Subaru will show off its new Hybrid Tourer model in Tokyo. The Hybrid Tourer combines Subaru's traditional boxer engine/all-wheel drive layout with two electric motors. One at the front and one at the back. The concept foresees that the Hybrid Tourer would normally be powered by the boxer engine, with the rear electric motor taking over only at start-up and lower speeds. The front electric motor would kick in as required to boost acceleration and enhance climbing performance. The Hybrid Tourer also features Subaru's new Lineartronic automatic gearbox, which is already available in the newly introduced Legacy.
The Subaru Tourer Hybrid swoopy design, with its gull wing doors, represents quite a departure for Subaru, which traditionally produces cars with a rather simple design. There's quite a strong hint of Alfa Brera in the Hybrid Tourer's waistline and tail, while the radiator grille looks slightly Jaguary, although the overall effect is quite pleasing.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Toyota Planning Supra Hybrid
Toyota is planning on a hybrid version of the Supra. A version of the Toyota Supra Hybrid was seen as early as the 2007 Detroit auto show but it had been shelved. Now it appears to be back in the plans again.
The gas-electric hybrid drivetrain is expected to be a derivative of the 3.5-litre V6 mated to the electric drive system found in the Crown Hybrid, with 400 hp to the rear wheels. The gas only Supra will sport a V6 with the same displacement.
With the worst of the economic downturn behind us and rising oil prices on hand expect more hybrid auto plans that might have been on hold to be gaining revival steam.
The gas-electric hybrid drivetrain is expected to be a derivative of the 3.5-litre V6 mated to the electric drive system found in the Crown Hybrid, with 400 hp to the rear wheels. The gas only Supra will sport a V6 with the same displacement.
With the worst of the economic downturn behind us and rising oil prices on hand expect more hybrid auto plans that might have been on hold to be gaining revival steam.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Honda Fit Hybrid to hit market next year
Honda Motors plans to roll out a gas-electric hybrid version of its Fit subcompact in mid 2010 to tap growing demand for low-emission vehicles. The Honda Fit hybrid will hit the market about a year and a half ahead of schedule as Honda looks to take advantage of receptive marketplace trends.
Amid the devastating global slump in demand for cars, hybrid cars have become a bright spot for the industry with Honda seeing robust demand for their latest models.
Honda spokeswoman Akemi Ando said the automaker has not decided the timing of release, price or sales target for the Honda Fit hybrid.
Amid the devastating global slump in demand for cars, hybrid cars have become a bright spot for the industry with Honda seeing robust demand for their latest models.
Honda spokeswoman Akemi Ando said the automaker has not decided the timing of release, price or sales target for the Honda Fit hybrid.
Friday, May 22, 2009
GM unveils new hybrid engine the HCCI
General Motors unveiled their new homogenous charge compression ignition engine (HCCI) that will eventually be used to power its lineup of hybrid and plug-in vehicles. In the HCCI engine the air and fuel mixture is compressed to ignite rather than using a spark. When combined with other advanced technologies, the HCCI engine provides up to 15% better fuel economy.
"We're not fully set up for plug-in electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles. Until we get the infrastructure in place, we have to have a variety of solutions available. There will be some cities that can accommodate these new technologies, but for the rest of the public, we don't want to leave them stranded," she explained.
"We're not fully set up for plug-in electric vehicles or fuel cell vehicles. Until we get the infrastructure in place, we have to have a variety of solutions available. There will be some cities that can accommodate these new technologies, but for the rest of the public, we don't want to leave them stranded," she explained.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
March Hybrid Car Sales down over 40%
The Green Car Congress reported that US Hybrid Car sales declined by a whopping 44% from a year earlier reflecting lower gasoline prices and the economic downturn in the US. The Toyota Prius suffered a sales decrease of 57% while the Camry Hybrid was off 63%. General Motors reported 1612 hybrid sales during March led by the Tahoe Hybrid.
Sales are expected to improve along with the US economy during the 2nd half of 2009. Oil prices have also been rising lately and with the summer months looking a rise in gasoline prices is also expected.
Sales are expected to improve along with the US economy during the 2nd half of 2009. Oil prices have also been rising lately and with the summer months looking a rise in gasoline prices is also expected.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Ford Fusion Hybrid goes over 1400 miles on a single tank
Ford Motors announced that a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid had broke a world record for a gasoline powered midsized sedan travelling over 1400 miles on a single tank of gas. Of course the driver was trained in hypermiling and mileage maximization techniques. The Ford Fusion Hybrid got 81 mpg on the trip. The average driver like you and I is expected to be able to get around 700 miles to the tank in normal driving conditions.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
China to increase investment in Hybrid vehicles
China aims to become one of the leading producers of hybrid and electric vehicles within the next three years. The goal, which radiates from the very top of the Chinese government, suggests that Detroit’s Big Three, will face even stiffer foreign competition on the next field of automotive technology than they do today.
China is behind the United States, Japan and other countries in making gasoline-powered vehicles, but by skipping the current technology, China hopes to get a jump on the next. Japan is the market leader in hybrids today, which run on both electricity and gasoline, with cars like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. The United States has been a laggard in alternative energy vehicles. GM’s Chevrolet Volt is scheduled to go on sale next year, and will use rechargeable batteries imported from South Korea.
China’s intention, in addition to creating a leading industry that will produce jobs and exports, is to reduce urban pollution and decrease its dependence on imported oil. But electric vehicles may do little to clear China’s smog-darkened skies or curb its rapidly rising emissions of global warming gases. China gets three-fourths of its electricity from coal, which produces more soot and more greenhouse gases than other fuels.
A report by McKinsey & Co last autumn estimated that replacing a gas powered car with a similarly sized electric car in China would reduce greenhouse emissions by only 19%. It would reduce urban pollution, however, by shifting the source of smog from car exhaust pipes to power plants often located outside cities.
China is behind the United States, Japan and other countries in making gasoline-powered vehicles, but by skipping the current technology, China hopes to get a jump on the next. Japan is the market leader in hybrids today, which run on both electricity and gasoline, with cars like the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. The United States has been a laggard in alternative energy vehicles. GM’s Chevrolet Volt is scheduled to go on sale next year, and will use rechargeable batteries imported from South Korea.
China’s intention, in addition to creating a leading industry that will produce jobs and exports, is to reduce urban pollution and decrease its dependence on imported oil. But electric vehicles may do little to clear China’s smog-darkened skies or curb its rapidly rising emissions of global warming gases. China gets three-fourths of its electricity from coal, which produces more soot and more greenhouse gases than other fuels.
A report by McKinsey & Co last autumn estimated that replacing a gas powered car with a similarly sized electric car in China would reduce greenhouse emissions by only 19%. It would reduce urban pollution, however, by shifting the source of smog from car exhaust pipes to power plants often located outside cities.
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