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Sales of the consummate gasoline/electric Toyota Prius hybrid reached a milestone mark of more than one million worldwide, Toyota announced today. Since the Prius first went on sale in Japan in 1997, then in Europe and North America in 2000, total cumulative sales through April 2008 hit 1,028,000 units, with—believe it or not—most units being sold in North America. Toyota says it believes that, compared to emissions of straight gasoline-powered vehicles, this many Prius hybrids on our earth’s roadways have done their eco-friendly part, resulting in a 4.5 million ton reduction in CO2 emissions—that nasty stuff environmentalists and other people who like to breathe believe to be a big cause of global warming. In their quest to build and sell even more fuel efficient vehicles, Toyota also offers other hybrids, such as the Camry and Highlander , and various Lexus models, like the GS 450h and LS 600h sedans and RX 400h luxury crossover SUV. They’re not alone in their efforts, though, as more and more manufacturers are aiming to do the same with their own brand of gasoline/electric hybrid technology, from compact cars to midsize sedans and SUV s.
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According to a Zogby/MSN poll, only 7% of Americans will consider buying a more fuel-efficient vehicle if gas prices continue to climb. Yesterday I saw a gas station in Hollywood, California selling premium for $4.89 per gallon. Just across the street was another station with premium at $4.11. No, the cars at the higher-priced station were not Bentleys and Maseratis. So, what does this say about driving consumers? Do we really care as a whole? Perhaps convenience is more important. Maybe our sheer love of cars is what really rules. Do most of us only appreciate fuel-efficient technology while we still choose to drive what and how we want? New vehicles get previewed every year and—for the most part—we ogle the high end and the horsepower. Americans—and my guess is more than 7%—love to drive fast, and will continue to do so. When a fill-up costs upwards of $50, will we slow down, keep our tires’ pressure in check, clean out the trunk, and quit racing to red lights, or will we only spend less elsewhere? Is the rising cost of gas just the price we pay to enjoy our cars’ performance?
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Suzuki will pack its 2009 SX4 sport sedan and SX4 Crossover hatchback with a standard, integrated navigation system, making it the only new vehicle under $16,000 to include navigation as a standard feature. Navigation systems are increasingly common as options on an expanding range of vehicle, although the cost typically associated with them is in $1500-$2000 territory. This GPS system is sourced from segment leader Garmin, and it will offer premium services through Microsoft Network, including real-time traffic, weather forecasts, local event listings, and a gas station finder capable of locating the lowest priced fuel in town. Distinguishing its points of interest (POI) functionality, the SX4 system will feature a number of lifestyle-oriented, Suzuki-recommended destinations and landmarks, such as hip music venues, popular surf spots, interesting road trip attractions, and other activity-focused destinations. Referred to as the Suzuki T.R.I.P. (Travel, Real-time traffic, Information and Play), the navigation system has a flip-up 4.3-inch touch screen display and Bluetooth hands-free calling technology that can receive and audibly play text messages. This system should add high-tech...
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With Earth Day, we were wondering just how popular hybrid cars have become, when we found that R. L. Polk & Co has done the research for us. According to their calculations, nationwide registrations for new hybrid vehicles rose to 350,289 in 2007, marking a 38 percent increase from 2006. The hybrid rock star Toyota Prius continued to lead the segment with 179,178 total new registrations, claiming a simple majority of hybrid market share at 51.2 percent. With the national gasoline prices averaging $3.50 a gallon, it is no surprise that this sales trend looks to continue. The Prius hybrid gasoline-electric mid-sized sedan posted best-ever March sales of 20,635, an increase of 16 percent from last March. (Conversely, Hummer has seen the greatest decrease in sales per dealership, according to Automotive News .) The Toyota Highlander and Ford Escape share leadership positions in the SUV hybrid segment, according to Polk. Learn more about green cars from our DriveSmart articles. Research the Toyota Prius in the buyer’s guide, complete with pricing, specifications, and photo galleries.
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Gran Turismo has always proven to be a killer app for Sony, an essential competitive advantage for the PlayStation systems. The PS3 is finally about to get its due with Gran Turismo 5 Prologue , the fifth installment of the world's best-selling racing franchise. This partial game with 70 cars is now available on Blu-ray disc, with a bonus behind-the-scenes video called “Beyond the Apex.” Tomorrow, PS3 owners will be able to download the game. Both versions cost $39.99. No other automotive video game franchise has had the impact of Gran Turismo. With a leading-edge graphics and ever-evolving physics engine, each generation of the GT series has brought enthusiasts closer to a true driving simulation, putting them behind the controller of the world’s greatest machines. Having distributed 48 million units worldwide, the GT’s living room impact is undeniable. Even automakers acknowledge its role in the real world, notably pushing the sales of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza WRX in the United States. Gran Turismo 5 Prologue introduces new modes to the series, including support for up to 16 players head-to-head racing offline and online, complete with race events and...
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Motorists continue to clamor for GPS-based navigation services, as sales of in-car and portable devices soar. GM’s OnStar telematics division has been competing in this space with a “ turn-by-turn ” service, allowing drivers to request directions from a human advisor that are then downloaded to the vehicle and read aloud automatically along the route. OnStar bills it as “the simplest navigation system.” Well, now OnStar is moving to compete more directly with traditional touch-screen systems with two new services. The first is OnStar Destination Download, which enables OnStar subscribers with screen-based infotainment systems to input their destination while on the go at the press of a button. The second service, OnStar eNav, allows subscribers with a “turn-by-turn” capable vehicle to find and save destinations on MapQuest.com and have those destinations sent to their vehicle. Subscribers simply press their vehicle's OnStar phone button to access voice-guided commands through which they can select their route. OnStar eNav will be available retroactively on 2.7 million current “turn-by-turn” capable GM vehicles. Later this year eNav will also combine with OnStar Destination Download...
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Ford will launch a two-pronged effort to reduce the potential risks posed by vehicle blind spots, using an inset side mirror and a radar-based monitoring system. This move follows the company’s Volvo division introducing its BLIS system, which similarly illuminates a light by the driver or passenger A-pillar to indicate to the driver that a vehicle may be in blind spot and on what side. The blind-spot mirror is a secondary convex spotter in the top outer corner of the side mirror, aimed exclusively at the driver's blind spot. A frugal, low-tech safety aid, this appears to be similar to a stick-on mirror available at any parts store. In consumer research, Ford found that nearly 76 percent of the participants said the mirror improves their confidence while driving. This simple, yet effective, feature will be standard on many upcoming Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln models. Decidedly more sophisticated, the radar-based Cross Traffic Alert feature can assist drivers in backing up by warning of impending traffic. The radar can sense moving objects within a 65-foot range from either the left or right side of the vehicle. It also works when backing out of angled parking spaces. Using the same...
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The Toyota Prius has been the poster car for the hybrid movement, though the Chevrolet Volt hybrid is fast becoming the high-voltage icon for the next automotive revolution. Since it has made the auto show circuit, General Motors has been unusually forthright in communicating with media and consumers regarding the Volt’s full-throttle race to production in approximately 2010. Here’s the latest update on the Volt: Batteries Developing the right battery technology for the Volt that can go the distance in the wide-array of abusive consumer use was always expected to be the most daunting challenge. Chevrolet is focused on advanced lithium-ion battery technology, and Volt engineers have just developed a new computer algorithm to accelerate battery durability testing. This advanced computer program duplicates real-life vehicle speed and cargo-carrying conditions, and compresses 10 years of comprehensive battery testing into the Volt’s brisk development schedule. The key is around-the-clock testing in both Michigan and Germany. Vehicle engineering With the battery technology determined, the structural engineers are working through fitting a six-foot long battery pack that weighs almost 400...
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The portable navigation device (PND) market has been white-hot this past year, seeing sales skyrocket through the holiday season. Segment leaders Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan own more than 80 percent of the market, leaving a growing list of new-comers to vie for the remainder and whittle away at the leading triumvirate’s dominance. Consequently, these pocket-sized GPS devices have seen rapid evolution in the past 12 months, with new features and lower prices continuing to attract consumer interest. One of the most anticipated new devices has just arrived: the Dash Express, an Internet-connected PND with some clever talents. Most notably, the Dash Driver Network that allows users to share real-time traffic data with other Dash owners. So, if a Dash device passes down the road ahead of you, your device can receive and display the very latest traffic flow information. Any one who lives around a congested major city knows that the radio broadcasted traffic updates may come every 10 minutes, but the information can be old, inaccurate, or come too late. The same limitations hold true for most GPS traffic services, which typically rely on the same information sources. However, with Dash Driver...
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High-tech companies have a way of cramming more user-friendly features into smaller and smaller packages. And portable GPS (Global Positioning System) units are a prime example of this trend. A popular alternative to in-dash systems, the latest GPS devices not only aid travelers, they travel well themselves. Some of the earliest handheld models were designed for lost backcountry travelers who compared the readings on the unit to a topographic map to determine where they were in relation to the rest of civilization. Not exactly a system that could be used to hike out of an urban traffic jam. Once navigation systems were introduced as optional equipment on high-end autos, the tech wizards went a bit crazy. Today, those built-in systems are programmed to do everything short of flossing your teeth. But, there is hope for the directionally challenged among us who drive more basic vehicles with glove compartments loaded with old, misfolded maps or an outdated Thomas Guide in the trunk. Portable GPS units are a fraction of the in-dash systems while still incorporating many of the same features and options. If the only thing between you and one of the portable, compact GPS units is figuring...
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