New Cars: Hybrid Electric

ML 450 Hybrid, the first full hybrid Mercedes for Americans

2009-06-23T23:39:00.000-07:00

And we then?

Mercedes has chosen not lounge in New York to present its ML 450 Hybrid by accident. This model is mainly for the U.S. market, it is also manufactured in this country, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. But mostly the word may not be correct. It would be more appropriate to write exclusively. At this day, the ML 450 hybrid is not intended to be sold in France. And it is not worth the call to go to a dealer french. It was in Stuttgart to claim that we must go. Nothing is sure yet, but the ML 450 hybrid would not be available in Europe.

Which we believe is a big Skandale! The availability of hybrid models is already low, so more European manufacturers do not sell their hybrid models in their own markets, it is never progress. We hope that Mercedes changed its original plan ... This is especially desirable that the ML 450h is the first full-hybrid (as Americans say) by Mercedes. Full-hybrid in the sense that if the S 400 hybrid is already available, and that the architecture of hybridization is very effective is a car that can accelerate only on the strength of its electric motor. What the ML 450 Hybrid can.

The technology that makes this possible is the famous bi-mode, jointly developed with GM and BMW, which was initiated in late 2004. Already used on big Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade (not them, not offered in Europe) and the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango (ditto), this technology is potentially superior to that used by Toyota and Lexus hybrids. Where the Japanese can make a difference however, is in the optimization, the fineness of the electronic management. But a plain reading of the characteristics, the dual-mode seems better.

Thus we can run at slow speed on the power of the electric motor at high speed and high speed through the immediate torque electric motor, but in these 2 cases, this will not necessarily be the same engine power to be used. That is the bi-mode, a mode of low speed operation, and a second high speed. The ML 450 Hybrid has a V6 petrol 279 bhp, the first electric motor of 85 hp and 235 Nm of torque, and a second 82-hp and 260 Nm Depending on need, self forward on the power of these 3 engines operating together, or gasoline engine with an electric motor only, or one electric motor (fuel cut), the recovery of energy lost in braking being with 2 electric concert.

But that's not all, since there are then 4 clutches to send the power of 3 motors to a 4-speed transmission offers fixed, variable and 2 reports. The fixed reports, engineering, offering the advantage of better performance compared to a transmission change, and this is another advantage of a system that seems so promising that it would be really nicht gut that the European clientele can benefit. The NiMH battery weighs 83 kg, and the voltage of 288 V, it has a capacity of 2.4 kWh. An indicator at the center of the dashboard gives its charge level.

Later consumption and CO2 emissions, the ML 450 hybrid has not passed the European approval, but Mercedes says it consumes almost half a ML 550 (388 hp), and even less than a ML 320 CDI (224 hp) on an urban setting. It is excellent for a machine with a combined 340 hp, with torque of 517 Nm However, it consumes more than a Lexus RX450h, but now specifies that the Mercedes has a permanent full drive, while the Lexus is more of a front-wheel drive with electric rear axle when needed. The Mercedes will be more versatile if we leave the beaten track or tow. Rest is needed before you can buy.

The Volvo rechargeable diesel hybrid greener than green

2009-06-23T22:55:00.000-07:00

We first saw a Volvo concept car hybrid rechargeable Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007 (against this), it was constructed on the basis of a model C30. Far removed from the car series, the C30 Recharge Concept prototype Efficiency had 4 motors in the wheels, and it was a series hybrid, where the combustion engine has no mechanical connection with the drive wheels. It only serves to cause a generator, which is probably the architecture of the future, but as it stands, the concept seemed very avant-garde. We had not given him little chance to lead to a series model.

General Motors will be the first manufacturer to mass produce a hybrid car series rechargeable, it will be the Chevrolet Volt in 18 months, but it will not have motor-wheels. The Volt is bold enough ... After this bold attempt, Volvo has returned to a simpler architecture for its new prototype. The C30 Recharge Concept Efficiency will be at least allowed the Volvo engineers to become familiar with electric traction, with style (shown below), since in addition to the engine-wheels or yellow button, the C30 had his prototype generator painted green apple.

The new prototype is much more reasonable, more easily manufactured. It is also sensible because based on the Volvo V70. Because the increased costs of rechargeable hybrid technology will be high, and it will be within reach of the customer of a V70 than a C30. The objective is to market a hybrid rechargeable 2012. The car would be based on a front and a small electric motor would be back in a central position in the transmission tunnel (with the battery housed under the floor of the boot), without connection with the front wheels. It just assumes the presence of an electronic control system of the path to associate the 2 engines.

The car will be at either a front-wheel drive diesel or electric propulsion, or a hybrid 4-wheel drive, and where the Swedes are away is that they also thought of an environmentally friendly production of energy. The diesel engine of the future will be hybrid Volvo ultra clean, but in addition, it will be designed to accept biodiesel synthetic products in renewable electricity as charge the batteries. Indeed Volvo has teamed up with Vattenfall, a producer of electricity supply of green electricity for the project. This means that in all situations, sustainable mobility will be possible thanks to Volvo. The autonomy in electric mode was fixed at 50 km, to be followed in 2012.

Meet the IFR Aspide

2009-06-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Technological and skinned, the IFR Aspide is also a small Spanish original performance. First impressions of a phenomenon.

This is one of the aisles of the show in Stuttgart Dynamic vehicle that impressive IFR Aspide has recently made an appearance. Exposed only car, it had its full place so interesting innovations.

IFR is a small Spanish company of 14 people, first and foremost an engineering company. This Aspide, the fruit of five years of development is a showcase of their skills. But for the happiness of the privileged few, is a showcase available for sale in small series.

First performance for this Aspide, a light aluminum chassis only 80 kg. Then the brakes that adopt a new concept called "Twin Disk Break," based on the use of two discs per wheel for brake quality comparable to ceramic brakes, with a significantly lower cost.

The weight of the car is limited to 700 kg on the sport (2-liter 270 horsepower). The Super Sport is a little heavier with 750 kg, but its 402 horses 2l allows him to compete with the biggest names automobile. A figure to realize that the 100 km / h are achieved in less than 3 seconds.

The Aspide also manages to combine weight reduction and onboard electronics, including multimedia and entertainment. As a formula 1 on a small screen in the center of the steering wheel displays the speed, the report and the engine speed. All buttons were then removed from the carrier through a multi touch screen. Door, lights, or icing, all is order on this screen. It offers other features like a program to analyze the driving circuit and give advice based on the technique of drivers confirmed (passages reports, braking ...). To complete the picture, and Wifi connections Bluetooh can call or access a few web services.

IFR announces first price around 90,000 euros.

XR3, the three-wheeled hybrid kit ...

2009-06-20T12:43:00.000-07:00

The XR3 from Robert Q. Riley Company is a hybrid car with three wheels to the ultra rudimentary technology which also has the distinction of being sold only in kit.

Everyone agrees on the need for change in urban vehicles to curb congestion and pollution of cities. And to develop cleaner vehicles and less bulky, all avenues seem to be exploited even in a car kit. But rest assured, this is not another hoax from Ikea.

This idea comes from Robert Q. Riley Company, an American engineering company which markets the XR3, a three-wheeled hybrid delivered in pieces.

His two-seater was designed by reducing drastically the pounds since it weighs 660 kg. It embeds a small diesel engine of 23 horses supplemented by an electric motor powered by a battery Lithium-ion rechargeable AC. The autonomy in electric mode all is announced at 65 km and consumption mode hybrid is announced is 1.2 liters per 100 km. Cute performances, Robert Q. Riley said that the Company offers XR3 accelerations comparable to an average car (there have been more accurate) and a maximum speed of around 130 km / h.

But back to the peculiarity of this vehicle: the delivery kit. The assembly work has something to fear, especially in the case of a hybrid car deemed more complex than another. Robert Q. Riley Company states that it first addresses people experienced. The hybrid system is then reduced to its simplest expression. No complex management of the two sources of energy like a Toyota Prius, the front wheels are driven by the engine while the rear is connected to the electric motor and the method of propulsion is up to the driver. Commands to enable board then cut manually, as needed, each engine. Do not hold it by the recipe of the hybrid low-cost?

Although the "constructor" is reassuring, stating that the front of the vehicle has shock-absorbing materials, one can wonder about safety on board. Especially when traveling with a pack of lithium-ion batteries, flammable by nature. While some major automotive manufacturers such batteries mounted on their cars, like the Mercedes S400, performing batteries of tests on their reaction to a shock, we imagine that a small manufacturer like Robert Q. Riley Company can not do the same.

Later charge, the bill is really reasonable. The XR3 (or rather his plays) are traded against $ 25,000 or about 17,000 euros and a rise is already under consideration.

His name is Bright, a new manufacturer of electric vehicles was reported.

2009-06-07T21:51:00.000-07:00

It is American, and if it is new, the men of this company are not. They all have extensive experience of hybrid and electric vehicle. Starting with the boss, John E. Waters, who is CEO and president, he had designed the battery pack of the EV1, the electric car that General Motors had produced a few hundred copies at the end of the last century. For its first model, Bright Automotive has chosen to develop a utility, because it was the type of vehicle which would offer the best return on investment. Called Idea (bright idea!), It is a truck as high as wide, 2.01 m long and 5.36 m. It is a rechargeable hybrid vehicle, but the electric range is 48 km (30 miles). This means that for some users, the vehicle will be a pure electric. The strengths of the Bright Idea are its lightness and aerodynamics, with a Cx of 0.30, outstanding on the segment of utilities.

There is however necessary to make concessions, they are at the level of load and volume. 900 kg maximum load in a volume of 5.1 m³. This is already good, but very little compared to what allows a Citroën Jumper of the same dimensions. While this Bright Idea will be much more expensive, but it rattrapper by use of its budget. The manufacturer has indeed calculated that for an average usage of 80 km daily consumption is 2.4 l/100 km. No other utility market can not do both, but the small company did not say what would be the consumption of the vehicle on a journey longer. The technical characteristics are not revealed. We assume they are not yet final, because many things can still change the time that the company meet the financing that will allow it to start production. It will not be before 2012.

New hybrid bike "Eneloop" proposed by Sanyo

2009-05-26T22:53:00.000-07:00

It is not just cars that are hybrids, the bike too! The company Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.. released in Japan a bicycle electric bike hybrid called Eneloop. It is a two-wheeler environmentally innovative.

It can produce and maintain its own energy. It is equipped with "Two Wheel Drive providing a more stable and more secure and the new" Power up mode "to move, 30% of the power comes from the legs of the cyclist and 70% by the engine.

This bike generates electricity and charges the lithium battery during use. It has a charging system when braking ("Load Brake System") that allows it to automatically recharge the battery in the descents or when the rider slows . In automatic mode, it fits on all roads: it assists the rider gently on the flat, enhances and intensifies its assistance when the coast is steep and charges in line of descent or deceleration. In all, the cyclist can carry up to 100 km. The monthly output in Japan is 1 000 units. The selling price of 136 TTC is ¥ 290 (approx. € 891). Sanyo has not said when the bike Eneloop will be marketed in Europe. The sooner the better!

Lampo Protoscar & Spider Brusa, 1 or 2 electric motors for Swiss

2009-05-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

We discovered at the Geneva Motor Show a prototype electric sports, the Lampo Protoscar. The car was not totally new since it took over the basis of an Opel GT, but as his body, all its features were original. Lampo the innovation as so formidable by its system to recover the energy lost in braking, but not its engine was not original. It came from the Swiss manufacturer Brusa, and we had the opportunity to make a small tour (in passenger) in a prototype that was used to develop a green spider.

It's a small car! A real toy for which the expression in car mount is out of place, but after seeing the lack of exhaust, we go on with pleasure. In this ultra-lightweight body and with the instant torque of an electric motor, acceleration is kick, and the lack of roof amplifies all the sensations. The Spider is a prototype development, it is not possible to judge the finish or the road, which are those of a car kit, but its electric motor responds frankly to any request for the accelerator and a blast!

The Lampo Protoscar walking 2 times better, since it has not one but 2 engines (one per axle). This is not for performance reasons, but to optimize energy management. It is like the 4x4, for example the BMW X3, which has a transmission with variable distribution of power. It is 40% over the front wheels and 60% on the rear wheels under normal circumstances, but this may vary from 50/50 to 0 / 100 depending on the situation. The Lampo operates a similar system, but not in the power transmission at the level of recovery of energy lost in braking.

The same way that a car has a system of distribution of braking power between front and rear wheels, 2 engines of Lampo enable it to recover more energy with a train than another. All this requires a great deal of mail, but it is precisely the strong point of Protoscar, who also designed a charging system ultra sophisticated, fully customizable and programmable. The car accepts the 220 V, 10, 16 or 32 A. It fits or does what the driver him. You have to think off-peak and peak.

You can program the car it does not assume that during a given hour. This does not seem very relevant in view of the modest price of electricity, but all countries in Europe have already experienced peak electricity consumption. We know there will be times when it will not recharge his car, and who wants to see Protoscar far (he also designed a photovoltaic recharging station), it was necessary to provide this. With 200 kW and 440 Nm of torque, Lampo accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 5 s, and 280 kg of Lithium-Ion battery (capacity of 33.6 kWh) to provide a range of 200 km. We will soon see the roll ...