There is nothing inherently slow about hybrids. In fact, hybridization is how performance is added to cars with limited engine power. The Honda Dualnote concept car, introduced in Tokyo ten years ago, is rated at 400 hp and calculated 42 mpg. The Toyota Volta concept car is rated at 408 hp and 0-60 in 4 seconds, but it only gets 30 mpg. Both cars use small 6 cylinder engines and are multi-passenger cars
Horsepower ratings are more misleading on non-hybrid vehicles. A 400 hp gas engine would be hard pressed to put out more than about 50 off the line, but the electric side of hybrids can put out essentially full power off the line. Honda engineers said of the Dualnote that it has off the line acceleration similar to a 600 hp conventional car of the same weight.