QOTD: One Green Steed to Do It All?

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Picture it. A new world government, headquartered in Belgium, has been elected to oversee our affairs. There, our scientific betters assemble to map out a progressive yet benevolently authoritarian plan for all the planet’s people, causing H.G. Wells and other dead utopians to rise from the grave in orgasmic bliss.

In this hypothetical scenario, consumer choice is curtailed to ensure the citizenry makes the proper decisions. The planet’s air quality and climate is top of mind, as are the globe’s shrinking resources. A conservation plan is put into effect, wiping such indulgent automobiles as the Dodge Challenger R/T, 392, Hellcat, and other V8-powered machines. The GM 6.2-liter V8 is ceremoniously killed off. Schoolchildren are taught to snitch on any parent caught harboring a overly powerful motorcar, perhaps in a rural barn somewhere.

Suffice it to say, it’s heaven on earth. There’s no choice to see it any other way. But hold on — it’s new car buying time, and the state, er, the world, has mandated that as your daily driver, you must purchase a hybrid.

Sure, there’s new sources of transportation available in this new society — trolleybuses make a comeback, as do monorails — but the single vehicle permitted for citizens living outside urban zones (or those with work that takes them into the countryside) must be at least partially green. And, because this bizarro world takes place in the present day, your vehicular choices are already on the market.

One daily driver. That’s all you get, and there must be an electric motor working in tandem with a gasoline powerplant. To whittle down the choices, a plug-in is not allowed. Why? Because the powers that be in Brussels, or perhaps Antwerp, have a damn good reason, that’s why. So no PHEVs. But no mild hybrids, either, so no eTorque Ram. Besides that stipulation, however, the field is open — any size or bodystyle you can get your hands on.

What do you choose? Practicality (such as it is), likely demands a utility vehicle, and with pickups out of the running, a spacious three-row crossover seems the likely choice for many. A Toyota Highlander Hybrid, for example. It’s surely a hybrid, but one which still has a V6 on tap. Remove the rearmost rows and you’ve got a flat surface for hauling, and power to back it up.

But maybe performance is your way of fighting back against the state. In this scenario, the Acura NSX actually might see a few orders.

Practical (but imperfect), or impractical? Take your pick.

[Image: Acura]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Pwrwrench Pwrwrench on Aug 01, 2018

    You mean like, I can't have a V 8/10/12, make screeching burnouts, annoy the neighbors, and stink up the commons? That's like a total bummer dude!

  • THX1136 THX1136 on Aug 01, 2018

    For more enjoyment and greater efficiency, consumption is being standardized. -THX1138

  • SCE to AUX With these items under the pros:[list][*]It's quick, though it seems to take the powertrain a second to get sorted when you go from cruising to tromping on it.[/*][*]The powertrain transitions are mostly smooth, though occasionally harsh.[/*][/list]I'd much rather go electric or pure ICE I hate herky-jerky hybrid drivetrains.The list of cons is pretty damning for a new vehicle. Who is buying these things?
  • Jrhurren Nissan is in a sad state of affairs. Even the Z mentioned, nice though it is, will get passed over 3 times by better vehicles in the category. And that’s pretty much the story of Nissan right now. Zero of their vehicles are competitive in the segment. The only people I know who drive them are company cars that were “take it or leave it”.
  • Jrhurren I rented a RAV for a 12 day vacation with lots of driving. I walked away from the experience pretty unimpressed. Count me in with Team Honda. Never had a bad one yet
  • ToolGuy I don't deserve a vehicle like this.
  • SCE to AUX I see a new Murano to replace the low-volume Murano, and a new trim level for the Rogue. Yawn.
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