BMW set out to build the fastest, most powerful, best driving hybrid vehicle in the world. What they came up with is part sports coupe, part SUV, and part sports activity vehicle. Scheduled to be available next year, the 2010 BMW Active Hybrid X6 is in a relatively new category called the ”Sports Activity Coupe” or SAC for short.
ML450 Hybrid Reaches Dealers
What seems like decades ago in hybrid years, the culmination of a 2005 agreement between GM, Daimler, Chrysler, and BMW has resulted in yet another Two-Mode hybrid SUV. The 2010 Mercedes Benz ML 450 hybrid was scheduled to reach dealer showrooms on 11/16/09 and based on my recent Google search, it appears they have (I found two listed at MBWestood.com in Boston, MA - priced at $67,595 each).
Peugeot Planning Diesel Hybrid CUV
Peugeot is preparing to go hybrid, and they are putting there own unique spin on green technology. You might recall hearing about the “Prologue HYmotion” concept vehicle when it made headlines at the 2008 Paris Motorshow. Then we got a first look at the production version earlier this year when the Peugeot 3008 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The hybrid version is still a couple of years away.
The 2010 3008 is a European crossover that is currently available in only gas or diesel options. It is based on the Peugeot 308 (they just added another zero) and is priced at $27,000 to $35,000 (U.S. dollar equivalent) depending on which engine and transmission combination you choose. Fuel economy ranges from 31 mpg for the gas version to 48 miles per gallon for the diesel.
Best Selling Hybrid SUV for 2009
2009 won’t end up being a record year for hybrid vehicle sales, but considering the circumstances it would be fair to say that hybrids have held their own. Even though they demand a premium over their non-hybrid counterparts, when compared to similar vehicles equipped with standard gasoline engines, hybrids continue to be a bright area within a mostly hazy car market.
In the battle for best selling hybrid SUV of 2009 (U.S.), the leaders going into the fourth quarter are as follows:
Ford Escape (12,009)
Lexus RX400h (10,089)
Toyota Highlander (8,635)
Chevy Tahoe (2,466)
Saturn Vue (2,280)
Cadillac Escalade (1,453)
Mercury Mariner (1,405)
GMC Yukon (1,348)
