Future hybrids "Mean & Green" according to Newsweek

Newsweek's byline for this month's Next Frontiers article, Mean & Green. is "Forget about those puny gas sippers. The hybrid in your future is all about hot-rod horsepower."

While I realize that some have that opinion of hybrids, new hybrids are not lacking horsepower, and the future of the automotive world is hybrid vehicles.

Both the Honda Accord Hybrid and the Ford Escape Hybrid achieve greater horsepower than their standard counterparts. Moreover, the Toyota Prius proves hybrid cars can easily achieve standard car performance, while significantly increasing fuel efficiency and reducing pollution.

To this point, Newsweek states, "The first of these have-your-cake-and-eat-it models arrives next month, when Honda rolls out a 255-horsepower Accord hybrid that races from 0 to 60mph in 6.5 seconds and still gets 37mpg on the highway."

Additionally, Newsweek mentions the Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV which "packs 270 horsepower", and will be the first luxury hybrid SUV.

In just the next 3 years, Newsweek states that every automaker will be in the hybrid race, offering their biggest brands as hybrids. "By 2008, auto researcher J.D. Power predicts that car buyers will have a choice of 35 different hybrids—everything from a Nissan Altima to a Honda Odyssey minivan to a big Chevy Tahoe SUV. By 2012 the menu will grow to 51 models."

Porsche, Mercedes and BMW are also working on hybrids.

What about the battery?

Oh, the battery. One major problem with hybrids, according to Newsweek, is the future resale value of hybrid cars. Because the battery costs $3000.00, the question goes, will the car be valuable down the road?

Hybrid batteries typically have 8 - 10 year, 100,000 mile warranties. Additionally, the capacity of the hybrid battery isn't fully used in current models, so the battery is never being 'overworked'.

Still, this a point that only time will tell, but as hybrids become more common, so to will new and used hybrid batteries.

Where is Detroit?

Good question. Newsweek points out that Detroit "is miles behind" in the hybrid race, however, Detroit is focusing on trucks and SUVs for their hybrid efforts, which might be their only chance to catch Japan.

Click here for the Complete Newsweek article.