Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'hybrid cars'.
-
Prior to the CATS car-nival on 26-27 Nov 11, Borneo Motors has been advertising heavily on the all new Prius C hatchback. The Prius C is the second spin-off of the Prius family, and combines the features of a Yaris-sized car with a hybrid powertrain. I was looking forward to viewing the actual car at car-nival but was disappointed to see only a pair of live-sized cardboard showing information about the car. I understand from the sales lady that the car is not launched yet but interested buyers can put down a $2000 cash deposit, which is refundable if he decides not to make the purchase ultimately. Some research on the internet reveals that the production version of the baby Prius will be unveiled in the November 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The Prius C measures 3995 mm(L) x 1695 mm(B) x 1445 mm (H). In terms of dimension, it is slightly larger than the VW Polo. According to the sales lady, the launch price of the new hybrid model is expected to be around $110K, according to the current COE level. The damage to the wallet is quite similar to the Polo as well. Power is provided by the combination of a 1.5L VVT-I engine and a high-output motor to generate a total of 100 bhp. This propels the Prius C from 0 to 100km/h in 10.7 sec and returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 27km/L. The century sprint timing is somewhere between the Polo 1.4L and the 1.2TSI Sport. Although the achievability of the claimed fuel efficiency is unknown, what is certain in that the Prius C is a very safe car. It comes fitted with Traction Control, Anti-Lock Braking System and is awarded a 5 star NCAP rating. The baby Prius is stuffed with 7 SRS airbags
-
It is safer to drive a hybrid car, but can be silent killer for pedestrian
SYF77 posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] A study conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), an affiliate of the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), showed that hybrid drivers are 25% less likely to be injured in an accident than drivers of non-hybrid models. HLDI -
At a private event in Los Angeles, Jaguar presented an updated version of the C-X16 Concept that initially debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September 2011. The car, freshly clad in a coat of White Pearl paint, was presented by Jaguar design chief Ian Callum who all but confirmed that a version of the C-X16 would be put into production. A modern take on the phallic proportions of the original E-Type, the car hasn't lost much in translation. It looks like a modern Jaguar yet with slight nods to the past, such as the side-mounted hatch glass, exhaust pipe layout and small circles sticking out of the slit-like taillights. The technical aspects of the car are anything but retro. Power comes from a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with an eight-speed transmission putting out 375 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. This is mated to an electric hybrid motor system that will produce an additional 94 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque. This potent combination produces a total of 469 hp and 505 lb-ft torque and is able to propel the sleek cat from 0 to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds according to Jaguar. Whether the hybrid power system will make it into production is certainly questionable, so are the stunning red leather interior with carbon fiber race seats. The body design looks ready for production though.
-
[extract] Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced that it will participate in the FIA (Federation Internationale de l
-
[extract] BMW has unveiled the brand-new 3-Series codenamed F30. The sixth generation of its compact luxury sedan will be available to markets worldwide from February 11, 2012. The sixth generation BMW sedan has grown considerably compared to its predecessor, measuring 93 mm longer in total length. The increase in dimension promises to address one of the previous model
-
Audi is finally introducing the production version of its A8 hybrid concept, which goes on sale in 2012. Like the concept which was presented at the 2010 Geneva Salon, the greenest version of the A8 will feature a parallel hybrid power train that combines a modified 2.0L turbocharged TFSI gasoline engine delivering 211hp and 350 Nm of torque, with a disc-shaped electric motor that develops 54HP and 210 Nm. The A8 Hybrid goes from standstill to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds with a top speed of 235 km/h. Electric energy is stored in a lithium-ion battery, which weighs 36.7 kilograms and is located in a crash-proof area in the trunk. The car
-
Webber and Vettel go head to head - in an Infiniti this time
ElDiablo posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] They -
Once upon a time, Group B rally cars ruled the earth. Or rallying, that is. This was in the 1980s and these cars were so fast and dangerous that eventually these Group B monsters (like the Lancia Delta S4 and the Audi Quattro S1) were banned. This was quite logical at that point of time as there were horrid accidents that claimed the lives of the drivers and navigators. The cars were built without compromise for speed and this actually made things dangerous for its occupants. Unlike this story which I am about to tell where a Honda Insight Hybrid rally car gets banned for winning rallies over in the UK. This hybrid Honda competed in the Formula 1000 Tarmac Rally Series and was officially requested to withdraw due to complains by rival teams stating that the hybrid rally car has an unfair advantage. It was deemed to have dominated the championship with a 19 point lead by coming in first twice and second once in the first three rounds that had taken place. The Oaktec team running the Honda Insight Hybrid have been requested to withdraw from the Formula 1000 rally series and compete in a higher class to make all these spoil-sports happy. The Honda Insight Hybrid rally car uses a tuned petrol engine as well as an electric motor to give it power and fuel efficiency. The Lancaster based Oaktec team had been developing the car for almost 6 years and the car can achieve 100mpg when driven conservatively. It is also the only rally car that runs on a specially developed CVT gearbox. Never have I heard anyone running an automatic type transmission in rallying. It is usually manual or sequential gearboxes. Anyway, Oaktec had stated that they will comply with the request to participate in a high rally category. Whatever the case, even though I do not actually fancy hybrids, I also do not actually fancy spoil-sports and rally teams that whine about unfair advantage. Now what is the actual advantage given is actually hard to say as the car still came in second, meaning some other normal petrol or diesel powered car came first. As if the other teams in the Formula 1 GP are kicking Red Bull out because Sebastian Vettel for winning nearly every F1 GP race this season. Eventually the world of motorsport will be filled with hybrids and electric cars as the powers that be will request motorsport promote the use of eco-friendly race cars that take into account carbon emissions and other environmental issues. Oh, and one more thing. Aren't the other teams ashamed a wimpy looking hybrid like the Honda Insight with skinny tires and rear wheelarch covers can beat the crap out of normal 1400cc petrol powered rally cars? source:green-car-guide/photo:oaktechybrid
-
[extract] The next popemobile will also be underpinned by a Mercedes-Benz M-Class
-
As Singapore strives to embark on the worldwide 'Green Movement' to reduce CO2 emissions, there have been some shopping centres in Singapore which now offer priority parking for Environmentally Friendlier cars like Hybrids, CNG powered cars, and electric vehicles. This photo was taken from 313's carpark by a Stomper and I personally saw one at The Heeren as well. However the number of lots available to these cars were quite miserable. I believe City Square Mall offers such lots as well but the number of lots are still unclear. I feel that more lots should be opened up for such cars as it acts as a sort of 'reward' for being Green, or even providing cheaper parking prices for such cars. Of course more can be done, even for diesel powered cars which emit lower levels of CO2 can be added to the 'Green' group of vehicles but it will take time. Hopefully the increasing group of people who have chosen to go Green can reap some sort of benefit in the near future other than cheaper road tax and lower petrol costs due to lower fuel consumption. If you have any suggestions please feel free to leave a comment!
-
Yes. A bunch of boffins got together at Toyota and said, "we really need a rollercoaster that's slow and doesn't even carry anyone on it!" What they did is attempt to show how the kinetic energy from braking could be stored as electricity and used for something else in say, an amusement park? In this case, they used the energy stored to power all the lights seen in the video. It looks kind of pointless and it is considering how much effort was taken to rip the Prius apart and rebuild it as a 'rollercoaster' which does 15mph which isnt really 'rollercoaster speeds'. Then again, the idea behind it all is noble; to use the otherwise wasted heat and kinetic energy to power something useful like lights for instance. The idea behind it is great but the final result, not so. I just don't see this happening anywhere else. It will be too expensive and ironically, I feel that the Prius is still more environmentally unfriendly in the long run (as with Rigval's article a few months ago) than say a diesel powered car. All I can say is, nice lights!
-
Jaguar has confirmed that its gorgeous C-X75 supercar concept will be heading into production and should be hitting a road near you by late 2013. The concept car received overwhelming praise since its debut last year at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. The car is jointly developed by Williams Formula 1 team and parent company Tata Motors. Williams in particular will be providing insight gathered from the world of F1 racing, namely, its aerodynamic design capability, efficient powertrain technology and carbon fiber construction expertise. The new eco supercar will be built around a full carbon fiber chassis, which could see the car's final curb weight come in at less than 3,000 pounds. This should ensure not only stunning performance but also stellar fuel economy. The microturbine technology previewed in the original C-X75 concept won
-
[extract] The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released the results of the first ever US crash test evaluations of plug-in electric cars, with two electric vehicles (EVs) earning the highest safety ratings. They are namely the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, which were awarded the top rating of
-
After 13 years of production, Volkswagen has finally revealed the third incarnation of their iconic Beetle, simultaneously launching it at the Shanghai and New York Motor Shows this week. The new Beetle is purported to be larger and more mature than before, as evidence by its size and shape. I'm not sure whether the new Beetle will be able to shed its image as a 'girly' car though. It still looks reasonably cute with its shape, and will no doubt still attract its fair share of feminine drivers. But a friend of mine made an interesting observation as to how Volkswagen can market the Beetle to broaden its appeal. You see, in the 60s, the Beetle and the Microbus were icons for hippie travel. Thousands of these eccentric youths travelled in their Beetles and Microbuses across America in their new age movement. Fast forward to now, in the 21st century, and there is a new wave of 'hippies', in the form of the green movement. If Volkswagen comes up with a green Beetle (painted green for effect), powered by an electric or hybrid powertrain, then it could surely find itself being the new icon for a new generation. What do you think? Makes sense? Or am I just talking nonsense?
