The Suit Magazine

At red carpet events and auto shows across the country, the world's top automakers kicked off the new year by giving consumers and the media a sneak peak at hybrids and electric-powered cars.
 
The high-tech cars are slated to hit showrooms over the next two years. Sporting unique styling, the cars will appeal to those interested in green technology, cleaner burning fuels and energy alternatives. Eye-appealing gadgets include outlet-capable recharging packs and charging mechanisms that look like gas pumps.  Those innovations were especially appealing to attendees.  

At the North American Auto Show in Detroit, The Suit Magazine, along with reporters from across the country, got a chance to experience electric-powered and hybrid vehicles manufactured by Ford, BMW, Toyota, and a host of automakers from around the globe. Some cars maintained the original hybrid design, which combines a high-powered engine with one or more sources of power, typically electric power, while other models have become all-electric. 


Ford Focus Electric

The Ford Focus, a popular car among the automaker’s gasoline-powered vehicles, has been created in a special fully electric-powered version producing zero emissions. The car does not need gasoline and can travel nearly 100 miles before needing a recharge. It features a lithium ion battery pack and an electric motor with about 400 volts. The car has a 240 volt charging station with a complete recharge taking about four hours to complete. It has a top speed around 84 miles per hour. Future plans for models of the electric Focus will include a mobile application where consumers can get information about the car's charging status and get alerts when the car is finished charging. The technology in the car earned Ford the Green Vision Car award at the Washington D.C. auto show. The electric version of the Ford Focus is set to go on sale in the United States, in selected markets, by the end of 2011 and Europe by 2013.

Barb Samardzich, Ford’s vice president of global product development, said that the company will continue to develop more environmentally friendly vehicles in the years to come.  “Consumers are focused on environmental decisions,” she said. “We will see an increase in products, providing the consumer [with] environmental choice.”

“We're seeing a lot of interest in hybrid and electric vehicles among consumers in New York, California and other states which have a high concentration of consumers making purchasing decisions based on the environment,” Samardzich said. 

Ford also unveiled an electric-powered commercial vehicle that it manufactured under a contract with AT&T.    

Most recently Ford had its Escape Hybrid, a cleaner emissions sport-utility vehicle, chosen to be part of New York City’s taxi cab fleet. 


BMW ActiveHybrid X-6

Luxury automakers are jumping in the race to create cleaner cars. BMW unveiled its cross-over vehicle the Hybrid X-6. The vehicle has a contemporary look with a classic edge. It gives BMW lovers cleaner emissions while fitting in with the company's traditional line of cars. The cross-over, a four-door hatchback, can go from zero to 60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. The ActiveHybrid has a V-8 gas-powered engine and two electric synchronous motors, powered by a high-powered battery pack. The car tops out at a speed of 130 miles per hour. The vehicle can run on stand-alone electric power at a maximum speed of 37 miles per hour.


Toyota Prius

After a year of negative media attention, lawsuits and recalls, Toyota is refocusing its attention on new business, new cars and hybrid technology. The automaker is boasting different versions of its high-tech hybrid small car. The Prius, introduced as a mid-sized hatchback in 2000, has sold 955,000 units in the United States over the past decade. Among the different versions of the Prius are the Prius V and Prius Plug-in Hybrid.

As the cars were unveiled in Detroit, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager Bob Carter said, “The Prius V is an all-new dedicated hybrid vehicle, and all future Prius family members will be as well. They will all share the common Prius attributes, but will be unique, with special appeal to different buyers.”

The Prius V was designed with more space in the interior for modern family travelers. This version of the Prius has 50 percent more cargo space than previous models, but under the hood it will have hybrid technology similar to other models of the car. The Prius Plug-in is an electric and hybrid combination vehicle.  The car can either be driven as a fuel-saving hybrid or operate solely on electric power. When driven solely by electric power the maximum range of the car is 13 miles and the top speed is 60 miles per hour.  It has a recharge time of about three hours. The plug-in version of the Prius will be available for sale in 2012.

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