Differences vast in power strategies

DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe

Jil McIntosh

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

The auto show in Toronto is always a showcase for the latest in technology and of course these days that means "green." Automakers are bringing a variety of environmentally friendlier vehicles, everything from plug-in hybrids to an experimental hydrogen model.

Many of them are already available for sale, or will be coming to the market soon. Others are strictly concepts, but they're not just for show. They're experimental platforms for systems that are rapidly making their way to the vehicles on the showroom floor.

BMW ActiveHybrid 7

As one of BMW's two all-new hybrids (the other is the ActiveHybrid X6), the 2011 ActiveHybrid 7 will go on sale later in 2010.Based on the new 7-series sedan, the hybrid combines a twin-turbocharged 4.4 L V8 engine with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery.

Since it is a BMW, performance is the name of the game. The company says that at 4.7 seconds to reach 96 km/h, it's the world's quickest hybrid. At the gas pumps, drivers can expect to get about 16 per cent better fuel economy than the regular 750i – enough that you can stretch out in big-BMW comfort (you can get it in a long-wheelbase version, too) while feeling a bit better about your carbon footprint.

Honda CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe

While it uses the same Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system as Honda's Insight, the CR-Z uses a larger 1.5 L four-cylinder engine, producing 122 horsepower when both gasoline engine and electric motor work together. It can't creep through traffic on its battery alone, but can operate in electric-only mode when cruising for better fuel economy. The driver can also choose Sport or Economy modes if desired.

The two-passenger 2011 CR-Z is a production model and will go on sale this summer. It will be available with a six-speed manual or CVT, and will offer a range of standard or optional features, including electronic stability control, sport-style seats, xenon headlamps, navigation system, premium stereo, and tire pressure monitoring system.

Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE

Mazda's RX-8 sports car, the only new mainstream vehicle available in North America today with a rotary engine, goes one step further with its dual-fuel system: it can run on either gasoline or hydrogen. This gives it the benefit of operating cleanly on hydrogen – the only emission from the tailpipe is water vapour – but without the limitations posed by the fact that most of us don't have a hydrogen filling station handy. It switches automatically to gasoline when it runs out of hydrogen, but the driver can also change it manually if one or the other is desired.

While this is the only one you'll see in Canada right now, it's been in tests on public roads in Japan since 2004. It's also being tested in Norway through HyNor, a Norwegian hydrogen highway project aimed at building a hydrogen infrastructure across the country.

Toyota Prius Plug-In

Halfway between the gasoline-electric hybrids available now and the full battery-electric models that are coming, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) combine the best of both.

The Prius PHV was built specifically for a global demonstration project that started last year, as Toyota works toward bringing it to market.

Plugging in the Prius PHV recharges its lithium-ion battery pack – a process that takes between 90 minutes and three hours, depending on the power outlet – and that allows the car to run at speeds of more than 90 km/h in electric-only mode, and travel on its battery for about 20 km.

Once the battery charge is depleted, the car works as a regular hybrid on a combination of gasoline and electricity.

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