The Efficient Car Guide

VW XL1 - 313mpg on sale this year?

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 18:04:00 +0000

	Volkswagen set out to create the ultimate eco-hybrid with their XL1. Low, long & lightweight with faired-in rear wheels and super skinny eco-tyres, this car is set to be made available on a lease-only basis and although full details aren't yet available Volkswagen expect to build between 50 & 5 thousand cars.
The XL1’s hybrid system comprises a 47-hp, 800-cc twin-cylinder TDI turbo-diesel engine, coupled with a 27-hp (20-kW) electric motor, and VW’s seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. (DSG is programmed to only operate in automatic mode.) The diesel engine and the electric motor combine to deliver maximum torque of 103 lb-ft.
	This astonishingly compact combination is mounted transversely behind the passenger compartment and drives the rear wheels. A 5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 2.6-gallon fuel tank are nestled between the power-train and passenger cell. Speaking of the passenger cell, the XL1 will be created using carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, giving it a super strong survival cell for this two-seater's occupants. Gull-wing doors give entry to the cabin, which is finished with the standard VW corporate 'look'............ i.e. black! Besides it's ultra-streamlined look, the little VW's awesome consumption figures boil down to light weight - just 795KG of - well - 'stuff' go into making a Volkswagen XL1 and lower weight means less energy needed to move it along - so less is more or something like that. No price as yet, but almost certainly the same analogy (less is more!) will apply! (suggestions centre around the $50,000 mark )

Porsche GT3R Hybrid - Flywheel Hybrid Racer

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:21:00 +0000

	The very first hybrid was a Porsche design. In 1898 Ferdinand Porsche developed - in conjunction with the Lohner carriage company - a series hybrid with 'in-wheel hub' electric motors, capable of being configured as front, rear or 4-wheel drive, this behemoth carried 1.8 tonnes of batteries and weighed a colossal 4 tonnes overall, a petrol engine was also carried on-board to recharge the batteries - nothing new under the sun then!.....
Ferdinand Porsche also took this massive vehicle racing...nothing new....yeah you get the picture! So to this delightful piece of modern day Porsche engineering, a 465BHP 4-litre flat 6 'boxer' engine, coupled with two electric motors driving the front
	wheels only and producing an extra 75KW (80BHP) each, this surge of electric power is available for 6-8 seconds after the flywheel system is charged. The Flywheel/generator developed by Williams Hybrid Power - a sister company to Frank Williams F1 team - stores kinetic energy produced under braking, cornering and acceleration by spinning at up to 36,000 RPM and is deployed at the exit of corners to aid acceleration. It obviously works fantastically well, as the Porsche was leading it's first 24 hour race comfortably until the 23rd hour when cruel luck denied the team a finish. Watch the video and feel this Porsche pull!

Lit Motors C1 - Gyro-Stabilised Premium Electric Commuter

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 07:59:00 +0000

	Being based in California, you'd think the roof would be an afterthought – but Lit Motors have designed their C1 super commuter to have the practicality and convenience of a car combined with the performance, lane manoeuverability and ease of parking associated with a motorcycle. The designers even claim it will stay upright in the event of a collision!
Performance is expected to be brisk when it goes on sale around 2014 with a sub 6 sec 0-60MPH time and top speed of over 100MPH. In-hub electric motors provide the propulsion and regenerative braking is a standard feature. Safety has been given a lot of thought, with the incredible twin gyroscope's ability to keep the C1 upright (see video) alongside cabin air bags, reinforced doors and seat belts.
	Connectivity & comfort have been given a lot of thought also, Lit describing their baby as a 'rolling smart phone' - the C1 will be offered with "full cloud/smart phone integration" , climate control (heat & A/C) a premiere sound system. A passenger can be carried for short distances, sitting in tandem with the driver. The Lit C1 should do around 200 miles on a charge and is expected to cost around $24,000 on it's launch, ($19,000 after incentives) with prices falling as production techniques improve.

Guigiaro Brivido - Exotic Hybrid prototype

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:53:00 +0000

	Legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro has produced this drool-worthy concept from his Italdesign's Turin HQ. Called 'Brivido' - Italian for Thrill - This luxury 4-seater has been developed in conjunction with Italdesign parent company VW, who have supplied support for the electronics amongst other bits and pieces.
Crafted in a combination of aluminum and carbon, Brivido has been designed as a mile-eating GT car with sexy lines and a whole host of entertainment options for lucky passengers, including 3D cinema for rear passengers and an i-pad docking station which links up with the vehicles sat-nav or for use on the move by the front seat passenger! A 3 liter V6 provides the main thrust giving out 360HP with the electric motor - or motors (details are sketchy!) taking total output to 408BHP. Giugiaro claims a 5.8sec 0-60MPH dash, and 154g/km carbon emissions. At the rear a small rising spoiler which activates at high speeds helps increase stability.
	Glass area has been given significant prominence in the Brivido, extending to the large gull-wing doors, which offer both front and rear seat access. Door mirrors have been replaced by a pair of cameras that are deployed from the side of the bodywork when activated and transmit their images to monitors on either side of the steering column. A neat - though not entirely exclusive solution. Although this is a fully working prototype, production details are vague at the moment - but maybe - just maybe.......!

WAVE - Wireless electric vehicle charging

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 17:58:00 +0000

Pads placed in the road could provide a solution to the 'elephant-in-the-room' problem currently afflicting electric vehicles.

Induction pads which allow the transfer of electrical energy are being tested on buses by engineers in the Netherlands and the US and by spring 2013, Milton Keynes in the UK.

Besides the obvious benefits, lighter vehicle weight from needing fewer heavy and cumbersome batteries, is a real boost to performance.

Here's how Proov of the Netherlands describe their system...............

" The solution of Proov with induction charging locations ensures that the buses never come to be without power all day and used for scheduling. The recharge can also be saved on the purchase of expensive batteries in the bus and the batteries last longer. We call it "unplugged e-mobility '

Other advantages of unplugged e-mobility are:

· Ease (no cables)

· Security (no cables on the road, no contact with electricity) · high energy efficiency · Possibility of opportunity charging (when an opportunity arises)

How does induction charging work?

The bus arrives at the electrical box. There is situated a steel plate (the induction loop) in the ground. The communication on the bus indicates the electrical box through the bus above the steel plate. At that time, the current to the electrical box steel plate in the ground.The bus is also a steel plate (induction adapter). This would drain at the time when the bus is stopped to the ground. The plate in the bush and the plate in the ground up to each other.Because of the flow of the electrical box to the plate in the ground, it creates a magnetic field. This is passed on to the plate in the bus. And in the bus, the magnetic field is converted into current for the battery."

Responsible Racing - 700BHP Electric GT car

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:41:00 +0000

The 700BHP 6 speed Electric Quimera GT

Responsible & Racing – it still sounds weird 15 minutes after I've first heard it! These are two words which have seldom been paired, but Quimera are deadly serious about putting together the first all electric World Championship.

Six different classes, including bikes & drift cars will compete in cities across the globe with the hope of pushing the pace of technological change and promoting sustainable products and lifestyles.

Javier de Rocafort's Quimera company, based in Barcelona, have delevoped a 700 Brake horsepower GT car fitted with a six speed sequential Hewland gearbox which, on the face of it, would seem to be a rather sticky dollop of excess as its electric motor produces a massive 1100nm of torque! (almost double the Dodge Viper's lusty V10) However it appears that the addition of a gearbox brings another dimension to the electric car experience, the familiarity and control of a well-timed downshift, using the braking effect of the motor perhaps? Or just the ability to pull off some pretty effortless donuts??! Mr de Rocafort isn't expanding on this just yet...

The Quimera isn't the only car being readied for 'production' however, Ross Brawn has designed an F3 style car – called Formula EC – which has spent two and half years in development with the Segula Automotive team, better known for their involvement with the electric Andros Trophy cars. The Formula EC's aim has been to give Formula 3 equivalent performance with electric propulsion and the series was already scheduled to kick-off in 2014 before Responsible Racing came along. In addition, the spectacle will be enhanced further by the TTXGP bikes which have been around since their inaugural race at the Isle of Man TT in 2009, and which, earlier this year, lapped the TT course at an average of just over 104 MPH in the hands of TT winner Michael Rutter - to give some perspective the lap record for the 37.75mile mountain course stands at 131.578 MPH.

The series line-up being proposed by Quimera will include classes for:

GT Cars – approx 700BHP
Touring Cars - approx 400BHP
F1 Style cars - approx 500BHP
F3 Style cars - approx 285BHP
Le-mans style - approx 520BHP
Drift Cars - approx 220BHP
Motorcycles

It's anticipated that the series will be toured around the worlds city centres, Rio and Monaco, just two of the big names being speculated upon, all racing will take place on one day, and it's hoped a start date sometime in 2014 - which just happens to coincide with the biggest shake up in Formula-one's rules, arguably since the last turbo era of the late 70's/early 80's. And although one particular rule change has been delayed – the regs initially required F1 cars run 'electric-only' in the pitlane at GP's – it marks a step-change in the direction the higher echelons of the sport are taking.

It's a clever idea, putting all these fledgling series together to showcase them on a single day in their natural habitat – city streets – it will show off their strengths, and as anybody involved in Motorsport will tell you, racing DOES improve the breed, pushing technology faster than it's natural pace, which bodes well for the future of Motor-racing in particular and autonomous transportation in general.

So it's come to the point where it has to be said – There's an elephant in the room! Electricity currently needs to be stored in either capacitors or batteries, and neither of these is capable of holding a charge for very long! The proposal for these series is that they will race for 20 minutes then take a pit-stop to change cars, whilst the other car is re-charged. And they are HEAVY.

Is this a serious threat to the mainly petrol-engined Motorsport formula's we all know and love? Maybe it is – I know I'm not on my own when I declare my undying love for the petrol engine – it's various eclectic sounds, smells and complexities are evocative of race-meetings past and present, where the sun shone and a V8 bark made the ground shake beneath one's feet or a throaty four let out it's blood-curdling howl! They sound alive, a beast waiting to be unleashed! Somehow the high-pitched whine of an electric motor (even when coupled with a straight-cut Hewland sequential gearbox) and a smell of overheating hair-dryer just doesn't do it for me........ My feeling is that it will be sometime before the Nissan Leaf is mixing it with the SaxMAX crew, what do you think?

see the full article at Petrol Heaven

Ford Fiesta 1.0 ecoboost - economical & refined!

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Sun, 02 Dec 2012 12:23:00 +0000

Fiesta ST 1.6 ecoboost

The advanced 1 litre 3 cylinder engine first seen in Ford's Focus has now found a home in the latest incarnation of Fiesta and will come in three different specifications - two ecoboost (or turbocharged to you sir!)98 or 123 bhp and one normally aspirated version of 79 bhp. Economy will be around the 65 mpg mark for the more powerful version and should be higher for the less powerful models.

The advanced design of the 1.0 ecoboost engine means extremely light weight and near Motorcycle levels of horsepower and a perfectly reasonable 148 lb ft of torque, remarkable figures from such a relatively small lightweight engine.

Lower weight means that the already class leading Fiesta, introduced in 2008, improves it's handling and poise still further - this car is quiet, refined, good-looking, fun to drive and economical !!

It can't make a cup of tea though - yet! Although the Fiesta does have some trick features up it's sleeve, like the MyKey system, which allows parents to limit the car's top speed to 80 MPH and also the radio volume. Another feature of note is Sync - one of the most advanced systems around for integrating mobile phones, audio and voice control, although this has proved unpopular with Americans, who have had the system for a few years.

All 3 models come in under the 99g/km emission threshold meaning cheap road tax.

If you like your Fiesta to come with a bit more oomph, the ST version 1.6 litre ecoboost (pictured above) is also due out very soon, and should be a little firecracker with 180ps available through the front wheels.

Mercedes Benz Ener-G-Force - Prototype fuel cell off-roader

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 19:19:00 +0000

Jack Boots at the ready .......... this is Mercedes- Benz look into the future to try and see what the iconic and long – lived Mercedes G wagen (Police spec) might look like in 2025.

This Imposing, high-riding beast of a vehicle looks like it is designed to intimidate the citizens of a world descended into mad-max levels of anarchy! Thankfully Mercedes-Benz have designed it to cope with restricted fuel situations by incorporating a suitable futuristic sounding 'Hydro-Tech converter'

Known as the Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force, the model is also being speculated as the brand’s rival to the new Range Rover.

“The Ener-G-Force is the vision of an off-roader that, while reflecting tomorrow’s adventures, also invokes the genes of the Mercedes-Benz off-road icon, the G-Class,” said the appropriately named Gorden Wagener, Director of Design at Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Modern and cool, it could also be a clue about a new beginning for the off-road design idiom of Mercedes-Benz.”

The roof stores recycled water in tanks on the roof which is fed to the incredibly complex and futuristically titled 'hydro-tech converter' This hydro-tech converter is designed to use 'natural and renewable resources' into hydrogen for operating fuel cells . The generated electricity can be kept in storage units located in the side skits. The only emissions will be water, and the Ener-G-Force should have a range of somewhere around 500 miles. Interestingly a 360 degree topography scanner fitted to the roof will adjust suspension and individual wheel output to compensate for the different terrains.

Like the ‘Highway Patrol Vehicle 2025,’ the shape of the civilian Ener-G-Force is modeled after the G-Class, and will tackle the market of those interested in the outdoor lifestyle.

We’ll have more details from the LA Auto Show from the 28^th November 2012.

Citroen Survolt - Electric dream racer

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:09:00 +0000

So sexy it should probably come wrapped in a condom, this little beauty is Citroen's prototype electric racing car - probably not destined for production (insert sad face), and almost certainly far too expensive if by some alcoholic miracle the suits at Citroen did give it the green light for production, the Survolt is one of those 'if only' cars - PLEASE make it Citroen!

Extremely rare in the world of racing, Survolt’s full-electric drivetrain combines dynamic, sporting performance with environmental consideration. Specially developed with compact dimensions and a light-weight frame (1.15 tonnes), Survolt features a tubular chassis, a flat underside with extractor and full carbon bodywork, all combining to make a genuine emissions-free, all-electric racing car.

Propelled by two electric motors with a combined power of 300bhp, Survolt is capable of exceptional performance with a top speed of 260kph (162mph) and a 0-100kph (0-62mph) time of under five seconds. The concept’s twin 140kg lithium-ion batteries each boast a 31kw capacity, which allows Survolt to cover 200km (124 miles).

The Survolt uses technology bought in from Electric racing car manufacturer GreenGT, who are currently working on a super exciting Hydrogen/Electric le-mans racer for 2013

Lotus Evora 414E - Range Extended electric Vehicle

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 07:29:00 +0000

Lotus founder Colin Chapman wouldn't have liked this car - his design philosophy was 'simplify and add lightness' this car is heavier than a standard evora, having to lug around batteries and electric motors in addition to a 47hp 3 cylinder 1.2 litre petrol engine, which acts as a generator with drive to the rear wheels coming only from a pair of electric motors rated at 414 PS

Lotus says about it's new baby:

"The Evora 414E is powered by two electric motor packs driving the rear wheels through its Xtrac transmission with a battery pack that can be charged by the Lotus range extender engine or directly from mains electricity. The Lotus 3 cylinder range extender engine has been design protected to run on either gasoline or renewable bio alcohol fuels (methanol and ethanol). It drives an EVO electric generator which produces electrical energy to either charge the battery pack or power the EVO traction motors directly. In normal driving, the Evora 414E will run purely on electricity stored in the battery pack for up to 30 miles (48 km). With the Lotus range extender and the electric traction motors powering the vehicle through an Xtrac 1092 transmission, the Evora 414E is targeted to produce just 55 g of CO2 / km emissions on the Northern European Driving Cycle (NEDC).
Should the driver require more performance, under hard acceleration, for example, the electricity will come from both the battery storage and the small range extender engine.

-1000 Nm (738 lbft) of Torque
-414 PS (408 hp)
-0-60 mph / 97 km/h in around 4 seconds
-Top speed 130 mph (209 km/h)
-Target emissions of just 55 g CO2 / km (NEDC)

It's all Torque

Now that the car is undergoing testing, what does 1000 Nm in an Evora feel like?
Simon Corbett, Principal Vehicle Dynamics Test and Development Engineer at Lotus Engineering, has been doing the majority of the development testing, over the last few weeks, "The Evora S has 400 Nm of torque which in such a lightweight car is already a healthy figure. But the Evora 414E has two and a half times that amount! The acceleration sensation is almost indescribable, the surge of torque is like an ocean wave!"

The 414E shares a lot of it's technology with the upcoming Infiniti Emerg-e concept although the Lotus will likely be the more hardcore version. It is expected that both vehicles will be in production by 2014. Watch video of the 414E testing below.

Tesla Model S gets Supercharging - Electric Vehicles

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Tesla's model S is designed from the ground up to maximise the advantages of electric vehicle architecture. Model S boasts an ultra-low center of gravity, with a light weight aluminium body engineered for superior handling. And now comes with 'Supercharged' network of Solar carports!

Tesla has created a vehicle that is not only visually stunning, but also extremely efficient (the 85 kWh Model S received a U.S. fuel economy rating of 89MPGe and EPA rated range of 265 miles!). All this AND 0-60mph in around 4.4 seconds!

A distinct lack of an internal combustion engine or transmission tunnel, means that the interior of the Tesla 'S' has more cargo space than any other sedan in its class including a extra trunk under the hood. The car seats five adults plus two children in optional rear-facing child seats. The interior features a 17" in-dash touchscreen giving internet, streaming radio and nav.

Supercharging

The technology at the heart of the Supercharger was developed at Tesla and uses the existing charging technology already fitted to the 85KWh Model S, enabling Tesla to create the Supercharger device at minimal cost. Electricity used by the Supercharger comes from a solar carport system provided by SolarCity, which results in almost zero marginal energy cost after installation. Combining these two factors, Tesla is able to provide Model S owners free long distance travel indefinitely.

Each solar power system is designed to generate more energy from the sun over the course of a year than is consumed by Tesla vehicles using the Supercharger. This results in a slight net positive transfer of sunlight generated power back to the electricity grid. In addition to lowering the cost of electricity, this addresses a commonly held misunderstanding that charging an electric car simply pushes carbon emissions to the power plant. The Supercharger system will always generate more power from sunlight than Model S customers use for driving. By adding even a small solar system at their home, electric car owners can extend this same principle to local city driving too.

The six California locations unveiled today are just the beginning. By next year, we plan to install Superchargers in high traffic corridors across the continental United States, enabling fast, purely electric travel from Vancouver to San Diego, Miami to Montreal and Los Angeles to New York. Tesla will also begin installing Superchargers in Europe and Asia in the second half of 2013.

The Supercharger is substantially more powerful than any charging technology to date, providing almost 100 kilowatts of power to the Model S, with the potential to go as high as 120 kilowatts in the future. This can replenish three hours of driving at 60 mph in about half an hour, which is the convenience inflection point for travelers at a highway rest stop. Most people who begin a road trip at 9:00 a.m. would normally stop by noon to have lunch, refresh and pick up a coffee or soda for the road, all of which takes about 30 minutes.

"Tesla's Supercharger network is a game changer for electric vehicles, providing long distance travel that has a level of convenience equivalent to gasoline cars for all practical purposes. However, by making electric long distance travel at no cost, an impossibility for gasoline cars, Tesla is demonstrating just how fundamentally better electric transport can be," said Elon Musk, Tesla Motors co-founder and CEO. "We are giving Model S the ability to drive almost anywhere for free on pure sunlight."

Watch the video - The future is here......or will be soon!

Exagon Furtive eGT - Electric 2 + 2 Concept Car

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:26:00 +0000

Bonjour Monsieur Bond - your future looks electric

France has a long and rich history of innovative vehicles and although the name might not be familiar Exagon Motors have years of experience designing and racing electric vehicles in the Andros Trophy electric category - A slightly mad ice racing series held in the frozen alps!

Exagon Motors are based at the former French Grand Prix circuit Magny Cours, and this is what they say about the Furtive eGT:

"The Furtive-eGT is no run-of-the-mill GT car. It represents a new approach to grand touring, a new experience on the road, a new sports car driving concept with added comfort. Electric propulsion offers entirely new sensations, in part thanks to immediate torque availability. With a constant torque of 480 Nm from 0 to 5,000 rpm, the Furtive-eGT has a phenomenal capacity for acceleration – 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 s – and can hit 287 km/h on the race track (maximum speed is otherwise limited electronically to 250 km/h). Such high performance is achieved in near-silence, with only the air flow to be heard, heightening the sensations experienced while driving. This is more than just impressive figures, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Furtive-eGT is powered by two latest-generation motors created by Siemens Corporate Technology, each providing an output of 125 kW, i.e. total power equivalent to 340 hp at 5,000 to 10,000 rpm. These are currently the lightest and most compact engines available on the market. They have a liquid cooling system and their efficiency is outstanding.

The lithium-ion batteries manufactured by worldwide specialist Saft are the beating heart of the Furtive-eGT. These state-of-the-art VL 4 batteries provide 150 kWh. They have a life cycle of approximately ten years, can undergo 3,000 charging cycles and are recyclable. Their autonomy is astounding: 197 to 402 km in electric-only mode, depending on usage conditions. An optional range extender brings the autonomy up to 807 km."

Exagon are hoping to offer the Furtive e-GT as a pure electric 2 + 2 and also with a range-extending petrol engine (not for driving the wheels - purely as a battery charging system).

No news as yet on when the Exagon Furtive e-GT will become available, but judging by looks and specification the sooner the better please!

Protoscar LAMPO3 GT - Prototype Electric Supercar

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:25:00 +0000

Presumably it will usually run on Tarmac?

Switzerland's Protoscar concern has designed and built it's third incarnation of Electric supercar - The Lampo (Swiss for Lightning) - is now ready to go into production, and Protoscar are actively looking for partners to help turn this striking prototype into a production reality.

Here's what Protoscar themselves have to say about the Lampo 3 GT:

"After its predecessors LAMPO and LAMPO 2, LAMPO 3

– the third prototype of electric super sports car

developed by Protoscar – will also be exposed at the Geneva Motor Show starting March 8

, 2012. During

the past 3 years, the LAMPO's have been fine-tuned together with the partner company EVTEC. The electric

sports cars have been tested for more than 40.000km on circuits and streets all over Europe. Since the

results are more than promising, LAMPO 3 could now be further developed in a micro series.

With 3 BRUSA-motors outputting 570 HP and 900 Nm of torque, LAMPO 3 is the most powerful full electric

2+2-seater in the world. It also is the first electric vehicle equipped with two different DC fast charging inlets

(CHAdeMO and the new German standard), allowing for “Coffee&Charge” breaks. Dual DC inlet allows to

recharge enough energy for up to 100km additional range within just 10 minutes, with every type of DCcharger

you will find on the highways or at “petrol stations” in the close future. In fact, such DC-charger will

be commercialized and installed on behalf of power utilities and petrol stations very soon in Switzerland and

Europe by a recently established company focusing on charging infrastructure, with a strong connection to

Protoscar: Alpiq E-Mobility AG.

Compared to the prototype LAMPO 3 , important further technical developments have been prepared in order

to meet the needs of the micro series:

 lighter and stiffer chassis has been designed (optimized for production by ThyssenKrupp System

Engineering)

 a new 42 kWh battery pack supplied by Akasol Engineering will be introduced and

 the interior has been designed and will be fully visualized by a virtual animation to be unveiled at the

Geneva Motor Show 2012".

The Lampo will be available in a variety of body styles including a 'soft-top' version. Here at The Efficient Car Guide opinions are divided on it's looks, but that's no bad thing - at least it aint bland!!

Toyota Yaris Hybrid - 80mpg Petrol/Electric Hybrid

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:37:00 +0000

Yaris Hybrid - Tunnel Vision?

After it's unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid is due in UK showrooms this summer.

The yaris has already been available in petrol & diesel varieties and, from June the petrol/electric hybrid arrives. The Yaris Hybrid builds on Toyota's extensive Hybrid history, having sold over 3,000,000 Hybrid vehicles worldwide. This latest generation 'Hybrid Synergy Drive' to use Toyota terminology, is 440lb or 20% lighter than the power pack used in both the Prius and the Auris.

This is achieved with a smaller 1.5 litre VVT-i petrol engine and more compact electric motor coupled to a smaller inverter which in turn is fed by a lighter Nickel/Metal Hydride battery pack situated near the fuel tank under the rear seats. Remarkably cabin space isn't compromised in comparison with the Petrol only or diesel versions of the new Yaris, which just goes to show what a great packaging job Toyota have achieved.

Speaking of the cabin, the changes are minimal: a Prius-style “combimeter” showing energy flowing through the drivetrain, a blue-edged electronic gear lever, Toyota’s touch screen with pale-blue illumination and a couple of extra buttons down near the gear lever for the Eco and Electric Vehicle modes. The Yaris Hybrid also features dual climate control air conditioning, a reverse parking camera and mp3/ipod/telephone connectivity, ABS and stability/traction control.

Claimed Miles Per gallon is 81 (UK, about 67 US), but manufacturers claims are usually achieved in fastidiously prepared laboratory conditions and are rarely achievable in real - life situations, so you'll probably be lucky to achieve 60 MPG (UK)

Providing you don't floor the throttle from the traffic lights - Sebastian Vettel Style - it will whisper away from a standstill using just battery power, and has a total EV range of 1.2 miles. With two motors and all the associated Hybrid gubbins it weighs about 20% more than the basic petrol Yaris, so electric vehicle mode doesn't last long and the petrol engine bursts into life to take over the acceleration duties. Handling is bound to be dulled by the extra weight, but that's not what this car is about, though it's nice to dream of having the best of both worlds!

Power: petrol engine 73bhp, motor 60bhp, battery 26bhp. Total combined: 98bhp
Top speed: 120mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in about 12sec
Fuel economy: From 81mpg
CO2 emissions: 79g/km
VED band: A (£0 Road Tax), london congestion charge exempt
Price: £14,995 (UK)

Kia Rio EcoDynamics - 88 MPG Diesel Supermini

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:44:00 +0000

New Kia on the block

Fuel consumption of 88.3 MPG plus Co2 emissions of 85g/km it's got to be a hybrid? no, I hear you cry (or is there just an echo here!)........Kia's Rio EcoDynamics is just a pretty darn efficient Diesel Supermini., and those emissions stats make it the lowest carbon dioxide producer on the dirty side of a zero emissions electric car.

Here's the magic mix - a brand new three cylinder 1.1 litre twin cam, common rail diesel engine feature's a variable vane turbo and this, blended with longer gearing, low rolling resistance tyres, a roof spoiler, a closed-off front grille, stop-start system and the vitally important ingredient -a low weight of only 1155kg - allow it to return that magnificent 88.3mpg on the official combined cycle.

Of course there has to be sacrifices to produce those amazing figures and that means chucking the air conditioning in the skip – it is available for an extra £800 (and 36kg of lard!), but the economy suffers, with a drop to a still impressive 78.5mpg and 94g/km. A standard six-speed gearbox and oodles of torque (125lb ft to be precise) peaking early at 1500rpm, also helps the little Kia further on a gallon.

Otherwise the ultimate EcoDynamics version is almost the same as the rest of the new Rio range, meaning a car that’s among the biggest in its class, resulting in a spacious cabin, reasonable equipment levels including six airbags and ESP and a style that’s come a long way from Kia's early vehicles. You also get Kia’s desirable seven-year 100,000 mile warranty in with the £11,895 price tag.

So, wind the windows down, let the breeze flow through, who needs Air Conditioning anyway - it's just something else to go wrong!

Renault Zoe - Compact Electric Car

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:09:00 +0000

French Revolution?

Given the current UK government induced panic buying of fossil fuels (Petrol/Diesel), Renault's move towards Zero Emissions vehicles is starting to look like a smart move, particularly with the attractive little Zoe.

Renault could be set to make electric car ownership a viable proposition for the average new car buyer, with an initial UK purchase price of £13,650 inc V.A.T after the government incentive and it's electric rivals costing at least £10,000 more the Zoe looks like a steal! But, as with previous Renault's, there is a Butt (excuse the pun!), this time in the shape of a £70 per month battery leasing cost.

On the face of it, this seems to make the Zoe an unattractive investment, given that you never own the battery pack and presumably when it comes time to re-sell little Zoe, the battery lease will be transferred to the new owner, how this will affect re-sale values is anyone's guess.

However electric car's cost much less to re-charge than conventional cars cost to fuel, so if the battery lease is seen as being instead of monthly re-fuelling, suddenly the Zoe starts to make a little more sense.

So, due in Autumn, the Zoe has an 88HP electric motor, with a claimed range of 125 miles and needing 6 - 9 hours to fully re-charge, though it can be fully re-charged using a rapid charger in 30 minutes.

We here at the Efficient Car Guide will be watching Zoe's birth and growing pains with much interest!

Mitsubishi i-miev - Electric Production Car

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:26:00 +0000

Mitsubishi's 'i' city runabout transforms into the i MiEV for the electric version, and is an acronym for Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle. It retains the 5 door hatchback layout of the petrol engined version. Re-badged by Peugeot as the iOn and by Citroen as the C-Zero.

Powered by a 66HP - 133lb/ft permanent magnet electric motor, spinning at up to 8,000 RPM, the i-MiEV has a single speed transmission which takes it to a maximum speed of around 80MPH. Mitsubishi say the i-MiEV has a range of 93 miles, but as with all electric vehicles this can be affected by driving conditions, having lights on, radio, air-con or poor weather conditions.

The traction battery pack, located below the i-MiEV’s floor, consists of 88 lithium-ion 3.7V/50Ah cells connected in series to deliver 330V/16kWh, and powers the electric motor (via the inverter), air conditioning and cabin heater. Other devices are powered by a conventional 12V auxiliary battery, charged by the traction battery via a DC-DC converter integrated with the on-board charger. Safety features include a cell monitoring device, electrical leakage detector and a very strong protective casing. Regenerative braking is included to help top up the battery when going downhill or braking. A full re-charge should take 7 hours from a household supply.

The i-MiEV has it's heavy battery pack placed low down in the car to aid handling with a low centre of gravity.

In Japan Mitsubishi have taken the unusual step of configuring the i-MiEV to power hosehold electrical goods in an emergency.

Wrightspeed X1 - Prototype Electric Car

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:16:00 +0000

Ian Wright and his Wrightspeed organisation converted an Aerial Atom to electric power to show off their EV technologies, Wrightspeed's usual day-to-day business is producing an advanced Hybrid drive train which retro-fit's to Trucks. Electric Motors and a clever software controlled 2 speed gearbox system allied to micro-turbine generators make for an extremely lightweight and fuel-efficient range extended electric vehicle.

The X1 may not have the company's range-extending capabilities but it does have raw speed on it's side, depending on gearing and configuration the X1 is capable of 0-60 MPH in around 3 seconds and with massive amounts of torque available from virtually a standstill, can out accelerate most conventionally powered vehicles.

Fuel consumption comes in at about 170 MPG-e and depending on gearing it has a top speed around the 100 MPH mark.

Infiniti - Emerg - E - Hybrid Concept sports Coupe

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:16:00 +0000

Infiniti is a Nissan spin-off, much like Lexus is Toyota's luxury and sporting brand. Created as an entirely new brand and launched initially in the U.S in 1989, Infiniti hasn't quite captured european imaginations conceptually un-like Lexus, but with new creations such as Emerg - E and Infiniti's sponsorship of Formula 1 World Champions Red Bull, maybe that's all about to change!

The Emerg-E has been designed using funding from a UK government sponsored initiative to produce clean technology cars, and is the first Infiniti to be designed in Europe.

That the car is striking there can be no doubt, with its mid-engined rear wheel drive layout, it features a Lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors to provide enough thrust to make 0-60MPH possible in just 4 seconds! thanks to over 700lb-ft of Torque being available as soon as you depress the (not-so) loud pedal.

No word on whether the Emerg -E will make it to production (let's hope they change the name if it does!) but we will almost certainly see some of the technology lifted from this sexy beast!

Ford Focus 1.0 Litre eco-boost - Fuel Efficient Petrol Car

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:45:00 +0000

Ford's mid-size Focus Hatchback has been around in Europe since it replaced the Escort in 1998, and arrived in North America during 1999, next month Ford are due to release a radical new power-plant for the Focus.

The 1 Litre eco-boost is a 3 cylinder direct injection turbo-charged engine with variable valve timing and is available in 99 (109g/km) & 123 BHP (114g/km) formats, delivering 58 & 55 MPG respectively, and to top off a very acceptable 125lb/ft of torque available as low as 1400 RPM mean the Focus has lots of grunt low down.

The technical team at Ford have had their futuristic hovering thinking caps on with this little gem of an engine, only a few years ago it would have been unthinkable to put a 1 litre engine in a mid-size saloon, features such as a cam belt which runs in the engine oil and lasts the life of the engine, weight saving has been a key to the efficiency gains of this new engine, which is a full 40KG lighter than the 1.6 diesel, and because that weight would have been over the steering wheels, this makes a big difference in the way the car handles - a win/win.

Company car drivers are also winning as the benefit-in-kind tax will be reduced. The 1.0 Litre eco-boost will be available first in the Hatchback and estate Focus models, later to be rolled out across the full range.

Jaguar C-X75 - Hybrid SuperCar

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:29:00 +0000

Jaguar's C-X75 is set to make it into production, albeit in a less adventurous configuration than the original concept. The radical micro-turbines which were to act as electricity generators, and looked so cool through the rear glass area are to be shelved for now, while development continues, and instead will feature a highly boosted internal combustion engine designed for Formula 1.

An exciting collaboration with the Williams Formula 1 team will draw on the knowledge gained over 35 years of race-car engineering to hone the sleek new Jaguar's aerodynamics and assist in areas such as carbon composite manufacture and hybrid technologies.

This direct technology transfer between elite motorsport and road-going production cars is key to Project C-X75's success. The supercar's chassis will be made of carbon-fibre to create an incredibly lightweight, yet rigidly strong structure.

The C-X75 will incorporate a battery Kinetic Energy Regeneration System (KERS), developed in Formula One and adapted for production vehicles (a similar system is being planned for the Jaguar C-X16 we featured recently). This will make C-X75 a hybrid supercar capable of 50 KM electric only running

The advanced Formula 1 inspired construction techniques, mean Jaguar's latest supercar will be lightweight, yet incredibly strong and rigid.

No word as yet on whether the interesting driving position adjustment system will be kept for production, this idea meant that the seats were firmly fixed in place and the entire dash was moved to the drivers liking.

Jaguar are aiming for a top speed in excess of 200 MPH and 0-60MPH in under 4 seconds steering this beautiful beast towards Hyper-car territory.

Hyundai i-oniq - Series Hybrid Concept Car

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:09:00 +0000

i-oniq flaps a Gull-wing at startled passer-by

Launched this week at the Geneva motor show is the Hyundai i-oniq, a series hybrid or in Fisker language an Electric Vehicle Extended Range (EVER).

Designed at Hyundai's european design centre in Germany, Hyundai describe it as a 'Sports Hatchback' using the company's design philosophy of 'Fluidic Sculpture', whatever that means! Gull-wing doors aside the i-oniq has neat, if restrained, aesthetics with aerodynamics playing their part in the design. The interior looks like it has been stolen from a crash-landed intergalactic space-ship and will turn plenty of heads.

Power is by a 100 HP electric motor driving the wheels, whilst a 1.0 Litre 3 cylinder 60 HP petrol engine is used as generator only to top-up the Lithium-ion battery pack. Pure electric range is in the region of 75 miles, extended to about 400 miles with the generator topping up the battery.

Ironically the i-oniq will probably not make production, but will be used as a showcase and proving ground for Hyundai's technology.

Set phasers to stun

Lincoln MKZ - Hybrid sedan/saloon car

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 09:30:00 +0000

Using the hybrid powertrain from the Fusion was a no brainer for Ford, when it came to manufacturing a Lincoln Hybrid. this means a 156 horsepower, 2.5-liter lean-burning, Atkinson cycle (delayed inlet-valve closing) gasoline/petrol engine coupled with a 106 horsepower AC electric motor. A planetary gear set transmits the blended output to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drives the front

wheels.

A well sorted mid-size luxury sedan/saloon, the most notable difference between the Lincoln and the Ford Fusion is its configurable dash, which gives 4 differing levels of information concerning power split between Electric and gas/petrol engine and grows a virtual plant on the right-hand side of the dash if you drive more economically - lovely though that is, not sure what the actual relevance is!

The MKZ can travel up to 47 miles on electric only and 41 MPG in city driving mode are pretty impressive figures, but the most remarkable thing about the MKZ is that the Hybrid has a starting price exactly the same as the regular Gas/Petrol model.

Mazda Takeri - Fuel Efficient Diesel Concept Car

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 14:14:00 +0000

Mazda Takeri

For many of us a car is that vital tool which takes us to work or to see our families, maybe on holiday. Its a necessity in the modern age, an extension of our legs and let's us speed up the pace of life, travelling distances which would be impossible on foot quickly and effortlessly. So does it matter what a car looks like? should it provoke an emotional response when we cast our eyes upon it or does it just need to get the job done?

Mazda's design inspiration for its 'next generation' cars is 'Kodo - soul of motion' and the idea behind it is to capture the essence of a living creature, like a Cheetah tensing in the moments before it is ready to spring forward, whether you care about the inspiration or not, most people will agree the Takeri is pleasant to behold.

The Takeri uses something Mazda call 'SKYACTIV' technology, which includes Mazda's first regenerative braking system, converting kinetic energy to electricity during deceleration, storing it in capacitors and then using it to power the vehicle's electrical equipment, thus reducing the load on the engine and saving fuel.

Combined with the new 'SKYACTIV-D' diesel engine, Mazda i-stop (stop/start system) , lightweight structure, advanced aerodynamics & regenerative braking should endow the Takeri with extremely good fuel economy together with decent performance.

No figures are available from Mazda or even details of when or if they are going to build it - they seem to have put a lot of detail on this car, and most of the technology is already available, so, on that evidence, it would seem more likely than not that it will be built.

Riley XR3 Hybrid - DIY - 3 Wheel Hybrid Vehicle

noreply@blogger.com (sol invictus) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:56:00 +0000

Your very own DIY future-mobile

When the dust has settled on the post-apocalyptic world and you crawl out from under the up-turned sofa in your cellar, to find your shiny new Porsche Hybrid has sadly not made it intact, bits of twisted metal and remnants of an industrial age strewn across the landscape, remember where you put those plans for the XR3!

This futuristic looking vehicle is the 2 seater XR3 Hybrid, which, as yet, is only available as a set of plans enabling you to build your own. The designer Robert Riley has expressed a desire to go into full production vehicles in time, but for now a DVD explaining the process and techniques required, a good deal of free time and some left over parts are all that is needed, making the XR3 highly customisable.

Driving the 2 front wheels is a Kubota Diesel tractor engine, and you can leave it at that if 125MPG is fine for your needs, or you can opt to make the vehicle a Hybrid and build an electric motor and generator system into the single rear wheel. This makes it an effective 3 wheel drive system. The XR3 can drive 40 miles on electric power alone, through it's plug-in electric ability.

Class: Motorcycle

Manufacturer: XR3 Motors LLC

Propulsion: 23hp Kubota D902 tractor engine; advanced DC 8-inch motor

Top Speed: 80 mph (129 km/h)

Vehicle range: 40 miles on battery; combined 440 miles

Fuel(s): Diesel fuel, electricity

Fuel efficiency: 125 MPG on diesel, 225 MPGe on diesel and electric

Battery system: Optional

Time to full battery recharge: dependant on battery pack

Price: Plans from $100

Production costs: $12,000-$30,000