[AutoGuide.com]

Even though they’ve been around for well over a decade now, hybrids still have that ‘new technology’ feel. Consumers continue to be apprehensive to hybrid technology and there’s plenty of misinformation surrounding it.

To debunk some myths, most hybrids do not need to be plugged in, and it’s also not true that they are more efficient around town, with models like the Prius actually getting better highway fuel economy than in the city.

Still, from quirky gearshifters on cars like the Prius, to the unusual feeling of regenerative brakes, hybrid cars remain on the cusp of mainstream, but not for long. In the near future as many as 11 new hybrid models will hit the market, ranging from the family sedans to high-tech futuristic supercars.

1. 2014 Chevrolet Impala eAssist

Upcoming Buick and Chevrolet vehicles offer a distinctly different type of hybrid technology than we’re used to. The eAssist system is technically a mild-hybrid, which means that the car is never powered by electricity alone. The eAssist system uses its battery and electric motor to help with idle start-stop, on-demand electric power steering, and for a boost when accelerating.

To get a better idea of how important eAssist is to GM, we talked to Stephen Poulos, a chief engineer on eAssist.

“eAssist is purposefully not trying to go head-to-head with our full hybrid competitors,” Poulos said. “We’re trying to redefine a base powertrain, which will be available at a lower cost, and offer better fuel efficiency than some other base vehicles.”

The eAssist system uses the exact same management software as the extended range electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt. Poulos made it clear that eAssist can scale better to different vehicles than a full hybrid system can, meaning that there is less compromise when converting a regular gas-powered vehicle into an eAssist model.

You can already see it in action on the Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Buick Regal and Lacrosse and you’ll find it in the upcoming 2014 Chevrolet Impala. GM might say that eAssist is cheaper than traditional full hybrids, but we’re seeing the 2013 Malibu Eco with eAssist, cost $25,235, which isn’t that much cheaper than other full-hybrid family sedans on the market. It also doesn’t help that the Malibu Eco gets just 25 mpg in the city, and 37 mpg on the highway, while full-hybrid offerings manage up to 40 mpg on the highway and 35 mpg in city driving.

Poulos did mention that eAssist is modular enough to be used in other vehicles, and that GM is investigating putting eAssist in vehicles other than mid and full-sized sedans.

Read the complete article on all 11 Future Hybrids at AutoGuide.com

 

[TrustinHFDJ]

All Garbage

Sorry to say my friend, but I am here to bust your bubble about hybrids.

The first hybrid was released in the 1970's, not any where near the performance of what we have today, but I am sure it would have been a great start if America didn't have its way. As this new technology came about, tension rose in the middle east since they are profiting on oil sales, that they threatened us with higher gas prices if we were to pursue the technology. I doubt it personally, I think the middle men were going to be cut out here in the states, and that was a threat to them; like ebay. So prices went up, and the emergence of hybrids was put away for a long long time, but we have known how to do it since 70's.

Then as usual with American cars, at that time, being over priced and major gas guzzlers, it was an overnight thing going hybrid. Since everyone was trading up to a prius, regardless of there prior vehicle cause who wants to get ripped off paying so much for gas. The next day we had all American cars going hybrid, most surprising to me; the Suburban. The biggest bulky vehicle around which needs that power to get families around along with the thing that come along for a trip or more. So the question really is, why have we had this technology for so long and kept it under raps until it jeopardized our American car industry. =) Plus, why are Japanese people so much more considerate and smart about our earth; because they are not in it for themselves. Which is baffling when you think about the fact the American auto industry is what made cars flourish in our country, to them being wiped out just doesn't generally happen without great cause.

Which is why the American auto industry has failed hands down, and finally the time has come where they stopped ripping people off after we bailed them out, but it is far too late, with that much money "ford is back". Strangely switching things up to the way Japanese cars are manufactured. Personal opinion, stealing style from other car manufacturers, building replicas of the same car and just putting a different name on it with really no difference but pricing[even Japanese do it] which is why they cut out so many GM brand's. Not to mention the epic failure ford had with jaguar, and the new focus hybrid looks like what car already manufactured? =)

Pathetic, and despicable. What superior quality this country was founded on was lost by corporate greed; SWEET!

 

[TrustinHFDJ]

Further Truth and Solidification

And now since hybrid and all electric cars are being bought, because everyone is tired of being ripped off; the law of supply and demand has finally curved in our favor.

Look at the gas prices throughout the united states, in comparison to sales of hybrid vehicles. :0wned: