Posted February 27th, 2010 by Heather
For those of you that are not familiar with SEAT as an automaker, I can tell you for sure that they are coming up with some of the best hybrid cars out there – seriously! Take the SEAT IBE Concept for example. While this is just a concept car right now, they are actually looking to make it sort of like a VW, small, compact and with a heck of a lot of power behind it.
To be honest, I think that the SEAT IBE Concept is going to be one car – if it goes through that is definitely going to make waves. If you want a car that is chic, stylish and eco-friendly, the SEAT IBE Concept is going to be it!
Personally, I can not wait to see if this one goes though but … at the Geneva Motor Show, it is going to be shown!
Tags: cars, concept cars, hybrid cars, SEAT IBE Concept
Posted February 26th, 2010 by Heather
One thing that I have noticed about the Smart car is that they are making waves … everywhere. While they are HUGE overseas, it seems that they are also huge in the states as well and now, Smart is getting ‘smart’ with their designs and they are switching out colors for actual designs.
To me, this is something that I love. It is extremely artistic and certainly different than any other car that I have seen. The cool thing about this is that there are supposed to be about 50,000 different styles … while that many might not make it through, 50,000 ideas were submitted.
For just an additional cost, you can customize your car and truly make it your own!
Tags: cars, electric cars, hybrid cars, smart cars
Posted February 8th, 2010 by Heather
Ah, German efficiency. In the world of automobiles, what do you think of when you imagine an efficient automobile? For many people, some type of Volkswagen typically comes to mind — and if that is not the case for you, it might well be after you hear a little bit about the new Volkswagen Touareg.
The second generation of this SUV line, it is much improved over its forebear as far as efficiency goes, thanks in part to being both lower and lighter.
In addition, the new version will, for the very first time ever, have the option of a hybrid drivetrain. In this case, the V6 TSI powerplant well known from VW will be paired with a fantastic 34kW “E-Motor,” which will result in even more fuel economy, not to mention better performance both on the road and off.
Tags: hybrid, Touareg, VW
Posted February 7th, 2010 by Heather
Do you know what is really awesome? Hybrid vehicles. Do you know what is even more awesome than that? Stylish hybrid vehicles. And do you know what is even more awesome still? European hybrid vehicles — with style.
That being said, take a look at Citroen’s new concept, the DS High Rider. In addition to many other fantastic features, this concept features the kind of fuel efficiency that can only be achieved when diesel engines are paired with electric vehicles.
You see, this compact crossover does just that. Not only is it sleek, stylish, and sophisticated, but its diesel engine works in perfect conjunction with its electric motor, the latter of which can be found on the rear axle.
And when the right circumstances come to pass, each of the engines work together to provide even more power.
Tags: Citroën, concept, High Rider, hybrid
Posted January 30th, 2010 by Heather
When you break it down – even though Toyota has been getting a lot of flack about their recent recall, they are still the leader in the hybrid market and when they came out with the brand new Toyota FT-CH at the Detroit Auto Show – it wowed everyone … including me!
Not only is the Toyota FT-CH a little cousin to the Pruis, but it looks neat and certainly looks like it will fit into this world of small, compact cars. This small little car is only about 68.5 inches wide and is not very tall at all but it was definitely making waves at the Detroit Auto Show just a few short weeks ago.
If you are looking for a small hybrid car that is extremely cost-efficient, this is the car for you people!
Tags: hybrid cars, Hybrids, new cars, Toyota, Toyota FT-CH
Posted January 29th, 2010 by Heather
In this blog – we have talked a whole lot about the 2011 BMW 5 Series Hybrid and finally – I am pleased to report that it is almost here. This particular Activehybrid has been in the rumor phase for quite a while and while we had been anticipating it coming around late, late in the summer, it appears that June is the month for the 2011 BMW 5 Series Hybrid to go on sale.
Constantly, in this blog, we are looking for the latest and greatest in the way of hybrids and personally, I think that the 2011 BMW 5 Series Hybrid is the car that is going to make all of us turn our heads. Not only is it absolutely beautiful but it is one car that is making all kinds of waves.
So if you are looking for a hybrid that is still on the sportier side, you might want to give the 2011 BMW 5 Series Hybrid a chance!
Tags: 2011 BMW 5 Series Hybrid, auto news, BMW, hybrid news, Hybrids, news
Posted December 28th, 2009 by Heather
Hyundai’s new ix-Metro, only recently revealed (its unveiling occurred at Frankfurt’s IAA), promises incredibly low CO2 emissions. In a world that is going green at an ever increasing rate, no doubt this news — and this car — will make a lot of drivers begin jumping for joy.
The ix-Metro is the fifth car in a whole series of concepts that will be put together by the Global Design Team of Namyang in Korea. It is also a platform meant to showcase the Blue Drive eco initiative Hyundai is trying to put into place. This initiative is meant to have a whole lot of ecologically and environmentally friendly technologies, not to mention similar products.
The ix-Metro is a sub B segment CUV, a hybrid electric vehicle that, Hyundai swears, gives out only 80 g/km worth of CO2 emissions.
Tags: hybrid, Hyundai
Posted December 27th, 2009 by Heather
Who says that a hybrid car can’t be sporty and luxurious? Well, Subaru certainly never uttered such a silly, blasphemous statement. Just by taking a look at the very first renderings of the new, ultra sleek, uber stylish Subaru Hybrid Tourer concept, you can tell that Subaru has never even considered such an idea!
The forty first annual motor show in Tokyo is responsible for unveiling this beauty to the world. The concept is a proposal designed to introduce a grand touring car for the future, and its aim is the integration of environmental and eco friendliness with safety and driving performance.
As you can see by the car’s exterior, wings and flight are serious inspiration. Well duh, just check out those gull wing doors! This hybrid looks ready to take flight! Talk about environmentally friendly!
Tags: concept, hybrid, Subaru
Posted December 23rd, 2009 by Heather
A lot of people are under the impression that it costs more to maintain a hybrid. Well, let us take a look at that.
The truth of the matter is that it is no more expensive to maintain a hybrid car than it is to maintain a conventional vehicle. In fact, in some instances, maintaining a hybrid car can even cost less because the engine does not undergo as much wear and tear, nor does the braking system.
In fact, conventional vehicles and hybrid cars have a lot of similarities. For instance, hybrid vehicles are specifically designed to drive in the exact same conditions as conventional vehicles — temperatures too. Extreme heat will not hurt a hybrid. Extreme cold will not damage a hybrid either. It can handle it all.
Tags: hybrid, tips
Posted December 21st, 2009 by Heather
A lot of people eschew even the idea of buying a hybrid because they do not know a lot about the vehicles, so we are going to try to clear up some misconceptions.
For instance, many people think that hybrid batteries — or the cars themselves — need to be plugged into something in order to charge. Not so! When the car brakes, the batteries reclaim lost energy.
A lot of people do not know precisely how hybrids work, either. Well, to put it simply, they do not simply rely on internal combustion engines powered by gasoline. Rather, hybrids run by using not only a gas engine, but also an electric motor. Those motors use energy which is stored in their rechargeable batteries.
Tags: Batteries, Hybrids, tips
For those of you that are not familiar with SEAT as an automaker, I can tell you for sure that they are coming up with some of the best hybrid cars out there – seriously! Take the SEAT IBE Concept for example. While this is just a concept car right now, they are actually looking to make it sort of like a VW, small, compact and with a heck of a lot of power behind it.
