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Hybrid Sports Cars
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Fast,
Furious and Green
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Hybrid Sports Car - Sporty Cars That Also Happen To Be Hybrids
When the technology of hybridization was introduced into cars, most of the giant manufacturers immediately jumped into the wagon, and the 21st century is seeing a whole range of hybrid cars out on the roads. But did you know that the first hybrid vehicle was created in 1899? Hybrid cars are fuel efficient, cost effective and environmental-friendly.
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Hybrid sports cars, on the other hand, remain to be quite inaccessible and almost just remain in the concept car category. Those in the racing industry still hold the notion that hybridization cannot produce the same type of horsepower that traditional sports cars would have. However, car manufacturers are now in a race to dispel this notion, as evidence by a spate of hybrid sports cars that have been shown in various auto shows around the world. Let’s take a look at some of them:
Honda
CR-Z Hybrid (shown here)
Introduced as a concept hybrid in 2007 - this is one 2-seater that you can actually buy today. 112 hp are available in this 1.5 litre, 4 cylinder "fun machine". Expect to pay around $21,000 to take one home and experience the sportiness for yourself. Read a full review of the 2011 CR-Z on this site.
Citroen C-Metisse Diesel Hybrid Sports Car
Unveiled in the 2006 Paris Motor Show, the 205-hp diesel V-6 engine has two electric motors in the rear wheels. This 5-door Coupe can consume an average of 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The sports car was designed with optimum aerodynamics in mind – from its long and lean body, the improved fuel economy, down to the Michelin tires with central wheel nuts.
Introduced as a concept hybrid in 2007 - this is one 2-seater that you can actually buy today. 112 hp are available in this 1.5 litre, 4 cylinder "fun machine". Expect to pay around $21,000 to take one home and experience the sportiness for yourself. Read a full review of the 2011 CR-Z on this site.
Citroen C-Metisse Diesel Hybrid Sports Car
Unveiled in the 2006 Paris Motor Show, the 205-hp diesel V-6 engine has two electric motors in the rear wheels. This 5-door Coupe can consume an average of 6.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The sports car was designed with optimum aerodynamics in mind – from its long and lean body, the improved fuel economy, down to the Michelin tires with central wheel nuts.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Concept-E
Shown in 2004, the Eclipse Concept-E hybrid was said to feature an improved MPG and enhanced performance with its 470 bhp, 3.8 litre V6 petrol engine and a 150 kw electric motor all working together. The hybrid power is throttle actuated in the rear motor, giving the engine a constant source of power when it’s needed. That, combined with the Japanese ergonomical design creates a sports car that is aerodynamic and powerful.
Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept
The Future Toyota Hybrid Sport is being touted as the sports car for the future. It has a 3.5litre V6 hybrid electric engine that is also similar to the Lexus GS450h, and is said to make the car go from 0 to 60mph in 4 seconds. When it was first introduced in the 2007 North American International Auto Show the asking price for it was in the area of $30,000 although production has not really gone full throttle yet.
Mazda Miata Ibuki
In Japanese language, “Ibuki” means to invigorate, and this is what this concept car is said to bring to the Mazda Miata line. It has an integrated hybrid system of a 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a 6-speed manual transmission. This hybrid Miata combines both vehicle performance and efficiency with its lightweight design and power packed engine that eliminates idle time by shutting the car’s internal combustion engine when it is stationary. It also has a regenerative braking system where the batteries are automatically recharged while decelerating.
Subaru B9 Scrambler
This sports car has a gas powered engine and a 140 hp hybrid engine. Shown in the 2003 Tokyo Motorshow, the B9 Scrambler is considered a classic open sports car. It only uses fossil fuel when the charge drops below a certain level, thus making it an efficient ride.
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