There are some exciting new choices in hybrids for the 2008 model year. General Motors' two-mode hybrid system will debut in several vehicles, with the GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Silverado, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid pictures yet-to-come. Honda is offering a 4-cylinder full hybrid system in the Fit for 2008, utilizing technology from the discontinued Insight. Not only is the hybrid price war on--with some of the below models offered at less than 2007 prices--there will be more hybrid models coming throughout 2008, from the Ford Fusion Hybrid to the Mercury Milan Hybrid. Looking ahead to 2009 and 2010, hybrids on the horizon include the Ford Edge Hybrid, Lincoln MKX Hybrid and Porsche Cayenne Hybrid in the SUV class, with the Ford Five Hundred Hybrid and Mercury Montego Hybrid filling out the large car offerings.
Enjoy these 2008 photos, and we'll update new releases as they continue to be announced.
2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Chevrolet's economical Malibu family sedan got a facelift for 2008--and for the first time, a hybrid drivetrain. With a MSRP of $22,790, the 2.4L Ecotec Malibu hybrid goes on sale in November and is rated at 32 mpg highway/24 city.
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The much bally-hooed two-mode hybrid system developed in a GM, Chrysler, BMW partnership debuts in the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid. GM states the 5.3-liter (327 cu in) OHV V-8, 300hp Tahoe Hybrid will tally up 25 percent better fuel economy than the non-hybrid Tahoe (that clocks in at 20 mpg on the highway).
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Chrysler has placed its flavor of the two-mode hybrid drivetrain in the 2008 Dodge Durango. With a starting MSRP of $26,455, the Durango Hybrid will offer a 5.7-liter HEMI with Multiple Displacement System (MDS), and is anticipated to offer a 25 percent improvement in fuel efficiency, and according to Dodge, up to a 40 percent boost in the city.
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2008 Ford Escape Hybrid
Since the Escape first debuted in 2001 and the Escape Hybrid came online in 2004, it's been a popular SUV choice. The 2008 Escape has received a redesign that includes hybrid system upgrades. Equipped with a 133-hp, 2.3-liter engine, with EPA fuel economy estimates at 34 mpg city/30 highway, the base front-wheel drive model rings in at $25,740. The Escape is available in both FWD and 4WD.
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2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid
The GMC Yukon's hybrid package is a twin to the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, and they're both expected to deliver a 25 percent improvement in overall gas mileage over conventional models (which get up to 22 mpg on the highway). The Yukon's V-8 engine is mated to two electric motors inside the transmission, one of which powers the Yukon Hybrid for city driving; the other kicks in for highway cruising.
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2008 Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda's popular 1.3L, 4-cylinder Civic Hybrid midsize sedan will continue to offer its hybrid version in 2008, with the new EPA ratings coming in at 40 mpg city/45 highway.
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2008 Honda Fit
For 2008, the Honda Fit inherits the hybrid package that formed the underpinnings of the Insight, the first hybrid sold in America and loved for its 60-mpg estimated fuel mileage--but not its two-seater status. The Fit Hybrid is expected to make a splash in the hybrid market since it's expected to sell for around $16,500, making it the most affordable hybrid on the market.
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2008 Lexus RX 400h
Lexus knows they've got a good thing goin'. The 2008 RX 400h returns with its reliable hybrid hardware in a luxury package. With a 3.3-liter V-6 gasoline engine mated to an electric drive motor, the RX 400h is known for performance plus better fuel efficiency. Available in all-wheel-drive and front-wheel drive, the EPA ratings come in at 26/24 mpg and 27/24 mpg respectively, and is a SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle).
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2008 Lexus GS 450h
A name synonymous with comfort, convenience and now hybrid-ness, the 2008 GS 450h retains its hold in a market for upscale auto buyers going green. The rear-wheel-drive 2008 GS 450h offers the Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain that combines a 3.5-liter V-6 engine with an electric motor for 340 horsepower with zero-to-60 in 5.2 seconds. The GS 450h is certified as a Super-Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) with EPA fuel economy tacking in at 22 mpg city/25 highway.
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2008 Lexus LS 600h L
Considered a muscle hybrid, the 389 hp V-8 engine and two motor hybrid package in this 2008 LS 600h L is all about performance. It's the only car in the ultra-luxury class that is SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) qualified, with fuel economy estimated to be in the 20 mpg city range. And luxury? Of course, it's a Lexus. With an MSRP of $104,715 there will only be 2,000 built and sold in the United States this year.
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2008 Mazda Tribute HEV
With a controlling financial interest in Mazda, Ford shares its Escape Hybrid technology with Mazda in the 2008 Tribute HEV (hybrid electric vehicle). The Tribute HEV has an estimated fuel economy of 33 mpg city/ 29 highway and a 2.3 liter, 4-cylinder, 133-hp engine. It will be available only in California.
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2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid
As the Ford Escape's cousin, the hybrid underpinnings of the Mercury Mariner are identical, but it's a step up in cushiness and style. With a MSRP of $25,955 - $27,705 and available in 2WD and 4WD, the Mariner Hybrid is equipped with a 2.3-liter, 133-horsepower hybrid engine that heralds 34 city/30 highway. The 4WD fuel economy range is 29 mpg city/27 highway.
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2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
Nissan has licensed Toyota's Synergy Drive hybrid system and put it to excellent use in the sporty 2008 Altima Hybrid, with mileage ratings of 35 mpg city/33 highway. With an MSRP of $25,070, the Altima Hybrid is available in the eight states that have adopted California emissions regulations - California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont - and qualifies for a tax credit of $2,350.
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2008 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid
Saturn hit the hybrid market in 2007 by touting the lowest-price midsize hybrid sedan on the market--and the Aura continues into 2008. With EPA-estimated fuel economy at 24 mpg city/32 highway, the 2.4L Ecotec Saturn Aura Hybrid has an MSRP of $22,790.
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2008 Saturn Vue Green Line
The 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line takes everything folks love about Saturn and its SUV and steps up the fuel economy with the BAS (Belt Alternator Starter) hybrid components, the same used in the Saturn's hybrid sedan, the Aura Green Line.
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2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Toyota's Synergy Hybrid Drive bolted into the 2008 Camry makes for a very efficient hybrid version of this popular family car. Better yet, the Camry Hybrid's price has been slashed to make this hybrid even more affordable for more people. Camry Hybrid base MSRP prices begin at $25,200--and that' $1,000 less than the 2007 model.
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2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Synergy Drive comes to life again in Toyota's popular SUV, the 2008 Highlander. The hybrid has seen a number of improvements, including ECON and EV modes to help extend that fuel economy. Available in a base and Limited model, the base model's 4WD-i price has dropped $190 to $33,700. Go for the Limited 4WD-i model and see a sticker price of $39,950.
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2008 Toyota Prius Touring Edition
Of course, the Prius hardly needs an introduction. The 2008 version is yet another incarnation of this popular and best-selling hybrid. Even better, the standard model has a MSRP of $1,225 less than the 2007 model. 2008 Prius models are set to sell for $20,950 (the standard model) to $23,220 for the Touring model.
1 comment:
where did you find proof that the honda fit will become a hybrid in 08?
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