Articles about Hybrid

The Chevy Volt is a Hybrid vehicle with a difference, as it looks very manly which is why many owners have voted that they would like to own this environmentally friendly vehicle. There is a great discussion going on at the moment on AR15.com, where in their forum they have been talking about the new Chevy Volt and how it hits the sweet spot of gun owners. These gun owners have said that they love the idea of having the gas engine for their long journeys, but as they do a lot of short trips the Chevy Volt offers them just what they need. The Chevy Volt, which is a brand new vehicle from GM, has so much hype, let’s hope that this Hybrid can deliver it to them, where the Prius has failed them. Written by Peter for Product ReviewsIn Sections: Autos, Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Tea ‘Sunset Celebration’Synonyms: Chantoli, Exotic ®, FRYxotic, Jolie Môme ®. Warm WishesHere are couple of more from the ‘new’ rose garden I will be taking care of.‘Sunset Celebration’Hybrid Tea, Large Flowered (5 inches)Height: 3 to 6 feetFragrance: Mild, fruityParentage: Pollen: Seedling × Cheshire Life. Seed: Pot o GoldPetal Count: 35Breeder: Gareth Fryer. 1994Introduced in the US: Weeks Wholesale Rose Grower, Inc. Celebrating the 100 year anniversary of Sunset MagazineI am looking forward to growing this one as it has won numerous international rose awards. It has a lot of delicate undertones. Here is another rose. It is the David Austin Rose ‘Graham Thomas’ which I featured in it’s own post here.I am going out to get some pictures today.

Hybrid Tea Rose ‘Spellbound’Synonym: JACpribeI can’t give any personal experience on growing this rose. I must say that the color and form was captivating. I forgot to smell it although I was rushing around when I snapped this photo. It is from a rose garden that I am officially going to be caring for now. It has 160 plants in it, with many types and colors. There are only about 20 or 30 repeat varieties so it really covers a broad spectrum. I am looking forward to the challenge of keeping it up.'Spellbound' had the most ‘clean’ flowers in the garden, although one of my new favorites ‘Strike it Rich’ was a close second. This rose was bred by Dr. Keith Zary and introduced in 2006 by Jackson & Perkins and was named their 2006 ‘Rose of the Year’. Dr. Zary started work at J & P in 1985 as only the fourth breeder in the company’s long history.SpellboundType: Large Flowered Hybrid TeaParentage: Ingrid Bergman × Pristine (hybrid tea, Warriner 1978)Petal Count: 30Fr

We know that buying a Hybrid vehicle you are doing your bit to help save our planet against global warming, but the thing is how safe are these vehicles that we trust out lives of us and our children? Here is a list of the top five safest 2007 hybrid vehicles. In first place is the Toyota Camry Hybrid 4-Dr w/SAB In second place is the Honda Civic Hybrid 4-DR w/SAB Third place goes to the Ford Escape Hybrid 4-DR Fourth is the Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4-DR And a disappointing fifth is the Toyota Prius 4-DR w/SAB We all know that the Toyota Prius is by far the most fuel efficient car of all the hybrids, but when it comes to safety it has the lowest score. Source Do you feel safe in your Hybrid Vehicle? Written by Peter for Product ReviewsIn Sections: Autos, Hybrid Cars

Right now, Toyota dominates the world hybrid car marketplace. Let’s look at the numbers. Toyota sold 4.72 million vehicles in the first half of 2007. 1.33 million of those were sold in the U.S. Out of that U.S. sales group, 146,536, or a full 11% were hybrid cars. Specifically in June, they sold 46,630 Camrys and 17,756 Priuses. That Prius number is up 75% from June 06, and considering that the Camry is the best selling passenger car in America, the fact that Toyota is selling one Prius for every 2.6 Camrys is mighty impressive and confirms a dramatic hybrid shift among U.S. consumers. Just released July 2007 data indicate that hybrid sales of all makes is up 12% from July 2006. In this last month 16,062 Priuses were sold out of a total of 28,585 hybrids (56%), and hybrids accounted for 2.2% of overall vehicle sales. General Motors (GM) for it’s part delivered 320,935 vehicles in July 2007, in that group 201,069 were trucks (63%). For first half 2007 they delivered

The other day Paris Hilton had said that she had ordered a hybrid Hummer, the only problem with her statement is that they do not exist. Hilton just like a spoilt child is not giving up on having one, and is trying to get a Hybrid Hummer designed. Paris said “I like hybrids, but a lot of them aren’t that cute. I’m thinking silver … or maybe I’ll get a green one!” Is it me or is she just a little bit simple, wanting hybrids to be cute, how the hell is a Hummer cute. So is there any car designers out there who would like to grant Paris Hilton’s wish and design her hybrid Hummer. Source Check out this video below, where Paris is talking about hybrid vehicles Written by Peter for Product ReviewsIn Sections: Celebrity News, Autos, Hybrid Cars

The Smart car is not known for its speed but what it is known for is its superb fuel efficiency, which is why we thought it was very strange to hear that there is to be an Electric and Hybrid version of this small Mercedes vehicle. The electric version will have a 41hp electric motor, which will be able to reach speeds up to 69mph and will have a range of 70 miles. Charging time for the electric smart car is about 8 hours, and that will cost you about $3 in electric. Do not expect it to break any land speed records, as the electric Smart will only get from 0-60 in about 19.8 seconds. But that is not what the little car is about, it is about helping our environment by having zero emissions. The Hybrid Smart MHD or Micro Hybrid Drive has a starter generator, what happens is when the Hybrid Smart car comes to a complete stop or just under 5mph, the gas engine switches off and the electric motor kicks in. The emissions on the Hybrid Smart MHD are thought to be much lower than that of the

Who would have thought it, while everybody has been going on about how great a Hybrid car is a Honda Diesel has just gone and made Hybrids look stupid. A diesel Honda Accord has managed to get 62.8 MPG, thanks to the use of clean diesel. Honda hope to bring this new clean diesel Honda Accord to the US by 2010, this could cause trouble for the Hybrid as they cannot get the sort of mileage that this diesel gets, and the price tag for a Hybrid is far higher than that of a diesel equivalent. But that is not all, because if you run the Accord on biodiesel, this is diesel which has been made from either vegetable oil or animal fat, and then it would be far cleaner than even the Prius. If these figures are true then why would anyone want to purchase a Hybrid, as the fuel economy is lower and the Hybrid cars are generally much more expensive than a diesel? Written by Peter for Product ReviewsIn Sections: Autos

Last week Porsche showed off their new Cayenne SUV, you might be asking what is so special about this. Well the answer to that question is that it is a performance Hybrid. The power train used in the new Hybrid Porsche Cayenne is the same as the one used in the Panamera. For those of you who would worry that the new green Porsche would lose its SUV capabilities, but you would be wrong as the Cayenne Hybrid is every much a Sports Utility Vehicle as any other. Going off-road is no problem for the new Cayenne as it can handle going through at least 20 inches of water. Even though this is an environmentally friendly SUV, it can still manage to tow at least 7,000Ib, add to that a fuel economy of at least 24mpg. Believe it or not the Hybrid Cayenne has more performance than the standard Cayenne V6; this is thanks to the added benefit of an electric motor working in conjunction with the gas engine. Read the full specs Written by Peter for Product ReviewsIn Sections: Autos, Hybrid Cars, S

Toyota have just giving us their new pricing for their 2008 car lineup, but something caught my eye and that was a new lower priced Prius. This cheaper model shows that Toyota is committed to their Hybrid program, even though some people think that hybrids are waning. I never expected Toyota to reduce the price of the Prius hybrid, but they have been crafty with this one, because what the Japanese auto maker has done is to introduce a new “standard” model. This new standard models has just a bit less equipment just to give it to us at a lower price. The price that you will have to pay for the new standard 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid car is $20,950. Would this cheaper price convert you to go greener and purchase a hybrid vehicle? Written by Peter for Product ReviewsIn Sections: Autos, Hybrid Cars

Lexus have announced the price for their new hybrid vehicle, the 2008 RX 400h SUV. This hybrid SUV is to go on sale in September and will cost you $41,180 for the RX 400h models which has front wheel drive, for the all wheel drive RX 400h is will cost you $42,580. These environmentally friendly SUV’s from Lexus are the same price as the 2007 models, but with the 2008 models you get some new styling enhancements these include a new front grille and chrome door handles on the exterior. That’s not all though as the new 2008 RX 400h hybrid SUV has added seven new colors in its range, these include Brandy Wine Mica, Breakwater Blue Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Desert Sage Metallic, Golden Almond Metallic, Matador Red Mica, and Smoky Granite Mica. What does make me laugh though is the fact that this is a green vehicle and there are not any new green colors in the range. If you prefer a more luxurious car then the Lexus LS600hl Hybrid could be the perfect car for you. Written by P

General Motor’s has officially announced that it will begin mass production of hybrid versions of it’s popular large SUV vehicles the GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe. The cars will be available for purchase in the 4th quarter of this year. GM-Volt.com moderator was given the opportunity to test drive one of the pre-production models right in the crazy yellow-cab filled traffic of NYC, and to discuss the cars with Vehicle Chief, Full Size Truck Hybrid Mark Cieslak and Assistant Chief Engineer Small block truck engines Chris Meagher. These vehicles are unique for two reasons, they are the first-ever passenger vehicles to have a 2-mode hybrid system, and they are the first ever large SUV hybrid vehicles on the planet. While they aren’t Volts, they are a step in the right direction. Standard hybrids like the Toyota Prius use a single mode hybrid system, meaning the electric motor powers the car only at low velocities, once speed or acceleration increases, the car goes t

We all no that most celebrities get gift bags with t-shirts and lotions for attending events, which is what we all expect but Paris Hilton got herself a free car for attended the BPM Gone Green event last week. Paris was given a free Ford hybrid for her appearance what more could she ask for its not every day you are given a free car. Paris said that “Driving hybrid cars is the new way to go. Anyone can do it, no matter how old.” What do you think about Paris being given a free car for just turning up at the event? Written by Kerry for Product ReviewsIn Sections: News, Celebrity News, Hybrid Cars

'Oregold' Hybrid Tea RoseSynonyms: TANolg, Miss Harp, Silhouette, Anneliesse RothenbergerThis rose blooms best during the cool weather though it was chugging along last week with a couple of flowers last week. It is good performer though seems a bit tender as I have had to replace it twice after the winter. I don't do a lot for winter protection for my roses and usually have a couple of losses after the winter. I think this because most of these roses are rated for USDA Zone 7 and my gardens are on the edge of 6 and 7. 'Oregold' has a mild fragrance and a petal count of 25-30. Its parentage is 'Piccadilly' × 'Colour Wonder' and has a good pedigree with 'Peace', 'Tropicana' and 'Crimson Glory' roses in its lineage. Bred in Germany it won the AARS Award in 1975.I think I have said before that I have really warmed up to yellow flowers over the course of my career. Some of them are amongst my favorites now. Who would have thought that. Yesterday’s Wordless Wednesday featu

Hybrid VerbenaVerbena 'Lanai Lavender Star'(ver-BEE-nuh) Verbenaceae (ver-be-NAY-see-ay)I took these photos on June 6th of this year. I just found the flash card on my desk and it had 48 photos on it. This is three stages of ‘Lavender Star’ which has been performing well in the garden this year. One patch was almost completely devoured by slugs but has since been making a valiant effort at coming back. I like growing Verbena it is usually a trouble free and good producing annual. They have so many series and colors now it is hard to choose. I guess I am kind of partial to the red and purple ones though last year I grew a peach colored one that was exceptional. We had more thunderstorms last night. If this keeps up I am going to have to get the lawn mower out again. We got about .5 to .75 inches of rain which was good and no violent winds. The heat wave (3 or more days at or above 90 deg.F) was not that bad and now the forecast is for cooler weather. It already feels better outsid

GM plans to roll out two Two-mode hybrid vehicles this fall, the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon.  This system uses software to determine when and how much electric power to the drivetrain both at high and low speeds, and is very expensive.  Analogous to Microsft losing money on its inital X-Box sales, GM will have to lose money on the sale of the vehicles in order to make them affordable to consumers, eventually gaining acceptance, and then expanding the sales volumes (economies of scale). These 2-mode hybrids will be part of the next-generation fleet of cars, which will include lower end hybrid cars, early low-mileage plugins, and finally by 2010 the Volt. This intention to lose money was a statement from Bob Lutz.  Also, an important point, GM is not calling the Volt a hybrid, but an “electric car with range assist”. Will GM also have to lose money on initial Volt sales? This revolutionary transformation of GM into a cutting-edge green car company is bold, aggressive,

If you are reading this blog then you are probably interested in becoming or working with a "Hybrid Realtor". There are a few pure technology oriented Hybrid Realtors out here and some don’t even know that they are. Others such as myself (Brian Nygard - Co-Owner of IllinoisRealEstate.com and with RE/MAX Grand’s Team IllinoisRealEstate.com), my partner Scott Epstein (Co-Owner of IllinoisRealEstate.com and with RE/MAX Grand’s Team IllinoisRealEstate.com) and Geno Petro (Top Chicago Real Estate Blogger and with Chicago Home Estates, www.chicagohomeestates.com) not only know we are Hybrid Realtors, but we take active measures to ensure we are. I should mention that Geno’s Hybrid Realtor blogging topics and mentions has really shape my focus on the type of Realtor I strive to be, that is, a technology oriented Chicago Hybrid Realtor! Let’s list what it takes to be considered a Hybrid Realtor (or Hybrid Real Estate Agent, Hybrid Broker, Etc): 1. Here’s any easy one to star

Peugeot to release diesel-electric hybrid by the end of this decade Last week, we learned that Honda is ditching its slow-selling Accord Hybrid in favor of a Tier 2 Bin 5 diesel engine for the 2008 redesign. Although the "clean diesel" engine isn't likely to show up on the options sheet until the 2009 model year, the anticipation of a Honda mid-sized sedan with great fuel economy and decent low-end torque has automotive enthusiasts abuzz. French carmaker Peugeot, however, is combining the technology that Honda is abandoning on the Accord with a diesel engine. The diesel-electric hybrid powertrain will first be used in the recently announced 308 hatchback. Peugeot claims that the diesel-electric hybrid 308 will achieve over 70 MPG on the European cycle (58.29 MPG US). This compares with the 65.7 MPG (54.70 MPG US) figure for the Toyota Prius on the European cycle. The release of a mainstream diesel-electric hybrid could throw some water on the fuel economy flame wars th

The next-generation U.S. market Accord will ditch its hybrid powertrain for a clean diesel When it comes to building ultra-efficient cars for the U.S. auto market, most manufacturers are going in one of two directions. You have some that go the compact route with small 4-cylinder engines and those who choose hybrid technology which can be found in compact and mid-sized sedans. A third alternative, diesel, has floundered for the past two decades in U.S. passenger cars. Volkswagen -- which in the past offered diesel versions of its Passat, New Beetle, Golf and Jetta in the U.S. -- has no diesel passenger cars for the 2007 model year due to tighter emissions regulations. In fact, the only new car available with a diesel engine in the United States is the Mercedes E320 BlueTec -- but that vehicle starts at a heart-stopping $51,550 USD. Honda looks to change things, however, with its next generation Accord family sedan. Honda's Accord has been one of the best selling cars in

The Peterbilt Model 386 Hybrid will save an estimated $9,000 USD per year in fuel costs We have hybrid cars, SUVs, pickups and school buses, so it makes sense that hybrid technology would start filtering into other areas of the automotive segment. Wal-Mart understands the benefits of hybrid technology and is adding a hybrid-diesel Class 8 truck to its stable of transport vehicles. "The implementation of Hybrid trucks is an encouraging step towards environmental sustainability and the reduction of emissions throughout the industry," said The Pete Store President John Arscott. "Wal-Mart is proving to be a leader in this arena, and The Pete Store is pleased to play a part in such a landmark event within the transportation industry." A single Peterbilt Model 386 Hybrid will join Wal-Mart's fleet of 230 existing diesel Peterbilts. The Model 306 Hybrid uses an Eaton Hybrid Power System. The hybrid system takes full advantage of regenerative braking and used a motor/generator t