Toyota won't be baited by Honda's V6-powered Hybrid Accord's horsepower challenge, at least as its 2006 Camry hybrid is concerned. The company is aiming to retain its fuel-conservation credibility (as dubious as it may be) — while keeping down the hybrid price premimum — by fitting its 2006 Camry hybrid with the same, 1.5-liter e-four as in the Prius. Its decision not to build a hotrodded hybrid, like the 255hp Accord, pleases our friends at Treehugger, who not surprisingly look askance (through wheatgrass-tinted lenses, o'course) at muscular hybrids that use their electric motors to add horsepower, not merely conserve fuel. One TH reader asks, "Why do people in the US need such powerful engines? Are you all carrying gold bullion under your seats?" Yes, Nigel, yes we are. And aren't you a dear for asking? [Update: To correct an error in the above, the Camry will likely get a brand new four-cylinder hybrid-drive motor — possibly to be built from the Camry's current 2.4-liter mill. It probably won't get the "same 1.5-liter e-motor as the Prius." Also, Mike from Treehugger points out that driving habits play a large part in determining the mileage of a hybrid car like the Prius. As for the link to the guy who gets mediocre mileage in his Prius, Mike comments: "His average after 39,000 miles is 49 mpg, and he also lives in Minnesota (winter = lower mpg for all cars). So it's not like the fault is inherent in the Prius. The gas pedal is the biggest mpg factor in a car and if all car had mpg-showing-screens like the Prius, people would realize how far below the EPA number they are getting." Excellent points, all.]
Toyota Camry Hybrid To Use 4-Cylinders Engine [Treehugger]
Related:
Hot Rod Hybrids?; More on Hybrids [internal]