Having just received a promotion of sorts, but more importantly, a big fat raise, I'm going to be in the market for a new car in the next couple of months.
Since gas prices have been so high as of late, I believe I'm leaning towards a hybrid vehicle, namely the Toyota Prius, not because it looks cool (come on, it's a hybrid) but because of the great gas mileage it gets--60/55. That's pretty stupendous!
But I'm open to suggestions.
Hybrid Synergy Drive
Gasoline Engine
Type Aluminum double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve
VVT-i 4-cylinder
Displacement 1.5 liters (1497 cc)
Bore x stroke 75.0 mm x 84.7 mm
Compression ratio 13.0:1
Valvetrain 4-valve/cylinder with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
Induction system Multi-point EFI with Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i)
Ignition system Electronic, with Toyota Direct Ignition (TDI)
Power output 76 hp @ 5000 rpm (57 kW @ 5000 rpm)
Torque 82 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm (111 Nm @ 4200 rpm)
Emission ratings Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) [1]
Electric Motor
Motor type Permanent magnet AC synchronous motor
Power output 67 hp @ 1200-1540 rpm (50 kW @ 1200-1540 rpm)
Torque 295 lb.-ft. @ 0-1200 rpm (400 Nm @ 0-1200 rpm)
Voltage 500V maximum
Traction Battery
Type Sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) [2]
Power output 28 hp (21 kW)
Voltage 201.6V
Hybrid System Net Power 110 hp (82 kW)
Mechanical/Performance
Transmission Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT)
Since gas prices have been so high as of late, I believe I'm leaning towards a hybrid vehicle, namely the Toyota Prius, not because it looks cool (come on, it's a hybrid) but because of the great gas mileage it gets--60/55. That's pretty stupendous!
But I'm open to suggestions.

Hybrid Synergy Drive
Gasoline Engine
Type Aluminum double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve
VVT-i 4-cylinder
Displacement 1.5 liters (1497 cc)
Bore x stroke 75.0 mm x 84.7 mm
Compression ratio 13.0:1
Valvetrain 4-valve/cylinder with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
Induction system Multi-point EFI with Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i)
Ignition system Electronic, with Toyota Direct Ignition (TDI)
Power output 76 hp @ 5000 rpm (57 kW @ 5000 rpm)
Torque 82 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm (111 Nm @ 4200 rpm)
Emission ratings Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) [1]
Electric Motor
Motor type Permanent magnet AC synchronous motor
Power output 67 hp @ 1200-1540 rpm (50 kW @ 1200-1540 rpm)
Torque 295 lb.-ft. @ 0-1200 rpm (400 Nm @ 0-1200 rpm)
Voltage 500V maximum
Traction Battery
Type Sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) [2]
Power output 28 hp (21 kW)
Voltage 201.6V
Hybrid System Net Power 110 hp (82 kW)
Mechanical/Performance
Transmission Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT)
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
It's amazing that it takes so long for intelligent technology to break through the politics into the market.
[Edited on Dec 14, 2004 11:02PM]