The > Automobiles > Time for a Hybrid Harvest

F 2004 was the year when hybrid vehicles graduated from environmental oddities to realistic alternatives to the conventional car, the coming year may be the time when hybrids truly go mainstream.

Within a year, 10 gas-electric hybrid vehicles will be on the market, and automakers have announced plans for several more.

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More significant, hybrids are quickly evolving from small, strange-looking machines with questionable handling and performance - like the Honda Insight and the first-generation Toyota Prius - into the types of vehicles that many Americans love: full-size pickups, big S.U.V.'s, luxury sport wagons and midsize family cars. Here is a look at the hybrids currently on sale or announced for production:

CHRYSLER GROUP MODEL: 2005 Dodge Ram HEV ON SALE? Late 2004 for fleet customers; retail sales date not available. BODY STYLE: Two-door standard cab or four-door Quad Cab pickups. HORSEPOWER: From electric motor, not available; from turbodiesel in-line 6 engine, 325. PRICE: Not available. FUEL ECONOMY: 15 percent gain over nonhybrid turbodiesel.

FORD MODEL: 2005 Escape Hybrid ON SALE? Now, in some areas; nationwide distribution by January. BODY STYLE: Compact S.U.V. HORSEPOWER: From electric motor, 94; from in-line 4 engine, 133; combined net horsepower, 155. BASE PRICE: ,970 with front drive; ,595 with all-wheel drive. E.P.A. FUEL ECONOMY: 36 m.p.g. city, 31 highway (front drive); 33 city, 29 highway (all-wheel drive). NOTE: A Mercury version, the 2007 Mariner Hybrid, is due to reach showrooms in 2006. A Mazda version, the Tribute Hybrid, is also planned.

MODEL: Ford Fusion Hybrid ON SALE? To be determined. BODY STYLE: Midsize sedan. NOTE: No details available on drivetrain, price or fuel economy.

GENERAL MOTORS MODEL: 2005 Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid ON SALE? Now, for commercial fleets; retail sales currently limited to Alaska, California, Florida, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. BODY STYLE: Extended-cab full-size pickups. HORSEPOWER: From electric motor, 18; from 5.3-liter V-8 engine, 295. PRICE: ,175 (Silverado) and ,555 (Sierra) with two-wheel drive. FUEL ECONOMY: 18 city, 21 highway (rear drive); 17 city, 19 highway (four-wheel drive). NOTE: Electric motors in these "mild hybrids" provide power for accessories but do not drive the wheels.

MODEL: 2007 Saturn Vue Hybrid ON SALE? 2006. BODY STYLE: Compact utility wagon. HORSEPOWER: From electric motor, 4; from in-line 4, not available. PRICE: Not available. FUEL ECONOMY: Up to 12 percent gain over gasoline-only Vue.

MODEL: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu ON SALE? 2007. BODY STYLE: Midsize sedan. NOTE: Powertrain to be similar to that of the Saturn Vue Hybrid.

MODEL: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid and GMC Yukon Hybrid ON SALE? To be determined. BODY STYLE: Large S.U.V.'s HORSEPOWER: From electric motor, 80; from V-8, not available. FUEL ECONOMY: Up to 25 percent improvement.

HONDA MODEL: 2005 Insight ON SALE? Since December 1999. BODY STYLE: Subcompact 2-seat hatchback coupe. HORSEPOWER: From electric motor, 13-14 (depending on transmission); from 1-liter, 3-cylinder engine, 65-67; combined net horsepower, 73. BASE PRICES: ,670 to ,870 for 2004 models; '05 prices not available. E.P.A. FUEL ECONOMY: 60 city, 66 highway (5-speed manual); 57 city, 56 highway (continuously variable transmission).

MODEL: 2005 Civic Hybrid ON SALE? Since March 2002. BODY STYLE: Compact sedan. HORSEPOWER: From electric motor, 13; from 1.3-liter in-line 4, 85; combined net horsepower, 93. BASE PRICES: ,315 to ,315. E.P.A. FUEL ECONOMY: 46 city, 51 highway (5-speed manual); 48 city, 47 highway (continuously variable).

MODEL: 2005 Accord Hybrid ON SALE? Dec. 10 BODY STYLE: Midsize sedan. HORSEPOWER: From electric motor, 16; from 3-liter V-6 engine, 240; combined net horsepower, 255. PRICE: ,000 (estimated). E.P.A. FUEL ECONOMY: 29 city, 37 highway.

LEXUS MODEL: 2006 RX 400h ON SALE? April 15, 2005. BODY STYLE: Luxury sport wagon. HORSEPOWER: Combined net horsepower, 270; breakdown not available. PRICE: Not available. FUEL ECONOMY: "Exceeds current E.P.A. average for a compact four-cylinder sedan, which is 27.6 combined city/highway."

NISSAN MODEL: 2007 Altima Hybrid ON SALE DATE: 2006. BODY STYLE: Midsize sedan. NOTE: No details available on drivetrain, price or fuel economy.

TOYOTA MODEL: 2005 Prius ON SALE? Second generation introduced in October 2003. BODY STYLE: Midsize sedan. HORSEPOWER: From electric motor, 67; from 1.5-liter in-line 4, 76. BASE PRICE: ,875. E.P.A. FUEL ECONOMY: 60 city, 51 highway.