Toyota Hybrid Sports Car

Every loyal customer to Toyota and the people behind the company itself are looking forward to 2008. Why? Because that is the slated release for the much-awaited Toyota hybrid sports car dubbed the Volta. Toyota has always been known to set itself apart from all other car manufacturers, releasing some of the most outrageous designs that seem to grow onto society once the cars establish themselves as bestsellers.

Japan Goes Italian

Toyota's hybrid sports car can only be a real head turner. This is what's expected when you have an elite group of designers to give the new concept car a new, nice Italian twist. Pictures of the concept car have emerged from the company itself and the first thing that may come to mind is the Lamborghini Diablo; only the Volta is eco-friendly.

Toyota believes that hybrid technology can also be used in high-performance vehicles such as the Toyota Volta. After all, it is rumored to go from 0-60 in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph; not as fast as the Diablo or any Ferrari but the important thing is how much gas this vehicle doesn't use.

The Name Game

The 2008 new Toyota Volta will be paying homage to Alessandro Volta, the man who came up with the electric battery in 1800. It is only very apt considering that this vehicle does run on a type of battery. The Volta runs a V6 engine and there's an electric motor on each axle.

The electric motor will be used to operate several things at the same time such as, for example, a computer that operates the movement of the wheels, activation of brakes, etc.; basically something known as drive by wire, a technology that is fitted into modern fighter jets, so you can imagine how much time in design was spent on this near-future release. This technology also allows for an awkward feature that can have the passengers reposition the steering wheel and pedals in front of them.

Economy

Two centuries after the invention of the electric battery after which the new hybrid is named, Toyota aims to have the Volta out and running by 2008. It is expected to have a tank that holds only 13.7 gallons that will allow it to go 435 miles when filled up. Plus, if 408 horsepower isn't enough, you will just have to weight for later versions of the Volta because this is the top speed estimated for the initial release.

Toyota France expects to release this to the European market in 2008. However, Germany might be happy to know that the car will be for sale there by December of 2007. Experts are speculating that prices for the Toyota hybrid sports car will range from $72,000 to $165,000 in the US market once it hits North American shores.

Whether or not the market is ready for this sports car, Toyota itself is ready to prove that hybrid technology does belong in the automobile industry and will suit any purpose and application.

Exotic Classic Sports Cars - The Unmistakable Lamborghini Diablo

Lamborghini Diablo. The name is pure magic. Few cars are sexier than a Lamborghini. Even the Batman drove one, the Murcielago LP640 Coupe, in the Dark Knight. The purr of the engine was unmistakable, as it tore through the streets of Gotham City. Of course, it was a convertible and, of course, Bruce Wayne had two beautiful women with him. With an exotic sports car like this, would we expect anything less?

It is somewhat amusing to consider that Lamborghini was a little tractor company that grew to become a leader in world class supercars. In its day, Lamborghini's tractor business was producing 1000 tractors a year. Their distinctive black and white Trattori could be found all over Italy. Ferruccio Lamborghini did not like the post WWll cars that carmaker Ferrari was building. He thought they lacked the creature comforts and appointments that befitted a Grand Touring automobile. After he was snubbed when he visited the Ferrari factory, he decided to build his own cars. As they say, the rest is history.

Lamborghini had a tradition of naming the cars after famous fighting bulls. The Murcielago, according to Lamborghini, "refers to a 19th-century Spanish bull that earned fame through its courageous nature in a bullfight" (Lamborghini). The Diablo, the Devil, which was Ferruccio replacement for the early Countach, was also named for a famous bull. According to THE MOST CHARISMATIC CARS from 80' to present, this bull in particular was raised by the 19th century Duke of Veragua and was made famous for "fighting an epic battle with 'El Chicorro' in Madrid on July 11. 1869".

Regardless, the Lamborghini makes a strong impression. The look is as unmistakable as the sound of the engine. Hollywood is drawn to the design, often featuring the Lamborghini, knowing that doing so will draw attention. There are other exotic sports cars, but few have the appeal of the Lamborghini.

The exclusivity of the Lamborghini is part of the appeal. Oftentimes, production of certain models was so limited that only a few of each model were made. For instance, only 138 Diablo SE30 were made in 1994 as a celebration of Ferrucci's business. Lest one should think that 138 is quite few, try again. Only one Roadster Prototipo was made in 1992. The point is that these are not production line cars, cranked out by the thousands. Exclusivity is inherent in the production.

Then too is the raw power of the Lamborghini. With a maximum top speed of 315 miles per hour, they were designed as racing cars and even the police in Italy drive them, as speed limits in Europe are still largely unregulated on the freeways, not that speed limits in general seem to matter much in Italy.