Many of the major car manufacturers have shown a strong interest in hybrid car technology.
This page contains details on some of the other production hybrid cars currently available in the UK.
Toyota Auris Hybrid
The hybrid version of the Toyota Auris was introduced into the UK in May 2010. It shares the
same Hybrid Synergy Drive as the Prius and becomes the first mainstream Toyota vehicle to
receive this technology. The company has plans to add hybrid models across its entire range.
Lexus LS 600h
The LS 600h is the Lexus flagship and is a hugely refined luxury car designed to compete
with the top-of-the-range offerings from BMW, Mercedes and Audi. There is no diesel option in the LS line up
so this is filled by the hybrid 600h. With a 5 litre V8 engine generating 439 bhp and propelling
the LS from 0-60 in 6.1 secs it may seem an unlikely green car yet the electric motor helps increase fuel
consumption to 30 mpg (extra urban) and lower CO2 emissions to 216 g/km.
Honda Insight
The new Insight, available since 2009, is powered by Honda's IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) engine.
This consists of a lightweight four cylinder VTEC 1.3 litre petrol engine backed up by a 13 kW electric motor.
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These two systems combine to give a maximum power output of 102 bhp.
0 to 60 mph is achieved in 12.1 seconds and the top speed is 113 mph. Fuel economy for this Prius 3 rival
is an extra urban figure of 64 mpg.
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Honda CR-Z
The Honda CR-Z borrows many components from the Insight but with a larger 1.5 petrol engine generating 112 bhp.
Add to this the electric part of Honda's IMA and power is further boosted to 124 bhp giving a 0-60 time of 9.9 secs.
The CR-Z is designed with a sporty feel in mind and boasts a very slick 6-speed manual gearbox.
Extra urban fuel consumption is 56 mpg with CO2 figures of 117 g/km.
Honda Civic Hybrid
The Civic Hybrid succeeded the Civic IMA in the UK from 2006.
The second generation uses an upgraded version of Honda's IMA with a 1.4 petrol engine to produce a top
power output of 113 bhp. The car accelerates from standing to 60 mph in 11.7 seconds, has a top speed of 115 mph
and returns combined fuel figures of 61 mpg. CO2 emissions are 109 g/km.
Lexus RX 400h
This large luxury SUV is powered by a 3.3 litre petrol engine (with a rating of 208 bhp) and two
electric motors. The first motor drives the front wheels with the second powering the rear and the
maximum power output for the RX 400h is 269 bhp. This setup is very similar to the Prius with
a CVT stepless gearbox and the rear motor adding 4 wheel drive if the vehicle enters a skid.
Lexus RX 450h
The 400h replacement, from 2009, shows significant improvements in fuel economy and performance.
This model is now exclusively hybrid with a larger 3.5 litre petrol engine on offer and impressive
CO2 emissions of 148 g/km. The 450h manages 0-60 in 7.6 seconds and yet returns 44.8 mpg on
an extra urban cycle.
Lexus GS 450h
This Lexus hybrid combines a 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine rated at 292 bhp with a 190 bhp
electric motor to deliver a total of 341 bhp. The vehicle, which had its UK launch in 2006,
sits firmly in the luxury market and reaches 62 mph from standing in an impressive 5.7 sec whilst delivering combined fuel figures of 35.8 mpg.
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