Hybrid sports cars does not make any sense to me as yet but i think prius would not appear as a sedan car in Australia because we are getting a Camary hybrid and already have Civic hybrids.
i think hybrid sports car makes sense, that is combining the economy and speed, isnt it? if you see the history of auto mobiles they have been combining different purpose cars and making one (example is Pajero, land cruiser (off road+highway), SUVs). in case of hybrid sports car, for speed you can use gas and accelerate and for normal routine driving it can convert to electricity and be economical. this is what these hybrid cars(prius, insight, civic etc) do (more or less), isnt it?
by the way, here is the comparision of prius, honda insight, civic hybrid and camry hybrid for easy reference, if you plan to buy one of these in near future
. in my humble opinion, prius is far better than camry in almost every aspect
PRIUS 1.8L 2010, Honda Insight 2010 1.3L, Civic hybrid CVT 1.3L, Camry 2010 2.4L
Comparably
Equipped Price $23,150, $20,510, $24,510, $28,970 + DPI
Fuel Economy (city) 51, 40, 40, 33
Fuel Economy (highway) 48, 43, 45, 34
Body Style Liftback, Liftback, Sedan, Sedan
Horsepower 134@5200, 98@5800, 110@6000, 187@6000
Torque 105@4000, 123@1000, 123@1000, 138@4400
Transmission
Type Automatic, Automatic, Automatic, Automatic
Seating Capacity 5, 5, 5, 5
Front Airbags Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Side Airbags Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Roll-Sensing
Side Curtain
Airbags Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Power Windows Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Power Door Locks Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Power Mirrors Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Bluetooth Hands
Free Telephone
Access Optional, Not Available, Not Available, Optional
Steering Wheel
Audio Controls Standard, Not Listed, Standard, Standard
PowerTrain
Warranty Miles 60000, 60000, 60000, 60000
PowerTrain
Warranty Months 60, 60, 60 60
Basic
Warranty Miles 36000, 36000, 36000, 36000
Basic
Warranty Months 36, 36, 36, 36
COST
MSRP
Including Delivery
Charge $23,150, $20,510, $24,510, $26,900
Comparably
Equipped Price $23,150, $20,510, $24,510, $28,970+DPI
FEATURE
Remote
12V Power
Outlet Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Audio System Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
CD Player Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Automatic
Climate Control Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Auxiliary
Input Jack Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Cargo
Area Cover Standard, Optional, Not Available, Not Available
Cargo Area
Light Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
On-Board
Computer Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Cruise Control Standard, Not Available, Standard, Standard
Delayed Power
Retention System- Standard, Not Listed, Not Listed, Standard
Heated
Exterior Mirror Standard, Not Available, Not Available, Optional
Smart Key
System Standard, Not Available, Not Available, Standard
Keyless Entry Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
MP3 Player Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Rear Headrests Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Rear Spoiler Standard, Standard, Standard, Optional
Number of Speakers 6, 4, 6, 6
Cabin Air Filter Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Voice Activated
Controls Optional, Not Available, Not Available, Optional
Wheels Alloy, Steel, Alloy, Steel
FUEL ECONOMY
Emissions Rating AT-PZEV, ULEV, AT-PZEV, AT-PZEV
Combined Fuel
Economy (City/Hwy) 50, 41, 42, 34
Cruising Range 595, 435, 517, 585
EPA City (MPG) 51, 40, 40, 33
EPA Highway (MPG) 48, 43, 45, 34
MEASUREMENTS
Headroom Front (In) 38.6, 38.4, 39.4, 38.8
Headroom Rear (In) 37.6, 35.9, 37.4, 37.8
Hip Room Front (In) 52.7, 51.6, 51.9, 54.6
Hip Room Rear (In) 51.2, 48.7, 51.0, 53.9
Interior Volume (cu. ft.)93.7, 85.0, 90.9, 101.4
Leg Room Front (In) 42.5, 42.3, 42.2, 41.6
Leg Room Rear (In) 36.0, 33.5, 34.6, 38.3
Fuel Capacity (Gal.) 11.9, 10.6, 12.3, 17.2
PERFORMANCE
Battery Power Output 27.0, 13.0, 19.6, 40.0
Driveline Front Wheel, Front Wheel, Front Wheel, Front Wheel
Bore X Stroke 3.17 X 3.48, 2.87 X 3.15, 2.87 X 3.15, 3.48 X 3.80
Engine Displacement 1798, 1339, 1339, 2362
Number of Cylinders 4, 4, 4, 4
Number of Valves 16, 8, 8, 16
Horsepower
@ Max RPM 134@5200, 98@5800, 110@6000, 187@6000
Torque Ft. Lbs
.@ Max RPM 105@4000, 123@1000, 123@1000, 138@4400
Front Suspension- Independ, Independ, Independ, Independent
Rear Suspension-Semi-Independ, Semi-Independ, Independ, Independ
SAFETY
4 Wheel
ABS Brakes Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Active Head
Restraints Standard, Standard, Standard, Not Available
Anti-Theft
Protection Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Brake System (front)- Disc, Disc, Disc, Disc
Brake System (rear)- Disc, Drum, Disc, Disc
NHTSA Front Crash Test Rating
- Driver 4* , 5*, 5*, 5*
NHTSA Front Crash Test Rating
- Passenger 5*, 4*, 5*, 5*
Front Airbags Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Front Knee
Airbags Standard, Not Listed, Not Listed, Standard
Automatic
Locking
Retractor Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Front Side Airbags Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Halogen Headlights Standard, Standard, Standard, Standard
Low Tire
Pressure Indicator Standard, Standard , Standard, Standard
Passenger
Air Bag Cutoff Standard, Standard, Standard, Not Available
Stability Control Standard, Not Available, Standard, Standard
regards