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While I love the idea of the hybrid technology, I really don't think that it is being used to its fullest potential. In 1997-8, I used to own a 1991 Honda CRX HF. Standard gasoline engine, with a light body style, and just two seats. It was a great car and I still sometimes wish that I had it today. I would routinely average 50-52 mpg with that car. Fast forward 15 years from the manufacture of that car, and the best that they can do with an Insight is 60-62. Are you kidding! And the CRX is not the only car like this. There were plenty of cars from the mid-80s to the mid-90s that were smaller builds that gave better than 35 mpg.
Now they are offering hybrid engines for the increase in horse power more than the increase in fuel economy. What is up with that? I know, I know... the idiot consumers (us) want to have all of the power to accelerate quickly, climb any grade at full speed, etc. Well, not this consumer! I saw that the new year Honda Accord is going to be offering a 4 cyl., a 6 cyl., and a 6 cyl. with hybrid assist. The hybrid has 15 or so more horsepower than the gas 6 cyl. and the fuel economy is 1, one, uno, mpg better than the 4 cyl! One mile per gallon better! WTF.
What I would like to see in the future is a hybrid car with a console switch that allowed the driver to select between performance and economy. That car would have the broader appeal that hybrids need to have to capture a decent market share. And it would allow the driver to select between accelerating quickly and saving fuel. Mine would probably never leave the economy mode. Unless I drove to Colorado and needed to get up some of those mountain passes. Does anyone else see this becoming a reality?
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You do not really understand something unless you can explain it to your grandmother.
- Albert Einstein
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