Toyota Investigating a Report of a Prius That Sped Out of Control in San Diego

2008 Toyota Prius

The report about a 2008 Prius speeding out of control in San Diego, California, just showed people exactly how serious the risks are of driving Toyota’s cars. Fortunately, a California Highway Patrol officer had been instrumental in guiding the car’s driver to a halt.

Toyota has started an investigation of this incident. Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. released a statement that a field technician specialist has been dispatched to probe the matter as well as to offer assistance. According to a Highway Patrol dispatcher, a blue Prius was traveling east on Interstate 8 around 1:30 p.m. Then, all of a sudden, the hybrid car began accelerating on its own, making the car get to a speed of more than 90 mph.

The dispatcher said that the trooper gave instructions through a loudspeaker. The driver soon was able to slow down the car to 50 mph. According to Toyota spokesman Mike Michels, the driver was instructed to push hard on the brakes and engage the emergency brake.

The trooper parked in front of the vehicle and the driver then was told to turn off the power button. The recall was announced last November for gasoline-electric Prius models from the 2004 through 2010 model years.

Toyota said that the reason for the unintended acceleration was the result of floor mats that could interfere with gas pedals.

These models are included in the nearly 8 million vehicles recalled worldwide. It’s ironic how the Prius incident took place on the same day that Toyota held a press conference to show that electronic malfunctions can’t be blamed for unintended acceleration in its vehicles.

Geneva 2010: Infiniti M35 Hybrid

Infiniti’s first hybrid – the new M35 Hybrid – had its launching at the Geneva Motor Show. It could actually be regarded as the petrol-electric version of Infiniti’s new 5-series rival, the M saloon.

The M35 is equipped with Infiniti’s Direct Response Hybrid system, a 3.5-liter V6 mated with a 67bhp/199lb ft electric motor that is located between the engine and the seven-speed transmission. The M35, like the Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg, is featured with a second clutch that disconnects the engine from the transmission. This enables the car to coast effectively, reducing drag and improving efficiency.

The M35’s transmission is an upgraded version of the standard Infiniti seven-speed auto. To make the engine more responsive and efficient, Infiniti removed the torque converter. The car’s engine is the US-spec V6, which is capable of 316bhp and 266lb ft.

European and UK Infinitis have a 3.7-liter unit but Infiniti is using the older V6 since development work on the hybrid began before the 3.7-litre engine was created. The M35 weighs about 150kg more than a standard M; however, Infiniti claims that using a laminated lithium ion battery cuts 30kg.

When compared to a conventional battery, the laminated unit is easier to cool and this increases efficiency and longevity. This makes the batteries last 136,000 miles before they need to be replaced. Weight is further reduced by removing the starter motor.

Instead, the electric motor turns the engine over. Infiniti sources say that this became a technical issue since both clutches had to slip to allow the engine to start. The hybrid is expected to go on sale after about a year, sales of which should account for 33% of total European M sales. For the first full year (2011), total sales in Europe are estimated to average 3,500.

Geneva 2010: Chrysler 300C Eco Style

Chrysler had on display a 300C Eco Style at the Geneva Motor Show. Instead of an all-electric 300C, Chrysler had taken a new approach on the “environmental awareness” movement and made good use of eco-friendly materials.

On the 300C Eco Style, Chrysler used cork, bamboo, recycled jute carpeting and suede seat inserts. Aside from its refined interior, the car also now boasts a set of refurbished wheels. At the Geneva Motor Show, the 300C Eco Style had a Vanilla exterior color with black roof and large 20-inch wheels.

For its interior, the car has been provided with cactus-accented seat-inserts and door trim, bamboo appliques placed on the door trim, center console and steering wheel. Chrysler said that the recycled materials are used on the interior.

We see recycled ultra-suede seat inserts on the front while the rear-passenger seats are remarkable because they’re soft but durable. Organic themes on the center console and door trim of the interior compartment come in the form of hydrographic patterns. For the exterior, water-based paints were used.

Powering the Eco Style 300C is a 5.7 liter HEMI. Multi-displacement System (MDS) is featured on this engine.

MDS alternates between a fuel-efficient four-cylinder mode when the car is cruising and the V8 mode when power is needed. Chrysler claims that with the MDS, vehicle performance is not sacrificed for the sake of optimizing fuel economy.

Geneva 2010: Lexus CT 200h Revealed

It was just last week that Lexus dropped all the details on its upcoming new CT 200h (click here to refresh your memory), and now, as promised, the Japanese automaker has officially unveiled the hybrid hatchback at the Geneva Motor Show. Naturally, we snapped off a series of live photos for your viewing enjoyment.

Interestingly, while Lexus has yet to confirm which markets the CT will enter, our men on the scene report back, "Lexus executives were adamant about a near-simultaneous global launch a year from now. In their own words, the United States and Japan will receive the CT 200h, even if it was developed as an euro-centric model. First deliveries should begin in Q1 2011."

Until we get official confirmation on that point from Lexus, take that information and file it firmly in the rumormill folder, but it could mean good things to come for those interested in a fuel efficient premium hatchback to go up against Audi’s diesel-powered A3. Stay tuned, there’s plenty more on the way live from the show floor in Switzerland.

[Via: Autoblog Green]

Geneva 2010: Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

We got sneak peek of the first ever Lotus Hybrid a couple of days ago, and now we’ve seen the Evora 414E Hybrid in the metallic flesh. Just a slight refresher on the technology, the 414E makes 408 horsepower and a skull-popping 590 pound-feet of torque via electricity.

That’s right, this is not your Prius-style hybrid. Like Chevy’s Volt, the Evora 414E is an extended-range electric vehicle. Meaning that it runs on batteries (for up to 35 miles) before a 47-hp three-cylinder engine kicks on to provide power. Also, instead of one electric motor, the 414E has two. One for each rear wheel. And since most of the time the car will be running off lithium-ion batteries, Lotus is employing HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis systems to make the 414E sound like a "real" car.

On the outside, the 414E looks like your "standard" Evora, except that this here show car is covered in faux-electric circuitry. Plus it’s painted in a gorgeous shade of matte copper. The real story though, is inside. Talk about Black and Gold! Even if the Evora 414E Hybrid never makes it to production (we hear it will in two to three years) we hope they offer those seats as an option. Yes, we’re odd people. Deal with it.