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What's not obvious, however - but just as crucial as the electric motor in the hybrid equation - is the work automakers are doing with internal combustion engine efficiency. The Civic Hybrid uses Honda's super-clean 4-cylinder IMA engine, and the Prius engine is a 4-cylinder overhead cam that rates as SULEV for emissions - the best possible rating in California. These steps toward improvement are felt throughout entire vehicle line-ups. Honda has improved the fuel efficiency of virtually all Acuras and Hondas, as has Toyota. New cars are being released that have virtual zero emissions ratings.

Make that partial zero emission, or PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicles) for short.

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	The Ford Escape Hybrid is scheduled to go on sale in the summer of 2004. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid is scheduled to go on sale in the summer of 2005.		A PZEV rating requires that a vehicle meet the Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) standard for tailpipe exhaust emissions, and emit virtually zero emissions from the vaporization of fuel in the gas tank and fuel system. Already at dealership near you is the Camry PZEV and the Ford Focus PZEV. The new wave of engines The Focus is powered by the new I-4 engine makes extensive use of lightweight aluminum components, which offer both a weight savings - approximately 40 pounds compared with the equivalent Zetec I-4 engine - and chassis dynamics benefits, such as improved weight distribution front-to-rear and higher power-to-weight ratio. Put the two together and you get regular cars with low polluting engines and the regenerative power of a battery cell. It's an in-the-box solution that requires nothing new in the way of fuel or infrastructure. Drivers don't have to do anything, and as the technology is refined so to will be the warranties that protect it. It's a combination that works when it comes to building cars that feature higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions ratings, with the same or better performance and space standards. As gas prices continue to soar and car buyers get serious about saving money at the pump, that's a combination that may well have a lasting impact on the types of cars we drive.

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NEW CAR PRICES AND RESEARCH