Honda already lead the North American hybrid market with their civic model which floors the hybrid market in terms of price, but the innovators are promising to go lower again. Honda plans to implement its own highly efficient, hybrid drive train technology in the new car but it is expected that this will be a stripped down version of the more high-tech (red: expensive) systems seen on other models in their growing stable of green cars. The new Insight will take the form of a standard family size car but with what Honda hopes will be an extra pinch of attraction in terms of its price tag. It seems likely that Honda will also be trying to aim for the ‘Prius’ market, that is the people who want a statement car that says “I’m green” and with the breadth of their manufacturing base, the famous ingenuity of their brand promotion and styling - Honda could just be the company to bring a car to market which could challenge the seemingly indomitable Toyota offering.

Now, take this at face value, but JD decided to make things interesting and prove a real point by introducing probably the biggest factor of all to the auto-buying public into their survey: price. After asking the above question (would you consider hybrid power) without any other factors, the surveyor’s informed each participant of the current estimated $5,000 premium that most hybrids carry. What do you think happened to the 78% then?
Well, its a pretty obvious result - the 78% suddenly became 46% in this years survey, when their environmental / green ambitions were put in perspective beside what is a considerable sum for most households.
Interestingly, the survey also found that hybrids were really winning out over other ‘green’ auto techology - with negative connotations of ‘Diesel’ power still serving to put people off even new, ‘green diesels’. So food for thought for all those manufacturers eagerly rushing clean Diesel models to the (US)market, but also for the hybrid manufacturers who need to figure out how to do what they’re doing - but for less.

The new four-cylinder Diesel units look set to outstrip any that the manufacturer has produced before in their power output, economy and emissions ratings - not to mention the competition. These factors are all very important to the average buyer of a modern Diesel Mercedes and the manufacturer has gone all out to produce a range of engines which satisfy the need for economy and low emissions but with various power-points in terms of performance.

Produced at Mercedes Untertürkheim plant, the new engines boast up to 20% more displacement than their forebears and up to 25% peak torque. These are staggering figures when you look at how good (and market-beating) current Mercedes diesel engines and cars are. Couple this with the fact that the increased power is coming with lower, yes lower, than ever fuel consumption and around 10% reductions in CO2 output (already beating future EU5 emissions standards) and suddenly Diesel becomes exciting!

The new 4-cylinder unit is intended to replace a range of existing Diesel engines and will be used right across the Mercedes range from the C-Class, through the new GLK SUV being launched this week and onto the Sprinter cargo van. All of these models will be set to benefit from good power response and, in the case of Mercedes saloons, sports-car like performance that simply wouldn’t be put in the same ballpark as Diesel not so long ago.

As we looked at a couple of days ago, Diesel technology is just part of the picture for Mercedes as far as green cars are concerned. If this sort of quality and spec is what we can expect then here’s looking forward to the hybrid and fuel-cell technologies which Mercedes say they will b bolstering their brand with in just a few short years.

General Motors are planning to introduce a hybrid power version of their popular Cadillac Escalade ’sport’ SUV next year, but until then the Lacrosse will lead the move for wealthy Chinese buyers. GM hopes the Lacrosse will carry an extra incentive to gather government support for eco-fuel and sustainable cars as it will be the first hybrid to be manufactured domestically in China.

China is booming and its auto market is more than keeping up - a fact which the big manufacturers and conglomerates of brands like GM are fast waking up to. Ever more in step with Western culture, Asian consumers are keen to not be left behind on green technology and GM look set to oblige further with plans for an all-electric car for this huge Asian market by 2010 - not a concept but mass production.

Priced at around 300,000 Yuan ($43,000) the Buick Lacrosse will appeal to a new generation of wealthy Chinese buyers - it will certainly be exciting to see if its green credentials can boost sales above mid-range / luxury sedans.

The newly created system comprises removable battery packs, divided into three 30kW portable units that upgrade an existing, conventional car into a Hybrid Car. The system offers the flexibility of plug-in capability as well as built in while-you-drive re-charge capability to keep the power source topped up. You might think something like this would require an extreme amount of work to retro-fit to a conventional car?

MIRA don’t think so - they suggest that the operation of introducing hybrid power to a conventional car shouldn’t be any more difficult than fitting a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) conversion system. That operation is already common in the UK with a network of approved installers available.

Although MIRA hasn’t set a date for commercial production of the system it looks exciting, possibly a real breakthrough for Hybrid Car Technology as a whole. Something that doesn’t necessitate a change of vehicle could be what a lot of people are looking for.

If the Lincoln Town Car is the big, luxurious, super comfortable way to cruise around a city then the similarly titled ZENN City Car couldn’t be any more different. Coming in at only around $16,000, the little ZENN is first of all rather short on the creature comforts that we have become so accustomed to. Ok, so that’s fine, we can live without leather and Clarion. So what about performance?

Well, this is where it gets really interesting because the ZENN is limited, yes limited, to only 25mph top speed! There area couple of reasons for this, not least that the little car runs on just 6 12-volt batteries (with possibly a capacitor system coming in 2009). Also, the 25mph limit on the speed of the car exempts it from many of the road safety and construction safety laws and regulations which weigh heavily on other canr manufacturers and, more importantly, on the consumers wallets. So, ultimate economy, zero luxury and minimal performance and all for $16k.. but does that stack up?

With a footprint smaller than a Mini, the little two seater is certainly good for around the city - nimble in traffic and powerful enough off the line. The ZENN is quiet at low speed but actually quite noisy at its comparatively high top speeds of 20-25mph as the economy shell really fails to keep out wind and road noise. The City Car can do up to 50 miles (batteries recharge under braking) and a recharge will take approximately 8 hours from flat to full. That would be fine for the morning and evening commute but not if you plan to be running round all day.

ZENN is pitching the City Car as very much a ‘tool’ for the multi-car household. Something to use for the short trips, city driving and even as a ‘trraining’ car for new drivers. So yes, as that sort of concept the City Car just about works (given its price tag) but for anything more it will be well worth investing a few more dollars to look higher up the food chain for your hybrid / electric purchase.

The design team at Fiat are concentrating on initially producing city-focused gas hybrid cars with battery power taking up the slack in low speed and stop-start driving environments. More comprehensive hybrid power and more integrated technology looks like it will depend on Fiat’s fortunes between now and the proposed 2011 launch of such models, and beyond.

Fiat’s Powertrain Technologies division is aiming to produce a double clutch system with electric power input being accompanied by a 900cc conventional combustion gas engine. A combination which will have more than enough juice for Fiats small cars such as the 500 and Panda. All of this work ties in with the Italians aim of becoming Europe’s lowest producer, in terms of CO2, by as soon as 2012 - to coincide with new, even more stringent standards on car manufacturers carbon production. This is an ambitious plan but for a company like Fiat, who seem to make a habit of coming back from the brink, maybe anything is possible?

Featuring hybrids, ever more economical diesel engines, the already famous Diesotto engines (run on regular gas with the economy of Diesel) and even fuel cell models further down the line. Mercedes are looking to launch their Diesotto concept into production models in as little as 3-5 years which, in terms of green car production, is practically next week. Other engines, such as super efficient Bluetec Diesels, will be in production models such as the Mercedes S-Class in as little as 2 years.

Fuel cells form a large part of Mercedes’ holistic strategy for green car production and the company aims to be producing a minimum target of one fuel cell powered B-Class compact by the end of the decade, with mass production to follow. Doesn’t sound a lot - but these are big steps and all the more impressive in that Mercedes has really taken the time to plan their approach and prepare to come to the market with good, solid options. A commendable way to do business and something that a lot of manufacturers and their rush-job hybrids could learn from..

The other winners in this years list, as voted by industry specialists and journalists:

Fiat 500 (best small car)
Nissan Qashqai (best medium family car)
Ford Mondeo (best large family car)
Jaguar XF (best executive car)
Kia Cee’d SW (best estate car / station wagon)
Citroen C4 Grand Picasso (best MPV)
Land Rover Freelander 2 (best 4×4 / SUV)
Nissan Navara (best pick-up truck)
Audi A5 (best coupe)
Volkswagen Eos (best convertible)

The luxurious jag boasts top trim levels and specification in its bracket and good performance with a top speed of 140mph+ and 0-60 in just over 8 seconds. Not bad for a Diesel that only puts out 199g/km CO2 from a roaring 2.7 litre V6. The Jaguar XF has plenty of style, economy in its fuel consumption, environmental accountability and no sacrifice in luxury - no wonder its the top executive choice.