Short Throw Shifter: Hybrids Done Right

Gone are the days of sluggish hybrids that can't outhandle minivans. Say goodbye to "hello, my body rolls!" hybrids (yes, I'm looking at you, Prius). A new age of hybrids are here.
Honda and Volkswagen, two companies known for their well-made cars that are fun to drive, are reinventing fuel economy.

First up, the Honda CR-Z is bringing back the classic CR-X style of the eighties and early nineties. It's small 4 cylinder engine is paired with an equally small hybrid powerplant, giving it roughly 140 horsepower and an equal helping of torque. Honda says the "sporty" hybrid can whiz it's way to 60 mph in under 10 seconds. While it's not anything spectacular, it's pretty good when compared to a Prius at about 15 seconds or so. It does that and still maintains a respectable 32-35 mpg average.

The New Coupe Concept (NCC) from Volkswagen does even better. With about 170 horsepower and roughly equivalent torque, the NCC scoots to 60 mph in about 8 seconds, or about the same as a diesel Jetta. Not too shabby, especially when VW claims a 45 mpg average. Sign me up!This is the way hybrids should be, and will be in the future. Hybrid sports cars might be ridiculed simply because the Prius has made driving cars a boring venture, but the future waits to be told. Hybrid and electrical drivetrains can promise HUGE amounts of torque, something necessary for fast acceleration. The Audi E-Tron concept has proved that.

The future is now. Prepare to see these hi-tech cars on American roads within a year.
-Biggs