PH and hybrids

[DeadMeat_UK]

So every time a manufacturer talks about hybrid, the PH mental go, err, mental.

I can't understand why.

It's a give that we're going to end up with some good sports cars that also happen to by hybrids. We'll end up with:
- Cars that sounds "proper" when pressing on.
- that use a lot less fuel
- that aren't using big V8s to punt them along a high street or busy suburban road when not needed.
- "Push to Pass"

What's not to like? I can't wait for these benefits (especially in that new jag!)

So why the negativity? It can't be about lightness and purity - 90+ % of us like Sat Nav, Good stereos, electric moving seats etc. If you want light and pure, there will still be stripped out specials and non hybrid options.

Right I'm off for my Christmas lunch in an hour so I'll leave this to fester for the afternoon

[Codswallop]

I think the negativity thus far has stemed from;

1)the fact that hybrids have been marketed as the solution to all our problems
2)hybrids have been targetted/ marketed for hippiy weird beard enviro-mentalists
3)early adopters were rather pious and up themselves
4)they're not as magnificent as joe public has been led/ lied to believe

I have no problem with the current crop of hybrids as a to b appliances, but am yet to be convinced that a credible sporting vehicle has been created out of a hybrid. Additionally, all the electronic systems thus far have removed tactility from the driving experience, and until that is addressed, I shall not think of any hybrid car as being a sports car.

[MarkRSi]

Has there been a hybrid that has been developed as a sports car yet? As Codswallop mentions it's all been A to B stuff so far.

I don't see any reason why a Mk4 MR2 with a hybrid drivetrain, if developed with the driving experience in mind, would be a bad thing.

[LongLiveTazio]

MarkRSi said:

Has there been a hybrid that has been developed as a sports car yet? As Codswallop mentions it's all been A to B stuff so far.

The original Honda Insight. I had one, it was ace.

Edit: well, not developed as a sports car but incorporated several things we like to see on sports cars and was rather fun as a result. If they did the same again but performance orientated I think people would love it. The new Insight's a bit of an abortion.

[RobCrezz]

I have nothing against hybrids, just crap ones.


Also people being smug:

[mike325112]

RobCrezz said:

I have nothing against hybrids, just crap ones.

I'm with this - well sort of.

I have an irrational hatred for the Prious although I would quite like an original Insight.

[SWoll]

LongLiveTazio said:

MarkRSi said:

Has there been a hybrid that has been developed as a sports car yet? As Codswallop mentions it's all been A to B stuff so far.

The original Honda Insight. I had one, it was ace.

[RobCrezz]

mike325112 said:

I'm with this - well sort of.

I have an irrational hatred for the Prious although I would quite like an original Insight.

Yeah me too, hate the Prius but like the Insight.

[LongLiveTazio]

SWoll said:

- Looks are subjective but I never had anything other than positive comments from people; I personally loved how it looked and it was form following function, which most people on PH tend to like.

- Incredibly light, cornered very flat and hung on well considering the tyres fitted.

- Characterful petrol engine that wanted to be revved and sounded great whilst doing so.

- Fantastic, clean interior with all controls intuitively laid out for the driver, sporty driving position.

- The way the power was delivered was very clever.

The downsides were that it wasn't/isn't particularly powerful, some of which were for reasons of homogeneity rather than potential, and the steering was lifeless (though accurate).

Edit: oh and the gearing was a bit long because it was aimed at efficiency.

[kambites]

The original Insight was a great little thing to drive.

I have nothing against hybrids personally. I've driven a few of them and they've all been fine - generally nothing special but not bad either, just like most cars on the road these days. Given the choice, I'd take a hybrid family car over a diesel one.

[Codswallop]

RobCrezz said:

Yeah me too, hate the Prius but like the Insight.

I actually don't mind the Prius. For something designed to be an A to B appliance, I think it works well. For city driving, I think it's an ace idea, and far better suited to inner-city driving than a DPF equipped diesel. If I had a need for such a vechicle, I would seriously consider a car of the Prius' ilk.

However, as I alluded to in my post above, I think cars like the Prius have suffered in terms of image from early adopters having a holier than thou attitude, and the marketing, which has been sparse with the truth on occasion. If seen for what it is, which is a quirky family car that can't actually save the world, but is a bit different, I think it has plenty of merits compared to other boring/ dull kiddy carriers.

[DeadMeat_UK]

I agree they are not there yet with a sports hybrid (for the likes of us anyway - I think the Porsche 911 GT racer thingumy probably counts, as well as those Red Bull,Maclaren F1 doodats which appear to be quite sporty) but most manufacturers have something in the pipeline.

So I am not judging on the current availability, I'm judging on where the products are likely to get to with the pressure to develop that the manufacturers have.

I'd say that in the next 2-5 years there will be some good stuff out there (Lotus, Porsche, Jaguar at least are all talking about it in future models). That's where the negativity is coming in each time one of them mentions that something will by hybrid. Maybe people don't have the imagination to see that hybrid models today <> hybrid models tomorrow.

[Happy82]

I like the Honda CRZ, althought not really a sportscar as such, it's heading that way I think

I detest the Prius because it's become a symbol of actors and 'celebrities' trying to out-green eachother. Although I do like this article on the Prius when tested against an SUV

http://www.cleangreencars.co.uk/jsp/cgcmain.jsp?ln...

[RobCrezz]

Happy82 said:

I like the Honda CRZ, althought not really a sportscar as such, it's heading that way I think

I detest the Prius because it's become a symbol of actors and 'celebrities' trying to out-green eachother. Although I do like this article on the Prius when tested against an SUV

http://www.cleangreencars.co.uk/jsp/cgcmain.jsp?ln...

I like the CRZ too, but why is there not a CRZ type R with a 2.0 high revving motor + electric motor?

[frosted]

The mugen crz is a hoot to drive

[Happy82]

I'm sure I saw talk of a type R? Or was it a Mugen that was planned?

[DeadMeat_UK]

Happy82 said:

I like the Honda CRZ, althought not really a sportscar as such, it's heading that way I think

I detest the Prius because it's become a symbol of actors and 'celebrities' trying to out-green eachother. Although I do like this article on the Prius when tested against an SUV

http://www.cleangreencars.co.uk/jsp/cgcmain.jsp?ln...

That's BRILLIANT ! Saving that, there are so many people to send this to :-)

[Stew2000]

The original Insight did more mpg than any new hybrid.
The Prius is just an MPV with a battery. might as well buy a Zafira.

[Mr Gear]

MarkRSi said:

Has there been a hybrid that has been developed as a sports car yet?

Honda CRZ? Not a racing car by any means, but it's nice to drive by all accounts.

[FreeLitres]

Codswallop said:

I think the negativity thus far has stemed from;
2)hybrids have been targetted/ marketed for hippiy weird beard enviro-mentalists
3)early adopters were rather pious and up themselves

Is this also true for 100% Electric cars?



(Plus, could the "weird beard" be a PH goatee?)