Prius Wins WhatGreenCar Car of the Year for 2009

One of the most expected cars for 2009 is the Toyota Prius. Being hybrid and with the latest technology to boot, it's one car that pioneers the new age of automobiles - cleaner and greener. The Prius was chosen from a short list of only 10 finalist-candidates - cars available in Britain in 2009:

Citroen C1 ev'ie electric
Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric
Toyota iQ
Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
Toyota Prius hybrid (third-generation)
Volvo S40/V50 DRIVe start-stop
Honda Insight
Volkswagen Passat BlueMotion 2
BMW 318d saloon
Citroen C3 Picasso compact-MPV

The selection process included test-driving at Imperial College in London. There were six drivers recognized as environmental experts. The judges were impressed at how the Prius seamlessly integrated green technology into the design. It has a lighter and more compact powertrain, better fuel economy at 72.4 mpg, and 14% less greenhouse gas emission than the previous model at only 89g/km.



The Toyota Prius is said to be a car of the future. But in the movies, there's one car of the future that's hard to forget. It's the DeLorean from the Back to the Future trilogy and it's got the fancy OUTATIME license plate above! Own it now by clicking here or on the image.

Recognizable Artificial Sound Alert System for Hybrid Cars Needed for Pedestrian Safety

Hybrid cars are so silent when in electric mode. This is the reason why regulatory groups have been discussing about how to implement an artificial sound system that would help alert pedestrians, visually-impaired people in particular, about their presence or approach on the road. It's been shown that blind people use hearing to be alerted about moving vehicles while alongside or crossing the road. Unfortunately, the new silent-engine technology makes it harder for them to determine the presence or movement of hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius have been touted as almost silent when running on electricity and that they need an artificial sound for the safety of pedestrians. Although there have been reports of a low frequency sound while moving over bumps, this is still not enough to serve as an audible warning to the visually-impaired (it's also been described as annoying). Some service centers have told complaining clients that they could not replicate the sound, but Prius owners still hear it.

Because of new laws - one of which has been introduced by the US Congress - developers and regulatory groups have proposed an artificial "running" sound as a standard "operating sound" for hybrid vehicles. For now, that sound is still a big question mark. Common sense would dictate that it has to be pleasant, yet loud enough to alert people, and yet quiet enough so as not to contribute to road noise pollution.

A company called Vehicle Engine Acoustics has already produced a sound system with speakers under the four wheel wells that simulate real combustion-engine sound. Ideally, it should also replicate starting up, acceleration, deceleration, and engine rpm increase while in neutral. The company says it's the standard, but that clients can pick other sounds. It's interesting, but imagine a highway filled with hybrid vehicles emitting all manner of sounds from barking dogs, to screaming women, to twittering birds? Wouldn't that create more confusion? How will blind people know it's a car coming and not a babbling brook? These questions need to be addressed by lawmakers.



Yes, green is in, so this Hawaiian Hula girl with a green grass skirt is perfect for your dashboard! Never tires in doing the hula so long as your car moves, this girl can be your constant companion on those long drives. Click here or on the image to buy.

The Car and Curves Blog Is Up

Have you noticed that wherever there are cars, there are almost always curves? Yes, the two go together, and in this blog, you'll find lots of cars and curves, on the road or otherwise. But that's not all that you're going to get in this blog.

You'll find lots of visual motoring delight in Cars and Curves but there are also news, tips, and all manner of car things that you'll find both useful and entertaining at the same time. Let's not forget tons of videos and pictures to complement them all! Just take this video footage of a 2010 Ford Mustang champion drifting in Japan. So, enjoy your stay.



Do you need an angel to keep you safe from parking tickets? If so, then this dash angel with wind-up flapping wings is just right for you. It's the Parking Space Goddess statue! Click here or on the image to purchase.