Hybrids Hed2Hed

by Paul A. Eisenstein Wired Magazine, April 2005 Five years ago, the first hybrid gas-electric vehicles hit the market, generating a lot of hype but not many sales. The faux futuristic designs, tight quarters, and sluggish performance of Honda's Insight and Toyota's original Prius were all about self-denial. Perfect for limousine liberals looking to downsize, but hardly cars for the suburban masses. And certainly nothing for Detroit to worry about. There are now a fleet of hybrids on the market, from compacts to sedans to SUVs and pickups. Unlike their predecessors, members of the new breed have the features, pep, and polish of their pure-gas cousins. Read the article