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

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.

Click here to read the rest of Smart to unveil Edition Limited Three in Geneva

German company EDAG has revealed that it will preview the open source Light Car study concept at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The study concept which measures 4 meters long, 1.70 meters wide and which has a wheelbase of 2.90 meters long is fully electric and emissions free. With electric drive systems in the wheels, it can deliver up to 150 kilometers in terms of driving range with power supplied by a lithium ion battery pack.

The 5-seater study concept is built out of a new material called basalt fiber. According to EDAG, lightweight basalt fiber which is to be utilized in the construction of rotors for large-scale wind power plants in the future, is 100% recyclable and is in fact cheaper than aluminium or carbon, and that it is also available indefinitely.

Most interesting about the study concept is that the driver can alter certain design elements of the vehicle depending on his/her mood. The driver can change the contours of the head lights according to personal taste. This customization concept is also featured on the inside of the vehicle, enabling the driver to basically “re-arrange” the dash area!

Meaning, the driver can “put” the tachometer or the climate control gauges where ever he/she pleases within a designated area on the dash. The driver can individually configure his/her cockpit as far as size, position and style of the instruments is concerned. How cool is that? Its like a desktop PC with four wheels, which is actually what EDAG is trying to achieve.

The driver can also customize the tail lights on the tail gate and it does not stop there. It also serves as a communication device with the ability to project coloured messages. For instance, the braking force applied by the driver can be communicated to the vehicle behind by means of an illuminated scale on the back of the car.

Other information such as a distance reading or if there is the tail end of a traffic jam ahead, can be clearly displayed on the back of the car, even if the vehicle behind does not have a car-to-car communication system of its own. Furthermore, the driver of the car behind can see the information straight away, without the need of taking his/her eyes off the road! Continue reading to view a short video clip.

Click here to read the rest of EDAG’s open source Light Car for Geneva

Bentley will join the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland next week with the Bentley Continental Supersports, which is actually the most powerful and fastest Bentley ever. With a 6.0 liter twin turbocharged W12 under the hood, the new Bentley is capable of 329 km/h in terms of top speed and can sprint to the 100 km/h mark in just 3.7 seconds, thanks to a total of 621 ground cracking horse power and a remarkable 800Nm of torque which is achieved between 1,700 and 5600 revs. 1,700 revs!

That’s not all folks, the power plant which is mated to a revised ZF 6HP26 6 speed automatic transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by 50% and enables double downshifts, can be fueled with a combination of petrol and biofuel or ethanol (E85)! This brings us to the next question; will you lose power? Well, that answer is no actually.

According to the British auto maker, the engine is fitted with sensors that monitor how much gasoline and/or ethanol is being used which will allow the ECU to make sure power and torque remain constant no matter what the ratio of fuel mixture is. Fueling the 2-seater with biofuel can help reduce emissions by 70% which is a huge margin. Bentley calls this petrol/biofuel mixture system as FlexFuel.

The all wheel drive coupe with 40:60 rear biased split features up-rated front suspension with aluminium forward levers, stiffer bushes together with re-tuned anti roll bar and Servotronic steering for sharper turn-in, revised Continuous Damping Control (CDC), Advanced ESP, Standard-fit carbon-ceramic brakes, larger twin elliptical exhaust tailpipes and rear valance with discreet vertical divider and so on.

The interior is finished in a combination of Alcantara, carbon fiber and ‘Soft Touch’ leather’ with choice of Single Tone and Duo Tone combination. Fitted with unique lightweight, 20-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, the Bentley Supersports is a crucial 110 kilograms lighter than the latest Continental GT Speed which was launched at the Detroit Motor Show. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva Preview: Biofuel-powered 621HP Bentley Continental Supersports

Lead by former Audi designer; Peter Schreyer, the design team at Kia has come up with the No. 3 Concept which will be previewed at the Geneva Motor Show next week. According to the auto maker, the mini MPV concept will transform into a production model in 2010.

Finished in Titanium Grey, the No. 3 concept which measures 4045 mm long features the front grille, head lights and the Kia brand logo in a new constellation. Most interesting is the unique extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, which most probably will not make it into production.

Other vehicles which are expected to join the No. 3 Concept in Geneva include the Kia cee’d with ISG, which simply means Idle Stop & Go. These fuel efficient cee’ds are offered with the 1.4 liter and 1.6 liter petrol power plants in three different body styles; five-door hatchback, five-door sporty wagon and three-door pro cee’d.

The auto maker will also showcase the prototype Kia cee’d Hybrid that features Kia’s Gamma 1.6-liter gasoline engine, mated to a 15kW, 105 Nm AC synchronized electric motor, a CVT transmission and the new ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system. Continue reading to view an image gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Geneva Preview: Kia No. 3 Mini MPV Concept

The Porsche Cayenne Hybrid concept from 2007 is now back as the Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid! The S moniker indicates the gaso-electric Cayenne will not just be for celebrities who’ve outgrown their Priuses, it’ll also be fast! S could also mean Supercharged, as the engine under the hood is the same 3.0 TFSI V6 from the Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid Prototype, so you can’t really call it a Cayenne Turbo Hybrid, and Cayenne Super Hybrid just sounds silly.

In fact if you sit down and compare specifications the Cayenne S Hybrid looks like a reskinned Touareg V6 TSI Hybrid Prototype, since the Cayenne and Touareg share a similiar chassis. It’s got the same 333 PS and 440Nm 3.0 supercharged V6, same 52 horsepower electric motor, and the same 8-speed automatic transmission! The hybrid SUV can reach top speed in 6th gear, and uses the 7th and 8th ratios to lower engine revs for better fuel economy, since there is already so much grunt.

Like its Touareg equivalent, the Cayenne S Hybrid has an electric only mode with a maximum range of about 2km. This is used primarily for coasting along the highways on the 8th gear of the transmission (max speed of 140km/h) as the pressure on the accelerator pedal will restart the combustion engine within 300ms, and Porsche says the restart process together with reengaging the clutches is so smooth that the occupants won’t notice it.

Porsche says a similiar system will find its way into the Porsche Panamera so expect the currently V8-only Porsche Panamera 4-door to also offer a V6 Hybrid version called the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.

This is the car Toyota Australia will be exhibiting at the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show, probably in commemoration of the announcement last year that Australia will be building the Toyota Camry Hybrid, in addition to Thailand.

“The hybrid Camry – which will share some key design features with the HC-CV – will play a key role in bringing the future to the Australian automotive manufacturing sector. It is a future that uses less fuel while delivering better performance,” says Toyota Australia head Max Yasuda. The first Camry Hybrid to roll out of Australian production lines will be in 12 months time from the HC-CV’s unveiling.

Other than the pointless large chrome blings, other design cues are actually more purposeful. The lack of much air intakes on the front end helps with the car’s aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. The weird pattern of the small lower intake grille on the bumper is quite interesting as well, it has a very tribal pattern rather than the regular mesh pattern we’re used to. The tribal pattern continues inside with a totally random streak of blue on the front seats that is supposed to look like the Hybrid Synergy Drive logo, and some random embossing here and there that’s supposed to look like tree bark though you have to look at the hi-res photo to actually see it.

Under the hood is an inline-4 engine paired with an electric motor and there’s no reason why this won’t most likely be the 2.4 liter Atkinson cycle inline-4 that the American Camry Hybrid (and recently the Lexus HS 250h) has. Mated to a CVT, it’s got a combined total output of 187 horsepower thanks to the 40hp electric motor, with the combustion engine alone putting out 147 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 187Nm of torque at 4,400rpm.

Look after the jump for a full photo gallery.

Click here to read the rest of Toyota HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle) by Toyota Australia for the Melbourne 2009 show

A new teaser image of Tesla’s latest product; the Model S has emerged on the Internet. We were recently teased with another image which gave us a bellow-shoulder line sneak peak. Looking at the teaser above which reveals a glass roof, you can definitely tell that the four-door fully electric sedan will be a pretty handsome automobile. The sexy side profile reminds me of the Aston Martin Rapide four-door coupe.

The Model S will make its debut on March 26th next month in California and potential buyers should be able to place orders with a US$ 10,000 deposit. Selling price should be figured at US$ 60,000 (approximately RM 220,000) while it should be able to deliver 386 kilometers in terms of driving range.

Volkswagen’s American division has announced that it has shipped 16 Passat-Lingyu fuel cell cars over from China for a demonstration run at the California Fuel Cell Partnership event. These fuel cell cars with zero harmful emissions which are based on the VW Passat were jointly developed in China by a partnership between Volkswagen Shanghai, Volkswagen’s Research Group and the Tongji University.

With the hydrogen fuel cells located on the floor of the Passat, it is able to produce 55kW of power by simply converting hydrogen into water and electricity with the help of oxygen. The energy produced is then channeled to a 376 Volt lithium-ion battery pack. The Passat-Lingyu is able to reach a top speed of about 145 km/h, and is able to deliver 235 kilometers in terms of range will a full tank of fuel. These environment-friendly cars were first presented at the Olympic Games in China last year.