Category: Hybrid

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Toyota launches Corolla hybrid models in Japan

Toyota have released a hybrid versions of its flagship Corolla model in Japan on Tuesday now that the cutting-edge vehicles are becoming the main battleground of the Japanese car market.

Until now, the automaker has offered hybrid versions of its more expensive cars, in addition to hybrid-only models. But now a mass-market model is part of the lineup.

hybrid versions of the Corolla Axio sedan and Corolla Fielder station wagon were released in Japan. In addition, there will be a special Corolla Fielder Hybrid G Aerotourer·WxB grade. Monthly sales target for Japan are 1,000 units of the Corolla Axio hybrid and 1,500 units of the Corolla Fielder hybrid.

Both models are powered by a 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine that develops 74 HP (54 kW) and 111 Nm (81 lb-ft) of torque. It is backed up by an electric motor that has a maximum output of 61 HP (45 kW) and 169 Nm (124 lb-ft) of torque. This enables the model to have a combined output of 100 HP (73 kW) and a fuel economy rating of 3.0 L/100km (77.6 mpg US / 93.2 mpg UK) in the JC08 test cycle.

The NiMH hybrid battery is placed under the rear seat for more efficient use of interior space. Rear seat knee space is 640 mm, achieving comfort on par with gasoline-engine vehicles. Luggage space is also comparable to gasoline-engine vehicles, with the Corolla Axio possessing 461 liters and the Corolla Fielder possessing 407 liters when carrying five passengers and 872 liters when carrying two passengers.

Suspension and shock absorber settings were adjusted to accommodate the increased weight and lower center of gravity of the hybrid system. The use of additional sound insulation material and noise-reducing windshield glass further enhances cabin quietness.

Two drive modes come standard: the Eco-Drive Mode that gives highest priority to fuel economy and the EV Drive Mode for using only the electric motor.

Starting price for the Axio Hybrid is ¥1,925,000 (US$19,589); starting price for the Fielder Hybrid is ¥2,085,000 (US$21,217).

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Acura NSX Hybrid Prototype Laps Mid-Ohio Race Circuit [VIDEO]

It's not finished. But it is complete. The Acura NSX concept has moved to prototype and added an essential piece, a driver. The prototype NSX supercar took to the racetrack just prior to the Honda Indy 200 IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

Utilizing a unique 2 Electric Motor DriveUnit with a bilateral torque adjustable control system, the new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering, which Honda anticipates will deliver handling performance unmatched by previous AWD systems.

In addition to the handling benefits of the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system, a powerful next-generation VTEC V-6 engine with direct-injection, works in concert with a dual clutch transmission and a third electric traction motor integrated within the transmission housing, to create supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency.

This Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system will make the NSX the ultimate expression of, "the synergy between man and machine," added Ito. "The NSX will make the driver one with the car to enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way."

Honda (UK) has opened a pre-order bank for the hotly anticipated supercar. For a deposit of £5,000 potential owners can be among the first in the UK to get behind the wheel of the brand new NSX when it hits showrooms in 2015.

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Cadillac ELR Goes Ultrasonic in Pursuit of High Quality

Ultrasonic welding, a high-tech manufacturing process used in the aerospace and medical industries, is helping ensure high quality for the new Cadillac ELR extended-range electric luxury coupe that goes on sale in North America in early 2014.

Ultrasonic welding’s key advantage is exceptional and predictable quality and performance from one battery pack to the next. Every ELR battery, for example, has close to 200 ultrasonic welds. Each is required to meet stringent quality requirements, enabling Cadillac to offer an eight-year/100,000-mile battery system warranty.

Short cycle times, low capital costs and manufacturing flexibility through the use of automation are other advantages of ultrasonic welding.

“Ultrasonic welding is a far superior joining technology in applications where it can be deployed,” said Jay Baron, president and CEO of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich. “Cadillac’s innovative process will produce batteries with superior quality compared with traditional methods – and do it more efficiently. This is one example of technology development that is becoming pervasive in today’s world class vehicles.”

General Motors’ Brownstown Battery Assembly plant near Detroit, uses ultrasonic welding to join metal electrode tabs on ELR’s advanced 16.5-kWh lithium-ion battery system, and does it with a proprietary quality monitoring process. Brownstown uses an automated system to execute millions of these welds each year.

Ultrasonic welding uses specialized tools called an anvil and horn to apply rapid mechanical vibrations to the battery’s copper and aluminum electrodes. This creates heat through friction, resulting in a weld that does not require melting-point temperatures or joining material such as adhesives, soldering or fasteners.

An integrated camera vision system is used to shoot a reference image of the weld area prior to the operation to achieve pinpoint accuracy. Quality operators check electrode tabs before and after welding, and the system monitors dozens of signal processing features during each weld.

The battery-specific welding process is a result of collaboration among General Motors’ Manufacturing Systems Research Lab and Advanced Propulsion Center and the Brownstown plant. GM first applied the process on the award-winning Chevrolet Volt – its groundbreaking extended-range electric vehicle – and further refined it for ELR.

“This effort is an outstanding example of teamwork between research and manufacturing engineering,” said Catherine Clegg, GM vice president of Global Manufacturing Engineering. “It has helped integrate the use of highly technical, complex technology into a sustainable manufacturing process, which means we can consistently deliver high-quality batteries to our customers for the Cadillac ELR.”

The ELR’s T-shaped battery pack is located along the centerline of the vehicle, between the front and rear wheels for optimal weight distribution. The 5.5-foot-long (1.6 m), 435-pound (198 kg) pack supplies energy to an advanced electric drive unit capable of 295 lb-ft of instant torque (400 Nm) to propel the vehicle. Using only the energy stored in the battery, the ELR will deliver a GM-estimated range of about 35 miles (56 km) of pure electric driving, depending on terrain, driving techniques and temperature.

Charging the ELR’s battery can be done with a 120V electrical outlet or a dedicated 240V charging station. The vehicle can be completely recharged in about 4.5 hours using a 240V outlet, depending on the outside temperature.

The Cadillac ELR is built at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, one of the few high-volume electric vehicle manufacturing facilities based in the U.S. Its battery pack is built from cell to pack at Brownstown and shipped to Detroit-Hamtramck for assembly into the vehicle.

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Toyota Hybrid Racing outlines plans for 2013 season

Toyota Racing can confirm its plans for the remainder of the FIA World Endurance Championship season.

The team will split its efforts between the ongoing 2013 WEC season and the development of its 2014 car in order to make best use of the available resources.

As a consequence, the #8 of Anthony Davidson, Sébastien Buemi and Stéphane Sarrazin, which is the lead TS030 HYBRID in the championship, will compete in Sao Paulo (1 September) and Austin (22 September).

Alex Wurz and Nicolas Lapierre will focus on 2014 development with testing and simulation sessions while Kazuki Nakajima will continue the defence of his Super Formula title whilst also racing in Super GT.

A decision regarding the team’s line-up at the remaining WEC rounds will be announced in due course.

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Acura NSX Prototype to Lap Mid-Ohio Prior to Honda Indy 200

Acura today released an image of a prototype NSX supercar, announcing that the running prototype will take to the racetrack just prior to the Honda Indy 200 IndyCar Series race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The NSX prototype with custom graphics will lap the road course in advance of the race on August 4, 2013. The race will be broadcast live by NBC Sports Network starting at 3 p.m. EDT.

Global development of the NSX, slated for launch in 2015, is being led by engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Raymond, Ohio. Additionally, it was announced in May that the next-generation Acura supercar will be produced at the newly established Performance Manufacturing Center in nearby Marysville, Ohio.

The prototype model maintains the styling and proportions of the NSX Concept that debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, while packaging the production vehicle's mid-mounted V-6 engine mated to Acura's innovative new three-motor Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system.

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Next Mitsubishi Evo to be 500 hp hybrid Nissan GT-R rival

The next-gen Mitsubishi Evo will allegedly feature a hybrid setup good enough for about 500 bhp (373 kW).

The standard Lancer will be globally launched sometime next year, while a plug-in hybrid model is already in the works. In addition, Autocar says Mitsubishi executives are also analyzing the prospects of a high-performance gasoline-electric variant with technology derived from the MiEV Evolution II Pikes Peak.

Although it's in an early development stage, the new Evo is expected to offer better all-wheel drive performance than its predecessor, as well lower CO2 emissions and the possibility of running on electric power. If green-lighted for production, the car's styling could be influenced from the 2008 Concept-RA.

Before a new Evo is out, Mitsubishi is planning a Lancer PHEV with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine working together with two 80 bhp (60 kW) electric motors. The setup should enable the car to return at least 150 mpg UK (125 mpg US or 1.8 liters / 100 km) with CO2 emissions of 50 g/km and a 40-mile (64 km) electric range.

Source: autocar.co.uk

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SIX Porsche 918 Hybrid Spyder On the Road in Monaco [VIDEO]

While cruising around Monaco, Youtuber Marchettino stumbled upon a convoy of several Porsche 918 Spyders!

Technical data - 2014 Porsche 918 Spyder

  • Engine: two electric engines and a 4.6L petrol V6 with a total of 875hp / 750nm
  • Performance: 0-100 kph (0-60 mph) sprint in 2.8s and a top speed of 340kph (211 mph)
  • Curb Weight: 1675kg
  • Price: 781.000€ and limited to 918 units
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    Volkswagen XL1 achieves ‘only’ 160 MPG not 314 MPG [VIDEO]

    Volkswagen made big claims about the efficiency of their purpose-built XL1 diesel-hybrid. They claimed the car was good for 314 mpg, which equates to 0.9 l/100km in the Metric system. However, at a recent test drive event organized by VW, a handful of journalists were given the chance to drive the mid-engined XL1.

    The Automobile Magazine representative at the event averaged "only" around 160 mpg or 1.47 l/100km, which is still a hugely impressive figure but not the EU-certified314 mpg originally promised.

    It's not all bad news. Autocar were also at the event and report that on an early test drive, which including crossing a mountain range, the most economical drivers achieved a real 188 mpg and conclude there’s surely potential for 200 mpg on a long motorway run.

    The upshot is that the plug-in hybrid XL1 is probably still the most economical and most aerodynamically efficient production car of all time.