Archive for Hybrids, Electric vehicles, fuel cells, alternative fuel

Words are being exchanged that Japanese auto maker Mitsubishi is planning to reveal the a plug-in hybrid crossover at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show.

There are no other details thus far regarding this matter, but we just know that this hybrid would equal the size of the Nissan Qashqai. Apparently, an executive from the company revealed that Mitsubishi would now like to focus on more fuel efficient, smaller engines to power its SUV’s.

In line with that, the auto maker will also launch a new 1.8 diesel power plant later this year. The executive also mentioned that Mitsubishi has re-assigned its motor sport engineers who were part of the Dakar racing program to help develop the company’s electric vehicle program.

Koenigsegg has arrived in Geneva with its Quant Concept vehicle which is a 4-seater solar powered electric super car. According Koenigsegg, if the Quant goes into production, it can be fully recharged in just 20 minutes, and with that it can deliver 500 kilometers in terms of driving range. The company also revealed that the batteries can be charged an unlimited number of times with no degradation. Further power can also be drawn from a thin film photovoltaic coating on the body and from the four-wheel brake regeneration.

This rear wheel drive, futuristic looking concept is said to be able to deliver 512HP at the touch of the accelerator with 715Nm of torque. Naught to 100 km/h is achieved in 5.2 seconds and it can do a top speed of 275 km/h. Other preliminary features include; 6 air bags, ABD, ESP, 3 zone climate control, LED front and rear lights, among others.

Koenigsegg has yet to release any other details regarding pricing as well as a potential production date. Meanwhile, continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: Quant Concept by Koenigsegg unveiled

Nissan has uncovered the Infiniti Essence Concept which also seem to like the Zagato Perana Z-One sports car. This sexy looking concept also has hints of the Maserati GranTurismo especially with its front fascia. But what differentiates the Essence concept from the first two vehicles mentioned above is that, apart from featuring a typical 434HP 3.7 liter V6 with twin turbos and direct injection, this sports car also features an electric drive system, hence, it is called a gas-electric hybrid sports car.

This also means that apart from the obvious improvement in fuel efficiency and a reduced emissions output, the Essence gets an extra 158HP from its electric motor which is also called a “3D Motor” that draws its energy from a lithium ion battery pack. Hence, total power output is rated at 592HP. Energy usage is fully optimized thanks to two separate clutches which “switch in” the motors when required. The reason behind the the 3D term is that its design was achieved by utilizing a 3D magnetic field analysis to optimize the layout of the electromagnetic coils and permanent magnets.

Safety wise, the concept comes fitted with Distance Control Assist (DCA), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Side Collision Prevention (SCP) and Back-up Collision Prevention (BCP) that make up the Safety Shield system. The driver-focused interior which is finished in a combination of leather, Alcantara and hand-painted wood features a flat-bottomed steering wheel and chronometer-style dials. In fact, the auto maker has collaborated with famous designer label Louis Vuitton to produce a set of high quality luggage made to fit the car’s boot area exactly. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: The Infiniti Essence Concept

General Motors has revealed Vauxhall’s interpretation of the Chevy Volt which will be offered in a right hand drive form, and that potential buyers can expect a production version by 2012. Based on the Chevy Volt and the Opel Ampera, this almost similar looking Vauxhall Ampera also features the Voltec electric propulsion system, meaning for journeys of up to 60 kilometers, it runs on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery pack and this is done by emitting zero emissions.

Once energy in the battery pack is depleted, electricity generated from an engine-generator extends the Ampera’s range to more than 500 km. Recharging can be performed via a 230 volt house hold power outlet. GM also revealed that its Australian subsidiary Holden, will offer its own version of the Volt/Ampera for the Australian market. Personally, the Ampera looks a little better than the more down to earth Volt. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: RHD Volt-based Vauxhall Ampera to be produced by 2012

Korean-based auto maker Kia, which is lately releasing some pretty jaw-dropping designs thanks to the guidance of former Audi designer Peter Schreyer has unveiled its latest creation, the Kia No 3 Concept. This compact MPV concept which comfortably seats 5 is finished in Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents and measures 4045 mm long, 1760 mm wide and 1600 mm high, with a wheelbase that is 2615 mm long.

Key exterior features include 19-inch black/glossy chrome light alloy wheels wrapped with all-weather high-speed tires, a new grille design that is also evident on the equally handsome Kia Cerato Forte and extra-large panorama glass roof that extends directly out of the windscreen and stretches all the way to the rear spoiler.

On the inside, you will notice combination of brown, white and black on the seats and on the door panels, while the dashboard looks almost production ready with a centrally-mounted LCD screen. Unfortunately, Kia did not reveal any information regarding its engine and transmission options.

The auto maker has also made full use of the motor show by showcasing a total of 20 Kia’s including the Kia Soul, the upgraded 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUV, and the 2009 Kia Magentis sedan, fondly known as the Optima in Malaysia. Kia is also displaying the cee’d with ISG (Idle Stop & Go) technology that can improve fuel efficiency by 15%. Kia cee’d ISG cars are available with a choice of 1.4 liter and 1.6 liter petrol engines in each of the three cee’d family body styles including the five-door hatchback, five-door sporty wagon and three-door pro_cee’d.

There is also a Kia cee’d Hybrid prototype that uses an upgraded powertrain with Kia’s Gamma 1.6-litre gasoline engine, mated to a 15 kW, 105 Nm AC synchronized electric motor, a CVT transmission and an ISG system. The hybrid can accelerate to 100 km/h in 11.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 185 km/h. The prototype is estimated to achieve a fuel consumption figure of 4.81 liters per 100 kilometers and an emissions output figure of 109 grams per kilometer. Continue reading to view an image gallery of the No 3 Concept.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva 2009: Kia stages the No 3 Concept MPV

Apart from planning to launch the Delta Executive and to showcase the Delta Hardblack at the Geneva Motor Show, Italian-based Lancia will also debut the Ypsilon and Musa with the “Ecochic” insignia, which features the ability to be fueled by conventional gasoline as well as LPG.

The 4-seater mini MPV you see above is the Lancia Musa, which is powered by a 1.4 liter BiFuel engine that is good for 77HP. The same engine, which has a system that can automatically switch between using gasoline or LPG is also fitted in the Lancia Ypsilon.

LPG gas is stored in a container that can store up to 39 liters of gas that is fitted in the spare wheel housing. To help compensate for a spare wheel, a tire inflation kit comes as standard. To enable the 1.4 liter engine to be fueled with LPG, Lancia, via Fiat’s Powertrain Techologies has modified the cylinder head with new valves and seats, and has also added a special inlet system to accommodate the LPG injectors.

With a full tank of fuel and LPG, both vehicles can deliver excellent fuel consumption figures. Out of 1,300 kilometers of driving range, the Lancia Ypsilon can deliver 425 kilometers with LPG while the balance 875 kilometers is achieved with gasoline. With a total of 1,200 kilometers of driving range, the Lancia Musa can deliver 419 kilometers with LPG and 781 kilometers with gasoline. Both Ypsilon and Musa models also produce 119 grams and 120 grams of emissions per kilometer, respectively.

Austrian-based auto manufacturer; Magna Steyr will join the eco-friendly vehicle line up at the Geneva Motor Show with its fully electric Magna Steyr MILA Electric Vehicle Concept. Just like most electric powered vehicles, the MILA EV Concept features a lithium ion battery pack, but it features a rather impressive recharge time of 2.5 hours.

Electricity is sent to a 49kW electric motor that is able to produce a rather sedate, but adequate 67HP in total, while driving range over a full charge is rated at 150 kilometers. Unfortunately, Magna Steyr has no plans what so over to produce the MILA for the mass market, instead the auto maker is showcasing the electric concept to other auto makers who would be interested in buying certain components or electric vehicle technologies from the Austrian company.

Apparently Ford has revealed its intentions to work with Magna Steyr to jointly produce a zero emissions electric vehicle, which should hit the market in 2011. In the partnership, Magna Steyr which is owned by Canadian-based Magna International will work on components including the electric motor, transmission, battery pack and other control units.

General Motors-owned Opel will debut the Opel Ampera which is basically a re-badged version of the Chevy Volt at the Geneva Motor Show that will take place on March 3rd. Although the Ampera shares the same platform and drive system with the Volt across the Atlantic, this European version features a different design treatment, especially on the front fascia. Looking at the teaser image released by General Motors, the Ampera looks more modern or futuristic compared to the Volt.

Nothing official has been released regarding its drive system other than the fact that over a full charge, the electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery pack can deliver 60 kilometers in range, and when energy is depleted, the range extending internal combustion engine will increase the Ampera’s driving range to more than 500 kilometers.

The electric motor should be good for 150HP and 370Nm of torque and its batteries can be recharged via a 230 volt electric outlet. The 5-door 4-seater hatch’s combustion engine should also be able to be fueled with biofuel or E85. The Opel Ampera is expected to hit European roads in 2011.

Click here to read the rest of Opel teases the Chevy Volt-based Ampera ahead of its Geneva debut

Swiss-based Protoscar will be launching a full size sports cabriolet at the Geneva Motor Show. Unlike what you might expect from a typical cabriolet, the Protoscar LAMPO is actually a fully electric, emissions free vehicle which is powered by two electric motors with each of the motors mounted on the front and rear axles.

Total output of both electric motors is rated at 268HP and 440Nm of torque which is more than the Tesla Roadster which features 248HP and 375Nm of torque. With a lightweight 32 kWh lithium ion battery pack, it can deliver 200 kilometers over a full charge which is actually lower the Tesla’s 220 miles range. The LAMPO can be recharged via a house power outlet with a full charge time of 12 hours.

Protoscar also revealed that even with energy to recharge is directly taken from the publicly available infrastructure, the company has built a 16 kWH photovoltaic plant located in Tuscany that will generate energy via solar cells which will then help feed energy into the global grid. Apparently the automaker mentioned that “the goal is to self-produce all the energy that we need for the car getting to counterbalance the entire consumption”

Apart from a premium interior treatment, the Protoscar LAMPO also features an EVA Range estimator that presents “radar graph” of the residual range integrated with standard navigation capabilities, charging station location as well as an advanced long-distance trip planning system which incorporates charging time and recommended locations.

Continue reading to view an image gallery. Each image features a brief description.

Click here to read the rest of Swiss-based Protoscar to reveal the fully electric LAMPO sports cabriolet in Geneva

Mercedes-owned fuel efficient auto maker; Smart has announced that it will launch the Smart fortwo Edition Limited Three in Geneva, Switzerland. This new limited edition model which is finished in Melon Metallic Green and powered by a 71HP engine is offered both coupe and cabriolet forms.

It also features micro hybrid drive (mhd) technology which is basically an engine start/stop system to further improve its fuel efficiency. The tiny power plant shuts down when the driver brakes and when the vehicle’s speed falls below 8 km/h. It will then restart when as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal.

This helps reduce fuel consumption to only 4.4 liter (4.5 for cabriolet) for every 100 kilometers traveled, which accounts for 20% reduction with the start/stop technology. It also produces only 106 grams of emission per kilometer.

Other features included with the Edition Limited Three with soil-coloured interior; 15 inch alloy wheels in a sporty 6-spoke design, aluminium-effect “limited three” logos in the mirror triangle, automatic temperature control, instrument panel featuring dark brown leather-effect details, 3-spoke sports steering wheel with steering wheel gearshift, and for the coupé, a panoramic roof with sunblind.

The Smart fortwo Edition Limited Three costs 15,470 Euros as a coupe and 18,510 Euros as a cabriolet. Continue reading to view two more images of the interior.

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