Top Gear: BMW //M3 vs. Toyota Prius

Glad to hear someone talk about the “net” environmental impact a hybrid car has… not even including disposal/recycling of the battery.

The M3 happens to use regenerative braking, though I would call that an efficiency technique rather than I hybrid tech… it is not powering another motor.

It is not providing power to another form of propulsion, I should have been more clear. Hybrid refers to the use of two forms of propulsion, most cases are gas/electric. GM has tried marketing some of there cars as “light” hybrids because of alternator controls… that is just marketing hype. You do not see BMW marketing 1% tech such as: regenerative braking, alternator decoupling under acceleration , electric water pumps/steering , low resistance tires as Hybrid tech. It is Efficient Dynamics; a more appropriate use of terminology. The Hydrogen 7 was also not called a hybrid, though it used to different fuels as there was only one form of propulsion the same internal combustion engine.

Excellent point, and expect to see more 1% tech in the not so distant future as other makers follow the concept of Efficient Dynamics. MB just announced a similar program Blue Efficiency.