Bmw Hybrid Sports Cars

 

 

German luxury automaker BMW joins the growing list of manufacturers offering gasoline-electric hybrid models with this fall's introduction of the 2010 X6 ActiveHybrid.
The hybrid version of BMW's luxury “sports activity coupe” will be displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September, then will begin arriving at U.S. dealerships in the fourth quarter, the company announced this week.
It's the first BMW to receive a gasoline-electric combination drive system, but as with the high-end hybrids previously rolled out by Japanese rival Lexus, the X6 will use the technology more as a performance enhancer than as a way to boost fuel economy.
The X6 hybrid will come with a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 engine that cranks out 400 horsepower and 450 foot-pounds of torque on its own. It will be assisted by two electric motors, one providing 91 horsepower and the other 86, that, when working with the gasoline engine, will give the X6 a total output of 480 horsepower and 575 foot-pounds of torque.
There is a fuel-economy advantage of about 20 percent over a gasoline-only powertrain with the same performance, BMW says.
It is the first hybrid drive system in a sports activity coupe — the name given to this new genre of vehicle that offers a strange combination of coupelike styling with SUV practicality. It has four passenger doors and a rear hatch that allows for the loading of cargo as in a traditional sport utility vehicle. It's the SUV for people who swore they never would drive an SUV.
BMW says its ActiveHybrid technology “provides a glimpse into the future, achieving outstanding driving dynamics with equally impressive efficiency.”
The X6 “melds both of these qualities to offer a truly unique driving experience,” the company said, and is designed to combine “the combustion engine with electric motors to create a powertrain with new levels of dynamic performance and efficiency.”
Like many of the newer so-called two-mode hybrids, the X6 will be capable of driving on electric power alone for short distances — up to 1.6 miles — at speeds up to 37 mph, the automaker said. Above that speed, the gasoline engine will kick in automatically.
Top speed will be limited electronically to 130 mph, but the X6 hybrid, with help from those electric motors, will be able to go from zero to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds, BMW says.
No EPA ratings have been announced yet; they “will be available closer to the market introduction,” the company said.
Power is transmitted to the drive wheels through a seven-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted manually. The car also will have BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system, designed to send power as necessary to front or rear axles, or a mixture of the two as road conditions warrant.
The electric motors are powered by a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack under the floor of the cargo area, but it does not take space away from the luggage compartment — the hybrid model has the same cargo capacity as the gasoline-only X6.
A reinforced steel casing surrounds the battery pack, which is positioned just above the rear axle to keep it as safe as possible in the event of a collision. The hybrid system's electronic controller constantly monitors the battery pack, and if there is any malfunction or a crash occurs, the computer deactivates the system for safety.
NiMH batteries are the standard now for hybrid vehicles, but most automakers are developing lithium-ion battery packs for their hybrid and pure-electric cars of the near future.
To recharge the battery pack while the vehicle is driving, either or both of the electric motors are spun by the vehicle's motion to convert them into generators when they're not being used to provide acceleration — just as in other hybrids. There is no plug-in option for recharging the X6's batteries from an outside power source.
Regenerative braking — which kicks in when the vehicle is decelerating — is used to recharge the batteries as well.
A continuously variable transmission provides two driving modes — one for stop-and-go driving at lower speeds, and the other for highway speeds.
BMW says that from startup and at low speeds, only one of the electric motors is activated. But when the driver pushes the accelerator harder to boost power and to increase acceleration, the second motor starts the gasoline engine. It also serves as a generator to provide power to the vehicle's accessories.
At highway speeds, the gasoline engine provides most of the power, the company says.
The transmission's three planetary gears and the two electric motors combine to give the vehicle “seven total effective gears,” BMW says, which is why the transmission is referred to as a seven-speed, even though it is a CVT.
The gasoline engine has direct fuel injection and is the same “reverse-flow” V-8 that BMW introduced earlier in the X6 xDrive50i.
It's the “world's first V-8 gasoline engine with two turbochargers in the V-section between the two rows of cylinders,” the company said, and is designed to develop power throughout its speed range.
“The spontaneous and direct response of this engine results from its compact configuration, which allows the shortest exhaust manifolds,” BMW said.
It's a clean-burning engine, meeting U.S. ULEV II standards (ultra low emissions vehicle). Unlike the V-8 in the regular X6, though, this engine has no traditional starter, alternator or drive belts for the air-conditioning compressor or hydraulic power steering and braking. All of that is operated by the electric motors, which is what allows those systems to continue functioning even when the vehicle is running on battery power alone.
The electronic power steering and power braking systems are fully operative when the car is running on battery power, as are all other safety features, including electronic stability control, antilock braking and the air bag systems.
Even the 12-volt components such as lights and entertainment systems get their power from the NiMH battery pack, through use of a step-down transformer.
The vehicle's Dynamic Traction Control is designed to give it “maximum traction and drive power on loose surfaces such as snow or sand,” BMW says.
The car comes with 20-inch light-alloy wheels with an aerodynamic design developed specifically for the hybrid.
Optional are 19-inch light-alloy wheels with all-season tires. Only run-flat tires are provided, which allow the vehicle to continue driving for short distances after a complete loss of air pressure. No spare tire is provided.
No prices have been announced yet for the hybrid, but gasoline-only versions of the four-passenger X6 range from $55,900 for the 300-horsepower, six-cylinder xDrive35i model to $66,650 for the 400-horsepower xDrive50i V-8 version.
Fuel economy estimates for the V-8 gasoline model are 12 mpg city/18 highway, and the six-cylinder is rated at 15 city/20 highway.

2011 Mercedes C-Class Coupe spied

These are the very first spy pictures of the forthcoming Mercedes C-Class coupe, returning to the R&D centre after doing some hot-weather testing in Germany. The C-Class coupe will replace the aging CLC in Mercedes range in 2011. The CLC will be axed once the C-Class coupe goes on sale.

Mercedes approved the C-Class coupe in March while outlining their plans to increase production at the Bremen plant, which will assemble the C-Class saloon, estate, coupe and GLK SUV from 2011.

The C-Class coupe will be the second 2dr based on the current C-Class, but the first to take the ‘C-Class coupe’ name into production. The coupe has been envisaged to replace the CLK, which was discontinued earlier this year after 12 years in production and two model generations. Unlike the E-Class coupe, however, the C-Class version will not be modified and offered in cabriolet guise.

“We did look at an open-top version but in the end the costs were too high given the short model life,” said an insider.

The forthcoming coupe will avoid a sole body-shell and distinct styling that made the CLK a success for a rather upright look that borrows heavily on the profile and detailing of the C-Class sedan.

“We went back and studied what made our coupes so popular in the past. If you look at some of the more successful two-door models Mercedes-Benz has produced, you can see a direct relationship between them and their four-door stablemates,” a source said.

Unlike its sedan & wagon siblings, the coupe will be short-lived. With development of the fourth-generation C-Class already in progress at Mercedes’ R&D centre by Stuttgart, the coupe will be intended to be sold for four years. It will then be replaced with a much more rounded and practical model that will likely draw lines of the CLS and possess a four-door layout.

The newcomer will go on sale in the UK in Spring 2011, alongside the revised C-Class saloon and wagon.

Dodge Rampage Concept

Dodge's Rampage concept seems to have everything that the typical Dodge truck buyer is looking for: massive size, a stylish yet aggressive look and a 5.7 liter HEMI engine. But Dodge says that it designed the Rampage to appeal to those "non-traditional" pick-up buyers.

Huh? This looks like a traditional (albeit very stylized) pick-up. What's so different about it? We'll tell ya...

Traditional truck guys are going to be shocked by this, but this Rampage is basically a truck-shaped car. Not only does the Rampage utilize unibody construction and have an independent rear suspension, it is - gasp - front wheel drive!!

Yes, this brawny and rugged Dodge is a front wheel drive car... er... truck. After reading the concept behind this concept, this drivetrain layout makes sense. You see, Dodge wanted to build a vehicle that possessed the utility of a truck but had the cabin comfort and room of a passenger car. Yeah, we know... that idea basically describes a minivan, but minivans aren't cool -- trucks are, and so Dodge went with the truck theme.

Actually... now that we think about it, this Rampage is a close cousin of the minivan. Take a look at how the doors of this thing open!

In case you couldn't tell from the picture above, the rear door slides backwards -- much like the back door of a minivan. Still, the interior of this Rampage is much cooler than that of most kid haulers. The interior of the Rampage is designed to be "rugged and athletic" (Dodge's words), so it uses a special urethane material for the seating surfaces and has a rubberized floor. Styling touches come courtesy of a raised center console/gauge cluster and exposed metal pieces.

Here's another nod to Dodge's minivan heritage: you know how Dodge touts its trademarked Stow 'n Go seating in its minivan commercials? Well, this Stow 'n Go system finds a home in the Rampage. Not only do the rear seats fold down into the floor, the front passenger seat does as well. You can fit a whole lotta crap in this thing!

Versatility is the key feature of the Rampage, as not only do all passenger seats fold flat to the floor, the "wall" that separates the cabin from the truck bed also folds flat, increasing useable cargo area even more. Not only that, but the rear lift gate can extend and fold down to a 117 degree angle, which transforms the rear gate into a ramp. It's as if this truck/minivan was designed to haul motorcycles or something...

As cool as this concept is, it's only a concept for now. Will Dodge ever build something like this? We doubt it. We don't think people would shell out serious cash for a front wheel drive HEMI-powered truck/minivan/crossover. If Dodge does decide to make one of these, however, we're first in line for the first test drive.

Kia Magentis replacement still nameless; new engine confirmed

Kia’s marketing department has yet to decide on what to call the Magentis replacement, due to debut at the Paris motor show in October.

The nameplate ‘Optima’, which is the U.S name, won’t be used in Europe, so an all-new name is likely. Company insiders were originally debating between ‘K5’, as it’s known in South Korea and ‘Optima’.

Name decision aside, well-placed Kia sources have revealed that a downsized 1.2 litre turbo petrol engine will be one of the engine choices, producing 150bhp.

The newcomer is longer, wider and lower and sits on a longer wheelbase than the Magentis. This has drastically increased both cabin and luggage space. Kia admits that the Magentis will never likely to be a major seller in Europe, but believes the mid-sized saloon segment is one in which it must compete in, as a volume manufacturer. However, the real demand for the car will come from the U.S and South Korea, where its enhanced styling and dynamics should hold appeal for buyers.

The same well-placed source also revealed that an estate version of the car will be built. When asked about this body style, chief designer Peter Schreyer said, “I would love to do station wagon and coupé versions of the car. The station wagon would only really work for Europe but the coupé would work in the U.S.”

When the car arrives in the UK mid-2011, it will arrive with a range of petrol and diesel engines and transmissions. Luxury amenities like heated steering wheel, bi-xenon headlamps, keyless entry and ventilated front & rear seats will unlikely be available in the UK, however, do expect a panoramic glass sunroof, heated front seats with leather interior, 18" alloy wheels, auto-dimming rear-view mirror to be standard on certain grades. Prices will increase to around £20,000 from the current £18,995.

Mitsubishi to share ASX/RVR with PSA

Mitsubishi has reached an agreement to share the ASX/RVR with Peugeot-Citroën.

While details are limited, the Peugeot and Citroën models will be launched in early 2012 in Europe. They will feature unique styling and available in both front an all-wheel drive. The deal has benefits for both companies: PSA gets an already-developed vehicle for a growing market segment, while Mitsubishi benefits from economies of scale resulting from the 100,000 extra cars it expects to make for Citroen and Peugeot each year.

Power will be provided by PSA’s 1.6 HDi diesel engine with 110bhp and 177 lb-ft (240 Nm) of torque. With front-wheel drive, the engine is expected to return 60.1mpg/4.7l km combined while emitting 123g/km.

Mitsubishi's ASX in FWD with the firms all-new 1.8 DiD engine will account for majority of UK sales when it goes on sale 1st July. In the mean while, if you want to win an all-new ASX 1.6.

2011 Nissan Rogue facelift

Nissan has given its compact SUV, the Rogue a mid-cycle facelift. The revised Rogue features new styling changes and equipment upgrades.

Externally, the 2011 Rogue gets a remodelled grille and a more pronounced front bumper, different front and rear spoilers, chrome side door mouldings, new front and rear tyre caps, plus new alloy wheel.

Due to new low rolling resistance tyres and an under-body cover, fuel economy of the same 2.5 litre 170bhp petrol engine, linked to a XTronic CVT, has improved fuel economy by 1mpg for both Highway driving (FWD models) and City (AWD models). The new EPA estimates are 22/28mpg City/Highway for the FWD Rogue and 22/26mpg City/Highway for the AWD model.

For the 2011 model year, the Rogue will be offered in two trim levels, S and SL, along with the special edition Rogue S Krom that comes with a exclusive front grille and rear fascia, centre-exit sport-tuned exhaust and 18” alloy wheels.

GM - Hybrids push up prices for non-hybrid cars, Toyota disagrees

GM vice-chairman, Bob Lutz believes that the high costs involved in building hybrid vehicles is pushing up the price of non-hybrid cars.

'GM will lose money on hybrids,' he said. 'We will continue to build them - and the cost will be spread across other cars.'

Lutz also said he thinks hybrid cars will never make up more than 10% of the U.S market. In the UK, hybrids make up 0.8% of car sales, according to figures from the SMMT. GM will start to sell its first extended-range electric vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt, next year.

Toyota – the biggest maker of hybrids – disagrees with GM's stance on such cars.

A spokesman said: 'We will strive to make a million hybrids a year and as we achieve economies of scale, hybrid prices will come down. Hybrid vehicles are more complex, so there is a premium over non-hybrid vehicles, but we believe the overall cost of ownership, with the lower running costs, outweigh the initial purchase costs over non-hybrid cars.'

2011 electric car incentive details released (UK)

The first details of 2011’s £5k electric car allowance have been released by the Government. Subject to approval from the European Commission, the grant will be available from January 2011 and will fund 25% of the purchase price of a new electric car – up to a maximum of £5,000.

The contribution will be available for fully electric cars, such as the Mitsubishi i-MiEV and the 2011 Nissan Leaf, plug-in electric hybrids such as the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera and hydrogen fuel-cell cars like the Honda FCV.

Anyone wanting to claim the grant, will have to buy a car that meets the following criteria:

• It must be a car – not quad bike-based vehicles such as the G-Wiz.

• Emit a maximum of 75g/km of CO2 if it's a plug-in hybrid

• Have a minimum range of 70 miles as an electric-only vehicle

• Have a minimum battery-powered range of 10 miles if a plug-in hybrid

• Have a three-year or 75,000-mile warranty

• Have a three-year warranty on the battery or a five-year warranty if requested by the customer (presumably at extra cost, although this has not been clarified)

• It must retain ‘a reasonable degree of performance after a three-year period of normal use’. Further definition of this is not given.

As with the scrappage scheme, the discount will be applied at the point of sale, so car buyers won’t have to pay the full amount first and then claim the money back. There is no limit to the number of cars you can buy to receive the cash, and the scheme is open to both private individuals and companies.

A total of £230 million is being put aside by the Government, which is enough for at least 46,000 cars. The scheme will run to 31st March 2014 at the latest and be reviewed after 12 months.

Every manufacturer is looking at electric cars, hybrids and fuel cells, either through in-house development or by collaborating with other companies. Here are some of the cars already here – or in advanced stages of development.

Toyota Prius reaches a milestone (EU)

Toyota is rejoicing in selling its 200,000th Prius hybrid in Europe. The sedan hit the European market back in 2000, with sales reaching 100,000 in 2008. However, with the arrival of the Prius III, and a shift in buying trends towards cars which are apparently as greener, Toyota has sold a further 100,000 units in the last two years. In the U.S, the Prius hybrid has sold in excess of 680,000 units since its launch in 1997.

Over the Prius’ 10 years on sale, many enhancements to its Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain saw fuel consumption drop by more than 23% and CO2 emissions plummet by around 26%. This has been achieved despite power increasing by 30%.

The UK is the Prius’ largest European market with more than 1 in 5 sales in the UK. This year’s sales to date are at 6,579 units, almost equalling the 2009 figure in just six months.

Confirming the Prius’ presence as a mainstream model the world over, Toyota expects global sales to reach 2m by the Autumn of this year.

Toyota Auris will be built in the UK

Toyota has announced that the all-new Toyota Auris will be built in the UK at its vehicle manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire.

Production of the Auris, the new C-Segment hatchback for Toyota, will begin in the new year and will go on sale to customers across Europe from Spring 2007. UK sales will begin from 1st February, 2007.

Designed and built in Europe, Auris demonstrates Toyota’s commitment to its European production operations. The new hatchback will be built alongside the Avensis at Toyota Manufacturing UK and also alongside the Corolla Verso at Toyota’s plant in Adapazari, Turkey.

The European production locations were confirmed today as Auris made its debut at the Bologna Motor Show.

Designed at Toyota’s European Design Development centre, ED2, in the south of France, Auris will join the highly successful Toyota Yaris and Avensis in helping Toyota to achieve its revised European sales target of 1.2 million units per year by 2008.

Hein Van Gerwen, Managing Director, Toyota Manufacturing UK said: “Auris represents a major step forward for the Toyota brand in Europe and is a crucial vehicle in the competitive C-segment.

“The award of this new model is further recognition of the skill and commitment of all our employees. We will now ensure that every Auris customer receives a superior quality vehicle they can be truly proud to own.”

The Rt. Hon Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, welcomed the announcement. He said: "This commitment is excellent news for the workforce and another show of confidence in the British car industry. It shows that the UK is a good place to invest and to manufacture."

Auris embodies the way forward for Toyota in Europe.

Breaking the mould of current C-segment hatchback design, it has an original and distinctive shape that is ‘short and tall’. Short because it maintains an overall length typical to this segment; tall to maximise interior space and passenger comfort.

Auris sets a new standard for interior design: stylish, spacious and sophisticated. The ‘inside-out’ approach to the interior design means the car has been created around the driver to maximise interior space. The styling with unique design elements, such as the bridged centre console, creates a bold and distinctive environment.

The four grade model line-up will appeal to a broad spectrum of customers. From its launch, Auris will offer plenty of choice: three-door or five-door models with a range of engine and transmission options.

Protoscar Lampo Electric Concept Car

Protoscar Lampo Electric Concept Car

The Lampo electric roadster is the latest creation of Swiss design firm Protoscar and it is a preview of the upcoming production due next year.

Lampo features a twin-motor design and an output of 268hp (199kW) and 440Nm of torque. This design allows one motor to power each axle, which provides four-wheel-drive capability. A 32kWh battery gives the vehicle a claimed range of over 120mi (200km) and using a typical 240V and 10-16amp European household power outlet charge times should take no longer than 12 hours.

This may be a little too long for practical use but the Lampo also features an intelligent charging system that lets the user select the key criteria for performance: shortest charging time, maximum charge yield, and the desired total level of charge to be attained in a given time period. In this way, the batteries can be charged very quickly but the driving range will be shortened significantly.

Designed to seat two, the Lampo will accelerate from 0-100km/h in five seconds flat and reach a top speed of 200km/h. It relies on lithium-ion batteries to draw its power, which alone weighs more than 140kg, and under its carbon-fiber composite bodywork is a full tubular steel chassis measuring 4,315mm in length.

Protoscar is a small firm based in Rovio, Switzerland, and employs only 14 staff. The company currently specializes in the design of environmentally-friendly vehicles, and has worked with Daimler, General Motors, Nissan and Rinspeed in the past.

Protoscar Lampo Electric Concept Car