How To Make The Right Hybrid Choice For You By Gregg Hall

The modern hybrid vehicle comes in numerous makes and models, various colors and sizes. And as the desire and need for this trendy car grows, so will the options available to consumers. There are a variety of things that need to be considered in choosing a hybrid car. A smart buyer will do his homework and educate himself with the myriad of choices before making a final selection.

Design and size must be considered when deciding the hybrid car that is right for you. Take into consideration the number of passengers that you will normally be carrying in your vehicle. Also think of the types and sizes of objects you will typically be transporting. What about storage space?

Currently, hybrid cars come in a wide variety of designs and sizes. If you are looking for a smaller automobile, there is a two-passenger hybrid on the market. Need something for the family? Hybrid makers have also developed a compact sedan that can accompany up to five passengers. Sport utility vehicle (SUV) lovers also have a choice of this popular car. Manufacturers have created a larger hybrid designed for those in need of more passenger and storage space.

When purchasing any automobile, the cost plays a major role. When choosing to buy a hybrid car, you must realize that it will come with a hefty price tag; a higher cost is one of the only drawbacks to this automobile. The average hybrid and sport utility vehicle range from approximately $20,000 to $50,000 for standard models. If you would like extra features, the price will increase. At $20,000, the hybrid costs almost $5,000 more than your average non-hybrid vehicle. However, the hybrid owners save on fuel in the long run. Hybrid owners have also been given government take breaks for the past few years. So, while the initial purchase may be a large one, in the end, buying a hybrid is quite beneficial.

Whether we want to admit it or not, appearance does matter, even when choosing an automobile. While hybrids may be created differently, many have the looks and styles of traditional vehicles. However, it you would like something a bit extraordinary, hybrid manufacturers have developed a range of futuristic models, all available in an assortment of colors. For those who want a standard automobile look, compacts, sedans, and sport utility vehicles are also offered. The hybrid makers offer a wide variety of accessories for an added personal touch to your new hybrid automobile.

The gas mileage of any automobile should be checked for accuracy before purchase. Gas mileage is especially an important factor when deciding on the right hybrid to buy. Hybrids are known for their excellent fuel efficiency. Mileage is an average 8-10 percent higher on a standard hybrid vehicle. The amount of money that is saved in gasoline will usually pay back the extra money that was spent in the initial purchase of the car.

Many car buyers wonder if hybrids have automatic transmissions. The answer is yes. However, the automatic transmission in the hybrid vehicle enables manual gear changes when desired. When in drive, the hybrid operates as a standard automatic, but allows the driver to utilize an included shift lever to manually change the gears. The hybrid automatic has all the advantages of a manual transmission, including better engine speed control, with use of a clutch pedal. Hybrid cars also have traction control systems. In these systems, when your car accelerates from a stop, traction control works to guarantee the greatest possible contact between your tires and the road surface. Traction control systems are especially ideal on icy or wet roads, as they decrease traction.

As you finalize the hybrid purchasing process, here are some other things that should be taken into consideration. If you know of a new hybrid vehicle that will soon debut, it is best to order this car through a local dealership. When dealing with a salesperson, you must always have confidence in his knowledge of the hybrid. You should not commit to a purchase until you have confidence in your salesperson, and feel they are someone you can trust. Such a large purchase should never be taken lightly.

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About the Author:Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. Get quality car care products for your car at http://www.5starshine.com/

Honda Civic Ima: Hybrid Doesn't Have to be Boring By Jerick Brooks

The call for eco-friendly vehicles has made automakers from the US and Japan to compete for the cash, hearts, and mind of the growing green car buyers. And presently it seems like the Japanese brands Toyota and Honda are leading the green vehicle department.

Honda maker of Honda exhaust system and Toyota have provided green car buyers with solutions in the shaped of modern design hybrid cars which were very much welcomed in both US and Japan reflected by the huge sales that these two hybrid brands have obtained. The success of hybrid vehicles has also reached other countries as a matter of fact the Irish government has responded positively to the arrival of hybrids in their market. It has given 50 percent Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) rebate on hybrids. This is the government’s way of encouraging the Irish people to purchase hybrid vehicles.

Despite the alluring tax incentive that the government is offering it is not enough to convince people to purchase a hybrid vehicle. People buy cars based on three factors and these are looks, performance, and price. Honda Civic and Toyota are very much aware of this and that’s why they have taken the effort to create the Honda Civic IMA and the Toyota Prius in accordance to the preference of their customers.

Honda hybrid cars make use of advanced Honda exhaust technology that lessens harmful emissions same with Toyota although it employs a different exhaust system but the end product is just the same. The new Civic IMA hybrid leads in terms of strict engine performance. Its 1.3 liter Honda engine and 10 kW electrical system revs up a total of 115 bhp while the 1.5 liter petrol Prius produces only 76 bhp. The Honda system compared to Toyota produces more torque and can achieve a higher forward speed.

On the other hand the Prius score much higher in terms of acceleration and economy. It’s almost half a second faster in terms of acceleration to Honda---11.5 seconds compared to the 12.1 seconds for the Civic IMA in a 0 to 100 km/hr race. The Toyota Prius is also more economical than the Honda Civic IMA that is despite the fact that IMA is rated as very clean with CO2 output level of just 109 g/km.

At the heart of the Civic IMA is the new Honda Hybrid System which is consists of a new 1.3 liter 3-stage iVTEC engine plus Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) ---which explains the IMA in its name. The new Honda Hybrid System makes use of intelligent engine functions plus it is said to give the performance similar to that of a 1.8 liter engine while improving fuel economy, achieving very low levels of exhaust emissions, and reducing the system size by five percent.

The Honda Civic IMA’s 3-stage iVTEC engine utilizes three hydraulic pathways to couple and uncouple five rocker arm assembles, providing three stages of valve control depending on the driving conditions---to achieve a combination of responsive driving and fuel economy. In times of deceleration when the cylinder are idle, the combustion in all four cylinders is stopped and sealed shut, which reduces pumping losses caused by the engine aspiration for a ten percent improvement in recovery of braking energy. Everything has been done on the IMA to reduce friction and that includes the use of aluminum die-cast pistons.

The electric motor system of Honda utilizes coils with high-density windings and high-performance magnets to achieve high output. The inverter that is used to control the motor speed is integrated with the motor’s EGU for more precise digital control which is said to contribute to an even greater motor efficiency and fuel economy.

The battery output of the IMA has also been increased by almost 30 percent. Honda also claims that the IMA’s more compact, custom-designed battery storage box provides better cooling performance as well as vibration resistance for long term reliability.

The regenerative braking system of the IMA is engaged hydraulically to allow optimum braking regeneration along with smooth deceleration that conforms to brake-pedal pressure. IMA’s air conditioner unit features a hybrid compressor that is powered by both the engine and the motor. In case rapid cooling is needed it is powered by the engine and the motor combined. Once the temperature is stable it runs off the motor alone for improved comfort and fuel savings.

The performance of both the Prius and Civic hybrids is almost similar however the Civic IMA is better in styling. Honda’s designers have ensured that the appeal of the IMA would match the tastes of modern audience.

About the Author:Jerick Brooks is a BS Computer Science graduate at Columbus State University. He has passion for anything car-related especially car racing. He loves writing and currently works as an IT consultant in a company based in Atlanta.