 2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid. Click image to enlarge |
By Greg Wilson
Though hybrids represent only a small percentage of total vehicle sales in North America, a recent Deloitte survey of “Generation Y” buyers – those between 19 and 31 – in the U.S., Europe and China, indicates that hybrid sales are about to take off. The survey reveals that Gen Y car buyers, who are expected to purchase 40 per cent of all vehicles in the U.S. over the next ten years, are more interested in purchasing a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle than a traditional gasoline-only vehicle. 57 per cent of Gen Y respondents said they preferred a hybrid, while 37 per cent said they wanted a traditional vehicle. Only 2 per cent said they wanted a pure electric vehicle, citing an aversion to plugging it in each day and a lack of familiarity with the technology.
Vehicle manufacturers are gearing up for the expected surge in hybrid sales with new and redesigned hybrids. In 2011, a half-dozen new hybrid vehicles entered the Canadian market, including the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Kia Optima Hybrid, the redesigned Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Lexus CT200h, Infiniti M35h, Lincoln MKZ hybrid, and Porsche Panamera hybrid. For the 2012 model year, the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid have been redesigned, and for the 2013 model year, we’ll see a new Ford Fusion Hybrid, Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid, Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid and BMW ActiveHybrid5
Here’s a rundown of what’s new for 2012 and 2013:
2013 Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid
Launch date: end of 2012
An all-new model based on the recently redesigned Jetta sedan, the Jetta Hybrid is expected to use about 20 per cent less fuel than the regular Jetta on average, and offer even better fuel economy in city driving. Under the hood will be a turbocharged 150-hp 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, a first in the industry. The Jetta’s hybrid powertrain will feature a 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor and a compact 220-volt lithium-ion battery behind the rear seat.
VW says the Jetta Hybrid will scoot from 0 to 96 km/h in less than 9.0 seconds and can be driven in electric-only mode for up to two kilometres at speeds up to 70 km/h. When stopped in traffic, the gas engine automatically turns off to save fuel, and to reduce drag, the engine automatically disconnects from the clutch when in electric or coasting modes.
2012 Toyota Prius C
Launch date: March, 2012
 2012 Toyota Prius c. Click image to enlarge |
The subcompact Prius C is a four-door, five-passenger hatchback that’s about the size of a Toyota Yaris. It uses a smaller gasoline engine and a more compact hybrid powertrain than the regular Prius and gets even better fuel economy, according to Toyota: a combined city/hwy rating of 3.7 L/100 km (76 mpg Imperial). Its1.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine produces 73 horsepower and 82 lb.-ft. of torque. Combined with a 45 kW (60 hp) electric motor and 144-volt nickel metal hydride battery, the combined output is 99 horsepower (74 kW).
Like the regular Prius, the Prius C has driver-selectable modes Normal, Eco, and EV mode. The EV mode allows the Prius c to be driven on electric power alone for about one kilometre at speeds below 40 km/h.
In Canada, the Prius C’s starting price is expected to be very affordable at only $21,000.
2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid
Launch date: Fall, 2012
 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid. Click image to enlarge |
All new for the 2013 model year, the mid-sized Fusion Hybrid features a new 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine replacing the 2.5-litre engine in the current Fusion Hybrid. As well, new lighter and more powerful lithium-ion batteries replace the previous nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The Fusion Hybrid’s maximum speed using electric power has been raised from 75 km/h to 100 km/h.
Ford claims the new Fusion Hybrid will offer best-in-class fuel economy of 5.0 L/100 km (56 mpg Imp.) city, and 5.3 L/100 km (52 mpg Imp) hwy, beating the 2012 Camry Hybrid and Kia Optima Hybrid.
As well, Ford will introduce a new Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid that is expected to offer better fuel economy than the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids.
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Launch date: on sale now
Redesigned for 2012, the mid-size Toyota Camry Hybrid offers a new hybrid powertrain, improved aerodynamics, lighter vehicle weight and a 30 per cent improvement in fuel economy when compared with the previous Camry Hybrid, according to Toyota. 2012 EPA fuel economy estimates are 5.4 L/100 km city (51 mpg Imp) and 6.0 L/100 km (47 mpg Imp) hwy.
The Camry Hybrid’s new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine replaces the previous 2.4-litre engine. Both use the Atkinson cycle which delays intake valve closing for greater combustion efficiency. Combined with a small electric motor, the Camry’s hybrid powertrain produces 200 horsepower. Toyota claims a 0 to 96 km/h acceleration time of just 7.6 seconds. New for 2012, the Camry Hybrid can run on electric power alone for up to 2.5 kilometres at speeds below 40 km/h.
Toyota chose to use a proven nickel-metal hydride battery in the Camry rather than a lithium-ion battery pack. The new NiMh battery is smaller, resulting in an additional 2.1 cu. ft. (59 litres) of trunk space.
2012 manufacturer’s suggested retail prices are: Camry Hybrid LE $26,990, Camry Hybrid XLE $28,990
2012 Honda Civic Hybrid
Launch date: on sale now
 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid. Click image to enlarge |
Along with its new exterior and interior, the 2012 Civic Hybrid has a new hybrid powertrain. A 1.5-litre gas engine replaces the previous 1.3-litre unit, a larger 23-hp electric motor provides more power and regenerative capacity, and a new lighter and more compact lithium-ion battery pack replaces the previous nickel-metal hydride pack. Total horsepower is the same as before – 110 hp – but it peaks 500 r.p.m. sooner. As well, a four foot-pound increase in torque improves throttle responsiveness.
Honda says the new Civic Hybrid has an EPA rating of 5.4 L/100 km (53 mpg) combined, a 0.78 L/100 km (3.6 mpg Imp) improvement over the previous model. Unlike other hybrids, the Civic Hybrid cannot run on electricity alone except when cruising.
2012 Honda Civic Hybrids start at $27,350.
2013 Audi Q5 Hybrid
Launch date: mid 2012
Audi’s compact luxury SUV will arrive this year as a 2013 model. Using the same turbocharged 211-hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine as the standard Q5, but connected to an electric motor and an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, the Q5’s hybrid powertrain puts out 254 horsepower and 354 foot pounds of torque, enough to propel the Q5 from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.1 seconds.
In city driving, the Q5 Hybrid can run on battery power alone at speeds up to 60 km/h for three kilometres, and features the automatic engine start-stop system when stopped. The Q5 Hybrid is also capable of cruising on electric power at speeds up to 100 km/h.
Even with standard quattro all-wheel drive, the Q5’s combined city/hwy fuel economy is 6.9 L/100 km (41 mpg Imp), according to the European test cycle.
2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5
Launch date: available now
 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5. Click image to enlarge |
BMW’s mid-size 5-series sedan is now available with a hybrid powertrain. The company’s powerful 306-hp twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine from the 535i is combined with a 40 kW electric motor which is incorporated into an eight-speed automatic transmission. Generating a total of 340 horsepower, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 can sprint to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, and is capable of running on electric power alone for four kilometres at up to 60 km/h. An automatic start-stop function turns off the engine while the car is stopped in traffic. It can also coast at speeds up to 160 km/h with the engine switched off. Average fuel economy is between 6.4 and 7.0 L/100 km (44 mpg and 40 mpg Imp), according to BMW.
The ActiveHybrid 5’s lithium-ion battery is placed between the wheelhouses in the trunk, and as a result the trunk is 145 litres (5.1 cu. ft.) smaller than in the standard 5-Series sedan.
2013 Mercedes-Benz E 400 Hybrid
Launch date: late 2012
 2013 Mercedes-Benz E 400 Hybrid. Click image to enlarge |
Introduced at the Detroit auto show in January, the Mercedes E 400 Hybrid follows the S 400 Hybrid introduced in 2009. The new E Hybrid features a 306-hp V6 engine and a 20 kW electric motor and is capable of between 9.8 L/100 km city (29 mpg Imp) and 7.6 L/100 km (37 mpg Imp) hwy. An automatic start/stop system will be standard.
The E 400’s compact hybrid powertrain didn’t require changes to the body so there’s been no compromise in cabin space and trunk space.
Introduced alongside the E 400 Hybrid at the Detroit auto show was the diesel-electric E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid with a 204 hp four-cylinder diesel engine and 20 kW electric motor. Mercedes says it will consume just 4.2 L/100 km (67 mpg Imp) in combined city/hwy driving. This model will be introduced in Europe first, and there is no word on whether it will come to Canada.
