Category: Hybrid

Posted on

2015 BMW i8 by the numbers [VIDEO]

Jason Cammisa of Road & Track brings us the first real world performance numbers of the new BMW i8. One interesting figure that stands out is the 0 to 60 mph which was recorded at 3.8 seconds. You can also read our BMW i8 test drive here.

BMW i8 uses a plug-in hybrid system consisting of a turbocharged three-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine and BMW eDrive technology in the form of an electric drive system.

In the rear of the BMW i8, the B38 three-cylinder engine makes 231 hp and delivers its power solely to the rear wheels. At the front, an electric motor is installed, which is powered by a lithium-ion battery in the middle of the vehicle. The system performance drives up to 362 horsepower.

Posted on

Porsche to Develop Plug-in hybrid Cayenne Coupé

Porsche are planning to expand their Cayenne SUV line-up with a uniquely styled coupé model. Design proposals for the new five-door liftback are described as already being at an advanced phase.

The Cayenne coupé will be positioned as a more sporting alternative to the regular Cayenne with a possible resemblanece to BMW's X6 coupe. It will receive a range of petrol and diesel engines, together with plug-in petrol-electric and diesel-electric hybrid powertrains.

It is one of up to seven new SUVs set to be developed on a new version of the VW Group’s MLB platform currently being engineered by Audi.

Source: Autocar

Posted on

BMW i8 First Drive – CHRIS HARRIS [VIDEO]

Chris Harris takes a trip to Los Angeles to drive the new BMW i8.

Capable of 23 miles all electric before the 3-cylinder turbocharged motor kicks in to recharge the batteries. Harris things the i8 is one of the closest production cars ever seen that looks almost identical to the concept car it's based on.

Posted on

Ferrari LaFerrari 950 hp Hybrid Supercar Test Drive [VIDEO]

The LaFerrari is powered by a 950bhp petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain. It can accelerate from 0-62mph in less than 3sec, from 0-124mph in less than 7sec and from 0-186mph in less than 15sec. Top speed is 220 mph and production is limited to just 499 models.

The battery compartment is integrated into the chassis (the batteries and engine are mid-mounted) to improve stiffness, while the electric drive itself consists of two motors, one with 161bhp to power the rear wheels and another for the ancillaries. The batteries weigh 60kg and can be charged either under braking or via any excess torque produced by the engine, which is diverted from the rear wheels.

This is all attached to a 6,262cc V12 with a screaming 9,250rpm rev limit, driving through a seven-speed paddle-shift gearbox. On its own this engine produces 789bhp and 516lb ft of torque. Combined with the electric motor this swells to the 950bhp headline figure, as well as 664lb ft of torque.

Posted on

BMW i8 testing on the Nürburgring [VIDEO]

In more news on the soon to be launched BMW i8, we've found a short video of the car testing at the Nürburgring. Also, while in Munich recently on business, I personally spotted an i8 test mule in morning peak hour traffic with a young lady at the wheel (I didn't take the pictures as I was driving the rental)

BMW plans to sell the i8 in about 50 countries, with the U.S. expected to be the largest sales market. In Europe, Germany, France and the UK are expected to be the top markets. Deliveries to retail customers in Europe are scheduled to begin in June 2014, and about one month later in the U.S.

Pricing for the 2015 BMW i8 destined for the U.S. market starts at US$135,925. BMW are currently taking orders for the i8 in Japan. Pricing starts at ¥19,170,000 (US$191,500)

Posted on

BMW i8 test drive in China [VIDEO]

According to Bloomberg's Stephen Engle, the ultra high-end electric and hybrid car space is suddenly getting a bit more crowded in China.

Tesla had the first deliveries of the Model S to Chinese customers this week, while BMW will roll out its hybrid i8 super sports car for the China market by the end of the year.

Engle got behind the wheel of BMW's new offering in Beijing.

Posted on

Airbus Developing Hybrid Electric Jet Aircraft

Airbus is learning from automakers as it works on developing a small aircraft powered by hybrid electric engines that could represent its first move into the market for regional jets.

The development of a regional plane, seating between 70 and 90 people, that can take off and land using electric power could take between 15 and 20 years, Airbus Group Chief Technology Officer Jean Botti told reporters in Munich.

Airbus, which with Boeing dominates the market for passenger jets, presently makes planes that seat more than 150 people.

Airbus is already working on an all-electric two-seater plane, powered by two electric motors with a combined output of 60 kilowatts, hoping this technology will serve as a step to bringing electric motors on to larger aircraft.

The two-seater, which Airbus says is suited for short missions such as pilot training and aerobatics, can run on its lithium-ion polymer batteries for half an hour, with the aim to get it up to an hour.

The batteries are tricky, Botti said. "They're causing us a lot of headaches."