Home / Special Coverage / Hybrids and Alternative Fuel (Page 19)

  • Is this a Proton Exora Hybrid demonstrator vehicle?

    In Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Malaysian Makes, Proton, Spyshots / By / / 138 comments


    Click for enlarged image

    This is a covered up Proton Exora snapped by reader Zai today on the North South Highway near the Proton City exit. Looks quite normal actually even down to the wheels, until you look at the side where you begin to notice some livery.

    According to Zai, the livery had a big ‘hybrid’ word. I can’t really see it in these photos but considering the light green and light blue stripes that we can see as part of the livery, it kinda fits the hybrid theme. I guess this means that a hybrid Exora is now here in Malaysia. Proton revealed in the past that a hybrid Exora had existed in the UK and that it would eventually bring it back here to Malaysia.

    A promotional poster at Proton’s recent 25th anniversary dinner (available below) reveals more details on Proton’s alternative fuel vehicle endeavors.


    Click for enlarged image

    According to Proton, their EV project started in November 2008 with a team of technologists dispatched to Lotus Engineering UK to develop two EV cars. One was a Proton Persona with a longer range, faster acceleration and higher maximum speed while the other was a Proton Saga EV with basic performance for urban city driving needs.

    It’s hybrid vehicle efforts started in September 2009, with an Exora-based “serial digital hybrid electric vehicle” demonstrator to be used for performance evaluation, testing and safety assessment. This could be the car we are seeing above?

     

  • China to make mild hybrid tech compulsory by 2012?

    In Cars, China, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel / By / / 13 comments

    China might be taking another step forward in reducing their carbon footprint by making it compulsory for all vehicles in China to have the “BSG hybrid” system. BSG stands for “Belt Driven Starter Generator” and it works like a start-stop system where the engine shuts off when the car is idle. Start-stop is now common in most European new cars and is supposed to be part of “mild hybrid” measures along with things like brake energy regeneration.

    This comes after the GM of Chery New Energy Company, Yuan Tao, revealed that relevant authorities are currently working on the new policy. An unnamed insider from another Chinese manufacturer, Dongfeng, confirmed the above statement and added that it would be implemented in 2012. Dongfeng already sells a BSG version of its S30 sedan (pictured).

    BSG is a simple system and according to Dongfeng, it will only cost 1,000 yuan ($147.50) per car if mass produced. On average, fuel efficiency is boosted by 5%. It may not sound like much, but when you consider the fact that China used 540 million tons of gasoline and 520 million tons of diesel in 2008, this system could see annual fuel consumption decrease by 5 million tons!

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  • Porsche Boxster mules to test EV components and battery

    In Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Porsche / By / / 2 comments

    Porsche has confirmed that it will make electric sports cars, and three Boxsters with all-electric drive systems will kick off the research and testing process in early 2011. The trio will provide an initial insight into new electric drive components and battery systems for EVs. The field test will also give information on the infrastructure required for electromobilty, user behaviour and demands.

    “We will definitely be offering an electric sports car in future. But such a concept only makes sense if it offers product qualities typical of a Porsche,” said Michael Macht, President and CEO of Porsche AG.

    This isn’t a piece of surprising news as Porsche is known to be toying with the idea of putting the 918 Spyder concept into production. The stunning 918 Spyder, which wowed this year’s Geneva show goers, combines the qualities of a plug-in hybrid and the performance of a supercar. Just imagine 0-100 km/h in under 3.2 seconds and a faster Nurburgring lap time than the Carrera GT with best effort fuel consumption of 3 litres per 100km – amazing isn’t it? Click here for a seductive video of the 918.

    You can’t buy that yet, but hybrid Porsches aren’t out of reach if you have the cash. The Cayenne S Hybrid will be launched in Malaysia very soon as part of the new Cayenne range that includes the Cayenne S, Diesel and Turbo.

     

  • 2012 Olympics debut for BMW Megacity Vehicle?

    In BMW, Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News / By / / 5 comments


    BMW’s eagerly anticipated Megacity Vehicle might have a bigger launch audience than originally expected. According to industry sources close to the project, BMW will use the 2012 Olympics in London to showcase the Megacity car.

    The model in question will be a production ready Megacity concept car which will be previewed a year before it actually goes on sale. This of course, is due to the fact that BMW is the official partner for the 2012 games, thus showcasing their wares is just one of the perks of the agreement.

    Coverage from the Olympics will no doubt set BMW ahead of the competition as this would be a major opportunity for them to present their electric car idea to a global audience. The Megacity is a four seat, rear wheel drive car that has a 100 kW motor. It is said to have a range of 160 to 209 kilometres. The car will have a carbon fibre cell to counteract the weight of the batteries and will be sold under a sub-brand similar to ‘M’ for performance BMWs.

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  • Nissan rumoured to build an electric sportscar?

    In Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Infiniti, International News, Nissan / By / / 12 comments

    The automotive market is now clamouring with automaker trying to pump out electric sportscar such as Audi with their R8 and Mercedes with their SLS AMG. Nissan could be next as sources close to the company revealed the possibility of Nissan producing an electric sportscar.

    Nothing else has been confirmed, thus we could see the Japanese company using body structures from its current line-up such as the 370Z. This would be a relatively good choice as it is a lightweight car but unfortunately lacks in size which has to house the unconfirmed amount of batteries.

    We have to remember that Nissan would most likely use the platform of the Leaf with an electric motor producing slightly more juice. Thus anything in that size would do this new sports car well. We could also see the use of its premium brand Infiniti and some have been suggesting the use of cars like the hybrid concept Essence seen in 2009.

    This could be pure speculation but as the old saying goes, where there’s smoke, there’s Nissan’s CEO Carlos Goshn trying to make Nissan a leader in the automotive industry.


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  • Honda launching a plug-in hybrid in 2012

    In Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News / By / / 15 comments

    Honda have confirmed it will go the way of its top competitor Toyota and launch a plug-in hybrid and a battery electric model for the US and Japanese market. Speaking at a news conference in Japan, CEO Takanobu Ito stated the models will be seen sometime in 2012.

    They expect the new plug-in hybrid to go slightly more than 60km on a single litre of petrol making it more fuel efficient than the current Prius according to reports from Nikkei. This is of course a sort of grey area as so far we’re can universally only state mileage claims based on a formula that uses a single source of liquid fuel. The results of a hybrid vehicle can go way off especially if its a plug-in.

    Along with the Insight, the company is also looking two other hybrid models for the US market expanding its hybrid line up to around five by 2013 according to the Japanese publication. This is quite a sudden turn of events for Honda, as they have previously been against the development of electric cars focusing mainly on hydrogen fuelled variants due to the fact that batteries were too expensive to be practical. Seems that the only reason they will be selling battery run electric cars is to meet US legal requirements in California.

    Toyota was on the same bandwagon of EV sceptics, but have now changed their plans with its partnership with Tesla and the development of a prototype electric vehicle based on the Toyota RAV4 and Lexus RX.

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  • Chevrolet Volt battery gets 8-year, 160,000 km warranty

    In Cars, Chevrolet, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News / By / / 29 comments

    The battery pack is one of the most vital and expensive components in a hybrid car, and the fear that it would fail is one mental hurdle in consumers’ minds. General Motors seems to understand this issue and has rolled out an 8-year, 160,000 km battery warranty for its upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. GM says that it’s the longest and most comprehensive warranty offered by an automaker on batteries that will cover 161 parts of the power pack. The warranty is transferable.

    The Volt works on a range extender system and is powered with electricity at all times. For up to the first 65 km, it’s powered solely by electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, using no fuel and producing no emissions. When the lithium-ion battery runs low, an engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range by another 480 km on a full tank of fuel.

    The Volt is the only mass-market EV with a battery that can be warmed or cooled. The battery is designed to provide reliable operation at temperatures from -25 C to over 50 C. In cold weather, the battery will be preheated during charging to provide full power capability. In hot weather – the most challenging environment for a battery – the Volt’s unit can be chilled during charging.

    Did you know that fully charging or fully depleting a battery shortens its life? The Volt’s energy management system never fully charges or depletes the battery and has top and bottom “buffer zones” to ensure a longer life. Another cool fact about the Volt’s battery is that more than 500 diagnostics run at 10 times per second, ensuring the the battery is operating safely and keeping track of performance and life.

    Sales of the Volt and its European Opel/Vauxhall Ampera equivalent will start in 2011.

     

  • Bill Gates and Vinod Khosla invests in EcoMotors

    In Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Technology / By / / 41 comments

    When Bill Gates puts his money on something, the world pays attention. The latest being his joint investment of $23.5 million with Vinod Khosla in EcoMotors International and their Opoc technology. The Opoc engine, is an “opposed piston opposed cylinder” engine setup that is said to use 50 percent less parts and provides 50 percent more fuel efficiency. EcoMotors have said that they will use the funding for the testing and construction of demonstration units of the Opoc engine.

    The Opoc engine works by the use of two opposing cylinders which contain two pistons each. The crankshaft is housed in between the opposing cylinders and is turned by the rods connected to the pistons. This system works without cylinder heads and valve trains while employing a 2-stroke like system which guarantees quick torque.

    Apparently using their EM100 diesel model, which has a cylinder bore size of 100mm and weighs 134 kilogrammes, it is capable of producing a power figure of 325hp at 3500rpm along with an incredible 900Nm of torque. Another plus point would be the fact that this could use any form of fuel be it petrol, diesel or ethanol.

    What has interested the two investors more than anything is the practicality of the design, which allows flexibility in its uses along with it being less expensive to manufacture, purchase, and operate. This could lead to various applications in different parts of the world where expensive electric or hybrid cars are just not practical.

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  • GALLERY: Otherworldly Citroën Survolt takes on Le Mans

    In Cars, Citroën, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News / By / / 14 comments

    The otherworldly Citroën Survolt racing car concept made its first all-electric laps of Le Mans circuit last weekend, at the Le Mans Classic event. First seen at this year’s Geneva show, the Survolt was piloted by Vanina Ickx, daughter of Belgian Formula One driver Jacky Ickx.

    The experienced racer gave the Survolt the thumbs up. “I am very proud to have participated in this unique project. On the track it felt really good. It’s a real race car, with a very promising potential for the future,” she said

    The Survolt, which features the same dramatic design language as the GTbyCITROËN (which was also driven on track) but in a more compact shape, is powered by a 140 kg lithium ion battery and two electric motors producing 300 hp. With that, the car does 0-100 km/h in less than five seconds on to a top speed of 260 km/h. The battery is good for a 200 km range and can be recharged in two hours with a specialised power supply or in 10 hours with a standard 220V plug.

    Images after the jump.
    Read more ›

     

  • Porsche 918 Spyder price – 500,000 Euros!

    In Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Porsche / By / / 8 comments

    The Porsche 918 Spyder seems to tick all the boxes. Porsche’s unique trophy car, check. Produces an extreme amount of power, check. Environmentally friendly, check. Looks extremely desirable, check, check and check.

    Another box to tick will be the price tag. Sources close to Porsche seem to think that it might have a price tag of 500,476 Euro which exceeds the 453,000 Euro price tag of the Carrera GT. Unfortunately as of yet Porsche have yet to confirm if the hybrid will go into production. But they did say that they would need 1,000 sales pledges to consider putting this car into production.

    This would mean Porsche would stand to reap a revenue figure of 500 million Euros, even if 500 of the potential clients actually buy the car. Follow the links below for more information on the car and a promo video for the Porsche 918 Spyder.

    Related Posts:
    Porsche 918 Spyder – first details
    Porsche 918 Spyder – promo video

     
 
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