Last week, Porsche introduced its , featuring the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). It will be formally unveiled at next month’s Geneva auto show, exactly 100 years after Ferdinand Porsche launched the world’s first hybrid car, the Lohner Porsche Semper Vivus. In May, it will race in the 24-hour Nürburgring, the track of which is widely thought to be the world’s toughest, most demanding racetrack.

Most hybrids rely on heavy lithium-ion batteries, but the KERS is a flywheel generator that captures and stores energy from braking, and replaces the passenger seat. As the driver brakes, the car’s front two motors act as generators, accelerating the flywheel. When the driver pushes a button on the steering wheel, the flywheel then acts as a generator converting mechanically stored kinetic energy into electrical energy, sending up to 120 kW to the front wheels for a 6 to 8 second burst of 160 hp. This will be useful as the driver is coming out of a turn, or trying to pass. It is expected to save fuel, lower the number of pit stops, and allow the car to be heavier.

Typical for 911s, a 480 HP 4.0 Liter flat six engine runs the rear wheels. This motor is known for lower mechanical vibrations.

Porsche will be using the same design that the Williams Formula 1 racing team uses, except as there is no passenger seat in the F1, the F1 KERS gets its energy from the rear drivetrain. In the past, Formula 1 found the technology controversial for several reasons. It adds 25 kg. (55 lbs.) of weight, raises the car’s center of gravity and reduces the ballast, making it difficult to evenly distribute the car’s weight.

Though there are no plans yet for a street-legal version of this car, this design is part of Porsche’s “Intelligent Performance” philosophy, which will drive all future car designs. The goal is more power, less fuel and lower CO2 emissions (which they have lowered by 1.7% annually for the last 15 years). This hybrid will act as a racing laboratory, and is intended to spearhead Porsche’s new design.

The 2011 Nissan Leaf will get 100 miles per charge and cost about $30,000, though Federal credits may bring this down to $23,000. It charges in 14 hours at 120 volts, 4 hours at 240 Volts, and in a little over 30 minutes at 440 Volts DC (planned for Nissan’s commercial charging stations). The car has its own web service that will direct the driver to the nearest station, as well as provide music and video channels. Plus an iPhone app will allow the driver to check your car’s charge level, and even turn the AC or heater while the car still on the charger. It has 100 horsepower and 210 ft-lbs of torque, but with its electronic shifter and gauges, it wont feel like any car we’re used to. Expect to see them on the road in December, with charging stations opening in Portland, Seattle, Tuscon, Phoenix and Nashville.

Here are some of the other highlights of the auto show.

GEM, a company acquired by Chrysler in 2000, sells neighborhood electric vehicles. A lot of them. They sold 40,000 last year in the US, number one in their category with a 70% market share. A GEM representative calculated that in 2009, their vehicles went about 500 million miles, saving 19 million gallons of gas and 93,000 metric tons of emissions, equivalent to planting half a million trees. Ten percent of vehicle sales are to retirement communities, but they also sell to college campuses, state parks, and municipalities. They have six models available, ranging in price from about $7,300 to $13,000 for the fully-loaded six-passenger model.

Toyota debuted a plug-in hybrid Prius. The regular Prius has a nickle-hydride battery, but the plug-in’s is lithium-ion. It can run for 13 miles on a bone-dry tank, and gets 80 to 100 mpg “if driven correctly,” said Joyce Brew, a Toyota representative. It has the same power train and hybrid synergy drive as the old Prius.

But it doesn’t all have to be “green”, does it? The Viper roadster has a 600 hp engine and 560 ft-lbs of torque. Zero to 60 in under four seconds, and the quarter mile in 11 seconds. Zero to 100, and back to zero in 11 seconds. It tops out at about 198 mph, and has no traction control or stability program (“kid gloves” stuff, said the presenter).

GM emerged from bankruptcy proceedings recently and is making new strategies for gaining new market. In the same line they planned to manufacture next generation of electric cars. GM has decided to manufacture Cadillac Converj an electric car in line with the technology used in Chevrolet Volt.

Cadillac Converj concept car was unveiled in 2009 North American International Auto Show and was able to garner very good supporters. Industry critics and general public both were happy with the concept.

The production date for the car is not set and it might be a few years before one could expect this car with the dealer. This car will only go into production floor after the launch 2010 Chevy Volt. That means it would be somewhere near to 2013 when one would be able to see this car on the roads.

Cadillac with a higher sticker price would help to offset high cost of the battery system. It will also help GM to include electric car technology into their fleet. They could enhance the technology and reduce its cost thus they could use same technology on their other car models with lower sticker price,

Until GM is able to provide a car that could provide value like 2010 Toyota Prius at the same price it is going to struggle in the market. The lost market share is very hard to achieve as the road ahead is going to be tough for GM.

Advantages of hybrid cars

• When you drive a hybrid car you are making a statement to the world that you care about the environment.
• Fuel prices are not going to go down, so buying the most economical car you can is wise preparation for the future.
• A hybrid is easy to drive, because it operates just like any other car. You don’t need exotic fuels or special fuel pumps to refuel the car, and you don’t need to plug the car in to a power outlet to charge it.
• But there is a new generation of hybrids that will have the ability to be charged overnight, for extra mileage on top of the hybrid system.
• Even though hybrid fuel consumption can vary a lot depending on where and how you drive, you will still be getting better mileage than if you had bought a similar non hybrid car.
• There’s no performance disadvantage to a hybrid car when compared to a similar non hybrid car.
• Buying hybrids encourages other people to buy hybrids, which in turn encourages car makers to do more research on the cars and so deliver ever more economical cars.
• It just makes you feel good.

Disadvantages of hybrid cars

• Hybrid cars have high voltage, high current lines running through the car, which in a crash may become exposed. Emergency crews have to be educated on each model of hybrid on how to make the car safe before extricating the occupants. Happily, the lines are heavily shielded and the likelihood of being electrocuted is small.
• Eventually the battery pack will wear out, although research has indicated that at least 130,000 miles can be covered before any appreciable loss of storage capacity will occur.
• There has to be a place to put the battery, which in some hybrids can be quite large, so there’s a compromise on space inside the car to fit the battery.
• Don’t believe the manufacturers hype about fuel mileage, as hybrids are much more sensitive to the way you drive and where you drive with regards to fuel consumption. Hybrids are best in the city, and worst on the highway for fuel consumption.
• Hybrids cost more than conventional cars because of the advanced technology they contain.
• Diesel technology can produce cars that are just as efficient as hybrids, and they can cost less because they don’t use the advanced control systems and batteries that hybrids require. Problems with emissions can be overcome with particulate filters and special additives.

1. 2007 Toyota Prius
2. 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid
3. 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
4. 2007 Nissan Altima Electric Hybrid
5. 2007 Honda Accord Hybrid

Toyota Prius is the undisputed king in terms of miles-per-gallon which is the major criteria/feature of hybrid cars. Toyota Prius is fitted with an electric motor which is assisted by a gasoline engine. Both together run the car giving it the superior mileage then a conventional gasoline car. The city and highway mileage for Prius is an impressive 60 – 51 mpg far ahead of its nearest competitor Honda Civic Hybrid which gives 49 – 51mpg. Gas mileage is not the only thing that makes Prius number 1 hybrid car but it has a roomier/better interior than number 2, Honda Civic Hybrid.

• Way ahead in terms of Technology.
• Stellar fuel economy
• Uncompromisable drive
• Superior acceleration
• Above all reasonable prices
• Long-term durability
• Ultra-low emissions

2007 Toyota Prius Hybrid Car gives a mileage of 48mpg city and 45mpg highway. Combined together Prius could give on an average 46mpg.

Let us have a look at Fuel Economics:

1. Cost to Drive 25 Miles: $1.57
2. Fuel to Drive 25 Miles: 0.54 gal
3. Cost of a Fill-up: $30.84
4. Miles on a Tank: 493 miles
5. Tank Size: 11.9 gal
6. Annual Fuel Cost: $937 (45% highway, 55% city driving, 15000 annual miles and a fuel price of $ 2.88 per gallon )

Greenhouse gas emission for Prius stands at an impressive 4.0 tons/year which is far better then 90% of cars.