General Gas Mileage Increasing Tips
Before, politicians and some automakers say that a car that can both reduce greenhouse gases and free America from its reliance on foreign oil is years or even decades away. Today, a 90-degree turnaround is apparent. As a fact, a number of cars like that could already be seen parked in a garage these days.
Los Angeles and other East Coast cities and other hotspots around the globe are now flaunting the hottest hybrids. According to R.L. Polk and Company, "Hybrid vehicle sales catapulted more than 139 percent from 2004 to 2005 after increasing 81 percent from 2003 to 2004." These hybrids remain only slightly more than one percent of the new-vehicle market.
R.L. Polk reported that California accounts for more than 26 percent of new hybrid registrations, with the L.A. area alone having 11.5 percent of 2005 registrations. But the hybrid phenomenon is not just for the West Coast. Boston, New York, and Washington D.C. are also hybrid hot spots.
For this year, a new set of hybrids promise a mile of extra growth in the segment. The growth is both aimed at market share and number of models. General Motors Corp. is about to launch a number of hybrid sport utility vehicles. Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor Corp, will also debut a range of large luxury sedan with a hybrid V8. The latter is designed to rival other automakers with V12s.
Analysts predict that if gas/electric hybrid powertrains continue to elicit positive acceptance from consumers and eventually become options in famous vehicles, owners will get better fuel economy and more power.
For this year, the hottest hybrids include, the all-new Ford Escape, the Lexus LS 600h L, Saturn Aura Green Line, Saturn Vue Green Line, and the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid/GMC Yukon Hybrid. The Ford Escape boasts a higher hood and beltline for a more rugged appeal. The interior of the hybrid is made entirely of post-industrial, recycled materials and a suite of airbags. The Escape Hybrid is the very first vehicle from the automaker to use Ice Blue dashboard lighting color scheme. Under its hood are a .3-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that produces 155 combined horsepower.
The Lexus LS 600h L, on the other hand, features the world's first full-hybrid V8. The engine is mated to two electric motors to boost the performance of the hybrid. The combined power sources generate 430 horsepower to all four wheels.
The Saturn Hybrids are stunningly good. The Aura Green Line features a 164-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine which is mated to an electric motor. The automaker says it boosts fuel economy by 25 percent versus a Saturn Aura XE by shutting down the gasoline engine during momentary stops and upon deceleration, and by supplementing the gas engine during full-throttle acceleration. The Vue Green Line, on the other hand, flaunts its high-tech powertrain that makes the hybrid noticeably arresting. It is also equipped with GM's Belt Alternator Starter (BAS) hybrid system, an electric motor, and a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine.
The Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid/GMC Yukon Hybrid uses some of the features of the Cadillac Escalade hybrid version. The automaker claims that the fuel economy will increase by 25 percent in city driving, with smaller gains on the highway.
Now, enthusiasts could enjoy more than the previous offers of Durango Hybrid with Dodge cold air intake, boxy image and declining demands on the side. Hybrids have to be better.
About The Author
Given her background on cars as an auto insurance director, Lauren Woods finds the world of cars to be constantly changing.