hybrids

Kenworth announced its T270 Class 6 hybrid-electric truck at the Mid-America Trucking Show last week. The base for Kenworth's hybrid system is its Paccar PX-6 diesel engine, launched last year. This 6.7-liter engine was already designed for efficiency, giving the best power-to-weight ratio in its class. The hybrid system adds a motor/generator integrated with the transmission and a 340-volt battery pack. The electric motor combines with the diesel engine to drive the wheels at speeds below 30mph, while above that speed, it's all up to the engine. Kenworth estimates a 30 percent fuel savings during start … Read more

We generated a little controversy last year at CNET Car Tech by rating the Lexus LS 460L a perfect 10. Subsequently, the LS 460L also won our Tech Car of the Year award. Lexus shows off a cutaway model of what's likely to be this year's perfect 10 at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show, the Lexus LS 600h. This car takes the LS 460 and simply adds a hybrid system, increasing drivetrain power and efficiency. Lexus is using the Geneva show to push its hybrids in the European market, showing off and advertising its RX 400h and GS … Read more

Hybrid cars? Blah. Three-wheeled-cars? Blah. Three-wheeled hybrid cars? Blah.

Tilting three-wheeled hybrid cars? Now that's worth craving. Venture Vehicles has unveiled plans for its VentureOne, a two-seat plug-in three-wheeler with a glass canopy roof that can out-accelerate a Porsche Boxster, and gets 100 miles to the gallon. If that's not enough to get you reaching for your checkbook (estimated price is less than $20,000), then this might be: The VentureOne's passenger compartment and front wheel tilt when cornering for that authentic motocross experience.

The VentureOne will come with three engine choices: two gasoline-electric hybrids and one … Read more

We're starting to get hyped for the Geneva auto show, and Toyota has helped us out with a little preshow tease about its Hybrid X concept car. Unfortunately, it's only a tease, with very little information. According to Green Car Congress, Toyota will use the show to reaffirm its commitment to building more environmentally-friendly cars. The Hybrid X is supposed to display a new design language for hybrids and showcase new technology. Toyota's development of the Hybrid X suggests the company is looking beyond the Prius for future uniquely hybrid cars.

From the picture released by Toyota, … Read more

From Basra to Kabul, no environmentally aware burkha babe is going to be able to resist this 4x4, turbo-charged, hybrid, diesel-electric recon hotrod.

Created by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS,) the Shadow RST-V (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Targeting Vehicle) boasts stealth, survivability and low mileage. That's big, considering that about half the military's money--and a third of its manpower--is devoted to hauling stuff around, 70 percent of that stuff being fuel.

The aluminum-bodied RST-V seats four (seating by Oregon Aero), does 70 mph and has a 470-mile range. Bulletproof windows and armor are optional. Weaponry includes your standard machine … Read more

Toyota used the Chicago Auto Show to launch the new generation of its Highlander Hybrid SUV. The new 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is bigger than the previous generation and is based on the Camry and Avalon platform. Although the new Highlander Hybrid's engine remains the same, Toyota engineers refined the hybrid system and tuned the engine to increase horsepower by 55, up to a net 270 horsepower for the engine and electric motors combined. But that increase hasn't changed the fuel economy, with the Toyota claiming to have kept the Highlander at 31 mpg city and 27 mpg … Read more

As though Ford wanted its experimental Edge to rank high on Google's results for any alternative fuel car search, it unveiled a research version of its Edge that combines every hot new propulsion technology. First, this Edge is a hybrid because it uses electricity and hydrogen, which should please the mainstream clean-car crowd. Ford puts 'plug-in' into the car's power train tech, which should please the fanatical plug-in crowd that thinks current hybrids just aren't efficient enough. For the really forward-looking people who don't really need a production car on which to base their arguments, Ford … Read more

This behemoth by truck maker Oshkosh uses electric motors to drive all eight wheels, a diesel engine and generator to make electricity, and ultracapacitors for quick energy storage and release. AutoblogGreen reports that several of these trucks, dubbed HEMTT A3, will be tested at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds by the Army. While the truck is technically a hybrid, Oshkosh calls the drive system ProPulse. But the use of electric motors to drive the wheels means the electricity could come from any adequate source. The system uses less fuel than a straight diesel drivetrain because the diesel engine can run at … Read more

Old Toyota: reliable and practical cars with decent gas mileage for the commuting set.

New Toyota: the Prius, the FJ Cruiser, hybrid Camry, hybrid Highlander and soon...a hybrid sports car.

The FT-HS concept car is meant to be a sample of mid-priced hybrid sports car with ultra-low emissions and fuel efficiency, according to Toyota.

The front-engine rear-drive car would have a V6 3.5-liter engine, putting out approximately 400 horsepower when coupled with the hybrid system, and be able to do zero-to-sixty in four seconds.

Not sure of the look? Well those "aero-corners" on the body that … Read more