Nowadays the automotive industries enhance further their environmental friendly technologies and work on the development of vehicles which produce less CO2 emissions. The hybrid cars are a consequence of this philosophy. They include two engines – one electric and one fuel powered, and this is how they minimize the fuel consumption in drastic levels. In addition they also include a special system which stores more energy in a battery included in the vehicle. The fact that it includes two engines is probably the most controversial one, and it raises many negative and positive feedbacks in the customers of such vehicles around the world. Can they be considered as car of the future? It is only a matter of time to be understood. However, let’s review the advantages and disadvantages of this technology.
PROs:
First of all the main advantage is that such car is fuel efficient. It effectively spares you a lot of money on fuel. The second one, as you already know, is that hybrid vehicles produce far less toxic emissions and thus are considered as environmentally friendly. Third, with a hybrid, you can enjoy the city driving even more. There are several reasons for this: the mileage ratings of such car are higher in the city. For instance, when you are caught in the traffic and you stop, the battery generates more electricity which can be successfully utilized during the lower speeds. Next to be mentioned is that the hybrid car is unbelievably silent. It is even so silent that when you drive it, some times you doubt that it is working. Yes, you got it – the electric engine is completely soundless. Another benefit that you can get form a hybrid is its battery is durable. Test made on different hybrid vehicles show that after a considerable amount of kilometers driven, the cars battery performance is almost the same. And at last one of the best things about the hybrids is that they need far less maintenance, than an ordinary car. What I have in mind here is that due to the two engines, the gasoline one needs less care. And for example, you need to change the oil in more kilometers traveled, compared to normal car.
CONs:
Now, let us see the other side of the hybrid technologies and review some disadvantages. The general disadvantage of hybrid cars is that their retail price is extremely expensive in comparison to the ordinary cars. Another negative issue here is that those vehicles have far greater weight and the reason for this are the heavy batteries mounted in them. Third, they aren’t as fast as normal cars. However there are also some major disadvantages here, which are concerning some safety factors. Because they are made from lighter materials and store some additional voltage in their batteries, they tend to be very risky in accidents. Furthermore, hybrids are not very convenient, while driving on the highway. What I mean hear is that they have lower highway mileage and compared to some diesel vehicles, they produce the same fuel efficiency.
To sum up, the cars of the future seem to be very beneficial when driving in the city area for example. They also produce less CO2 emission, which nowadays is a major factor that must be taken straightly at hand. Moreover, although their retail price is far greater, compared to an ordinary car, when you make the basic mathematics, the fuel that it consumes during its utilization will spare you a lot. At last, although it is not a convenient car during long traveling, it is the perfect vehicle for an environmentally conscientious person.
Take a look at the hybrid vehicles which, which some popular brands are currently producing:
2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI will be revealed at this year’s Chicago Auto Show.
Mopar, the automobile parts and service arm of Chrysler Group LLC, celebrated its 75th anniversary recently and to in order to make it a big one, they revealed 4 new custom cars that belong to the Chrysler Group: Mopar ’12 300 (Chrysler 300), Fiat 500 “Stinger,” Mopar Jeep® Compass “True North” and Dodge Dart “GTS 210 Tribute.” Mopar ’12 will be available this summer straight from the factory, while components of the Fiat 500, Jeep Compass and Dodge Dart custom configurations will be available in the fall as stage kits or as separate components from the Mopar catalog.
Edo Competition has announced their tuning package for the most powerful Panamera – the Turbo S model. The brutal GT car accelerates to 100 km/h in the blink of an eye – 3.5 seconds.
KW has introduced Variant 3+ and Clubsport kit for the hottest hatchback on the market – 2012 Audi RS3.
MNAO (Mazda North American Operations) will introduce the 2012 MX-5 Miata Special Edition at the upcoming 2012 Chicago Auto Show.
After McLaren and their MP4-27 F1 car, Ferrari have also unveiled theirs called F2012 – very “original”.
2012 MINI Highgate is special edition convertible which is the third of the trio from special editions, standing next to MINI Baker Street and MINI Bayswater. It also continues the brand policy of taking the names of fashionable areas of London. The Highgate model is a sophisticated new version of the drop-top Convertible. Furthermore, this special edition MINI offers unique exterior and interior style, and even brings more fun and excitement. The car is finished in a metallic ‘Iced Chocolate’ body color. The fabric roof is in ‘Silvertouched Truffle’. The appearance is improved by truffle bonnet stripes with blue edging. Midnight Black metallic or White Silver metallic paintwork can be specified as an option.
SsangYong is launching a limited edition of its recently introduced Korando crossover and it is named 2012 SsangYong Korando LE. What is new here is that it sits on special 18 inch alloy wheels. In addition it has a rear spoiler and privacy glass; it also includes many luxury touches in the interior, for example: heated front seats, leather covered steering wheel and gear shift. There is also cruise control and rear parking sensors which will bring even more safety and convenience to the customers. This version of the vehicle was styled by Italian car designer Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design. More importantly, it has a price which starts from just £17 995.
Kia has just unveiled their new concept. As you can see it is powerful, dynamic and very stylish. Moreover it shows distinctive design which shows the direction that the South Korean manufacturer is taking. The concept bears the name Track’ster and is intended to be the ultimate sporting representation of Kia’s Soul B– segment SUV. The extremely successful and innovative crossover “Soul” gave even more ideas for concepts, such as Soul’ster for example. This is a convertible concept, which now is at preparation stage for production. The “Soul” model made a big breakthrough in the 2011 in the United Stades, where over 102,000 units were sold. In addition, now Kia is launching this brand new Track’ster concept, which also has the relationship with the “Soul”s rebellious, individual and urban style.
Subaru has just announced today that they are going to release the new 2013 Subaru BRZ in the dealerships across Japan. The start date is 28th of March.
