Entries Tagged 'hybrid vehicle' ↓

TOYOTA HINTS AT ITS LOCAL HYBRID FUTURE

Toyota Australia has celebrated winning the right to manufacture a hybrid car in Australia by producing a stylish concept car.

Developed locally by Toyota Style Australia, the HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle) had its world premiere ahead of the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show.

The unveiling of the concept car marks the start of a 12-month countdown to the launch of Australia’s first locally produced hybrid car, based on the best-selling Camry sedan.

Toyota Australia president and chief executive officer Max Yasuda said the concept car was the most important vehicle on the company’s motor show stand.

“The startling paintwork, dramatic lines and sporty appearance of this concept car convey the excitement and passion in our company to produce Australia’s first hybrid car,” Mr Yasuda said.

“The hybrid Camry – which will share some key design features with the HC-CV – will play a key role in bringing the future to the Australian automotive manufacturing sector.

“It is a future that uses less fuel while delivering better performance.”

The hybrid Camry uses a four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a powerful electric motor.

It produces more power than a conventional petrol-engine vehicle while delivering better fuel economy.

Mr Yasuda said many industry commentators were urging carmakers to produce more fuel-efficient cars.

“Toyota is already the only local manufacturer producing a four-cylinder car in this country. We have been building Camry in this country – in Melbourne – for nearly 22 years.

“It’s been Australia’s best-selling medium car for 15 years – and it’s our leading automotive export.

“Toyota also produces the most fuel-efficient Australian-made large six-cylinder sedan, the Aurion, in Melbourne.

Continue reading →

- HONDA MOTOR CO. (TSE:7267) announced Wednesday that by the end of January it had sold more than 300,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide, reaching the milestone less than 10 years after introducing its Insight hybrid domestically in November 1999. The automaker reported that cumulative worldwide sales of hybrid vehicles stood at 300,740 as of January 31.

* In addition to the Insight, it also sells hybrid versions of its Civic and Accord.

* The Civic Hybrid has been the best seller, with sales totaling 255,249 vehicles.

• GM will establish the first lithium-ion battery pack manufacturing facility in the United States operated by a major automaker
• LG Chem has been selected to supply the lithium-ion battery cells for the Chevrolet Volt
• Advanced battery strategy strengthens GM’s capabilities to develop hybrid and electric vehicles
• GM will open a new automotive battery lab – the largest of its kind – in the United States to further strengthen design, development and testing capabilities
• A partnership with the University of Michigan has been established to develop a specialized curriculum for battery engineers

DETROIT – The Chevrolet Volt, an extended-range electric vehicle that delivers up to 40 miles 65km of gasoline- and emissions-free electric driving, will use battery packs manufactured in the United States by General Motors, Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced at the North American International Auto Show.

GM will establish the first lithium-ion battery pack manufacturing facility operated by a major automaker in the United States to produce the Volt’s battery pack system. It consists of lithium-ion cells that are grouped into modules, along with other key battery components.

The plant will be located in Michigan, subject to negotiations with state and local government authorities. Facility preparation will begin in early 2009, with production tooling to be installed mid-year and output starting in 2010.

“The design, development and production of advanced batteries must be a core competency for GM, and we’ve been rapidly building our capability and resources to support this direction,” Wagoner said. “This is a further demonstration of our commitment to the electrification of the automobile and to the Chevrolet Volt – a commitment that now totals more than $1 billion.”

The Volt’s lithium-ion battery cells will be supplied by LG Chem. Compact Power Inc., a subsidiary of LG Chem based in Troy, Mich., will build battery packs for Volt prototype vehicles until GM’s battery facility is operational. A joint engineering contract with Compact Power and LG Chem also has been signed to further expedite the development of the Volt’s lithium-ion battery technology.

GM has been testing battery packs for the Volt, powered by cells from LG Chem, for the past 16 months. These tests – both on the road and in the lab – have provided invaluable insight into lithium-ion battery technology.

“Our selection of LG Chem was based on performance, production readiness, efficiency, durability and LG Chem’s demonstrated track record of exceptional quality,” Wagoner said. “At GM, we believe the technical strengths of LG Chem, combined with our own engineering and manufacturing expertise will help position us as a key player in the development of electrically driven vehicles today and in the future.”

Continue reading →

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that the all-new Insight hybrid vehicle will go on sale in Japan on Friday, February 6, 2009. A five-door, five-passenger compact hatchback starting at an affordable ¥1,890,000*1, the Insight features a lightweight, compact hybrid system that combines exceptional fuel economy with fun-to-drive performance.

Designed to set the standard for compact cars for a new era, the Insight combines outstanding environmental performance with fun, responsive driving and efficient, versatile packaging. The all-new Honda Insight was developed with the goal to provide these attributes in a car that is affordable to more customers.

Offering customers exceptional fuel economy, the Insight features a newly developed hybrid system including a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine and Honda’s proprietary Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). To further support fuel-efficient driving, the Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) as standard equipment on all models.
* The name Insight was chosen to denote that this new vehicle provides “insight” into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers.
*1 Manufacturer’s suggested retail price including consumption tax for the G-type

< Exceptional Environmental Performance >
Featuring a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine and lightweight, compact Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), the Insight hybrid system offers exceptional fuel economy: 26 km/L in JC08 mode and 30 km/L in 10•15 mode.*2
Designed to reduce air flow resistance and enhance fuel efficiency, the aerodynamic body achieves a world-leading coefficient of drag of 0.28.*3
Standard on all models, the new Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) is designed to help drivers further enhance fuel efficiency.

< Efficient, Versatile Packaging>
Packaging features a compact body, low vehicle height and a comfortable interior with superior utility.
The rear cargo area is spacious and easy to use.

< Fun, Comfortable Driving>
In the city and on the highway, the Insight offers fun, relaxed daily driving and a comfortable ride.

< Affordable Pricing >
Cost reduction was achieved through enhanced efficiency of the IMA system and the use of parts shared with other Honda automobiles.
Increased efficiency of production processes was achieved.

*2 G-type and L-type
*3 Five-passenger production automobiles (Honda calculations)

Continue reading →

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., unveiled the all-new 50-mile-per gallon rated third-generation Prius hybrid vehicle today at the 2009 North American International Auto show.

Celebrated as the benchmark for cars of the future, the Prius has delivered superior fuel economy and ultra-low emissions to more than one million owners worldwide for more than 10 years.

The midsize third-generation 2010 Prius will offer even better mileage ratings, enhanced performance, and innovative design features. It will be quieter, roomier, and equipped with advanced standard and available features such as a moonroof with solar panels, four driving modes, Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA) and steering wheel touch controls that display on the instrument panel.

An Eco-Icon

The first-generation Prius entered the market in 1997 as the world’s first mass-produced hybrid. The name Prius, “to go before” in Latin, became symbolic of a car that was launched even before environmental awareness had become a mainstream social issue.

From the beginning, Toyota’s full-hybrid system was developed in-house and has become a driving force behind advanced vehicle technology. The company’s exclusive Hybrid Synergy Drive System was introduced in 2004 on the second-generation Prius. Since then, more than 670,000 have been sold in the U.S.

In designing the new, third-generation Prius, Toyota engineers combined a careful refinement of existing systems with an aggressive measure of new technology necessary for the future of automobiles.

Fuel Economy and Environmental Performance

The new Prius will be built using processes that reduce pollution in every stage of vehicle life, from production and driving, through to disposal.

The third-generation Prius extends its record of continuous improvement in fuel economy. The first-generation Prius, which was rated 41 EPA combined mpg, was replaced by the current model, which is EPA rated at 46 mpg, combined city/highway. Using a combination of technologies, fuel efficiency was increased to an estimated 50 miles per gallon for the new Prius.

A larger and more powerful 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine will power the new Prius. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the larger engine actually helps improve highway mileage. By making more torque, the new engine can run at lower average rpm on the highway. When operating at lower rpm, the new engine uses less fuel. Mileage is especially improved in cold-start conditions and at higher speeds.

Continue reading →

Camry

Camry Hybrid

The 2010 Camry is on display for the first time today at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). As the best-selling passenger car in America for seven years running and 11 of the past 12 years, Camry continues to redefine standards for comfort and performance.

The 2010 Camry and Camry Hybrid scheduled to go on sale in March, have an array of enhancements, inside and out, including exterior styling, performance, safety, audio and convenience features.

Camry also has an upgraded standard powertrain for 2010. A new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) will produce 169 hp for Camry, LE and XLE grades. For sporty performance, SE grade get additional tuning and gets 179 horsepower, 21 more horsepower than the previous four-cylinder engine. The new engine can be combined with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. A powerful 3.5-liter V6 delivering 268 horsepower is also available.

Exterior changes to the gas model Camry include a newly designed grille and front bumper, an enlarged lower intake, larger projector headlamps and restyled tail lamps. The Camry and LE grades feature restyled standard wheel covers. The XLE grade will run on new 16-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, while the SE grade adds new 17-inch sporty alloy wheels.

The Camry Hybrid exterior enhancements will include a unique hybrid grille, a distinct front bumper, a wider lower intake, restyled fog lights and 16-inch alloy wheels.

The Camry Hybrid, equipped with Toyota’s industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive, certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) is just one of a handful of cars that meets this strict standard, producing over 70 percent less smog-forming emissions than the average new car.

Inside, Camry and LE grades are available with an optional audio system equipped with a new USB port for auxiliary music sources, Bluetooth®, integrated satellite radio, single-CD, and MP3 and streaming music capability. Previously an option, all Camry gas models will now be equipped with Vehicle Stability Control with traction control. Auto up/down power windows with jam protection on all four doors is standard equipment. Camry Hybrid adds a newly designed meter cluster and Fraichir, a combination of silk protein and synthetic fiber, cloth seating surfaces that are gentle to the skin.

Camry Hybrid Interior

Pricing for the 2010 Camry will be announced shortly before it goes on sale this March.

The world’s cheapest car, Tata Nano, may also turn out to be world’s cheapest hybrid version as well. Tata Motors intends to offer micro-hybrid version of Tata Nano with micro-hybrid technology that allows the vehicle to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 10 percent.

According to a leading Indian news channel, Bosch shall provide the micro-hybrid technology to Nano also known as Start-Stop System. This system allows the engine to automatically turn off when the vehicle is not moving. This additional technology may cost another Rs. 4000 to Rs. 6000 to the overall cost but this technology is definitely the cheapest hybrid technology most suitable for the world’s cheapest car.

Most of the countries around the world are getting stricter with fuel consumption and emission norms including Europe and the US. This micro-hybrid technology can b deployed to the vehicles at much lower cost than full hybrid systems. The micro-hybrid technology will also be available in diesel and electric variants of Nano.

source:cartraseindia

By George Gao  From:Gasgoo.com

BYD, the upstart Chinese company best-known for making cell-phone batteries, began selling its F3DM hybrid electric car today in the Chinese market. As the country’s first mass-produced electric hybrid vehicle, the car is expected to retail for around 150,000 yuan ($21,200) in China and will make its way to the U.S. in 2010.

After five years of innovation and development, BYD has brought its F3DM electric hybrid technology to maturity. The F3DM model is equipped with the world’s first dual hybrid power system, for the driver to switch between EV and HEV modes. The F3DM is capable of traveling 100km (62 miles) on electric power provided by the battery to meet daily driving needs. In contrast, the dual-mode electric models of GM and Toyota can travel only 25km without recharging.

As China’s first-mass-produced electric hybrid car and BYD’s latest flagship model, the F3DM will be attached with a new blue BYD label specially designed for BYD new-energy cars. The electric hybrid F3DM has been approved for production and sale by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) – the state regulator of China’s auto industry. The Chinese government is encouraging automakers to make clean-energy vehicles.

DM stands for Dual Mode, and refers to the combination of an electric drive system and a hybrid system, BYD Auto explained. The automaker is offering drivers the choice of being able to either refuel the hybrid system or simply plug the vehicle into any 220 volt electrical outlets to recharge the battery for the car’s electric motor.

Today, BYD Auto launched its F3DM electric hybrid car to the Chinese market only, selling it for about 150,000 yuan. The Chinese automaker has said it will export its F3DM to the United States by 2010. The F3DM electric hybrid model is set to make its global debut at the Detroit auto show next month.

BYD are also planning to launch other DM vehicles over the next few years, including SUVs and MPVs which will follow the design of the current F3DM. The company said it will launch an ‘all-electric’ BYD F3 and BYD E6 in 2009.