The Saturn Vue Hybrid

According to the manufacturer, the model is actually the best economical hybrid car in its category. One of the specificities of this motor is the way it receives gasoline: the fuel is sent directly to the engine by means of a motor-generator that makes a great substitute to the traditional alternator.

The difference between the Saturn Vue Hybrid and other full hybrids is that the vehicle can't get autonomous by using electricity only. The power device in the hybrid dual-mode is not available just yet, and will be present with the car dealers in 2009.

One further automotive success that General Motors envisage on the basis of their Saturn Vue Hybrid is the plug-in hybrid, but the design of such a model is closely connected with the availability of the lithium-ion batteries. At present, a car running on this type of batteries is undergoing tests, while the Saturn Vue Hybrid remains to take full advantage of its market success. Ill speakers say that the hybrid model remains a trick used by those from General Motors as a masque for the lack of environmental concern.

Saturn Vue Hybrid uses a “belt alternator starter” according to General Motors, in a system that relies on a large electric motor that is linked to the crankshaft by means of a special drive belt, all being possible thanks to an improved automatic transmission. Without using the “start-stop”system Saturn Vue Hybrid has an engine that starts and stops automatically thus influencing the acceleration force significantly. Like with all the other hybrid models, Saturn Vue Hybrid recharges the electrical battery by recovering the braking energy and storing it.

If compared to the regular gas-fueled vehicles, the Saturn Vue Hybrid saves you around 20% of the regular fuel consume. Several types of the Saturn Vue Hybrid have been launched with a growing improvement in terms of acceleration times and standard speed per hour from one model to another.

If we study the technical characteristics of the designs in direct relation with the fuel consume, the savings will be convincing enough to make one purchase such a car. If you can wait a little further, and you are not pressed to buy a car right away, you could stay until the new Saturn Vue Hybrid with plug in features is launched in 2009.

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Review on Toyota Prius 2008

The most popular hybrid in America is the Toyota Prius, and with sales increasing a reported 60% in 2007, it is likely to stay that way. However, it is not the only hybrid on the market. If you are in looking to buy a hybrid there are many different models from a variety of manufacturers available. Before you jump into the the world of hybrids, lets take a look at the newest edition of America’s most popular hybrid vehicle.

The Toyota Prius is a four-door, five passenger vehicle. The size and interior roominess is comparable to other mid-size sedans, whether they have hybrid or standard, full-fuel, engines. It features a hatchback that provides some additional rear storage and accessibility. The 2008 Prius is available in three different models, differentiated by their included base amenities. The standard model offers touchscreen controls, keyless entry, push-button ignition, fully powered accessories, and stereo with six speakers and a CD player.

The engine of the Prius is what sets it apart from many other cars. It features a 1.5 liter gasoline engine and two electric motors. One motor works driving the wheels while the other is used solely for generating power to recharge the batteries. The Prius is still the most efficient hybrid on the market and the 2008 model claims to achieve 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. Note that the EPA changed its process for rating fuel economy in 2008 and as a result the efficiency numbers of all hybrids have come down.

The engine provides a combined total of 100 horsepower. Hybrids offer this, usually higher, combined power rating because their fuel engines and electric motors work together, one increasing output when the other’s performance decreases. Though the 2008 Prius has been tested going zero to 60 in less than 11 seconds, the variable transmission is smooth and provides an easy transition when accelerating and decelerating.

The Prius comes standard with full front and side impact airbags and anti-lock brakes. In government and independent safety tests the Prius earned close to the highest scores possible.

The dashboard has inherited the design of previous models and features a large center touchscreen control, digital gauges, adjustable steering wheel, and adjustable seats. Some people, however, have trouble finding a comfortable driving position because the seats do not have height adjustments and the steering wheel adjustment is limited. Some have also complained that the quality of the dashboard plastics has gone down in the 2008 Prius, though the complaint is an admittedly small one.

The driving is just as smooth as previous models and, once adjusted to the small differences between driving a hybrid compared to a standard fuel car, is easy and effortless. Some drivers have trouble adjusting to the keyless entry system, which utilizes a hands-free sensor attached to the driver’s key ring and the pushbutton ignition. This is different than the keyed door locks and ignitions of most cars and does take a little getting used to.

In 2008 a standard model was introduced, which also lacks some other features like cruise control and heated mirrors, but features a $1,400 reduction in base price.
Overall, the Toyota Prius remains an excellent choice, not only for people looking to buy a hybrid, but anyone looking for a new car. And, at under $20,000 it is a great value as well.

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Hybrid Cars and Pollution

It may seem excessive to spend so much time and money developing more economical cars as an alternative to gasoline automobiles, especially since the general population seems to be perfectly happy with current automotive technology, but hybrid cars offer another great advantage; far lower emissions.

When emissions or tailpipe emissions are mentioned in a discussion about cars, the terms refer to the gases released by the burning of gasoline that pollute the atmosphere. These gases are Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, and Hydrocarbons. These gases, commonly referred to as greenhouse gases, are of particular concern, because of their effect on the earth's climate by trapping heat in the atmosphere that would normally be deflected back to space. The National Research Council performed a study in May 2001 on the effects of greenhouse gas.

“Greenhouse gases are accumulating in Earth’s atmosphere as a result of human activities, causing surface air temperatures and sub-surface ocean temperatures to rise. Temperatures are, in fact, rising. The changes observed over the last several decades are likely mostly due to human activities, but we cannot rule out that some significant part of these changes is also a reflection of natural variability.”

To see how many pounds of greenhouse gases your vehicles emit every year, click here.

Hybrid cars have been accepted as an intermediary solution to the current emissions problems that we face, as they offer lower emissions than gasoline automobiles.

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