Mitsubishi Showcases Production Version of New Outlander Plug-in Hybrid in Paris

Mitsubishi Showcases Production Version of New Outlander Plug-in Hybrid in Paris

Nearly a year after Mitsubishi unveiled the concept car in Japan, the production version of the new Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV) has been unwrapped at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. ThePHEV will first go on sale in Japan early next year, followed shortlyafter by Europe, North America, and other regions around the world.
Mitsubishisays the new generation of the Outlander was developed from thebeginning to be offered with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
Thesystem incorporates a 2.0-liter petrol engine up front, a 60kW (80Hp)electric motor, inverter and generator located on the left side of theengine compartment, a 12kWh battery pack stored under the floor withinthe wheelbase and a rear 60kW (80Hp) electric motor and generatorlocated under the floor.
The Outlander PHEV can be driven in three different modes using various combinations of the petrol engine and electric motors.
InPure EV mode, the crossover is powered by the front and rear electricmotors alone that offer a driving range of 55km (34 miles), while inSeries Hybrid mode, the gasoline engine operates as a generatorsupplying juice to the electric motors. Finally in Parallel HybridMode, the 2.0-liter unit drives the crossover assisted by the electricmotors whenever required.
Theautomaker says the Outlander PHEV will return an estimated combinedfuel efficiency in excess of 61 km/liter (equal to 143.5 mpg US, 1.64lt/100km and 172 mpg UK) on the Japanese driving cycle, with the use ofthe batteries that can be charged in around 4 hours.

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Posted in: Hybrid,Mitsubishi,Outlander,Paris,Plugin,Production,Showcases,Version

New Ferrari F70 V12 Hybrid Hypercar Through the Eyes of David Williams

No thanks to the extensive efforts of Ferrari's engineers to keep all prototypes of the Enzo's replacement (codenamed F70) safe from prying eyes, there's a lot of speculation about what Maranello's next top model will look like. Independent artist David Williams from Sydney, Australia, whom we first heard about this past June through his Ferrari 365 Turin design concept, took a good look at Ferrari's test cars and put his imagination to work to create his own vision of the F70.
Before we let you check out Williams' well-executed renderings in the gallery below, we'll remind you that the new F70 is slated to debut before the end of the year and go on sale in 2013.
The rear wheel-drive flagship from Maranello will sport a hybrid powerplant linking a mid-mounted 7.3-liter V12 naturally aspirated V12 rated at around 800-horses to a dual-clutch transmission and a pair of electric motors with about 120hp for a total system output in excess of 900 ponies.
Thanks to David Williams and Bruno R. for the shout out!

Design Credits: David Williams

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Posted in: David,Ferrari,Hybrid,Hypercar,Through,Williams

2012 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

The 2012 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid incorporates several of Lotus's new developments.

The car features the latest technology in long-range electric propulsion.

It also uses the very latest technology innovations in electronics to assist the driver and has a totally new roof system and brand new interior design.

Performance

The drivetrain system has been developed in-house by Lotus Engineering. The two engines have been limited to delivering 207hp and 295lb-ft of torque to each wheel. This means the car can deliver different torque levels to each wheel and leads to higher stability without sacrificing response.

Part of the design concept for the Evora 414E Hybrid is to make the transition from standard internal combustion engines to hybrids as seamless as possible. The car is fitted with a simulated paddle shift that allows for lightning-quick gear changes and helps make the car feel like a standard sports car.

When the paddle shift, which is mounted on the steering column, is used to change gears, the synthesized engine sound also changes and modulated torque is used to create the sensation of a gearshift jolt.

Braking

The system also permits simulated engine braking by allowing the driver to downshift, something that is rare in hybrid cars because of the need to use dissipated energy to recharge batteries.

The driver can therefore dictate the braking characteristics, just as in a normal car. Alternatively, this feature can be switched off for reduced driver control leading to a more relaxed driving experience.

Exterior & Interior

Visually, the 2012 Evora 414E Hybrid is very much a Lotus but with a distinctive color scheme. The interior design team has come up with a copper theme for both the exterior and the interior. The theme, inspired by the colors associated with electrical wiring, is used extensively from stripes in the seats to inserts on the instrument panels.

The battery pack can be charged overnight from a standard mains socket, and the car can travel up to 35 miles on battery power only. The standard Lotus Range Extender gas powered engine can also recharge the batteries.

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Posted in: Evora,Hybrid,Lotus

Fisker Atlantic hybrid sedan revealed in NYC

Fisker recently revealed its new Atlantic at the New York auto show, a plug-in hybrid sedan that with its good looks sets a new high for hybrids.

Although Fisker hasn’t been very vocal about all-electric range, cost or an estimated delivery date, for now the car speaks for itself.  It’s a ‘mid-sized sports sedan’, about the size of an Audi A5 Sportback, with a long bonnet that’s slightly uptilted in classic American style, an ultra-short rear deck and hidden rear door handles.

One thing executive chairman Henrik Fisker was very happy to talk about was that the Atlantic is a car that will be built and will go into production. It is “a promise we are going to deliver,” he said.

When it does eventually arrive, the Atlantic is likely to look very similar to the vehicle revealed with Fisker stating in his presentation that the company does not do concepts making reference to the little change seen in the Karma from auto show reveal to showroom.

However, the Karma has received some bad press recently with the first 239 units being recalled in December 2011, and a later unit braking down during a Consumer Report test. So, Fisker would do well to bring out a more reliable car to the market as soon as possible.

With regard to the engine, It’ll also sport Fisker’s second-generation EVer (Electric Vehicle with extended range) powertrain with the official press release stateing that “Its four-cylinder gasoline engine, which acts as a generator and is not mechanically connected to the wheels, is tuned to offer maximum economy and high torque. The standard powertrain will be configured for rear-wheel drive and an all-wheel drive version will be offered as an option.”

Source: Auto Blog 

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Posted in: Atlantic,Fisker,Hybrid,revealed,sedan

Porsche Panamera Plug-in Hybrid

While Porsche‘s first plug-in hybrid will be the exclusive and expensive 918 Spyder due next year the sports car manufacturer will be introducing even more plug-ins in the future.

While a plug-on hybrid version of Porsche’s Cayenne SUV would likely make the most sense as a hybrid with the size to carry a heavy battery and electric motor setup, insiders have revealed that a plug-in hybrid Panamera could be launched in the next two years, ready for 2014.

Speaking to Automotive News, the sources commented that the production of the vehicle will commence in 2014 and is likely to then be sold in the U.S.

The technology will be based on a modular plug-in hybrid setup being developed for the entire Volkswagen Group, with brands such as Audi, Bentley, and Volkswagen all set to benefit as well. Rupert Stadler, Audi CEO has already confirmed that the auto manufacturer has launched plug-in hybrid versions of the A3, A4 and Q7 also for 2014. That’t not all. In addition, sources have revealed that a plug-in version of the next-generation European Passat will be launched in 2015.

The plug-in hybrid setup to be utilized by Porsche, as well as its Volkswagen Group siblings, is likely to be similar to the one currently featured in the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid where both the internal combustion engine and electric drive systems can send power to the wheels directly. As a result, when travelling short distances with low load situations, electronic driving can be used and when the driver requires sports car performance, as one would from a Porsche, an internal combustion engine kicks into gear.

Source: Motor Authority  

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Posted in: Hybrid,Panamera,Plugin,Porsche