The 1400 is only a mild hybrid and actually has the same kerbweight as the now unavailable 2021 petrol model

Screenshot_20230625-000012_Drive.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)
Screenshot_20230625-000104_Drive.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)

Steve

"Self Charging" hybrids with tiny batteries under the seat are, basically, a con to allow them to be sold as hybrids and, therefore, be seen as "green". All they actually are is (usually) heavier petrol cars.

Have you noticed that all the old small cars (Fiesta sized) are going - because they can't fit enough batteries in them to make sense. So cars will get bigger and take up more road space) And a lot of these big electric cars now weigh over 3 tons! We are going down the dinosaur route...

which we will continue to do until some bright spark solves the problem of how to replenish a hydrogen fuel cell and then battery powered cars will become a thing of the past and we will all be driving hydrogen fuel celled powered vehicles....

According to HJ's stats a hybrid Vitara weighs 1275kg and it's petrol only predecessor weighs 1240kg. So a kerbweight difference of 35kg. Both can tug up to 1200kg and the petrol has a 490kg payload, whilst the hybrid payload is 495kg.

So, in 2021 China produced 62% of its electricity from coal - updated to 56.2% last year. So, if you buy a Chinese built electric car (or hybrid) - e.g. MG - then your new "green" car will have been produced using at least 50% coal derived energy and emitting a lot of pollution and heat energy from the power stations.

Buying cars built this way is not the solution to global warming...

Cars have nearly always used less energy in their lifetime than it took to make them, so the answer is to run cars that already exist for as long as possible - or perhaps start a new industry that re-engineers old body shells and running gear with new power units. After all, how many cars are killed by rust nowadays?

Interesting post Roger.
I posted a few months back that I purchased a Suzuki S Cross ( Ultra) Mild Hybrid . This has the exact same engine and drive train as the Suzuki Vitara Mild Hybrid. They are also available as a " full hybrid". I totally agree with most comments above re. "Electric Cars". Suzuki's Mild Hybrid has a silly.. agreed.. ( small ) battery under the front seat as previously stated but the Full Hybrid, as I presumed your neighbour has, has a large battery which lives in the boot and it a very obvious large block. The Mild Hybrid, as I drive, is not capable of actually driving on Electric only, rather the additional battery and motor assist in acceleration and keep Air Con / Heated Seats etc. on whilst avoiding tickover in traffic etc. The Full Hybrid can drive at lower speeds on Elec only. It has a 33HP Electric Motor.
The Mild Hybrid is available with Manual Gearbox, which I opted for, the Full Hybrid is automatic only. The Mild Hybrid has a 1.4 turbo petrol engine, the Full Hybrid 1.5. To me, both feel pretty much the same to drive. Is he certain that he has the Mild Hybrid !! Can it drive on Electric only ? My understanging is that the Full Hybrid is exceptionally thirsty when towing.
So, fuel consumption: Minus our 310 Famila I was averaging 6.1 ltr/100Km:( 46.3 MPG ) Towing I am averaging 7.0 Ltr/100Km ( 40.3 MPG )
Suzuki advertise 45-50MPG. Fair enough I suppose. His centre screen will have a very obvious reading on his fuel consumption if you could have a look.
I have to say, I am quite pleased with towing performance, it is akin to the 1.6 Ltr. diesel Hyundai I had, both noticeably different to the previous RAV4 2Ltr, diesel.
Chris

Absolutely.

However, in the UK, the government's artificial cut off dates for the end of gas boilers (2026) and internal combustion engines (2030) is driving us all in a rapid rush down the only currently (haha!) available alternative energy supply route. The local supply grids aren't big enough to supply all the electricity needed to run air source heat pumps and charge electric cars overnight. We need a more gradual "plan" for change that will allow hydrogen a bit more time to develop its technology and infrastructure.

I reckon the current govt won't do anything about changing those dates, because they know they won't be in power by then and they're letting their successors take the hit after the next election. Fun times...