased by subscribers of CR. To become the ‘Recommended’ vehicle, the car must perform well in tests conducted at its 327 acre ATC or Auto Test Center, in government, and insurance industry crash and rollover test.

After that, the final results of the most reliable cars survey will be published in the December issue of the magazine. The magazine will goes on sale on November 3.

2010 Most Reliable Car

Other post you may be interested in reading: Chevrolet Hybrid, Alternative Energy-1, and Alternative Energy-2.

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Nowadays many automakers coming out with their creations. More than six different automakers now make hybrid cars. So, there are multi choices for customers, not just a Prius or an Insight anymore.

As a usual, Toyota Prius with EPA rating of 51 mpg city and 48 mpg highway was once again dominate in this category. Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Twin, Honda Insight, Honda Civic, and the Nissan Altima are other vehicles in the top ten. Smart ForTwo is the only one of non-hybrid on the top ten lists with rated at 33mpg city and 41 mpg highway.

Similar to last year, Japanese automakers (esp. Toyota) again dominated the annual rankings with eight hybrid gas electric vehicles in the top ten. But now, Ford is join the upper echelon of top ten hybrid company – Ford is the single fighter from American Company in this category. If the trends is continues, Ford will become the second biggest seller of hybrid cars – overtake Honda position in the top ten.

Besides Toyota Prius Dominate EPA Rating, there are other articles by Johan Young you may interest in reading: Infiniti M35, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Chevrolet Aveo, and Chevy Equinox.

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However, internally, with Civic Hybrid, Honda had a record with sales up 17,5 percent to 25,571 for the calendar year.

In addition, total sales of Honda hybrid cars also rose 18.6 percent to a new record of 27,215 vehicles with its Accord Hybrid in 2004.

In early 2006, total Honda hybrid sales since the introduction of the Honda Insight in December 1999 have been over than 100,000 hybrid cars sold in major markets, including 5,900 in Japan, 89,000 in United State, 1,500 in Canada, and 3,800 in Europe.

Honda Hybrid Cars – 2006

In 2006, Honda hybrid cars have three hybrid cars available in the United State market – with the addition of Honda Accord in 2004.

Honda Accord Hybrid, the newest of Honda hybrid cars, which was introduced in the fourth quarter of 2004, has been strong seller for the company in North America since the introduction of the car to consumers.

Honda Accord Hybrid

Honda Accord Hybrid becomes a favorite of customers around the world since the model’s launch in 1976.

As for the version of hybrid, it is a 225 horse power, V-6 car that gives you lower end torque with increased fuel economy.

The 2005 EPA fuel economy performance expected that Honda Accord can get about 37 mpg in highway and 29 mpg in city.

Honda Civic Hybrid

Civic was the second of Honda hybrid vehicle in the United State market – launched back in 2002.

To aimed best fuel efficiency, Honda Civic Hybrid uses an IMA or integrated motor assist system with a lightweight gasoline engine and a compact electric motor.

In 2006, Civic nominated as “Car of the Year” by Motor Trend and 2006 North American Car of the Year.

Honda Insight Hybrid

As a first next generation gasoline electric hybrid sold in the United State markets, Honda Insight Hybrid holds many benchmarks that others try to achieve.

For fuel efficiency, the Honda Insight has been the overall leading car in the U.S. car market for six years in a row.

Rating for the Insights was at 60/66 mpg for manual transmission Insight in 2005 – EPA fuel economy.

Given those fuel economy figures, Honda has expected the driving range of the Honda Insight hybrid about 600-700 miles on one 10.6-gallon tank of regular unleaded gas.

Honda Hybrid Cars’ Video

Another articles you may interest in reading: Audi A3 The Most Fuel Efficient and Cleanest Cars, Carbon Offsets, and BMW X5.

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