2010 Prius Plug-in Hybrid Debuts at Frankfurt Motor Show
The 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) Concept vehicle will make its world debut next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Based on the third-generation Prius, the PHV Concept expands Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology, utilizing first generation lithium-ion battery technology and enabling electric operation at higher speeds and longer distances than conventional hybrids. When fully charged, the vehicle is targeted to achieve an electric-only range of approximately 12 miles and will be capable of achieving highway speeds in electric-only mode. For longer distances, the PHV concept reverts to “hybrid mode” and operates like a regular Prius. This ability to utilize all-electric power for short trips or hybrid power for longer drives alleviates the issue of limited cruising range encountered with pure electric vehicles. Read more
BMW the greenest automaker
The SAM Group today published its latest evaluation for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI). For the fifth consecutive year, it rated the BMW Group as the leader in its industry, making it the world’s most sustainable automobile manufacturer. The BMW Group is the only company in the automobile industry to have been listed in this important sustainability index family every year since it was established in 1999.
“We are delighted that the BMW Group is super sector leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index World for the fifth consecutive year.This proves once again that we are well on our way to establishing sustainability as the guiding principle for all our processes. We refined our sustainability strategy in the first half of 2009 – this was the next logical step and another important milestone,” said Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. Read more
Lotus Range Extender Engine Revealed
The Lotus Range Extender – designed specifically for the new breed of highly efficient series hybrid vehicles.
Lotus Engineering, the world-renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus, unveils its Range Extender engine at the 63rd Frankfurt International Motor Show. In a series hybrid vehicle, the Range Extender engine is attached to an electricity generator and provides a highly efficient source of energy to power the electric motor directly or charge the vehicles battery. The battery can also power the electric motor which enables the design of a drivetrain that has low emissions, optimised performance and acceptable range.
The Lotus Range Extender engine features an innovative architecture comprising an aluminium monoblock construction, integrating the cylinder block, cylinder head and exhaust manifold in one casting. This results in reduced engine mass, assembly costs, package size and improved emissions and engine durability.
The three-cylinder 1.2 litre Range Extender engine is optimised between two power generation points, giving 15 kW of electrical power at 1,500 rpm and 35 kW at 3,500 rpm via the integrated electrical generator. Its low mass of 56 kg makes it ideal for the series hybrid drivetrain configurations for which it is designed. The engine uses an optimised two-valve port-fuel injection combustion system to reduce cost and mass and, in line with Lotus Engineering’s extensive research into renewable fuels, can be operated on alcohol-based fuels or gasoline. Read more
The BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept
For decades, BMW has made the reduction of emissions and fuel consumption a key part of its product development strategy, just as enhancements to the dynamic ability of each BMW have been a lasting, sustained brand value. BMW’s EfficientDynamics engineering philosophy – the pursuit of an enhanced, athletic driving experience while simultaneously lowering the consumption and emissions of each vehicle – resulted in the most dramatic drop in fleet consumption of any automaker from 1990 through 2005, according to an Environmental Defense study.
Now, the BMW Vision concept car clearly demonstrates that the EfficientDynamics objectives are fully compatible when applied to a sports car. Conceived as a 2+2-seater with plug-in full-hybrid technology, this unique car combines the performance of a BMW M vehicle with a standard of fuel efficiency and emission management that exceeds even the current levels achieved by the latest small cars. This outstanding result is made possible by the combination of BMW ActiveHybrid components with an extremely economical combustion engine, and outstanding aerodynamic qualities. Read more
Mercedes-Benz Launches B-Class F-CELL
Mercedes-Benz is launching its first series-produced fuel cell car on the road: the new B-Class F-CELL. The environmentally friendly electric car has better a performance similar to than a 2,0-litre petrol car and is fully suited for everyday driving. The zero-emission drive system consumes the equivalent of 3.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres in the NEDC (New European Driving Cicle). Production of the B-Class F-CELL will commence in late 2009 with a small lot. The first of around 200 vehicles will be delivered to customers in Europe and the USA at the beginning of next year.
The new fuel cell vehicle offers everything that people expect from a Mercedes-Benz: High comfort and safety as well as no reduction in interior space and boot capacity. Customers will not have to sacrifice any driving pleasure either, because the electric motor has a peak performance of 100 kW/136 hp and a maximum torque of 290 Nm, which is available from the first rotation. It ensures that the B-Class F-CELL, whose impressive dynamic handling properties are in some cases far better than those of a two-litre petrol car, gets off to an excellent start. Despite these qualities, the zero-emission fuel cell drive consumes the equivalent of only 3.3 litres of diesel fuel per 100 kilometres (NEDC). Thanks to its great range of about 400 kilometres and short refuelling times of around three minutes, the B-Class F-CELL ensures local zero-emission mobility even for long stretches. Read more
Peugeot RCZ HYBrid4 concept
Peugeot – the environmental leader
Results today …
* Pioneer and leader in the field of the Particle Emissions Filter: more than 2.1 million HDi FAP vehicles have been sold
* ‘low emission’ production models available:
o 207 ‘99g’, 107 ‘106g’, 308 Hatchback ‘120g’, 407 ‘129g’ and 3008 ‘130g’
* Numerous vehicles with CO2 emissions of less than 130 g/km
… and tomorrow it’s the turn of the HYbrid4
* Innovative hybrid-diesel technology that capitalises on Peugeot’s recognised expertise in HDi diesel engines and electric vehicles
* Parallel architecture allowing alternate or simultaneous operation of the HDi engine and the electric motor for optimal efficiency in town or on the open road.
* Breakthrough (-35%) in terms of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions based on equivalent performance
* ‘Zero emissions’ mode benefits the environment while running quietly
* Enhanced performance with a potential 200bhp (147kW)
* New features: 4-wheel drive and transverse adaptability ensuring a technical and economic solution
Two concept cars receiving their world première illustrate this strategy: the 3008 HYbrid4 (now CO2 of 99g/km) which preludes the production model (launch due in the spring of 2011) and an experimental RCZ HYbrid4 (CO2 of 95g/km). Read more
BMW ActiveHybrid X6
BMW announced today the production version of the BMW ActiveHybrid X6. The BMW ActiveHybrid X6 will make its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in September and will reach US BMW Centers in fourth-quarter 2009. ActiveHybrid technology provides a glimpse into the future, achieving outstanding driving dynamics with equally impressive efficiency. It melds both of these qualities to offer a truly unique driving experience. The world’s first Sports Activity Coupe with full hybrid drive capitalizes on the options offered by combining the combustion engine with electric motors to create a powertrain with new levels dynamic performance and efficiency.
BMW ActiveHybrid technology offers a significant increase in driving dynamics and at the same time reduces fuel consumption by approximately 20 percent versus a comparable vehicle powered by a combustion engine alone. The result is even greater driving pleasure combined with enhanced fuel economy and CO2 management providing the kind of progress to make the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 a genuine BMW in the hybrid market.
The overall drive system featured in the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 consists of a 400 hp twin-turbocharged V8 gasoline engine and two electric synchronous motors delivering 91 hp and 86 hp, respectively. Maximum system output is 480 hp, and peak torque reaches 575 lb-ft. Read more
As gas prices rise, consumers face increased threat of oil dependency
WASHINGTON (August 11, 2009)— Rising gas prices, combined with the economic downturn are making people more vulnerable to changes in oil prices, according to new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council. The report also shows that many states are taking significant steps to reduce oil dependence through smart clean-transportation policies.
“Especially with today’s economic challenges, Americans face a growing threat from our nation’s dangerous addiction to oil,” said Deron Lovaas, NRDC’s transportation policy director. “This report shows how important it is for states to promote clean energy policies that will reduce our dependence on oil, while also reducing global warming pollution.”
The report, “Fighting Oil Addiction: Ranking States’ Oil Vulnerability and Solutions for Change,” provides a detailed look at how oil prices impact consumers and ways in which smart policies can help break states’ addiction to oil. Read more
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