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A next-generation 2010 Toyota Prius was snapped in full camo regalia filling up at an Australian gas station. So what can we tell? Mainly that the Prius' has totally ripped off the styling of the new Honda Hybrid , differentiating their design with the addition of a small spoiler on the rear. Reports state, and these pictures seem to confirm, that the main visual changes to the 2010 Prius will be on the interior, with a much more integrated cockpit design taking the place of the tacked-on bins-'n-pods look of the current car. You can get your helping of hybrid smug — made-in-America by 2011, no less — midway through 2009, the tentative date for the Toyota vs. Honda hybrid battle royale! [ Drive.com.au ]
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Motor maker Raser Technologies will team up with utility provider PG&E for a pickup truck that can get 100 MPG, according to the company's press release. The plug-in hybrid utilizes full battery power for the first 40 miles, then lets a gas-powered generator kick in enough juice for another 300 miles. Through the process of simple arithmetic, the truck has a total range of 340 miles on a full tank/charge. Jalopnik Snap Judgment: PickupTrucks.com speculates the truck Raser plans to convert is a Chevy Silverado , mostly due to the drivetrain's similarities to the Chevy Volt . We're inclined to agree with our good buddy Mike Levine over there if only for the reason that the internal drawings look just like a Silverado. We've also got to admit, a full-size truck capable of 100 MPG, even if they only make a few of them at a very high price, would be an impressive proof-of-concept for investors or OEMs. Hint, Hint. [ Pickuptrucks.com ]
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There may be no better indicator that many carmakers have been unable to adjust to the sudden increase in gas prices and the resulting shift in consumer demand than hybrid sales. Although there was an obvious run to more fuel-efficient cars — witness the Civic besting the Ford F-150 in overall sales for the first time ever — hybrid sales overall were down 11% from April to May, down 24.3% month-to-month from 2007 and even the market-leading Toyota Prius experienced a 31% drop in sales for the month. How did that happen? There are a few factors at work here, which we've helpfully outlined below the jump. First off, there was an overall drop in vehicle sales in the United States — that's obviously going to affect sales of the largest fuel-suckers first, but the current economic situation affects anyone looking to buy right now, even in the hybrid marketplace. But the biggest factor isn't the issue of demand, it's supply. Toyota decided to only create about...
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The Gumpart Apollo is one mean machine with its twin-turbo 4.2-liter Audi V8. But for next month's 24-hour endurance race at the Nürburgring, Gumpert will be swapping out that powertrain for something a bit more green. Since fuel economy is a key factor in a long race, the Apollo racer will be fitted with hybrid running gear. The new motor is a 3.3-liter V8 fitted with twin turbos. Combined with a 100kW electric motor, the car has 630 HP readily available. The juice for the electric motor is charged up by regenerative braking technology. We're not sure what Gumpert's plans are for any possible road version of this setup, but we bet even Al Gore would want one. [ World Car Fans ]
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newVideoPlayer("VolvoRecharge_gawker.flv", 475, 376); So on top of the animated video we've charged up and popped up above this post, we've also got a few more details since earlier this morning on the new Volvo ReCharge plug-in hybrid concept to be revealed...
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