Mini 1275GT Mk III

The Mark II, III, IV, V, VI, VII Mini’s and Mini Variants:

The Mark II Mini featured a redesigned grille which remained with the car from that point on. Also, a larger rear window and numerous cosmetic changes were introduced. 429,000 Mark II Minis were made.

The Mark III (introduced in November 1969) had wind up windows with internal door hinges except for the van and pickup models. The boot lid lost the original hinged number plate and its recess shape and a large rear colour coded lamp was fitted in its place, along with larger rear side windows.

The Mark IV (introduced in 1976) had a front rubber mounted subframe with single tower bolts and the rear frame had some larger bushes introduced. Twin stalk indicators were introduced with larger foot pedals. From 1977 onwards, the rear indicator lamps had the reverse lights incorporated in them.

The Mark V (from 1984): all cars had 8.4-inch (210 mm) brake discs and plastic wheel arches (mini special arches) but retained the same Mark IV body shell shape.

The Mark VI (from 1990): the engine mounting points were moved forward to take 1275 cc power units, and includes the HIF carb version, plus the single point fuel injected car which came out in 1991. The 998 cc power units were discontinued. Internal bonnet release were fitted from 1992.

The Mark VII was the final twin point injection with front mounted radiator

From the Mark IV onward, many special limited-production editions of the Mini were offered. These included models that were created to commemorate racing victories or to celebrate an anniversary of the Mini marque. Limited editions generally came equipped with a unique combination of interior and exterior trim and special decals. Examples include Mini 1100 Special, Mini Rio, Mini Mayfair, Mini Park Lane, Mini Italian Job, Mini Cooper RSP, Mini Flame and Racing etc.

Mini Variants

The popularity of the original Mini spawned many models that targeted different markets.

Wolseley Hornet and Riley Elf (1961–1969)

Built as more luxurious versions of the Mini, both the Wolseley Hornet and the Riley Elf had longer, slightly finned rear wings and larger boots that gave the cars a more traditional “three-box” look. Front-end treatment, which incorporated each marque’s traditional upright grille design, also contributed to a less utilitarian appearance.

The cars had larger-diameter chrome hubcaps than the Austin and Morris Minis, and additional chrome accents, bumper overriders and wood-veneer dashboards. The Riley was the more expensive of the two cars. The name “Wolseley Hornet” was first used on a 1930s sports car, while the name “Elf” recalled the Riley Sprite and Imp sports cars, also of the 1930s.

The full-width dashboard was a differentiator between the Elf and Hornet. This better dashboard was the idea of Christopher Milner the Sales Manager for Riley.

Both cars went through three versions. Initially, they used the 848 cc engine, changing to a single carburettor version of the Cooper’s 998 cc power unit in the Mark II in 1963.

The MKIII facelift of 1966 brought wind-up windows and fresh-air fascia vents; also concealed door hinges two years before these were seen on the mainstream Mini.

30,912 Riley Elfs and 28,455 Wolseley Hornets were built.

Morris Mini Traveller and Austin Mini Countryman (1961–1969)

Two-door estate cars with double “barn”-style rear doors. Both cars were built on a slightly longer chassis of 84 inch (2.14 m) compared to 80.25 inch (2.04 m) for the saloon.

The luxury models had decorative, non-structural wood inserts in the rear body which gave the car a similar appearance to the larger Morris Minor estate which had some of the look of an American-style 1950s Woodie.

Approximately 108,000 Austin Mini Countrymen and 99,000 Morris Mini Travellers were built.

The Mini Panel Van (1960–1982)

A commercial panel van rated at ¼-ton load capacity. Built on the longer Traveller chassis but without side windows, proved popular in 1960s Britain as a cheaper alternative to the car: it was classed as a commercial vehicle and as such carried no sales tax.

A set of simple stamped steel slots served in place of a more costly chrome grille. The Mini Van was renamed as the Mini 95 in 1978, the number representing the gross vehicle weight of 0.95 tons.  Despite this renaming, the motoring public continued to call it the Mini Van, as a result of which the class of vehicles known as minivans in other countries are referred to in Britain as MPVs.

521,494 Mini Panel Vans were built.

Mini Moke (1964–1989)

“Moke” is archaic British slang for a donkey.

Originally to be a single engine 4WD utility vehicle intended for the British Army, a few twin-engined  versions were also built.

The 4WD Moke could climb a 1:2 gradient, but it lacked enough ground clearance for military use. The single-engined front-wheel-drive Moke enjoyed  popularity in civilian production. About 50,000 were made in The UK, Australia and Portugal.

The car was featured in the 1967 cult  TV series The Prisoner, and was popular in holiday locations such as Barbados and Macau, where Mokes were also used as police cars.

Mini Pick-up (1961–1982)

A pick-up truck, 11 ft (3.4 m) from nose to tail, built on the longer Mini Van platform, with an open-top rear cargo area and a tailgate. The factory specified the weight of the Pickup as less than 1,500 lb (680 kg) with a full 6 imperial gallons (27 L; 7 US gal) of fuel.

As with the Van, the Pickup did not have a costly chrome grille. Instead, a simple set of stamped metal slots allowed airflow into the engine compartment. The Pickup was spartan in basic form, although the factory brochure informed prospective buyers that “a fully equipped Mini Pick-up is also available which includes a recirculatory heater.” Passenger-side sun visor, seat belts, laminated windscreen, tilt tubes and cover were available at extra cost. Like the van, the Pickup was renamed as the Mini 95 in 1978.

A total of 58,179 Mini Pickups were built.

Morris Mini K (March 1969 – August 1971, Australia only)

Built in the Australian British Motor Corporation factory at Zetland, NSW using 80% local content, the Morris Mini K was advertised as the “great leap forward”. The Mini K (‘K’ standing for Kangaroo) had a 1098 cc engine and was the last round-nose model to be produced in Australia. It was originally priced at $1780 (AUD).

Mini Clubman and 1275GT: 1969–1980

In 1969, under the ownership of British Leyland, the Mini was given a facelift by stylist Roy Haynes, who had previously worked for Ford. The restyled version was called the Mini Clubman, and has a squarer frontal look, using the same indicator/sidelight assembly as the Austin Maxi. The Mini Clubman was intended to replace the upmarket Riley and Wolseley versions. A new model, dubbed the 1275GT, was slated as the replacement for the 998 cc Mini Cooper (the 1275 cc Mini Cooper S continued alongside the 1275GT for two years until 1971). The Clubman Estate took over where the Countryman and Traveller left off.

However, British Leyland continued to produce the classic 1959 “round-front” design, alongside the newer Clubman and 1275GT models (which were replaced in 1980 by the new hatchback Austin Metro, while production of the original “round-front” Mini design continued for another 20 years.)

A new Mini Cooper named the RSP (Rover Special Products) was briefly relaunched in 1990-1991, with slightly lower performance than the 1960s Cooper. It proved so popular that the new Cooper-marked Mini went into full production in late 1991. From 1991, Coopers were fitted with a fuel-injected version of the 1275 cc engine, and in 1997 a multi-point fuel injected engine was introduced, along with a front-mounted radiator and various safety improvements.

In 1971, the Mini Cooper design was licensed in Italy by Innocenti and in 1973 to Spain by Authi (Automoviles de Turismo Hispano-Ingleses), which began to produce the Innocenti Mini Cooper 1300 and the Authi Mini Cooper 1300, respectively. The Cooper name disappeared from the UK Mini range at this time, as British Leyland (as it was by then) supposedly did not want to pay John Cooper royalties for the use of his name, so it was not seen again on Minis for nearly 20 years.

History continues with part 5 of 7: Original Mini Cooper and Cooper S

Sources:

www.wikipedia.org

www.MiniCooperWeekly.com

The Mark I Mini: 1959–1967

The first production version of the Mini Mark I was demonstrated to the press in April 1959, and by August several thousand cars had been produced ready for the first sales.

Sold at almost below cost, the basic Mini made very little money for its owners. However, it still did make a small profit.

The name Mini did not appear by itself immediately—the first models being marketed under two of BMC’s brand names, Austin and Morris. The name Austin Seven (sometimes written as SE7EN in early publicity material) recalled the popular small Austin 7 of the 1920s and 1930s.

The other name used until 1967 in the United Kingdom (and in Commonwealth countries such as Australia), Morris Mini-Minor, seems to have been a play on words. The Morris Minor was a well known and successful car, with the word minor being Latin for “smaller”; so an abbreviation of the Latin word for “smallest”—minimus—was used for the new even smaller car. It was originally going to be called the Austin Newmarket.

The Mini etched its place into popular culture in the 1960s with well-publicised purchases by film and music stars.

Until 1962, the cars appeared as the Austin 850 and Morris 850 in North America and France, and in Denmark as the Austin Partner (until 1964) and Morris Mascot (until 1981). The name Mini was first used domestically by BMC for Austin’s version in 1961, when the Austin Seven was rebranded as the Austin Mini, somewhat to the surprise of the Sharps Commercials car company (later known as Bond Cars Ltd) who had been using the name Minicar for their three-wheeled vehicles since 1949. However, legal action was somehow averted, and BMC used the name Mini thereafter.

In 1964, the suspension of the cars was replaced by another Moulton design, the hydrolastic system. The new suspension gave a softer ride but it also increased weight and production cost and, in the minds of many enthusiasts, spoiled the handling characteristics for which the Mini Mark I was so famous.

In 1965, the option of an Automotive Products (AP) designed four-speed automatic transmission became available. Cars fitted with this became the Mini-Matic.

In 1971, the original rubber suspension reappeared and was retained for the remaining life of the Mini.

Slow sales and profits at the outset for the Mini Mark I strengthened across most of the model lines in the 1960s

Larger profits came from the popular De Luxe models and from optional extras such as seat belts, door mirrors, a heater and a radio, which would be considered necessities on modern cars, as well as the various “Cooper” and “Cooper S” models.

Mini Mark I Production totalled 1,190,000.

History continues with part 4 of 7: The Mini MK II

Sources:

www.wikipedia.org

Morris Cooper MK II 1969

The Design of the Mini:

Designed as project ADO15 (Austin Drawing Office project number 15), the Design of the Mini came about because of a fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis.

Petrol was once again rationed in the UK, sales of large cars slumped, the market for German Bubble cars boomed. Leonard Lord, the somewhat autocratic head of BMC, (British Motor Corporation) reportedly decreed: ‘God damn these bloody awful Bubble Cars. We must drive them off the road by designing a proper miniature car’.

Lord laid down some basic design requirements: the car should be contained within a box that measured 10 × 4 × 4 ft (3 × 1.2 × 1.2 m); and the passenger accommodation should occupy 6 ft (1.8 m) of the 10 ft (3 m) length; and the engine, for reasons of cost, should be an existing unit.

Alec Issigonis, who had been working for Alvis, had been recruited back to BMC in 1955 and, with his skills in designing small cars, was a natural for the task. The team responsible for the design of the Mini was remarkably small: as well as Issigonis, there was Jack Daniels (who had worked with him on the Morris Minor), Chris Kingham (who had been with him at Alvis), two engineering students and four draughtsmen.

Together, by October 1957, they had designed the Mini and built the original prototype, which was affectionately named “The Orange Box” because of its colour.[3]

The ADO15 used a conventional BMC A-Series four-cylinder water-cooled engine, but departed from tradition by mounting it transversely, with the engine-oil-lubricated, four-speed transmission in the sump, and by employing front-wheel drive.

Almost all small front-wheel-drive cars developed since have used a similar configuration, except with the transmission usually separately enclosed rather than using the engine oil. The radiator was mounted at the left side of the car so that the engine-mounted fan could be retained, but with reversed pitch so that it blew air into the natural low pressure area under the front wing. This location saved precious vehicle length, but had the disadvantage of feeding the radiator with air that had been heated by passing over the engine. It also exposed the entire ignition system to the direct ingress of rainwater through the grille.

In the next phase of the Design of the Mini, the suspension system, designed by Issigonis’s friend Dr. Alex Moulton at Moulton Developments Limited, used compact rubber cones instead of conventional springs. This ingenious space-saving design also featured rising progressive-rate springing of the cones, and provided some natural damping.

Built into the subframes, the rubber cone system gave a raw and bumpy ride which was accentuated by the woven-webbing seats, but the rigidity of the rubber cones, together with the wheels being pushed out to the corners of the car, gave the original Classic Mini go kart-like handling that would become famous.

Initially an interconnected fluid system was planned—similar to the one that Alec Issigonis and Alex Moulton were working on in the mid-1950s at Alvis. They had assessed the mechanically interconnected Citroen 2CV suspension at that time (according to an interview by Moulton with CAR magazine in the late 1990s), which inspired the design of the Hydrolastic suspension system for the Mini and Morris/Austin 1100, to try to keep the benefits of the 2CV system (ride comfort, body levelling, keeping the roadwheel under good control and the tyre in contact with the road), but with added roll stiffness that the 2CV was very much lacking.

The short development time of the car meant this was not ready in time for the Mini’s launch. The system intended for the design of the Mini was further developed and the hydrolastic system was first used on the Morris 1100, launched in 1962; the Mini gained the system later in 1964.

Ten-inch (254 mm) wheels were specified, so new tyres had to be developed, the initial contract going to Dunlop. Issigonis went to Dunlop stating that he wanted even smaller, 8 in (203 mm) wheels (even though he had already settled on ten-inch). An agreement was made on the ten-inch size, after Dunlop choked on the eight-inch proposition.

Sliding windows allowed storage pockets in the hollow doors; reportedly Issigonis sized them to fit a bottle of Gordon’s Gin. The boot lid was hinged at the bottom so that the car could be driven with it open to increase luggage space.

On early cars the number plate was hinged at the top so that it could swing down to remain visible when the boot lid was open. This feature was later discontinued after it was discovered that exhaust gases could leak into the cockpit when the boot was open.

The original design of the mini was structured  as a monocoque shell with welded seams visible on the outside of the car running down the A and C pillars, and between the body and the floor pan. To further simplify construction, the hinges for the doors and boot lid were mounted externally.

Production models differed from the prototypes by the addition of front and rear subframes to the unibody to take the suspension loads, and by having the engine mounted the other way round, with the carburettor at the back rather than at the front. This layout required an extra gear between engine and transmission to reverse the direction of rotation at the input to the transmission. Having the carburettor behind the engine reduced carburettor icing, but the distributor was then exposed to water coming in through the grille.

The engine size was reduced from 948 cc to 848 cc; this, in conjunction with a small increase in the car’s width, cut the top speed from 90 mph (145 km/h) to a more reasonable (for the time) 72 mph (116 km/h).

Despite its utilitarian origins, the classic Mini shape had become so well known that by the 1990s, Rover Group—the heirs to BMC—were able to register the design of the mini as a trade mark in its own right.

History continues with part 3 of 7: The MK I Classic Mini

Development of the Original Mini:

Original Mini Minor MK I

The original Mini was a small car that was made by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 until 2000. The original Mini is considered an icon of the 1960s and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout (that allowed 80% of the area of the car’s floorpan to be used for passengers and luggage) influenced a generation of car-makers.

The original Mini was in some ways considered the British equivalent to its German contemporary, the Volkswagen Beetle, which enjoyed similar popularity in North America.

This distinctive two-door car was designed for BMC by Sir Alec Issigonis. It was manufactured at the Longbridge and Cowley plants in England, the Victoria Park / Zetland British Motor Corporation (Australia) factory in Sydney, Australia, and later also in Spain (Authi), Belgium, Chile, Italy (Innocenti), Portugal, South Africa, Uruguay, Venezuela and Yugoslavia.

The Mini Mark I had three major UK updates: the Mark II, the Clubman and the Mark III. Within these was a series of variations including an estate car, a pickup truck, a van and the Mini Moke—a jeep-like buggy. The Mini Cooper and Cooper “S” were added later as sportier versions that became successful as rally cars, winning the Monte Carlo Rally four times from 1964 through to 1967, although in 1966 the Mini was disqualified after the finish, along with six other British entrants, which included the first four cars to finish, under a questionable ruling that the cars had used an illegal combination of headlamps and spotlights.

Initially Mini’s were marketed under the Austin and Morris names, as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor, until Mini became a marque in its own right in 1969. The Original Mini was again marketed under the Austin name in the 1980s.

Mini’s in the US

Between 1960 and 1967, BMC exported approximately 10,000 left-hand drive BMC Original Minis to the United States. Sales were discontinued when stricter federal safety standards were imposed in 1968; the Mini’s wheelbase was too short to comply. The ‘A’-series engine, contrary to popular belief, was fully compliant with federal and state emissions standards, as shown by the Austin America which was sold in the United States until 1972. As this was a larger car, the minimum wheelbase legislation did not affect its saleability.

The New Mini

When production of the Original Classic Mini ceased in 2000, BMW (the new owner of the brand) announced the successor to the Mini. The brand name for the new car is MINI (written in capital letters), and it is commonly called the “BMW MINI” or the “New MINI”.

The new MINI is much larger than the original Mini. It is around 58 centimetres (23 in) longer, 50 centimetres (20 in) wider, 7 centimetres (2.8 in) higher, and weighs around 1,050 kg (2,315 lb) rather than the 650 kg (1,433 lb) of the Original Classic Mini. The New MINI  is now classified as compact car rather than city car.

On 3 April 2007, the one millionth MINI rolled out of the Oxford Plant after six years of production, just one month longer than it took the original Classic Mini to reach the same total in March of 1965.

History of the Classic Mini will continue with part 2 of 7 : The Beginnings of  The Classic Mini’s Design

Sources:
www.wikipedia.org

What can I do my blood pressure?

Question:

I suffered from blood pressure during the past year, in July I had a mini stroke and I am now on several drugs, including aspirin. My doctor wants me to have my blood pressure every week. Can you suggest a course of action to help me?

Answer:

Blood pressure refers to the speed at which blood is pumped into the body. Your blood pressure is measured at two numbers, say 20/90. The first and the highest is called the systolic, diastolic second. The systolic refers to the pressure when the heart contracts and the release of blood is at its maximum. The diastolic pressure is lowest when the heart relaxes to allow passage of blood through the lungs.

Blood pressure should always be carefully monitored by your doctor. However, it does fluctuate when you were active or are stressed. Check each weeks will give your doctor a good picture of what is happening.

Patients who take medication for blood pressure should not be detached unless they are closely monitored because it can cause complications such as stroke, brain or retinal hemorrhage, or kidney problems. You can, of course, follow the advice I give below, but please do not try to stop taking your medication without your doctor's cooperation.

However, for patients who have recently been diagnosed and are below the zone Hazard (less than 125/85 for people under 40 years under the l50/90 over40s), the official medical opinion is now to try living like those I present below a year before taking the drug. Very often, this will result in many symptoms decrease significantly, unless Hypertension runs in the family or is due to kidney problems linked.

The first thing to do when your blood pressure is up is to lose your excess weight and control your cholesterol. I suggest that you eat for one month simple, fresh, whole food, organic, if possible, cooked without butter, oil or other fats. Also, do not use salt, Build your diet around vegetables steamed Poached chicken and fish, the use of spices like black pepper, garlic, ginger, chilli and cumin, plus herbs such as coriander, make your food as tasty as possible. Avoid dairy products, but you can have skim milk or low-fat yogurt live.

You also need to choose "good" fats and oils – fats or unsaturated fats, which you find in nuts, seeds, oily fish, olive oil and lawyers, rather than the "bad" saturated fats in whole milk products and red meat This check your cholesterol. When blood vessels are often small, floating lipids, or fats, are sucked into the arterial wall, creating the plate, or foam cells, which can cause hardening of the arteries later. This can cause high blood pressure permanently, requiring diuretics or drugs slowing the heart to maintain the condition under control. American research shows that lifestyle changes such as fasting, yoga and meditation in the actually reversed the narrowing of the arteries.

Every Monday you have to go on a fruit and vegetable soup out Quick Start with a fresh carrot juice, apple and ginger. Then, through the day, drink a broth with vegetables cooked for an hour or two in a chicken or Vegetable tac (if done from a stock or bouillon cube, choose an organic, no salt and yeast-free brand). During this period, to refrain drinking coffee, which tightens the muscles, and alcohol. Also avoid foods containing salt, such as smoked or salted meat or fish, and all canned, processed foods or ready to use.

Exercise is essential. This should not be competitive or stress you in any way. Walking and swimming are good, but the most useful of all that yoga. This for two reasons.

First, the exercises relaxation are very beneficial for the brain. Secondly, breathing practiced in yoga keeps carbon dioxide in the blood. The brain interprets this as a threat and forces the blood vessels to dilate, which is exactly the type of action we need when blood pressure is high.

You can practice this breathing exercise in bed the morning and evening. (You cover with a duvet because your body temperature down.) Inhale for three seconds (Without letting your shoulders rise or verb), then slowly exhale for six seconds.

Inhale and exhale through the nose. Do not panic if your muscles giving: this is because your body is required for oxygen and it is the answer we want.

Do this exercise for ten minutes. The objective is to do so without arousing the process of logical thought. So once you have practiced several times to get an idea of timing, do not count. Try not concentrate, just feel the gentle flow of air through your nostrils.

After you have finished your month I recommend eating controlled Ayurvedic medicine to Rasagnadha (tablets), which contains a mixture of herbs that relaxes skeletal muscles and mind and therefore dilates blood vessels. Take one tablet each evening with your meal. If you suffer from water retention, two to three cups of tea daily Gokhru PF.

The herb valerian. Take ten drops of tincture of valerian, morning and evening. Acupuncture is also good for that.

About the Author

I have obtained MD in General Medicine with Honours in 1980 and joined The Central Institute of Advanced Medical Studies in Moscow for post graduation in Acupuncture. I have completed diploma courses in Acupuncture, Anesthesia, Iridology, Hypnotherapy and Clinical Fasting. Practicing as Integrated Medicine expert.

Visit my health shop – http//www.drmalishop.com

121 Crawford Street, London, W1U 6BE

MINI Cooper Cabin Air Filter Removal and Replacement

iwaver 02M mini cooper rc

Jeremy Clarkson in a Mini Moke

All I can find information about the version JCW GP, and this mini is not the GP version. What exactly does all John Cooper Works MINI do for 2007? It was mostly a kit or did nothing appeared / added / modified the suspension, engine, intercooler, gearbox, compressor, etc. etc.? I’m looking to buy one, but at a Honda dealer, and I believe they simply do not have info on this property. Edmunds and KBB will give information on the regular Cooper S, so I can not even money properly. These are the characteristics of a hand, I am interested in: – 2007 Mini Cooper S JCW – 5.600 miles – Fully loaded except Navi – 6-SPD Manual thank you!

thats a Goodey, I would throw on that deal only 5.600 miles? if the price is less than 19k I get it, also check the first course of Carfax. Ok, well add to the JCW Cooper S that I know changed the shape of the Mini to make it more sporty, I can not really tell you what I just know that the JCW Mini has more rounded, sportier look. Especially at the front. I just got a mini base 06 ‘tailgate and I love you def. love the JCW Cooper S.

Roadfly.com – 2007 MINI Cooper S Car Review

Cars That Make You Turn Green

The rise of the tides, polar bears swimming for their lives and a country with 2 billion people that burns enough dirty coal to blanket the skyline should be enough to make a person at least try to do something good for the environment. But as much as we’d like to ride a bicycle to work, at least here in Southern California, with the most highly traveled freeways in the world, putting the pedal to the asphalt could be as much of a form of suicide as if would be a marathon.

People in Los Angeles have a real love affair with their cars and it’s not just some weekend fling. We LOVE our cars. We love them so much that it’s rare that we’d actually share them with anyone outside the immediate family.

It’s not an unusual sight to see Angelinos riding on the freeway, one person to a car. Oh sure sometimes you can find families in the diamond lane and on weekends you might be lucky to see two or more people in one vehicle going somewhere, but by and large, and mostly during the peak of travel time – rush hour, its one car, one driver.

The solo motorist is a very common animal in this neck of the interstate because to share commute would mean to give up our privacy, our alone time. Since the rush hour driving period can span a good three to fours hours and the average driver has to travel at least 30 to 60 minutes each way to get to work, Californian’s get to use this period of their lives for quiet reflection, catching up with friends, putting on make up, shaving or taking a coffee moment with their favorite half – calf, triple grande latte, no foam, soy Americano.

And if we’re going to spend that much time behind the wheel shouldn’t we at least be comfortable? Of course the real question is – Can we be GREEN as well?

At one time, not too long ago, Hybrid cars were pretty much looked upon as something for the future along with jet packs and talking wristwatches. But since the dawn of the 21st century a plethora of Hybrid and Green vehicles have begun to be produced and on a mass production scale.

No longer mere electric autos that only went as fast as your grandmother’s Rascal with a battery the size of a work bench and a life span of a gnat, today we usher in a whole new breed of environmentally friendly cars that actually look, act, feel and drive like – cars.

And they come in all sizes.

If you’re a big person or just like your SUV but don’t like the way Prius owners sneer at you when you pass, you’re in luck. Manufacturers like Toyota, GM, Chevy, Saturn and more have taken your beloved behemoth and turned it green. The Saturn Aura Green Line SUV is one of their newest gas-electric hybrids to step up to the plate without having to eat the whole dinner. The new Vue Green Line two Mode puts together the output of the Saturn’s 3.6 liter, direct injection variable valve timing V-6 with two active-cooled 55 kW electric motors. This combination gives you excellent performance without having to sacrifice leg room or cargo space just because you want to get better gas mileage and save the planet.

General Motors is definitely jumping the shark and will be offering 16 new Hybrid models over the next four years. The same hybrid evolutionary platforms will be seen in other car models such as the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra. Finally full sized trucks that can have descent gas mileage, much lower emissions and be part of the green revolution. It’s enough to make a red neck scratch his head and wonder what’s going on in the world.

Now if you like the idea of smaller cars and want to get away from gas altogether you may want to check out something like the “neighborhood” type of all electric vehicles, like the GEM Peapod Electric Car.

Yes, the Peapod. This little car from Chrysler’s GEM, ENVI division seems more like an iPod accessory than a form of transport, yet the Peapod is a sleek ultramodern urban auto whose name comes from its teardrop shape stuck on wheels.

Using the oval form provides maximum interior space with grand viewing capabilities through over sized tinted glass, including an over head roof panel. With seating for four, the 102 inch wheelbase has an overall length of 143.6 inches. It’s just 56.5 inches wide but 70.5 inches tall. This makes the Peapod two inches shorter than the Mini Cooper but with a longer wheelbase.

Truly a car for the city, Peapod drivers have a 32 feet curb to curb turning circle with the entire vehicle weighing not much more than 1,290 pounds. The rated payload capacity is just 910 pounds which is plenty for four adults in a comfortable setting.

The downside is the Peapod isn’t going to take you outside the city or anywhere that has a speed limit above 35 mph, but it can get you as far as 30 miles on a full charge. After that you’ll need to plug her into a standard 110 – volt outlet and juice her up for about six to eight hours. Not too bad if you consider this as a great way to commute to work, plug it in for the day and then drive it home.

Perhaps the Peapod is a little too small and vegan for your tastes.

How about the Chevy Volt? Coming out in 2011, this green machine was first introduced as a concept car back in 2007 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and it was an instant hit.

The Volt is a plug-in electric car with a 40 mile zero – emission range on all electric operation. After the 16 kWh lithium battery pack is maxed out the Volt kicks in a small internal combustion engine-generator with a range of an additional 300 miles. That’s a sweet deal plus it runs on E85 ethanol or a combination of fuels. The car’s propulsion drive is through the electric motors.

And if you’re afraid you’ll have to give it a running start, not to worry. The Volt’s 0 to 60 mph time is a quick 8 to 9 second jump with a top speed of 100 mph. Not bad for an environmentally friendly auto that delivers 111 kW of power converted to 150 horsepower.

But perhaps like most people who tend more toward a Goldie Locks mentality, you’d like something more in the middle. Not too big and not too small. Just right.

One of the most popular cars on the road today is the Honda Civic and now you can get it as a Hybrid. Priced for 2008 at a range of $15,610 to $24,590, the Civic Hybrid has a 40 MPG in the city and 45 MPG on the highway.

Honda is known for making solid dependable cars and the Civic Hybrid won’t disappoint. The 1.3 liter in-line 4 front engine combines with an 82 kW electric power source and uses a multi-point injection fuel system.

Or if you’re a Nissan fan, the 2009 Altima Hybrid has a 2.5 liter in-line 4 front engine with 89.0 mm bore, 100.00 mm stroke, 9.6 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve time/camshaft and four valves per cylinder.

The Altima sports a 20 gallon tank over the Honda’s 15 and also includes multi-point injection fuel system with a maximum torque of 158. The price ranges from $19.500 to $29,000, depending of course on your choice of options.

Since our big blue planet is in desperate need of us to really act green, your selection of electric cars that will help make our world a healthier place to live have finally arrived without having to give up our private space or precious coffee time.

About the Author

Electric Cars

Accessorize Your MINI at MINI of Peabody