Category: Electric Car News

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Nissan to Showcase ZEOD RC Electric Race Car at Fuji WEC event

Japanese fans will have the first opportunity to see the Nissan ZEOD RC in action when the car makes its public on-track debut at this year's Fuji Speedway round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Running in pure electric mode, the Nissan ZEOD RC will undertake demonstration runs on October 18, 19 and 20 - all three days of the Japanese round of the WEC. The Fuji demonstration was announced today at the Nissan 360 global media event in California.

The ZEOD RC (Zero Emission On Demand Racing Car) will make its race debut at next year's Le Mans 24 Hour. The global leader in electric vehicles for the road, Nissan will trial variants of new electric drive train technologies as part of its intended future return to LM P1 competition to challenge for overall victory at the world's most prestigious endurance race.

Nissan's two-time Japanese SUPER GT champion Michael Krumm will drive the car at Fuji. Krumm was part of the driver line-up for the Nissan DeltaWing program in 2012 and also finished third in the LM P2 class this year at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Krumm competes for Kondo Racing in the SUPER GT championship in Japan alongside Hironobu Yasuda. In addition to his SUPER GT and Le Mans schedule, Krumm also recently tested a Nissan Altima V8 Supercar in Australia for the factory Nissan team.

"It is certainly going to be a very unique experience to go that fast with electric power - especially since Fuji's main straight is nearly a mile long.

"Fuji Speedway is such an historic venue - it's actually pretty fitting that the ZEOD RC will have its first public runs here because this car certainly has the opportunity to change motorsport history.

"We're only doing a demonstration run but I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of top speed we'll see on the straight."

"To be able to do that at such a great venue like Fuji Speedway, only 90 minutes away from the home of NISMO [Nissan's motorsport arm and a partner in the development of the ZEOD] in Yokohama, was too good to pass up."

The internal-combustion motor that will form part of the ZEOD's powertrain is not due to run in the car until January.

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Japan tests 581 km/h Maglev train [VIDEO]

Japan resumes tests on magnetic levitation train intended to travel at speeds up to 581 kilomeres per hour.

Central Japan Railway Co. (JR Tokai) has began full-scale tests of the world's fastest train, the L0 series Maglev.

After completing test drives at 500 kph on the 42.8-kilometer-long Yama-nashi maglev test line stretching from Uenohara to Fuefuki in Yamanashi Prefecture to check such factors as durability, JR Tokai plans to start commercial operations between Tokyo and Nagoya in 2027.

Following a departure ceremony, Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Minister Akihiro Ota and JR Tokai chairman Yoshiyuki Kasai went for a 505 kph ride on the train.

“We were able to speak normally inside the maglev train [thanks to reduced noise levels]. I’m convinced this is world-class technology,” Ota said.

Testing will take place until fiscal 2016, during which time JR Tokai plans to switch to testing a 12-car train, which will be used on the commercial run.

The link is to be stretched west to Osaka by 2045.

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Land Rover Evoque_e project announced

Jaguar Land Rover has announced its leadership of an advanced powertrain research and development programme for state-of-the-art, next-generation hybrid and battery-electric powertrain technologies based on the Range Rover Evoque platform.

‘Evoque_e’ is a two-year £16.3m UK government Technology Strategy Board project. Jaguar Land Rover will contribute £4m to the project and will lead a consortium of 12 selected partners – eight from industry and three universities.

The partners include Zytek Automotive, GKN Driveline, Motor Design Limited, AVL, Drive System Design, Williams Advanced Engineering, Delta Motorsport, Tata Steel, Bristol University, Cranfield University and Newcastle University.

Starting in October 2013, the unique collaboration will design, develop and build three research vehicles showcasing state-of-the-art, next-generation powertrain concepts for a mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV); a Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) and a full Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).

Peter Richings, Jaguar Land Rover Director Hybrids and Electrification,said: “The aim of the project is to develop technology platforms which are configurable and compatible within the architecture of an existing production vehicle. The modular technologies include single and multi-speed axle drives; modular battery packs and integrated power electronics, multi-machine, advanced control development and torque vectoring.

“The research teams will look at how the speed of the electric motor can be increased, to reduce its size, weight and cost while enhancing performance and durability. We will also look at the use of alternative materials to both reduce the use of rare earth materials and for systems optimisation.

“The outcome of the Evoque_e project will be new technologies with the potential for high volume production that are capable of delivering benchmark performance in terms of cost, weight and ustainable use of materials.”

As Britain’s biggest investor in automotive research and development, and the biggest investor in manufacturing R&D, Jaguar Land Rover is spending £2.75 billion in the year to March 2014 on product creation. Jaguar Land Rover showcased a number of the other collaborative research projects it is leading at the LCV 2013 event. These projects include the extreme downsizing of internal combustion engines, efficient management and storage of heat energies and weight reduction of engines through innovative new design concepts.

Commenting on these research projects, Dr Wolfgang Epple, Jaguar Land Rover Director Research and Technology said: “Jaguar Land Rover has ambitious plans for growth. We believe that the success of our global business – and the UK economy – lies in engineering and innovation. Our research programmes bring together some of the best engineering minds in the UK. With Evoque_e, we will build on previous Jaguar Land Rover technology demonstrators and show clearly the breadth of our capability and commitment in advanced powertrain technology.”

Jaguar Land Rover already collaborates with a number of leading universities in the UK on a range of technology and skills projects. More than half of Jaguar Land Rover’s research and advanced engineering team are based at Warwick University’s Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), to work collaboratively on key new technologies including energy storage, weight reduction and digital verification.

Antony Harper, Jaguar Land Rover Head of Research, illustrated the importance of this work and its benefits to the company and the UK economy, saying: “We are keenly aware that not all the clever people work for us and our collaborative research programmes harness the best of UK engineering innovation, to develop new and exciting technologies.

“The development of our business and our continuing investment in R&D has also encouraged inward investment into the UK, with our suppliers creating and funding their own research projects in UK universities. Technology Strategy Board funding allows us to multiply the effect of our investment and nurture UK-based technology investment, in supporting our work to address future needs, wants and legislation around the world.”

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Land Rover Evoque_e project announced

Jaguar Land Rover has announced its leadership of an advanced powertrain research and development programme for state-of-the-art, next-generation hybrid and battery-electric powertrain technologies based on the Range Rover Evoque platform.

‘Evoque_e’ is a two-year £16.3m UK government Technology Strategy Board project. Jaguar Land Rover will contribute £4m to the project and will lead a consortium of 12 selected partners – eight from industry and three universities.

The partners include Zytek Automotive, GKN Driveline, Motor Design Limited, AVL, Drive System Design, Williams Advanced Engineering, Delta Motorsport, Tata Steel, Bristol University, Cranfield University and Newcastle University.

Starting in October 2013, the unique collaboration will design, develop and build three research vehicles showcasing state-of-the-art, next-generation powertrain concepts for a mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV); a Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) and a full Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).

Peter Richings, Jaguar Land Rover Director Hybrids and Electrification,said: “The aim of the project is to develop technology platforms which are configurable and compatible within the architecture of an existing production vehicle. The modular technologies include single and multi-speed axle drives; modular battery packs and integrated power electronics, multi-machine, advanced control development and torque vectoring.

“The research teams will look at how the speed of the electric motor can be increased, to reduce its size, weight and cost while enhancing performance and durability. We will also look at the use of alternative materials to both reduce the use of rare earth materials and for systems optimisation.

“The outcome of the Evoque_e project will be new technologies with the potential for high volume production that are capable of delivering benchmark performance in terms of cost, weight and ustainable use of materials.”

As Britain’s biggest investor in automotive research and development, and the biggest investor in manufacturing R&D, Jaguar Land Rover is spending £2.75 billion in the year to March 2014 on product creation. Jaguar Land Rover showcased a number of the other collaborative research projects it is leading at the LCV 2013 event. These projects include the extreme downsizing of internal combustion engines, efficient management and storage of heat energies and weight reduction of engines through innovative new design concepts.

Commenting on these research projects, Dr Wolfgang Epple, Jaguar Land Rover Director Research and Technology said: “Jaguar Land Rover has ambitious plans for growth. We believe that the success of our global business – and the UK economy – lies in engineering and innovation. Our research programmes bring together some of the best engineering minds in the UK. With Evoque_e, we will build on previous Jaguar Land Rover technology demonstrators and show clearly the breadth of our capability and commitment in advanced powertrain technology.”

Jaguar Land Rover already collaborates with a number of leading universities in the UK on a range of technology and skills projects. More than half of Jaguar Land Rover’s research and advanced engineering team are based at Warwick University’s Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), to work collaboratively on key new technologies including energy storage, weight reduction and digital verification.

Antony Harper, Jaguar Land Rover Head of Research, illustrated the importance of this work and its benefits to the company and the UK economy, saying: “We are keenly aware that not all the clever people work for us and our collaborative research programmes harness the best of UK engineering innovation, to develop new and exciting technologies.

“The development of our business and our continuing investment in R&D has also encouraged inward investment into the UK, with our suppliers creating and funding their own research projects in UK universities. Technology Strategy Board funding allows us to multiply the effect of our investment and nurture UK-based technology investment, in supporting our work to address future needs, wants and legislation around the world.”

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Double Victory for Audi Hybrids at WEC round in Brazil [VIDEO]

Audi has remained unbeaten in the 2013 sports car season to date. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro hybrid sports car has won the fourth of eight rounds in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). In addition, it claimed victory in the 12-hour classic at Sebring in March.

The race weekend in Brazil ended in victory for Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (CH/D/F) ahead of Loïc Duval/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (F/DK/GB). On clinching their success in the São Paulo 6 Hours, the winners reduced the gap to their team colleagues in the drivers’ standings by eight to 22 points.

After a flawless race, the current World Champions celebrated their second WEC win of the season following their success at Spa in May. 38,000 spectators watched Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer in car number ‘1’ cross the finish line at Interlagos with a three-lap advantage over their sister car.

The situation in the standings at the season’s midpoint has thus become more thrilling again after the Le Mans winners Loïc Duval (F), Tom Kristensen (DK) and Allan McNish (GB) had arrived with a 30-point advantage.

The significant gap in the race, though, does not reflect the true performance delivered by car number ‘2.’ In the early phase, Audi factory driver Allan McNish dominated the action. But then the drivers’ trio experienced an unusual streak of misfortune. In a safety car period, Tom Kristensen, after pitting, returned to the track behind a slower GT race car.

The nine-time Le Mans winner, who drove the fastest race lap as well, lost around half a minute because the car in front was not keeping the pace of the pack ahead. Loïc Duval subsequently took over the cockpit and was in the process of starting a recovery when, on lap 142 at the exit of the pit lane, he lost the right rear wheel of his car, which had gotten jammed while being mounted.

Thus, Duval had to complete one lap on three wheels. The resulting two stop-and-go penalties completed the misfortune of the leaders of the standings who thus lost four laps in total.

In the end though, Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich had reason to be pleased with a race weekend that left nothing to be desired. Audi Sport Team Joest, on taking grid positions one and two, setting the fastest race lap and scoring a one-two result, achieved the maximum that was possible and celebrated the first victory in South America.

Only the eagerly awaited battle with Toyota did not take place. The challenger’s only race car had become involved in an accident as early as on lap 25 and, as a result, was forced to retire.

In three weeks from now, Audi Sport is aiming to continue its string of success. On September 22, the WEC will be racing on the circuit at Austin in the US state of Texas for the first time.

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Toyota Yaris Hybrid-R designed for Road or Track

Toyota has transformed the volume-selling Yaris hatch into a dynamic track or road car by injecting it with high-performance engineering and advanced hybrid technology inspired by the company's Le Mans racing program.

The Yaris Hybrid-R, which will make its world premiere at next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, is a showcase of ideas for the future development of hybrid technology to achieve maximum performance and increased driving pleasure.The concept car's hybrid powertrain combines a highly tuned 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo engine and two powerful electric motors to provide total output of 313kW (420hp). The direct-injection turbo, which has been adapted to racing conditions, provides 224kW (300hp) of power and 420Nm of torque to drive the front wheels.

It was specifically developed by Toyota Motorsport GmbH according to FIA (International Automobile Federation) rules for a Global Race Engine to be used in different motorsport disciplines, such as the World Rally Championship and the World Touring Car Championship

At the rear of the Yaris Hybrid-R, each wheel is powered by a 45kW (60hp) electric motor, providing an "intelligent" electric four-wheel drive capability. The motors generate electricity during braking and supplement the petrol engine during acceleration.

As with Toyota's TS030 hybrid Le Mans race car, the energy recovered from braking is stored in a super capacitor. Its high power density and fast charge/discharge speed are perfectly suited to the requirements of sporty driving on a track, which requires brief and immediate bursts of power.

Track and road modes

The Yaris Hybrid-R driver can push a button on the steering wheel to select "road" mode for day-to-day driving or "track" mode for competition."Track" mode makes full use of available performance, with the rear electric motors able to reach a combined maximum power peak of 90kW (120 hp) for up to five seconds.A third 45kW electric motor, located between the engine and the six-gear sequential transmission, can operate as an advanced traction-control system.

At low speeds, or in a curve, when the engine power and torque exceed the grip potential of the front wheels, the motor can convert torque from the petrol engine into electric energy and direct it to the rear wheels.The twin rear electric motors can also enhance handling characteristics during cornering by altering the distribution of torque between the left and right rear wheels, achieving the same effect as an intelligent torque vectoring differential. Depending on the radius of the curve, the system can send more torque to the outside rear wheel, apply more braking force to the inside wheel or even brake and accelerate each wheel independently to promote a better driving line and to limit understeer.

Selecting "road" mode reduces engine output and the amount of energy distributed by the super capacitor. The hybrid system works seamlessly with the 1.6-litre turbo, especially during start-up phase at low rpm when the engine's efficiency is not yet optimum. The super capacitor can release the energy recovered under braking for a maximum duration of 10 seconds, while the total power of the two electric motors is limited to 30kW (40hp). Depending on the state of charge of the battery, the Yaris Hybrid-R can be operated in full electric mode for short distances, especially during parking operations.

The Toyota press conference at the Frankfurt Motor Show will take place in Hall 8, Stand D19, at 12:45pm (20:45pm AEST) on Tuesday 10 September.

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700 Hp Audi Sport Quattro Plug-In Hybrid concept bound for Frankfurt

Quattro is Audi and Audi is quattro – the brand and the technology are indelibly linked. In celebration of the 30th birthday of the Sport quattro, Audi will present its legitimate successor at the 2013 IAA in Frankfurt am Main. The Audi Sport quattro concept show car continues the grand quattro tradition, with a stunning coupe design and plug-in hybrid drive with a system output of 515 kW (700 hp).

quattro is more than just a technology – quattro is a philosophy. The term stands for driving safety and sportiness, technical competence and a dynamic approach to life. Since the debut of the "Ur-quattro" in 1980, Audi has sold more than five million cars with permanent all-wheel drive, far more than any other premium manufacturer worldwide. The strengths of the quattro concept and its successes in racing have been impressively displayed for over three decades now.

One legendary Audi classic is the Sport quattro, which made its debut at the 1983 IAA and was designed as a homologation model for the World Rally Championship. With 225 kW (306 hp) and many technical innovations, it was the supercar of its day. The short wheelbase, which honed the handling, gave the Sport quattro an unmistakable look. The competition car wrote racing history. Walter Röhrl drove it to a convincing victory in the 1987 Pike's Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, U.S.A.

Powerful performance: the plug-in hybrid drive

The plug-in hybrid drive makes the Audi Sport quattro concept a breathtakingly dynamic coupe. System output is 515 kW (700 hp); system torque is 800 Nm (590.05 lb-ft). Power flows through a modified eight-speed tiptronic to the quattro powertrain, which features a sport differential on the rear axle. According to the applicable standard, the show car consumes on average 2.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (94.09 US mpg), a CO2 equivalent of 59 grams per kilometer (94.95 g/mile).

The combustion engine is a four-liter, twin-turbo V8. It produces 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm (516.29 lb-ft) of torque. The cylinder on demand (COD) system, which deactivates four cylinders under part load, and a start-stop system make the sonorous eight-cylinder unit very efficient.

Located between the 4.0 TFSI and the transmission is a disc-shaped electric motor producing 110 kW and 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft). It draws its traction energy from a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery in the rear with a capacity of 14.1 kWh. The show car is charged via an Audi wall box, which uses intelligent charge management to ensure the optimal feed of energy to the lithium-ion battery. The Audi Sport quattro concept can cover up to 50 kilometers (31.07 miles) on electric power alone. An intelligent management system controls the interplay between the two drives as needed, and the driver can choose between various operating modes.

The customer can choose between various characteristics for the Audi Sport quattro concept depending on the operating and driving strategy. A choice of three modes is available. EV mode is for purely electric driving; Hybrid mode for maximum efficiency and Sport mode for maximum performance.

In EV mode, only the electric motor is active. With a peak electric output of 110 kW and 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft) of torque, electric driving both inside and outside the city is possible. An active accelerator indicates the transition to hybrid operation to the driver so that he/she can consciously control the switch between electric and hybrid vehicle.

In Hybrid mode, environmental and route data are used to compute the optimal use of the electric motor and combustion engine for fuel efficiency and implement this via the operating strategy. If navigation is active, the route is optimized for efficiency. This mode also includes the ability to customize the operating strategy. If the driver wants to retain a certain amount of electric range or to drive certain route segments on electric power, they can use the Hold or Charge function to precisely adjust the charge of the battery even without charging from the power grid.

In Sport mode, the operating strategy sets the drive system for maximum power and performance. The electric boost function supports the combustion engine in all driving situations. The energy management system ensures that the battery always has sufficient charge.

When the V8 and the electric motor work together, the Audi Sport quattro concept accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.7 seconds – much like the powerful Audi rally cars once did. Its top speed is 305 km/h (189.52 mph).

The lightweight construction concept also plays a large part in this dynamic performance. The occupant cell combines ultra-high-strength steel panels and cast aluminum structural elements. The doors and fenders are made of aluminum, and the roof, the engine hood and the rear hatch are made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. The result is a curb weight including the battery pack of just 1,850 kilograms (4,078.55 lb).

The show car's chassis is easily able to handle the drive system's power. Handling is as dynamic as it is stable. The front suspension features five control arms per wheel; the rear suspension follows the Audi track-controlled trapezoidal link principle. Tautly tuned springs and dampers connect the Audi Sport quattro concept firmly to the road. The dynamic steering varies its ratio as a function of driving speed. The brake calipers grip large, carbon fiber-ceramic brake discs, and the tire format is 285/30 R 21.