Hybrid Car

Japanese automaker Toyota has unveiled what it says is the world’s first certified plug-in and go car for public use.

Certified by Japan’s Transport Ministry, Toyota’s prototype Plug-in HV Prius uses a gas-powered combustion engine and an electric motor — like earlier Hybrids. But it has a bigger capacity battery which enables it to run longer.

The Plug-in Prius has a top speed of 100 kilometers per hour and an electric motor range of 13 kilometers. The new model is not fully electric, but it will help protect the environment.

Toshikazu Tanaka, chief engineer, Toyota, said, “Because it runs on an external energy supply too, the car can use multiple sources of energy. The range of the electric vehicle has also been extended and it will cut down on carbon dioxide emissions.”

Toyota plans to conduct US and European road tests for the Prius.

The company is boosting overall hybrid production by 40 percent this year and plans to double the number of hybrid models within three years.

Toyota to launch a cheaper version of Prius hybrid car

Japanese automaker Toyota has said that they are going to launch a new “standard” version of its Prius gas-electric hybrid for the 2008 model year.

This model would cost $20,950, not including destination charges. This is incidentally $1,225 cheaper compared to the lowest-cost 2007 model.

Customers would be able to choose from a list of equipments to get installed on this version which are standard on the existing variants.

Bill Kwong, a spokesman for Toyota Motor Sales USA said in a statement on the need to launch this cheaper Prius: “We’re just trying to make it available for everybody.”

Market analysts have approved this move by Toyota and have said that this is not exactly a move by the company to boost the sales of the car as it is already hugely popular in the market.

Al Gore III the new 100 MPH Hybrid Toyota Prius Spokesman?

You can’t pay for advertisement like this. What you haven’t heard?

Al Gore III was pulled over July 4th while driving 100 mph down an Orange County freeway in his environmentally friendly hybrid Toyota Prius.

Apparently there was more “GREEN” than just the hybrid car, because police after a search found marijuana, Valium, Xanax, Vicodin and Adderall.

I tried to reach the Gore’s for comments, but to no avail, however I can only assume that mom Tipper Gore would say, ” It’s that damn heavy metal music!” and Former VP and Green advocate Al Gore, JR would say, ” I demand a recount!”

As far a Toyota goes, no comment as well, but a Hybrid Prius reaching 100 MPH on the freeway making national news has got to be the best darn advertisement they could hope for.

I can just see them smirking and under their breathe say “Go Speed Racer Go!”

What next Al Jr and Paris Hilton Dating?