Future Cars Plus Fancy Features Equal Expensive

The 2009 World Green Car, Honda FCX Clarity, is as impressive as any other green vehicles. Green meaning less harmful emissions polluting the atmosphere. However, this vehicle recently won the award because of three major focuses the EPA can be proud of. Clarity is a hydrogen fuel vehicle with the ability to last 280 miles before needing a refuel. 280 miles is approximately 72 miles per gallon of fuel consumption, which is under the hybrid Toyota Prius, known to go further before stopping for gas, in a comparison. The Prius's fuel consumption ranges from 48 miles per gallon to 100 miles per gallon. Here we see the two vehicles great and positive impact to the environment, but why are they so darn expensive? Let's take a look at some features that may have affected a vehicle's price.

Toyota Prius Features

Starting from the beginning with a well-known Toyota Prius (22k to 24k us dollars) that is now in the market and in demand we see that there are standard options included with the purchase at any price. These are Push Button Start, Liquid crystal multi-information display panel, and Central instrument display. The Push Button Start is self-explanatory once you have located the button; a key is not required to start the vehicle as you would a 1998 Mercury Mystique. The LCD is multi-informational provide details of Prius's fuel status, climate control, outside temperature, and audio status. The digital CID displays the speedometer, fuel gauge, shift-lever indicator, odometer, and warning lights. Although these digital features are part of the reasons why a Prius is so expensive, the big-ticket item may be the battery, which may need replacement within a number of years depending on frequency of use. Then again it might not be the battery pack at all. You'll have to look at the big picture.

Honda FCX Clarity Features

Now let's look at Honda Clarity's features. Though there are other specifications, we're just going to talk about a few common similarities that have the affect on the price of the vehicle. We know that Clarity is a hydrogen fuel car, so how it's manufactured is expensive, but this is not the interior feature. Features of Clarity include similar to that of a Prius is the multi-layered instrument panel that monitors the hydrogen consumption and energy reflecting changes in driving and speed. Vehicle Start Button is like that of Push Start Button Prius has. Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™* with voice recognition and rearview camera, a digital map system to assist you with coming and going to places. Among the other standards check out this web page: http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/specifications.aspx. With Clarity offering standards galore no wonder it's so darn expensive and is only available for lease, but one has to sign up. If you have money ($600 per month lease) to spare-why not take it for a spin for some futuristic fun.

Computer in Vehicles

Unless you are happy with your classic car, if you are not currently computer literate yet, perhaps now is the time to take advantage of the President's stimulus package. Who knows--if we're talking about our future then computer may be in everything we do and use, so be prepared.

Sources:

http://green.yahoo.com/blog

http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity/interior.aspx

http://www.toyota.com/prius-hybrid/features.html

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aok6B5OzfWCsRSIU7KjSuAEjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20070507083005AAGOUm8

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