Lupin

Link: http://hino.com.au/models_hybrid_landing.aspx?TabID=3

Well for the last two weeks or so I have been tarting the Hino Hybrid around the place. And as much as I hate to say it, I’m quite impressed with it.
Its fairly simple technology, same kind of thing that the Prius uses. Diesel engine with a electric assist. Basically the electric assist works till the engine comes on boost. What it means is that this thing flys. Off the mark it will give your average car a good run for its money, why saving the environment. It does all kinds of cool stuff like turn the engine off when your sitting still. And starts it again when you want to take off. You get some weird looks in traffic as you pull up it lets out a beep and shuts down. People think you have stalled it. Only to have it start in a instant once you want to take off. Then you just blow them away. The important part is the fuel saving. They claim 33% which I thought might be a bit high. That would mean that compared to its diesel counterpart it would have to get around 1200 k’s out of the tank. In the past two weeks it has managed to get just under 1600 k’s out of the tank. Quite a big saving if you work it out over the year. The other thing is the torque of the truck. Its one of the few truck that going up the Leopold hill I have had to back off. Normally I’m in something much bigger, with nothing on the back, slipped it down two gears and headed up. This thing did it at 80 k’s with a tone of watermelon on the back in top gear. (Impressed the fuck out of the customer too)
Now for the part that hurts though. The extra $10,000 needed to buy one. The real question is will average Joe buy one. Most likely not. Will the local councils buy them to look green. You bet.

P.S I'd add photos but it would seem that the gallery option isn't working