<![CDATA[Jalopnik: hybrid car wars]]> http://tags.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: hybrid car wars]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/hybridcarwars http://jalopnik.com/tag/hybridcarwars <![CDATA[Report: Toyota Preparing Compact Hybrid]]> With the 2010 Toyota Prius moving to the mid-size category and the 2010 Honda Insight undercutting it on price, it's logical a new compact Toyota hybrid is in the works for late 2011. Reuters has the details. [Reuters]

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<![CDATA[REPORT: Honda Hustling To Refresh Insight]]> In response to the sales threat posed by the more efficient 2010 Toyota Prius, Autocar's reporting the mid-cycle refresh of the 2010 Honda Insight is being rushed ahead to like, umm, as soon as possible.

In April, the Insight became the best selling car in Japan, with 10,481 units being sold. With the launch of the new Prius in May, that figure dropped to just 8,183 cars.

Of course, in America, many more Prius vehicles are sold, with 12,998 finding their way into the smug hands of new owners in May compared to just 2,079 Insights.

Starting at just $19,800 and averaging 41 MPG combined in the EPA cycle, the Insight is cheaper, yet considerably less fuel-efficient than the $21,000, 50 MPG combined Prius. Perhaps more importantly, the Prius is larger and has driving dynamics that are far superior to the Insight.

Autocar reports Honda is expected to boost fuel-efficiency on the revised Insight as well as increase its dynamic ability and improve its much-maligned ride.

These type of refreshes typically come halfway through a model's five- to seven-year life-cycle. Even if it's rushed through, don't expect to see a revised Insight before the 2012 model year. [via Autocar]

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<![CDATA[Hybrid Car Wars: Honda Insight Vs. Ford Fusion Hybrid]]> The 2010 Toyota Prius is tops in fuel economy. But what if that's not your only motivating factor? Maybe the 2010 Honda Insight or the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid's what you're looking for. But which is better? Let's find out.

Seriously, we've driven all three and the new Prius makes these two cars look bad when it comes to fuel economy. Now a mid-size, it rivals the Fusion for space, practicality and driving dynamics, and starting at $21,000 it even gets close to the Insight on price. It does this all while boasting a 50 MPG combined fuel efficiency figure, something both its two main competitors can't get anywhere near. Having said that, we realize not everyone wants to risk looking like a whiny eco-celeb just to save some money on gas. So what about the other two choices? Let's find out. Yes friends, it's time for the Hybrid Car Wars.

As with our Muscle Car Wars comparison last week, we'll keep the game simple — add up the stars and the car at the end wins. Let's play.


Exterior Design


Insight: ***
Captures mainstream America's idea of a "hybrid" in a compact, appealing, well-detailed package. Unfortunately, this grey looks terrible in photos next to the Fusion's bright blue. View the Insight in person and the dumpiness in the rear 3/4 view isn't as apparent as it is in photos, mostly because the whole thing's just 4 1/2 feet tall.

Fusion Hybrid: ****
The 2010 Ford Fusion is probably the most handsome mid-size sedan on sale and the Hybrid's no different. Solid proportions, neat details and a shiny grille make it look more expensive than its $27,270 price tag.

Interior Design

Insight: ***
The interior doesn't feel as tight as it actually is thanks to a high ceiling and airy glass house. All the materials are cheap, but pull off the traditional Honda trick of looking good, being easy to use and feeling as if they'll last a long time. The sloping rear limits your ability to haul large items and the back seat is cramped. Not as practical as the cheaper Honda Fit.

Fusion Hybrid: ***
Very spec-sensitive. Check the box for leather and Nav and things are positively fancy, the fabric seats and Nav-less dash much less so. The rest is utterly conventional, if relatively roomy.

Acceleration

Insight: *
With a 0-60 time of 11-ish seconds, acceleration isn't the Insight's strong point. You can keep up with traffic, but you have to work hard to do so. The raucous sound and the CVT's constant revs makes the Insight feel slower than it is.

Fusion Hybrid: ***
Strong acceleration adds to the Fusion Hybrid's conventional driving experience. 0-60 MPH takes about 8.5 seconds, meaning you can actually overtake other cars, especially Honda Insights.

Braking

Honda Insight: ***
Where earlier hybrids had wooden brake pedals thanks to undeveloped regenerative braking systems, the Insight's is totally conventional to use. The soft suspension dives significantly, which can be a bit alarming since the brakes aren't immensely powerful.

Fusion Hybrid ****
What all hybrid brakes should be like, strong but easily modulated. That enables delicate brake use for batter charging at all possible opportunities.

Ride

Insight: *
Very harsh, yet also wobbly. It's like normal suspension in reverse; small bumps are met with harsh response, while large ones send the Insight bouncing along like a Jello mold.

Fusion Hybrid: ****
Feels like a much more expensive car, the ride is cushy yet controlled, isolating occupants from all sorts of bad surfaces.

Handling

Insight: **
This, more than anything else, defines the Insight's character. Objectively, the handling is pathetic, feeling overwhelmed as it yaws alarmingly through everyday challenges like highway off ramps and around minor corners. Having said that, it's fun, involving and challenging to try and hustle something with such low limits, turning every commute into an adventure. Think worn out ‘80s hatchback, but with stability control and you won't be far off.

Fusion Hybrid: ***
Like the regular Fusion, the Hybrid is a competent handler, if not all that involving. Try pushing things and you're met with terminal understeer, but its limits of adhesion, unlike the Insight, lie beyond the realm of the everyday.


Gearbox

Insight: *
As intrusive and annoying as a CVT could possibly be, it's strangely fitted with a "Sport" mode and wheel-mounted paddles that don't do an awful lot beyond raising the cabin's already loud noise level.

Fusion Hybrid: ***
In contrast, the Fusion's CVT is utterly unremarkable. You'll never notice it once you put it in "Drive."

Audio

Insight: **
The optional 6-speaker 160-watt audio system incorporated into the Nav unit is easy to use, but sounds tinny. It adds to all the noise coming from the road and engine rather than drowning those out.

Fusion Hybrid: ***
The base stereo is weak and the LCD interface isn't great. Start ticking options and you can get a really good Sony 12-speaker system and Sirius radio.


Toys

Insight: ****
Well, the whole car kind of feels like a toy, but is also comes with a seriously informative set of gauges that enable drivers to understand how to drive efficiently. The speedometer, which hovers in your peripheral vision, glows dark green when you're behaving and fades to dark blue when you're not. That's much more immediate than Ford's system. Add to that the Gameboy graphics that give you ridiculous medals for fuel-efficient driving and an "Eco" button that smooths out the peaks and troughs of power input to boost efficiency and frugal drivers have all the tools they need to save money.

Fusion Hybrid: *****
If you think the Insight's got some cool gauges, you'll be floored by the slick graphics and massive level of information available in the Fusion. Easily the best-looking gauges in the industry, Ford's SmartGauge with EcoGuide system redefines a driver's interaction with the car by showing you how to maximize energy recovery during regenerative braking, enabling you to maintain EV mode up to 47mph with a display showing the amount of throttle available in that mode. There's so much here it can be overwhelming and very distracting, but Ford's thought of that too, allowing you to switch through four levels of information.

Fuel Economy

Honda Insight: ***
Hit or miss. The EPA numbers are 40 MPG city, 43 MPG highway, 41 MPG combined. We averaged 37 MPG over a week of mostly city driving. Hypermilers can get figures exceeding 60 MPG over mixed routes. So which is it? Sadly, in our hands, the fuel economy just isn't impressive for such a compromised car. Your results may vary.

Fusion Hybrid: ****
We averaged 38.5 MPG over a week of mixed highway and city driving in the Fusion Hybrid. For a relatively large car that's pretty fast and pretty luxurious, that's really good. Official EPA numbers are nearly identical to the Insight's: 41 MPG city, 36 MPG highway, 39 MPG combined, but the record-breaking fuel economy we achieved when we hypermiled the Fusion Hybrid in LA was only 43.8 MPG.

Value

Honda Insight: ****
It depends on how you look at it. The Insight offers decent fuel economy in an unpractical package resulting in a fairly unimpressive value proposition. At $19,800 it is, however, the cheapest hybrid car on the market, meaning it lowers the barrier of entry into the exciting world of hybrid ownership. Believe it or not, that actually matters to some people. Although we'd stick with the much more practical, better-to-drive 2009 Honda Fit, which starts at $14,750 and manages 27 MPG city and 33 MPG highway, we do have to admit, as far as Hybrids go, this one's got the win.

Fusion Hybrid: **
An impressive car for a reasonable price, but the base-spec Fusion S starts at $19,270 and returns 25 MPG combined. Even though the Fusion Hybrid brings with it all the SEL options, $27,270 creates an $8,000 premium that you'll never make up in fuel savings.


Overall

Honda Insight
Average score: 2.5
Living up to every negative hybrid stereotype ever, the Insight asks you to make enormous sacrifices in the driving experience and practicality to achieve fuel mileage that just isn't all that impressive for a car this small. It'd make a pretty decent first car or first new car, but the Fit would make a much better one.

Ford Fusion Hybrid
Average score: 3.5
Ford's Fusion hybrid delivers a spacious, technologically-advanced car asking you to make no sacrifices to achieve similar fuel economy to the Insight. Well, except the price, which is understandably a bit more than its no-batteries brethren. The most complete hybrid we'd driven, well, until we drove the 50 MPG 2010 Toyota Prius, that is.

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<![CDATA[Honda Insight Hybrid Best-Selling Car In Japan]]> For the first time ever, a hybrid vehicle is the best-selling car in Japan. But the champ is not the new Prius, but rather the newcomer 2010 Honda Insight. Green is big in Japan.

Excluding Kei cars, the Honda Insight and Honda Jazz (Fit) took the top two spots with 10,841 units and 9,443 units, respectively. The Insight is just starting to show up on dealer lots here in the U.S., so we'll soon see if the cheap and modern-looking ecorider does as well on this side of the Pacific. [AP]

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<![CDATA[2010 Toyota Prius Pricing Tops Out At $32,520]]> Yesterday we told you the base 2010 Toyota Prius would cost $21,000. Now, full pricing details have been released; you can spend up to $32,520 on the most fuel-efficient car in America.

Toyota isn't releasing details on which equipment that $21,000 base model will bring you, but all the important stuff - 50 MPG combined and room for five adults - will still be present. Spending more buys you added luxury, technology and driving competence.

When I reviewed the 2010 Prius I found the standard, 15" wheel model had a much improved driving experience, on par with the 2010 Honda Insight, but it's really the 17" wheel Prius V, with its revised steering ratio and firmed up dampers that questions the traditional poor-driving hybrid stereotype. It's actually fun to drive and will set you back $27,270.


Buyers can add three option packages: the $1,500 Navigation Package, which does what it says on the tin; the $3,600 Solar Roof Package, which includes navigation and the ambient-temperature controlling solar sunroof in addition to remote A/C; the $4,500 Advanced Technology Package, which also includes Nav, but adds Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, Lane Keep Assist and Intelligent Parking Assist — basically it drives for you. None of the options packages are available on the base Prius, the Solar Roof isn't available on the Prius V.

The $750 destination and delivery fee is not included in any of the above MSRPs.

If we were to spec a Prius, it'd be the 17" wheel Prius V with nothing but the Navigation Package. That includes all the bells and whistles we'd want - leather, LED lights, fog lamps, nice stereo - but most importantly, it drives like a European hatchback while returning far greater fuel mileage.

TOYOTA ANNOUNCES PRICES FOR 2010 PRIUS

Prius I: $21,000
Specs: TBA

Prius II: $22,000
1.8-liter Atkinson cycle engine
P195/65 R15 all-season tires with alloy wheels & covers
Smart Key (driver's door) and Push Button start
EV, Eco, and Power modes
Multi-Informational Display with energy monitor and fuel
consumption history
AM/FM/MP3 CD player with six speakers and
satellite radio capability and auxiliary audio jack
Cruise control
STAR Safety System and active front headrest
Seven airbags including driver knee airbag
Four-wheel disc brakes
Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and HVAC
Controls with Touch Tracer Display
Six-way adjustable driver seat
Auto up/down on all windows
Color-keyed foldable power heated side mirrors

Prius III: $23,000
JBL AM/FM/MP3 six-disc CD changer with eight speakers
Integrated satellite radio capability
Hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® wireless
Technology

Prius IV: $25,800
Three-door Smart Key system
Leather-trimmed interior
Heated front seats with driver lumbar support
Driver and front passenger water repellant windows
Plasmacluster™ ionizer
Auto dimming mirror with HomeLink®

Prius V $27,270
17-inch alloy wheels and P215/45 R17 tires
LED headlamps with auto leveling and washers
Integrated foglamps

Navigation Package: $1,800
Voice-actived touch-screen
DVD navigation system with
JBL AM/FM/MP3 four-disc CD
changer, eight speakers, integrated
satellite radio capability, XM
NavTraffic capability, hands-free
phone capability and music
streaming via Bluetooth wireless
technology and integrated backup camera

Solar Roof Package: $3,600
Includes Navigation Package equipment
plus power tilt/slide moonroof with
Solar Powered Ventilation System
and Remote Air Conditioning System

Advanced Technology Package: $4,500
Includes Navigation Package equipment
plus Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
(DRCC), Pre-Collision System (PCS),
Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Intelligent
Parking Assist (IPA)

TORRANCE, Calif., April 21, 2009 - - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc.,
announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the all-new
2010 Prius midsize hybrid, scheduled to go on sale beginning in late May at Toyota
dealers nationwide.
The third-generation Prius will be available in one grade with a starting MSRP
of $21,000. The Prius will be offered with five levels of popular standard equipment
combinations.
"The 2010 Prius delivers outstanding mileage, performance and advanced
technology at a great price," said Bob Carter, group vice president and general
manager of the Toyota Division.
Carter sees the most popular model starting at an MSRP of $22,000,
equipped with a high level of standard features, "This model provides more than
$2,000 added value, including the features most buyers want, at the same price as
the current base model" he said.
A new base model with a lower level of standard equipment is scheduled to
be available later this year. It is designed to appeal to the most cost-conscious
businesses and consumers.
Celebrated as the benchmark for cars of the future, the Prius has delivered
superior fuel economy and ultra-low emissions to more than 1.2 million owners
worldwide for over 10 years. When it goes on sale, the 2010 Toyota Prius will once
again set new standards for innovative hybrid design and technology, raising its level
of convenience features and performance to new heights, including EPA fuel
economy estimates of 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined (EPA
MPG estimates, actual mileage will vary).

The third-generation 2010 Prius will offer enhanced performance and
innovative design features. It will be quieter, roomier, and equipped with advanced
standard and available features such as four driving modes, steering wheel touch
controls that display on the instrument panel, a moonroof with solar panels, and
Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA).
The Prius is equipped with Toyota's industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive
and certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-
PZEV), emitting over 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average
new vehicle. A larger and more powerful yet more efficient 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle,
four-cylinder engine produces 98 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. Together with its
electric motor the hybrid system in the new Prius will generate a combined net
horsepower of 134, an increase of 24 horsepower over the previous generation.
All Prius models offer Toyota's Star Safety System™ as standard equipment,
which includes enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control
(TRAC) Systems, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force
Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Other standard features include electric
power steering and four-wheel disc brakes.
Starting fall 2009, select Prius models will include Toyota's all-new telematics
service, Safety Connect™, which will offer four safety and security features:
Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance
Button (SOS), and Roadside Assistance. Safety Connect will be available by
subscription, with an included one-year trial subscription.
Adding to the appeal of Prius is an additional array of standard convenience
features on most models that include automatic air conditioning equipped with an
electric air compressor; AM/FM/MP3 CD player with six-speakers and satellite radio
capability; driver door Smart Key system with Push Button Start and remote
illuminated entry; a Multi-Informational Display with an energy monitor and fuel
consumption history; six-way adjustable driver seat; power door locks; auto
up/down on all windows with window jam protection; cruise control; tilt/telescopic
adjustable steering wheel with audio and HVAC controls; color-keyed foldable power
heated side mirrors; dual sun visors with vanity mirrors; and tonneau cover.

Prius also brings many new firsts to the Toyota lineup. To help increase fuel
efficiency, the 1.8-liter engine is beltless, uses an electric water pump, a new
exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, and an exhaust heat collection system.
Other Toyota firsts include a new Touch Tracer Display, which features touch
sensors on the steering wheel switches that are designed to reduce driver eye
movement for better concentration on the road; an available sliding glass moonroof
is packaged with solar panels that power a new ventilation system; a remote air-
conditioning system functions on battery-power alone, and allows remote operation
so the driver can cool the interior temperature for comfort before getting in the car.
Also new to Toyota is an available Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system that
uses advanced millimeter wave radar. The system also enables Lane Keep Assist,
which helps the driver stay safely within the lane, and the Pre-Collision System,
which retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is
unavoidable.

Base MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee
of $750. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf
States Toyota (GST) may vary.

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<![CDATA[2010 Toyota Prius Pricing To Start At $21,000]]> Thanks to the collapse of the hybrid market and arrival of the $19,800 Honda Insight among other competitors, Toyota's shaved $1,000 off the 2010 Prius. That sets the base price at $21,000.

[Bloomberg]

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<![CDATA[2011 Corvette To Get Hybrid "Lutz" Mode]]> According to VetteMarket, GM is prepping a 2011 Corvette Hybrid; pairing the Volt powertrain with an LS3 V8 for a rubber-burning 68 MPG. A belt-driven supercharger charges the batteries to produce a "Lutz" acceleration mode.



We're sorry, but the following content is available only to Jalopnik Gold subscribers!

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<![CDATA[New Prius Vs. Fusion Hybrid Vs. Honda Insight: Which Hybrid Should You Buy?]]> A battle even more hotly contested in the car world than the Muscle Car Wars: the introduction of the Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2010 Prius and Honda Insight gives us the Hybrid Car Wars! Who survives?

With yesterday's 2010 Toyota Prius Review, we've now driven all three major competitors in the Greener-Than-Thou segment. Let's take a look at how the new Prius stacks up against the bigger, mid-size 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid sedan (which normally would play against Toyota's larger Camry Hybrid, but since the Fusion's already kicked it's tail in fuel economy, we thought we'd move it up from the JV Hybrid Car Wars to the Varsity level), the 2010 Honda Insight and, sort of like a control subject, a 1990 Geo Metro XFi. We'll take a look at how each plays against each other when it comes to fuel economy, size and space, performance, driving dynamics and price. So finally, we can answer the question: Which new hybrid car should you buy?

Fuel Economy:

Adjusted for the new EPA standards, we're amazed that the 19-year old Geo Metro XFI turns in better highway fuel economy than any of the hybrids. Predictably, the Toyota Prius, with its stop/start engine and large battery pack manages to best it in the city cycle, but neither the Insight nor Fusion Hybrid can do the same.

We've tried hypermilling the three hybrids, managing 43.8 MPG in the Ford Fusion Hybrid in city driving, figures in the low 60 MPG range with the Insight and low 70s with the Prius, both in mixed driving. While specific comparisons shouldn't be drawn based on those numbers, they do indicate the ability of each to exceed their official EPA ratings by driving like a grandparent; the Fusion Hybrid can barely manage it, while both the Insight and Prius easily exceed them.

A quick Google search reveals tales of owners averaging 60-70 MPG in Metro XFis in realistic conditions.

Size/Space:


The compact-class Honda Insight has 85.0 cubic feet of passenger space, considerably less than the mid-size Fusion and just-sub-mid-size Prius. They measure 99.8 and 93.7 cubic feet respectively. Since they're hatchbacks, both the Insight and Prius are more flexible for carrying cargo than the Fusion; the Ford only has 11.8 cubic feet of space in its trunk, while the Insight manages 15.8 with its seats up, the Prius measures 21.6. A larger car with more space in the rear seat, the Prius's storage room is noticeably larger than the Insight with the rear seats folded flat.


The Geo is absolutely tiny, at 146.1" it's over two feet shorter than the Insight.

Toys:


All three hybrids have noted that the largest determining factor in fuel economy is the driver and taken steps to give them the tools to drive in the most fuel-efficient manner. The Honda Insight does this with both an "Econ" button that, like Prozac, removes the highs and lows from throttle inputs and an aggregate display of your fuel economy history, complete with Game Boy-worthy graphics and simulated medals for good performance. Supplementing that is a more immediate glowing surround for the speedometer, it turns bright green when you're driving economical, before fading to dark blue when you're not.


Honda's is a more effective system than the equally low-tech display in the Prius, which provides drivers with only a confusing bar graph that tracks from "Charge" to "Power" and a history of your recent fuel economy figures.

The Ford SmartGauge with EcoGuide, on the other hand, provides drivers with a myriad of tools "empowering" them to make full use of the hybridized drivetrain to achieve maximum fuel economy. In addition to a seriously useful sliding indicator of how much throttle opening you can use while remaining in EV mode, it features a section of nicely-animated leaves that whither and die, or bloom and grow depending on your driving habits. It also shows you when you're using regenerative braking and how much charge it's sending to the batteries. Seriously, it's a sexy-looking system that will have a real impact on your fuel economy.

The Metro has a five-speed manual gearbox.

Price:

The Insight's Raison d'être is to offer people who want a Prius a cheaper option. Unfortunately, at $19,800 (before $670 in destination, license and registration) it looks like it'll only be about $2,700 cheaper than the more fuel-efficient 2010 Prius. It's estimated that car will come in around $500 more expensive than the 2009 model, which starts at $22,00. The Fusion Hybrid is considerably more expensive at $27,270, but comes loaded with options.

Then there's the used Metro Xfi, they're hard to find (especially in good condition), but prices have come down from last summer's fuel-crisis high of $7-8,000; expect to pay less than $3,000 for a good one.

Driving Dynamics:

The Fusion Hybrid has a clear performance advantage, hitting 60 MPH a second faster than the 2nd place Prius. While none of these are what you'd consider true driver's cars, both the Ford and Toyota are perversely fun to drive. Sadly we can't say the same of the Insight, which is merely competent. The Insight is also far less refined than either the Prius or Fusion Hybrid; both of those cars ride and isolate noise like luxury cars.

The used Metro is ridiculously slow, unrefined and doesn't come with things like modern tires, suspension or brakes. At 19-years old, it's also likely to be suffering from mechanical problems.

Image:


There's no denying the pop culture resonance of the Toyota Prius. It's the choice of vacuous, eco-friendly image-seeking celebrities everywhere. Buy one and you'll instantly appear to be the greenest family on your block. The Insight, which adopts a similar look, will benefit from riding the Prius's coattails and from the name recognition its first-hybrid-vehicle-ever predecessor lends it. It's a hard case for the Ford, which needs to rely on all its leafy "hybrid" badges to make a case for itself.


Driving a crappy old Metro in front of anyone but an extremely savvy hypermilling enthusiast will simply make you look like you didn't get into Meth production until the market was already flooded.

Which Hybrid Should I Buy:

You may be wondering which car you should buy as your first Hybrid, or which one makes the most convincing case for the current Hybrid owner to trade up to a better vehicle. What about people who don't want to sacrifice driving dynamics in the pursuit of economy or just want a cheap, practical, fuel-efficient vehicle for their commute? The answer for all those people is the 2010 Toyota Prius. Not only is it the most fuel-efficient new vehicle for sale in this country, but it's the most practical vehicle here, at a size larger than the Insight with plenty of room for both people and packages. Combine both those advantages with driving dynamics that are on par with the Ford Fusion Hybrid and what should be a very reasonable starting price and you have an incredibly complete package. Then there's the reputation; this new Prius finally lives up to it, we just wish it had Ford's SmartGauges.

Notes:
- All numbers quoted have been provided by the manufacturers. Exceptions are clearly distinguished by "(Est)" which indicates an educated estimate has been made.
- Fuel economy figures quoted come from the Environmental Protection Agency and are in US gallons. 1 US gallon = 1.2 Imperial gallons.
- The EPA mileage test changed in 2008 to a much more stringent standard. Vehicles tested before the change typically returned xx% better economy than the do now. For example, the 2007 Toyota Prius was rated at 55 MPG combined before and 46 MPG combined after the change. This new standard is widely considered to be more accurate than European tests. For example, the Honda Insight is officially rated at 64.2 MPG combined in the United Kingdom. That's 53.5 MPG in US gallons, 12.5 MPG more than it's rated at here.

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<![CDATA[Some VTEC With That Insight, Sir?]]> The K20-powered, 200 HP Honda K-Sight is not exactly a hybrid, but it sure does look the part.

A major point of owning a hybrid vehicle is, of course, sheer righteousness. They're very helpful in projecting your car’s green credentials with their wind tunnel-inspired jellybean styling.

Even closer to the ideal of a cutie bunny slipper of a vehicle than the second generation Prius was the first Insight: a lithe 2-seater made of aluminum and powered by a one-liter three-cylinder engine with 70 HP. Oh, and an extra 10 HP from an electric motor. Don’t forget that. In fact, if you take a Hamilton Beach Model 1G912 professional bar blender along for the ride, you can up the horsepower figure to 82.

But what if, in the quest for even more power, you swapped all that stuff out and replaced it with something more substantial?

Say, a rev-happy 2-liter K20 Honda engine with VTEC trumpets and 200 HP. This is exactly what the mischievous gremlins of LHT Performance did to produce the Honda K-Sight.

MrLHT of the team had this to say:

We stiffened the whole car by welding extra braces, as well as building a complete sub frame, which ties the whole front together, and course the whole thing is aluminum.

The mounts are Honda OEM mounts from various Honda Vehicles so the car is very smooth with no teeth chattering. In fact you can’t feel it idle in the driver seat.

Now for numbers, with very little tuning the car is making over 200whp with a very quiet exhaust and tied with a JDM 6 speed transmission accelerates like a rocket. The car feels very tight and has great feel due the extra bracing and a custom alignment.

With the Insight’s fantastic drag coefficient of 0.25 guiding all that power through the atmosphere, the K-Sight does 46 miles to the gallon—and you get to look greener than green. Well, red, but you get the idea.

Photo Credit: LHT Performance

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<![CDATA[Toyota Yaris Hybrid To Take On Low-Cost Honda Insight]]> Toyota officials have announced they're working on a Toyota Yaris hybrid to take on the new Honda Insight hybrid for cheap hybrid supremacy. Muscle Car Wars? Ha! Let the Hybrid Car Wars begin.

According to Automotive News and Japan's Nikkei newspaper, Toyota chief engineer Akihiko Otsuka has confirmed there's a Yaris Hybrid being developed for sale in Japan and the United States.

Toyota has been seeing tough competition from the equally egg-shaped Prius price-undercutting Honda Insight. The new car would wear a version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive and target the low end of the market, with a target price even lower than the Insight's $19,800 starting price. No timeline has been announced, but expect the Yaris Hybrid to be unveiled with the next generation of the bowler hat-shaped micro car for 2011. [Auto News Sub. Req.]

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