The availability and potential of environmentally friendly cars is steadily increasing. Every year more manufacturers produce vehicles which can be considered environmentally friendly. Whilst the main aim is to reduce the world’s reliance on petroleum based power, it has also become an interesting and competitive marketplace as manufacturers all strive to come up with the best and most viable alternative. Even luxury car manufacturers are making eco-friendly cars. Some are quite luxurious and worthy of an investment.
Volvo XC90 PHEV
Volvo XC90 PHEV is a plug-in hybrid which is capable of twenty five miles in electric only mode and has a four hundred horsepower engine. The engine is turbo charged and super charged yet surprisingly efficient even when the electric batteries are empty. This is definitely a good choice for the luxury SUV owner.
Chrysler Town and Country PHEV
Chrysler Town comes with a V6 engine and is front wheel drive. It also has an electrical motor to assist the main engine. It has been reported as being able to achieve 50mpg, which is exceptionally good for a mini-van! No official figures have been released for how efficient it will be when the batteries are depleted, but it will certainly be an option to interest those in need of a family vehicle.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Mitsubishi Outlander prides with a 2.0 liter, four cylinder engine although the car us being manufactured in a variety of options. One of these is the all electric version which is expected to do between twenty and thirty miles.
Acura NSX Hybrid
This concept car was first seen in 2012 and is a follow on to the supercar they produced between 1995 and 2005. It has three motors and us capable of producing 500 horsepower and has been seen as a return to form for the Japanese Honda / Acura car. The Acura NSX Hybrid also benefits from a huge range of technological developments and is likely to be the precursor to many more eco-friendly vehicles from Honda.
Audi A3 Sportback e-tron
The newest Audi A3 is at the entry level of the Audi range as the firm moves towards producing a wide range of eco-powered vehicles. The engine is a 1.4 liter turbocharged motor combined with an electric one; it is capable of producing 204 horsepower. The estimated range on electric only power is 31 miles.
BMW X5 Plug-in Hybrid
As its name suggests, BMW X5 is a plug in featuring a 245 horsepower gas engine with a 95 horsepower electric motor. BMW are committed to bringing more eco-friendly vehicles into the marketplace and will offer an impressive range for anyone looking for a luxury eco-friendly car.
Mercedes Benz S-Class PHEV
The regular S-Class has become a class leading saloon around the world. It has now had an engine upgrade! A 3.0 liter twin turbocharged V6 engine has been coupled with an 85kw electric motor. It can go from a standing start to sixty in just over five seconds and go as far as twenty miles on electric only charge.
4th Generation Prius Liftback
Prius Liftback (4th Gen) was one of the original vehicles, first launched as long ago as 2000; it now holds a majority share of the market and has been improving year after year. It is estimated the car will give 55 mpg using the electric and gas motors and should be able to go approximately twenty miles on electric only power.
Telsa Model X
Tesla Model X – which comes from the most famous manufacturer of eco-friendly cars in the world – had a long waiting list as its launch was delayed several times. The vehicle is expected to use an 85 kilowatt electric motor and should be able to travel for approximately 260 miles on one charge. It will still be able to reach sixty in less than five seconds! It is more expensive than your average family saloon but the vehicle is well worth the price tag.
Generation Two Chevrolet Volt
This hybrid vehicle is capable of an impressive 40 miles on one electric 17.1 kilowatt battery only. It is coupled with a 1.5 liter petrol engine and can seat five people comfortably. The second generation of the Volt has been redesigned from the bottom up and promises to be an exciting proposition!
By Jason Phillips and Design911.co.uk!
