NEW HYBRID CAR

TOYOTA PRIUS




We've shown you spy shots of the 2010 Prius before its anticipated intro at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. But where the Prius has had things easy for a while, it's about to get some serious competition. This week, we're waiting on word for the Chevrolet Volt, which could see a formal public intro on GM's centennial, September 16th. We're also seeing some rumors that the Honda small hybrid that's due as a Paris auto show concept will emerge this week.

Where does that leave the 2010 Prius? Toyota's putting a fleet of plug-in Priuses in the hands of consumers next year, to see if the plug-in concept can become reality--but it's already reality for a group of owners that are putting more batteries and lithium-ion batteries into their Priuses. Owners like Colorado's Clarence Robinson have bought kits to add better battery power to their Priuses for a claimed 100 mpg. While he uses extra lead-acid batteries to get the fuel-economy boost, companies are also offering lithium-ion batteries in kits that can turn Priuses and Ford Escape hybrids into 100-mpg machines, the report adds.














THE HONDA INSIGHT IS BACK


Honda’s name for its new Prius killer is perhaps the least innovative thing about it—it’s going to be called the Insight. The old Insight was the first mass-produced hybrid sold in the U.S. in 1990 but was phased out amid weak sales in 2006.

Honda has higher hopes for the much-anticipated new model, which it plans to sell 200,000 a year and will be the first of several new hybrids. While it won’t be sold until April, Honda is showing a concept version at the Paris Auto Show, which opens at the beginning of October. Honda just released a press release unveiling the name today and first official photos, although details of its price (expected to be about $19k) and performance remain scant. The release points out that the original Insight was the first vehicle to break the 70mpg barrier for fuel efficiency. Any guesses on how closer the new, larger Insight (but smaller than a Civic or a Prius) will get to that figure?