Auto Show by the numbers

1

Ton of concession food consumed by showgoers.

51

Total hours the show is open, Nov. 5-9.

60

Hours to move in all

vehicles and exhibits.

80

18-wheelers to transport automobile exhibits

to the show.

120

Workers to clean vehicles during the show.

200

Dusters to maintain vehicles pristine appearance.

470

Carpenters to

assemble exhibits.

2,000

Workers to secure

the move-in.

450,000

Square feet of

exhibit space.

1,900,000

Pounds of freight

delivered to the show.

It wasnt that long ago when the Northwest had never heard of a Prius. Now it cant get enough of Toyotas gas-electric sensation. Washington ranks as one of the most popular states for Prius sales, and in early October Toyota announced plans to double U.S. production of the Prius.

Lucrative gas mileage, fewer emissions and affordable pricing are fueling a new wave of hybrid vehicles and not just passenger cars.

Heres a sample of what consumers will see at this years auto show.

The all-new Ford Escape Hybrid combines the fuel economy and emissions benefits of a hybrid with the go-anywhere capability, toughness and spaciousness of the Ford Escape, Americas favorite small SUV. The Escape Hybrid is the first hybrid electric vehicle to offer four-wheel-drive and towing capability of up to 1,000 pounds.

The Escape Hybrid is a full hybrid, meaning it automatically switches between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power or a combined operation to maximize efficiency and performance. Full hybrids can achieve 50 percent or more improvement in fuel economy during stop-and-go driving, when the electric motor is most efficient. In fact, the Escape Hybrid provides more than 75 percent fuel economy improvement in city driving, compared with a conventional V6-powered Escape XLT. Its gasoline engine and electric motor work in concert, providing performance similar to that of a V6 engine. In less demanding situations, the Escape Hybrid can run on its electric motor alone, its gasoline engine alone or the most efficient combination of the two. The Escape Hybrid can travel more than 400 miles in city driving on a single tank of gasoline.

The Lexus RX 400h, the worlds first luxury hybrid, is powered by a V6 Hybrid Synergy Drive system that combines sub-eight-second 0 to 60 mph acceleration with fuel-efficiency equivalent to the current average for a four-cylinder compact sedan.

The new RX 400h redefines the midsize luxury SUV market while raising awareness and acceptance of hybrid gas-electric vehicles among luxury car and SUV buyers, said Denny Clements, Lexus group vice president and general manager. This is truly a breakthrough in terms of hybrid gas-electric powertrains, because for the first time it adds a new performance dimension to the traditional hybrid advantages of high mileage and low emissions.

Utilizing a next-generation hybrid powertrain, the Honda Accord V6 Hybrid delivers power and performance above the current 240-horsepower Accord V6 with the fuel economy of a compact-class, four-cylinder Civic sedan. With class-leading performance and fuel efficiency provided by a highly advanced and super-efficient hybrid V6 powertrain, the Accord Hybrid will produce in excess of 240 horsepower with near-peak torque available across the engines full operating range for exhilarating performance with superb acceleration, passing power and cruising comfort.

The new Prius was the first Toyota product to employ Hybrid Synergy Drive, the companys third-generation gas-electric hybrid powertrain technology. The new system on the 2005 model produces more power from both the gasoline engine and the electric motor, giving the Prius acceleration comparable to a four-cylinder, automatic-transmission midsize car. The Prius can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 10 seconds.

Hybrid Synergy Drive yields exceptional fuel efficiency in the Prius, with an estimated EPA rating of 60 mpg in city driving, 51 mpg on the highway and 55 mpg in combined driving. The reversed city/highway figures reflect the unique powertrain thats optimized for maximum efficiency in the kind of slow-and-go driving that most urban commuters experience.

Prius not only provides the best fuel efficiency ratings of any midsize vehicle sold in America, but also returns even higher combined mileage rating than any compact sedan sold in America.

The Escape Hybrids gasoline engine and electric motor work in concert, providing performance similar to that of a V6 engine. In less demanding situations, the Escape Hybrid can run on its electric motor alone, its gasoline engine alone or the most efficient combination of the two. It can travel more than 400 miles in city driving on a single tank of gasoline.

The Escape Hybrid looks like the traditional Escape, the best-selling compact SUV, with a few key differences. The Escape Hybrid has unique badging that uses the Ford road-and-leaf insignia, with standard 16-inch wheels and a discreet air vent in the drivers-side rear quarter window. Escape Hybrid is available with a special Appearance Package that adds silver body-side cladding and bright trim. On the interior, Escape Hybrid features a flow-through console and unique gauges, including a green-zone gauge that shows when the vehicle is operating in its most economical mode.

Escape Hybrids interior is nearly identical to the traditional 2005 Escape. It offers seating for up to five and includes the same 60/40 split folding rear seat. Efficient packaging of the hybrid technology (locating the battery pack below the rear load floor, for example) means that interior versatility is preserved. Even with a full complement of five passengers, cargo room behind the second row seat is still an ample 27 cubic feet.

The maximum cargo space can be expanded to more than 65 cubic feet, if desired. The roof rack is capable of holding up to 100 pounds of cargo.

A unique gauge package features an economy indicator with green zone that shows when the vehicle is operating on battery power. A separate gauge displays levels of charge and assist for the battery pack. An optional navigation system has an Audiophile stereo system, a unique energy flow diagram that displays hybrid system operation and a fuel economy screen that displays instant and average fuel economy.

Escape Hybrid also offers an optional 110 volt AC power outlet, perfect for a television, radio, air pump, electric razor or even holiday lights at the campsite.

The Escapes hybrid powertrain system consists of a half-dozen key components engineered to provide a seamless flow of power:

n A special 2.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine features Atkinson cycle combustion for improved efficiency and produces 133 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 129 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm (preliminary ratings).

n A 65-kWatt (equivalent to 87 horsepower) electric traction motor provides an added boost to the drive wheels when maximum acceleration is desired.

n A 28-kWatt (equivalent to 38 horsepower) generator motor recharges the batteries, starts the engine and helps regulate how the two propulsion channels blend together in the transaxle.

n A special electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission (eCVT) harnesses internal combustion and electric power sources to drive the front wheels in a FWD Escape or all four wheels with the optional Intelligent 4WD System. This component is integral with the generator motor.

n A 330-volt nickel-metal-hydride battery pack located and sealed beneath the rear load floor serves as the electric powertrain systems gas tank.

n An electronic vehicle system controller manages charging, drive assist and engine-starting functions. This device shuts the engine down during coasting and at stoplights to save fuel. It also converts the traction motor into a generator during braking to help recharge the batteries.

The combined output of both the gas and electric motors is 155 horsepower.

The powertrain provides 0-60 acceleration performance comparable to the 200 horsepower V6 engine in the conventional Escape.

The generator motor provides power boosts during heavy load situations, helping Escape Hybrid accelerate briskly to speed. In addition to fuel-free operation, electric motors deliver maximum torque at low rpm, so they are an ideal complement to gasoline engines that generate peak power at higher rpm.

The electric power-assisted steering system allowed Ford engineers to easily tune the amount of steering assist independent of engine and vehicle speed, giving the Escape Hybrid a very easy steering effort at parking-lot speeds, while retaining Escapes hallmark crisp steering feel while driving.

The optional Intelligent 4WD System, available on all Escape models, is fully computer-controlled and provides maximum traction as driving conditions vary. Its operation is so seamless that most drivers will never notice that it has engaged.

The 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid achieves an estimated fuel economoy rating of more than 35 mpg for city driving an improvement of at least 75 percent over the city fuel economy rating of 20 mpg for the conventional V6-powered Ford Escape. It is an extremely clean vehicle to operate, producing 97 percent less hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen emissions than vehicles that meet todays nationwide Tier I emissions standard. It also produces as little as half the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) a primary greenhouse gas when it drifts into the Earths upper atmosphere.

Optional equipment includes leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather-trimmed seats, side curtain airbag system and front side-impact airbags, an upgraded stereo system with six-CD changer, and a navigation system.