Toyota used the Geneva Motor Show in early March to introduce a hybrid version of its popular Yaris hatchback.

Toyota is betting big on the Yaris Hybrid and perhaps justifiably so. The Yaris, offered in gas and diesel versions, is Toyota’s top selling European car, comprising 20 percent of the company’s sales in that market, according to the Washington Post. The new French plant that will build the Yaris Hybrid is running three shifts a day and has a capacity to produce more than 180,000 units a year.

Why such great expectations? The Yaris Hybrid marries a fuel-efficient 74-hp, Atkinson-cycle 1.5-liter gas engine with an electric powertrain. The Yaris borrows some technology from the Prius, but in most cases uses smaller and lighter electrical components. In particular, the new hybrid includes a more compact 80-hp electric motor, a smaller inverter, and a smaller and lighter battery pack. Compared to the Prius, the hybrid system in the Yaris is 20 percent lighter.

The Yaris uses Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) technology, which allows the hybrid to run in an electricity-only mode. This is something that is not universally available on all hybrid cars, but this capability is increasingly being offered my hybrid car manufacturers.

The Yaris Hybrid has an electric-only range of about 1.2 miles. And using the HSD technology, the powertrain is optimized to operate in the most efficient mode, eliminating the need for the gas engine as often as possible. For common driving conditions, Toyota claims its optimized system can deliver a fuel economy of 67 mpg. In fact, Toyota tests of the Yaris in urban settings found that up to 60 percent of a trip can be done with the gas engine off. This not only reduces fuel consumption, but it also means the car emits zero emissions during these times.

Furthermore, by virtue of smaller electric powertrain components and through some design choices, the Yaris Hybrid offers the same occupant space and luggage capacity as the standard model.

Exterior design was also important to Toyota. To set the hatchback apart from other cars on the market, the Yaris Hybrid has a new, aerodynamically-efficient exterior. According to the company, the Yaris Hybrid “combines a new, more aggressive, frontal design with detailing such as front and matching rear LED lighting.”

Pricing for the Yaris Hybrid is not announced, but industry experts expect the hatchback to cost in the $23,000 to $24,000 range. Toyota believes the Yaris Hybrid will account for about 20 percent of all Yaris sales. That would make this car one of the best selling hybrids on the market.

The press release from Toyota can be found on this page at autoblog.com.

Looking at the graphic below, it is hard to imagine paying just 18 cents for a gallon of gas. In my lifetime, I don’t remember gas prices much below $1 per gallon, although my parents and grandparents likely were accustomed to those rates for many years. On the other end of the spectrum are countries that pay nearly $10 for that same gallon of gas. So, people living in Italy or Norway are paying more than 50 times as much as those living in Venezuela and Bahrain.

Compared to the current $4 price most of us are paying in the United States right now, Japan is more than $3 higher at $7.26 and Germany is more than double our rate at a whopping $8.56. It is no wonder so many people are researching hybrid cars and electric vehicles.

(Infographic courtesy of Design 911).

Our hybrid cars website attracts visitors from every corner of the earth. We’d love to hear how much you paid for gas/petro the last time you filled up. Adding the date would be helpful too.

To get the party started, I am writing from Des Moines, Iowa (USA) and paid $3.58 per gallon for an unleaded ethanol blend this week (April, 2012). That price is down about 25 cents from the highest price I’ve seen locally (just 3 weeks ago). Take a minute to tell others what you paid below:

Leveraging technology developed for its Touareg Hybrid SUV, Volkswagen has developed the Jetta Hybrid, a car the company claims marries performance and handling with fuel economy.

The 2013 Jetta Hybrid, introduced at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detriot, can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 9.0 seconds and delivers 45 mpg. According the Volkswagen, the acceleration makes the Jetta the fastest compact hybrid in its class; the fuel economy means the Jetta consumes about 20 percent less fuel than a similarly-powered sedan with a conventional drivetrain.

In city driving, the fuel economy advantage climbs to a little over 30 percent better than that of a gasoline-powered car. That additional boost in fuel economy comes when the Jetta takes advantage of its electric propulsion system. To conserve fuel, the gasoline engine is stopped as soon as the car comes to a halt in city driving or stop-and-go traffic. That happens when the driver presses the brake pedal and the battery is sufficiently charged. Additionally, the Jetta Hybrid can be driven in pure electric mode at speeds of up to 44 mph and for up to 1.2 miles depending on operating conditions.

To achieve these performance and fuel economy numbers, the Jetta Hybrid uses a combination of a light-weight (216 pounds) Volkswagen 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and a 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor. A lithium-ion battery supplies the energy to the electric motor. The 220-volt, 1.1 kWh battery system is compact, allowing it to be integrated behind the rear bench seat. The battery also has its own management system that performs safety, diagnostic, and monitoring functions as well as temperature management.

As in the Touareg Hybrid SUV, the Jetta Hybrid makes use of a clutch that decouples the gasoline engine from the drivetrain when in pure electric drive or coasting modes. The Jetta Hybrid is the first hybrid to use uses Volkswagen’s seven-speed Direct Shift Gearbox, dual-clutch transmission. The transmission itself is significantly lighter than a conventional automatic transmission.

Thanks to the lighter engine, transmission, and other components, the weight of the Jetta Hybrid is only 221 pounds heavier than the gas-only Jetta, despite the addition of the battery system. According to Volkswagen, the car weights less than 3,310 pound — this is considered low for a hybrid vehicle. This light weight contributes to the car’s performance numbers.

With the car’s performance and speed, drivers need safety. Volkswagen did not neglect this issue. Standard safety equipment for all Jetta models includes Electronic Stability Control (ESC), anti- lock brakes (ABS), and six airbags (driver and front passenger airbags, front side thorax airbags and Side Curtain Protection airbags front and rear).

Three trims will be offered for the Jetta Hybrid. Standard features include Bluetooth technology, LED taillights, SiriusXM satellite radio, special 15-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and a unique Hybrid body kit and decals. More details on trim levels will be released at a later date.

Available premium features will include bi-xenon headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights, a power driver’s seat, heatable front seats, the a navigation system, a rear-view camera, and Volkswagon’s exclusive Fender Premium Audio System.

The 2013 Jetta Hybrid will launch in the North American market at the end of 2012.

> View a photo gallery of the Jetta Hybrid here.

The C-MAX Energi is a plug-in hybrid electric version of the new vehicle, and C-MAX Hybrid is a full hybrid variant. Both will be offered in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013. Aimed at families on the go, the C-Max electric models will offer what Ford calls 5+2 seating. Basically, a third-row seat can be folded for more cargo space.

The C-Max minivans will use technology and systems found in the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Specifically, both versions will leverage the Ford global C-car platform, power-split hybrid architecture, next-generation driver information systems, and lighter and smaller lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems.

The powertrain will include an Atkinson cycle engine and an electric motor. The C-Max hybrids are supposed to be able to reach speeds of 47 mph on electric power along.

Many hybrid manufacturers are turning to the Li-ion batteries. Ford, like the others, claims the battery packs offer a number of advantages over the nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries that power today’s hybrid vehicles. In general, they are 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter, which makes them easier to package in a vehicle. They can be tuned to increase power to boost acceleration or to increase energy to extend driving distance.

One differentiator with the Ford hybrids, in general, and the Ford C-Max models, in particular, is the information systems provided with the vehicles. Owners of the plug-in model will have access to a suite of driver information systems both while driving and when out of the vehicle. The systems are designed to help manage the recharge process, select the most eco-friendly route on-board, remotely control the vehicle’s charge and preconditioning settings, and monitor battery state of charge and maximize energy efficiency to extend use of electric mode. C-MAX Hybrid owners also will benefit from the on-board features.

Among these tools is a unique version of MyFord Touch driver connect technology, designed especially for driving using electrical power. The tool lets a driver customize the display of vehicle information, including fuel level, battery power level, and average and instant miles per gallon.

The tool’s new MyView feature allows drivers to access even more vehicle data such as the electrical demands of vehicle accessories, including air conditioning, which influences fuel economy and the electric driving range of the C-MAX Energi.

> View an Autoblog photo gallery of the Ford C-Max Hybrid here.

2012 Fisker Karma proves that you can now drive a luxury laden sweet smelling supercar with a clean conscience.

When Fisker Karma first showed up in 2008, everyone was in awe, but to be honest, when hybrid technology first made its way into the automotive industry, it wasn’t very appreciated or encouraged. There were many reasons to it. On one hand, economy car buyers were not ready to pay the high initial price. On the other hand, rich and wealthy consumers were more concerned about the performance and luxury rather than the price and economy.

It didn’t take many years for the technology to prove itself for both kinds of customer base. While environmental and economic concerns have led the government to introduce encouraging policies and reforms, technological revolutions and innovations are making the green cars powerful, luxurious and competitive on every ground. Fisker Karma is a shinning new example of what the future of green cars holds for us.

2012 Fisker Karma, as it is designed to, is a perfect green competitor for the likes of BMW and Mercedes Benz. However, it is not the only one. Tesla Motors has already revealed their high priced lux’d up hybrids. What makes Karma unique is perhaps the ‘Ever’ badge which stands for Electric Vehicle, extended range.

Performance
Yes, EVer! With a turbocharged direct engine 2.0 liter GM Ecotec unit churning out 250 hp, Karma can run a good 5 0 miles as an EV. After that, it is good for 250 more miles on gas. If you choose the Stealth mode, you will be driving a pure EV powered by a 20kW-hr Lithium-ion nano-phosphate battery supplied by Watertown, Mass’s A123 Systems. The battery requires merely 6 hours to get charged. This pure EV offers pure performance delivering the power of 241 horses and accelerating your car up to 60 mph in just 7.9 seconds. Did we mention the names of its competitors already? Perhaps we should talk about the Sports Mode first.

In Sports mode, Fisker Karma is powered by the dual electric motors and the horsepower nearly doubles up to 408 with some 981 lb-ft of torque. In just 5.9 seconds, your Karma would be driving up at 60 mph. Now, these numbers can easily put Karma in competition with the Bugatti Veyron.

Look
The car’s handling is as flawless as the car’s performance, but one thing that really makes it an object of every man’s desire is the look. The design can easily beat the most impressive arrivals from Europe in 2012. While it seems like a nice combination of futuristic styling and seductive curves right where they are needed, it carries some well balanced elements from the retro American muscles.

Final Thought
With its hard hitting performance, seductive and sexy design and a combined mileage of around 67 MPG, 2012 Fisker Karma is definitely going to be a wonderful addition to the road. And with a price tag of more than $100,000, it may be a long while before most of us even see one.

To start, Honda is replacing the commonly used nickel-metal-hydride batteries with a newer generation lithium-ion battery pack. This alone will make the 2012 Civic Hybrid lighter than past year’s models.

The lighter weight alone should translate into improved fuel economy. And the newer technology batteries will extend the range the car can drive on electricity alone.

The 2011 model got 40 mpg city and 43 mpg highway. The 2012 Civic Hybrid is expected to get 45 mpg or higher. To achieve that fuel economy, the car will also use new Eco Assist technology. With Eco Assist, a driver pushes an “ECON” button to put the engine and other power-using systems (power steering, AC, etc.) into a super-efficient mode to maximize mileage.

Another powertrain change is that the car will have a bigger gasoline engine. Honda will replace the 1.3-liter engine of the 2011 model with a 1.5-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder. According to Honda, the more powerful engine will offer improved mid-range torque, which basically means it is designed to boost acceleration when the car is traveling at a modest speed (and not from a standstill position). This will, for example, make it easier to merge from a highway entrance ramp into the flow of moving traffic.

Additionally, the 2012 Civic Hybrid will include a lighter, but larger and more powerful electric motor. The motor will deliver 23-hp. The engine and motor offer 110-hp combined. Like previous Honda hybrids, the 2012 Civic Hybrid uses Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) technology, which is a parallel hybrid system where the motor sits between the engine and the transmission.

With IMA, there are several modes of operation. When stopped, the engine shuts off. When cruising, the engine, motor, or both are used to power the car. When accelerating, the engine’s power is complemented by the motor. And when braking, the engine shuts down and the battery pack is recharged.

The 2012 Civic Hybrid represents the ninth generation of Honda’s Civic line. Like past Honda rollouts, the company will market a variety of 2012 Civic models. For example, besides the Civic Hybrid four-door sedan, Honda is expected to sell a new version of the Civic Si two-door sports coup.

MSRP for the 2012 Civic Hybrid has not been released, but industry sources expect it to be in the $24,500 to $27,000 range.

> View a Honda photo gallery of the 2012 Civic Hybrid here.
> View an AutoGuide.com video review of the 2012 Civic hybrid here.

When looking for a hybrid car, the choice is quite simple. A driver can select a compact car with incredible fuel economy or a mid-sized car with a modest improvement over a gas-only car.

In the works since 2008, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offers a compromise. The mid-sized sedan offers a highway fuel economy that rivals many hybrid compacts.

To achieve this, the 2011 Sonata Hybrid uses Hyundai’s Hybrid Blue Drive technology, which marries a 169-hp 2.4-liter Theta II engine with a 40-hp electric motor. Hyundai has used this technology in prototypes; this is its first production use. With Hybrid Blue Drive, the Sonata Hybrid can run on the gasoline engine alone, the electric motor alone, or a combination of the two.

One significant differentiator with the Sonata Hybrid is that Hyundai uses an automatic transmission instead of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which is widely used in hybrids. The choice of the automatic transmission over the more commonly used CVT for a hybrid was driven by Hyundai’s focus on improved highway fuel economy.

Most hybrid development efforts concentrate on improving city mileage. According to Popular Mechanics, Hyundai research found that U.S. drivers spend almost 60 percent of their driving time on highways. So highway fuel economy is at least as important (and perhaps more important) as city mileage. As a result of using the automatic transmission, the 2011 Sonata gets a “best-in-class” 40 mpg highway. City fuel economy is 36 mpg.

Besides the use of the automatic transmission, another factor contributes to the car’s fuel economy numbers. In particular, Hyundai took a different design path than most automakers with the Sonata Hyundai. Typically, hybrid versions of existing models have the same body and look of their gas-only counterparts. Hyundai made significant changes to the Sonata to create the hybrid version. Features unique to the hybrid include new headlights, tail lights, rocker panels, grille, wheels, and air dam. Some of the changes are simply for style, but Hyundai claims that many were carried out to improve the car’s aerodynamic properties. According to Motor Trend, the Sonata Hybrid has a drag coefficient of 0.25, which is considered quite good…the same as the Toyota Prius.

Another first for this car has to do with the battery selection. Hyundai uses a lithium polymer battery. Many reviews of the car noted that this is the first production use of these batteries, which are more compact and lighter than the more commonly used nickel-metal hydride batteries. These lighter weight batteries help keep the mid-sized Sonata Hybrid sedan at a svelte 3,457 pounds.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has a MSRP starting at $25,795.

> View a Car and Driver photo gallery of the 2011 Sonata Hybrid here.
> View a CNet video review of the car here.

Volvo introduced the V60 Plug-in Hybrid at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The V60 is the world’s first diesel-electric production plug-in hybrid.

The station wagon combines a diesel engine with an electric motor and offers three driving modes. Based on the 2011 Volvo V60 station-wagon, the vehicle can run as an electric car with a range of 30 miles; a high-efficiency hybrid delivering about 124 mpg; and a sports car that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds. The car has a range of about 745 miles.

Even with those credentials, one distinguishing feature noted by several reviewers is that this car looks like a regular sporty car. As one reviewer put it, “It doesn’t scream green.” Yet, in typical Volvo style, the automaker goes the extra distance to make this car greener than many alternatives. For instance, when it comes to long-term battery issues, Volvo says that it will ensure the safe disposal of used and unserviceable batteries. This is likely to differentiate the car from others as battery recycling increasingly becomes the focus of legislatures due to the expected increased sales of hybrids and electric cars.

Another important differentiator is driver protection. The V60 will incorporate many standard Volvo safety features.

Taking a closer look at the car, the power train behind the impressive numbers includes a five-cylinder 2.4-liter D5 turbodiesel engine that produces 215-hp and a 70-hp electric motor. The car’s front wheels are powered by the diesel engine; the rear axle features ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) powered from the electric motor. The diesel engine is considered one of the more frugal engines (in terms of fuel consumption) on the market today.

These two elements are used in different combinations to offer three driving modes. There is an all-electric mode, a hybrid fuel-efficient mode that alternates propulsion between the two, and a power mode the runs both at the same time. In the hybrid mode where the engine and motor are alternatively used, the car automatically switches between the power trains to provide the most energy efficient drive possible.

One interesting feature of the V60 lets the driver key in a planned trip’s distance (short, medium or long) and a control system calculates the best balance between diesel and electric power to obtain the lowest possible CO2 emissions for the given distance.

To get a comfortable start of the journey, the car driver has the choice to preheat or cool the passenger compartment during the recharging process. This means that more battery capacity can be used for powering the car. The car has several additional features that emphasize its CO2-lean profile, such as lightweight wheels with exceptionally low air drag and Pirelli tires designed for low rolling resistance.

The V60 is expected to be available in 2012.

> View a Worldcarfans video of the V60 Hybrid’s different power modes here.
> View a Volvo gallery of the V60 Hybrid here.

Toyota used the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to roll out a family of Prius cars. The Prius line now includes the traditional 4-door hybrid, a new plug-in version, the Prius v crossover/wagon, and the Prius c Concept.

The new Prius Plug-in Hybrid will run 13 miles on charged up battery power before resorting to the gasoline engine. Industry buzz about this car is very positive. Many reviews have noted that it offers the superior fuel economy of the traditional Prius with added EV driving capability. “It represents the best of both worlds,” said ReliablePlanet.com.

The Prius plug-in reportedly can reach driving speeds of up 60 miles per hour on electricity alone. After the 13 mile range on battery power alone, the car runs like a standard Prius 3rd Generation car. It takes roughly three hours to recharge the battery with a 110 volt plug and about an hour and 45 minutes using 220 volts.

While the plug-in model was well received, the Prius v got the bulk of the attention at the show and in post-show coverage. The “v” stands for versatility in that the Prius crossover/wagon is designed to appeal to the needs of the traditional SUV and crossover crowd (namely, families with an active lifestyle), while offering the fuel economy and features of the Prius brand.

To that end, the Prius v offers 50 percent more interior room than the current Prius 3rd Generation car. It offers seating for five and has a 60/40 folding rear seat to provide more storage room. Road & Track noted that despite being larger, the Prius v “still manages to slice through the air quite efficiently…which helps when it comes to boosting fuel economy and lowering wind noise.”

The powertrain for the Prius v includes a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine and Toyota’s electric hybrid system. According to Toyota, the “v” has a total output (gasoline and electric combined) of 134 hp. That won’t make the Prius v the fastest crossover in town, but it delivers a very decent 42 mpg city and 38 mpg highway.
 
Not everyone was impressed by the Prius v. A Detroit Free Press article about the auto show’s hits and misses stated that “the v is basically a stretched, lower-m.p.g. minivan-like version of the 2-year-old Prius hatchback.”

Rounding out the introductions at the Detroit show was the Prius c Concept car. While the “v” stands for versatility and targets active families, the “c” is aimed at city drivers who want a smaller car and the fuel economy of a hybrid. The Prius c is expected to deliver the highest mileage of any non-plug-in hybrid when it goes on sale in the first half of 2012. And the car is expected to be smaller to make it easier to park in urban settings.

As for any hints as to the look of the new car, Motor Trend said that “if the Prius c makes it to market looking anywhere close to this concept, it will certainly be a head turner.”

> View a CNet photo gallery of the Prius line here.
> Get a close-up view of the Prius c Concept car in this Road & Track photo gallery.

The company was expected to introduce the gas powertrain 2012 A6; rolling out the A6 Hybrid was big news. “Many people didn’t expect a hybrid model to debut alongside [the new A6 sedan],” CNet reported.

The 2012 Audi A6 Hybrid is designed for the U.S. and European markets. The car features a gas-electric hybrid powertrain that combines Audi’s 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected gasoline engine with an electric motor. The combination delivers a combined 245-hp.

The A6 Hybrid has an estimated fuel economy of just under 38 mpg. The hybrid powertrain uses an 8-speed automatic transmission. The transmission sends power to the front-wheels. (Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system is not available in the hybrid model.)

The A6 Hybrid can operate in gas-alone mode, electricity-alone mode, or a blend of two. When running only on electric power, Audio claims the A6 has a maximum speed of 62 mph, accelerating to that speed in about 7.3 seconds. The car’s range on electrical power alone is only about two miles.

All cars in the A6 line (hybrid and gasoline versions) have a new body built of aluminum and high-strength steel. Road & Track reported that this combination “makes the car 15 percent lighter than a comparable one made entirely of steel.”

Audi claims that it made a great effort to maintain similar looks to both the gas and hybrid versions. According to Autoblog.com, “Audi officials say they have gone out of their way to keep it aesthetically true to the conventional gas-powered model.”

Maybe they shouldn’t have tried so hard. Some were not impressed with the looks of the car. When Car and Driver editors got a look at the newly designed car last year they reported “we couldn’t help but feel disappointed…the exterior underwhelms.”

The car’s interior is another story. “The interior is arguably best in class.” said the same Car and Driver editors. The Audi A6 has real wood veneers, leather seats, and many other amenities a driver (and passenger) would expect in a luxury car.

As is the case with other Audi models, the A6 features a high-end infotainment system. The Audi Multi Media Interface (MMI) system supports navigation, communication, and entertainment features. Information is presented through an MMI display in the center of the dashboard. In particular, the A6’s MMI Navigation-plus system offers HD radio reception and a color display that provides real-time traffic and 3D topography graphics that include the buildings in many cities.

The Audi A6 Hybrid is expected to go on sale in the second half of 2011. No pricing information is available at this time.

> View a WorldCarFans.com photo gallery of the Audi A6 Hybrid here.
> View a CNet video tour of the Audi A6 interior here.