BMW Hydrogen 7 - Dual fuel - Petrol/Hydrogen limited production car

"Water is the coal of the future. The energy of tomorrow is water which has been broken down by electrical current. The elements of water thus released - hydrogen and oxygen - will secure the earth's energy supply indefinitely" - Jules Verne 1874.

All seems to have gone quiet on the 'Hydrogen for cars' front recently - well at least as far as the major Automobile manufacturers are concerned - So a little refresher on one of the more exciting developments is in order.

This 7-series BMW is a Bi-fuel car being able to use both petrol and liquid Hydrogen in it's Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). BMW did extensive research starting in the 1970's and culminating with a 12 cylinder test vehicle (which set 9 FIA sanctioned world records for Hydrogen powered cars!) called HR2, before committing to building this vehicle in series production in 2007.

It's  260HP V12 has been re-mapped from the standard petrol engine and configured to work with the Hydrogen fuel. Interesting to note that it produces significantly less power than it's petrol only counterpart, and significantly fewer emissions - in fact when running on Hydrogen it produces virtually zero emissions.

In 2007 the 100 or so produced were loaned to high profile individuals, and, as is the usual fate of this type of vehicle, it will probably be crushed when it is re-called by BMW.

View video of the Hydrogen 7 below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcsRk_gtO2U&feature=BFp&list=PL803B72149F6CF6FD

Suzuki G70 concept - Fuel efficient concept car

First seen at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and called the Regina, this Suzuki was rolled out again at the Geneva Motor Show as the G70 concept.

It's looks will, no doubt, cause some heated debate, the rear end seems influenced by Post-war Citroens, whilst the front has got some sort of angry cartoon face, complete with eyelashes!

Suzuki are billing this as a 'world-car' fitted with an 800cc Turbocharged engine, which will attract tax advantages in some Asian markets, front-wheel drive, stop-start technology, ultra-low weight (730KG) and slippery aero-dynamics help this little Suzuki to attain a very low 70g/km CO2 emissions, hence the name change from Regina to G70.

Video from the motor show can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpr9otHHUps&feature=BFp&list=PL803B72149F6CF6FD

Nissan ESFLOW - Electric concept car

Electric chic

The Nissan ESFLOW concept is a 2 seater electric sports car designed with the cool geek in mind. It sports an aluminium chassis with wraparound composite body. 

Two electric motors powered by a similar Lithium-ion battery set up as the Nissan Leaf give a 0-60 MPH time under 5 seconds and a range of 149 miles. The motors independently control the left and right rear wheels, with Nissan claiming a control mechanism that distributes the torque split between the wheels, maximising traction and stability.

Nissan issued a press release describing the typical ESFLOW customer:

[From Nissan Press Release]

"The Driver

Daniel, an ESFLOW owner, works in tech, but lives for the weekend. On Friday night after work, he gets behind the wheels of his ESFLOW which instantly links with his pocket PDA and determines the fastest route to his girlfriend’s home. Finding street side parking is a synch as the ESFLOW’s compact dimensions allow it to slip into the narrowest of spaces. On Saturday he drives to a popular club to exhibit his DJ skills and his friends are impressed by his cool EV sports car.

On Sunday he drives through the mountains for leisure. ESFLOW’s superb weight distribution and unobstructed view ahead enables him to effortlessly nail every apex, every time. His descent from the mountains is more relaxed and he allows the ESFLOW to overrun on the long sweeping curves, turning the potential energy he and the car gained climbing up the gradients back in to electrical energy he can use once he hits the roads around Barcelona.

As his ESFLOW sips energy in its garage Daniel prepares himself for the week ahead, batteries fully recharged."

VW Golf 6 TDI Bluemotion - Diesel Car

VW Golf 1.6TDI Bluemotion in motion

This 5 door 5 seat diesel hatchback is a little fuel-saving marvel, with stop-start technology (basically a beefed-up computer controlled starter motor!) which cuts the engine at traffic lights etc. and re-starts as soon as you depress the clutch ready to set off again, some aerodynamic tweaks and a 105ps, 185lbs/ft torque 1.6litre turbo diesel engine.

74.3 MPG

99 g/km CO2

With it's exceptionally miserly fuel consumption and a fairly large tank, the Golf Blue motion can go for almost 900 miles without re-fueling! Quiet, refined and practical too, it qualifies for zero road tax in the UK and costs from £18,500 new.  


video review


http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL803B72149F6CF6FD

Porsche 918 Spyder - 78 MPG Plug-in Hybrid Supercar

Porsche's scintillating 918 Spyder

Debuted  as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, and with overwhelming interest shown in it's Hybrid Hyper-car, Porsche have committed to making 918 examples of this marvellous machine, which is rumoured to cost around $845,000. 


Porsche have endowed this beast with massive power, a high-revving mid-mounted 4.0l V8 with 'over' 500 Horsepower, allied to two electric motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear, giving at least 218 Horsepower! This makes the 918 Spyder 4 - wheel drive.


0-60 MPH .............. 3.1 seconds (est)
Top Speed............... 199 MPH (est)
Fuel consumption ....  78 MPG (est)


Scheduled for delivery in 2013, Porsche say the vehicle will be able to do 16 miles on electric alone, with recharging of the liquid-cooled Lithium-ion battery pack taking around 7 hours on a US domestic 110v feed.


Porsche are aiming for sub 7 minutes 30 seconds around the infamous Nurburgring.


Click the link below to see video of the 918 Spyder:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J-vYph6abI&feature=g-playlist&list=PL803B72149F6CF6FD

Fisker Surf - Range extended Plug-in Hybrid Electric

Fisker Surf - at rest

Describing itself as an environmentally responsible American car maker, Fisker is head-quartered in Anaheim, California and has manufacturing plants in Wilmington, Delaware and  Uusikaupunki, Finland.

They already have 'on-sale' the fabulous Karma a  Range extended Electric Vehicle - though that doesn't do this fabulous plug-in sports car any justice - and the new Surf, unveiled to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September, and using the same technology, is set to double the model range when it arrives in 2013.

This is what Fisker have to say about their new creation:

'The new Fisker Surf is the world’s first electric luxury/sports automobile for an active and eco-friendly lifestyle. The Fisker Surf builds on the success of the ground-breaking Karma Electric Vehicle with extended range (EVer™) by adding additional, flexible load-carrying capability, along with a spirited new attitude all its own. Fisker Surf combines performance, luxury, style, utility, and economy with an enduring concern for the sustainable use of resources and respect for our natural environment. As a global company Fisker Automotive will offer the Surf in all its markets around the world for the 2013 model year. The Surf is Fisker’s vision of a crossover between a sport car and a station wagon and shows how Fisker is expanding its Karma platform rapidly with additional models that again create a new market niche.'
“The Surf is a first-of-its-kind eco-friendly lifestyle vehicle that offers space, performance and luxury design for people who live an active, environmentally conscious lifestyle and like to drive beautiful cars,” Henrik Fisker, CEO/Executive Design Director, Fisker Automotive.

The Karma/Surf is driven by 2 electric motors delivering massive instantaneous torque to the rear wheels, via a 20Kwh rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery developed in conjunction with A123 systems Massachusetts. According to Fisker it takes 6 hours to charge using a 220 Volt charging system, but you don't need to wait for that as Fisker have fitted a 2-litre turbocharged gasoline engine/generator combination to provide additional power to the battery or to charge it up on the move. The battery is expected to last for 10 years or 100,000 miles whichever comes first. Additionally Fisker have fitted the worlds largest car-mounted Solar panel on the roof and regenerative braking!
All electric range is 50miles, total range is 300miles, and a 100mpg fuel consumption equivalent plus            0-60MPH in 5.9 seconds in Sport mode and on to 125 MPH top speed. Emissions are a paltry 83g/km.

Wherever possible the company has used sustainable materials, such as wood reclaimed from the bottom of a lake. The Karma is selling from $103,000 and a display model is available for viewing at the exclusive Harrods store in Knightsbridge, London or at one of the 47 state-of-the-art showrooms across the states.Prices aren't yet available for the Surf crossover.

Reva NXR & NXG - Electric Vehicle

Reva NXG  (left) & NXR (right)

The Indian company which manufacturers the Reva-i (or G-Wiz as it is known in the UK) quadracycle, unveiled these two new proposed models at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. The NXG is a sporty 2 seater electric car, with radical looks and an aggresive stance, while the NXR is a 4 seat electric car. 

The NXR is pencilled in for export production this year (2012), with the NXG being manufactured in 2013, both cars feature electric motors and a choice of lead-acid or the more up-to-date lithium-ion battery technology, the latter giving better performance and a longer range. A unique feature will be access to Reva's REVive battery management system. Telematic remote access to the car's on-board Energy Management System allows REVA to analyse a near depleted battery upon request. Their support centre can individually determine the battery condition within seconds and allow access to the remaining charge. This serves as a virtual back-up battery while minimising the risk of damage to the power-pack due to depletion. Full specification is yet to be decided upon, but it's almost certain that they will be cars and not classified as quadracycle's, meaning they will have to pass Euro NCAP tests to be sold in Europe. Top Gear will almost certainly still be blowing them up! 

Reva Electric Car Company (RECC) has also recently completed a state-of-the-art factory in Bangalore India, which, it's claimed, can produce up to 30,000 units per year, making it the largest production plant for battery powered electric vehicles in the world. The entire facility is LEED (leadership in Energy & Environmental design) accredited.  The company also recently concluded a deal with Bannon Automotive to produce vehicles in Upstate New York. 

Tesla Model X - Electric Crossover SUV

Elon Musk demonstrates the 'Falcon-wing doors

Named after (arguably) the most daring inventor of our time, the most daring (arguably) car company in the world unveiled it's latest model, an SUV given the name Model X. It's all electric powertrain, surprisingly, is not the most striking feature, but rather it's take on gull-wing doors, rather snazzily named 'falcon-wing' doors.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk chose to focus on the 'falcon-wing' doors during a preview for a small group of journalists at Tesla's design center in Los Angeles, rather creatively these doors lift up from the sides, then hinge in the middle before gaining their full height. This allows the falcon to spread it's wings in narrower spaces than would a 'gull-wing' equipped car, so much so that Elon Musk claims that they give the Model X the largest door openings of any passenger car. Impressively, he was able to stand in the car, his head underneath the open door, without crouching.

The Model X, uses a slightly elongated version of the Model S platform, has a full third row of seats. Musk then proceeded to demonstrate how the 3rd row could be accessed without folding down the middle-row seats, but by sliding the middle row forward.

In common with the Model S, the Model X has its lithium ion battery pack low down, built into the chassis of the car. It's assumed that Tesla will offer the same battery configuration options as for Model S, although the Model X will suffer a reduced range due to its increased weight. New to Tesla in the Model X will be a 4-wheel drive option, which, it has to be said, will further increase weight.

Sales are scheduled to start in 2014, with prices similar to the Model S. Exciting times for the Tesla team and all who wish to see creativity flourish, as what Tesla have achieved already in such a short history is truly remarkable, here's to their continuing success.

Westfield iracer - Electric Sports Racing Car

Westfield iracer at Geneva in 2010

Westfield has revealed plans for an all-electric sports car that will form the basis of a new one-make race series.

The Westfield iRACER has been under development for many months and operational trials of its two electric YASA motors have now begun. The motors take the place of the differential and provide direct drive to each of the iRACER’s rear wheels.

The combined power output of the motors is around 160bhp while each motor also produces 369lb ft of torque. Its kerb weight is just 600kg.

The range or recharge time of its lithium-iron phosphate batteries is not yet known, but Westfield says both the motors and battery pack have been designed with the requirements of a lightweight club racing car in mind.

The iRACER’s project manager, Paul Faithfull, said the car had a centre of gravity lower than that of a Formula One car.

“We have succeeded on all counts through an approach which we believe to be unique,” he said. “Storing 50 per cent of the batteries under the floor of a specially designed chassis has brought the overall centre of gravity below that of a Formula 1 car, whilst allowing drivers sufficient access to swap out units on race weekends and store the packs in a garage at safe voltages.”

The motors are currently being tested at half power, with Westfield describing the car’s early pace as “brisk”. The next stages of development include the creation of new bodywork and artificial engine noise. The motors will also be further developed to provide independent control of the rear wheels.

BYD F3DM - From China with love. Series Hybrid Petrol/Electric.

BYD F3DM

Made in China - Three little words proudly emblazoned on many of our white goods & computers may soon be seen on the west's smooth capitalist road network. Shenzhen is home to BYD and a busy Chinese port, close to Hong Kong.  The company manufactures items as diverse as cars, buses, batteries and solar panels; American entrepreneur Warren Buffett bought a 10-percent stake in 2008. 

Plans to launch the car stateside were announced in 2011 at the Detroit Auto Show, at some point in 2012. BYD has some cars in California already. The Los Angeles Housing Authority is using  F3DM sedans. Its CEO, Rudolf Monteil, said the department has saved 73 percent in fuel costs. 

The F3DM is a hybrid vehicle with a range of 38 miles in electric-only operation and 313 miles with it's 1.0-liter 3 Cylinder petrol/gas engine kicking in either as a series hybrid to charge the batteries or in parallel with the electric motor to help propel the vehicle (DM stands for “dual mode”).

The battery technology is different to most similar vehicles in that, as almost everyone else is using lithium-ion or nickel metal hydride, BYD is using iron phosphate batteries – no heavy metals and cheaper to produce, giving BYD an ability to offer 'greener', afordable transportation. Expected to cost around $21,000 in the US

The Los Angeles fleet of F3DM's have roof-mounted solar panel's to assist battery recharging. 

Smart Fortwo Electric Drive - Electric Car

Fill 'er up with the good stuff please!

2nd Generation fortwo ED 

The second-generation Smart fortwo electric drive production began in November 2009 in France. These cars use a lithium-ion battery from Tesla Motors with a capacity of 14 kilowatt-hours (50 MJ). The range of a fully charged battery is up to 135 kilometres (84 miles) on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) cycle.

In July 2011 an agreement was reached between Daimler AG and Robert Bosch GmbH to develop and produce innovative traction motors for electric vehicles. Based on this joint venture, Daimler expects to use the improved traction motors with the new generation of Smart electric drive cars which are scheduled to go on sale in early 2012.

Specifications
Power: 20 kW (27 hp) continuous; peak power output of 30 kW (40 hp) for approximately 2 minutes
Torque: 120 newton metres (89 ft·lbf)
Battery capacity: 16.5 kW·h lithium-ion battery
Economy: 12 kW·h/100 km, also reported to be 200 W·h/mi
Range: 135 kilometres (84 miles) on the (NEDC cycle)
Top speed: 100 kilometres per hour (62 miles per hour)

The lithium-ion battery pack takes three hours to charge from 20 to 80 percent of its capacity with a standard 220 V outlet. It can also can be charged using a common household 110 V outlet. The car has a 3.3 kW on-board charger for this "level 1 and 2" charging. Smart claims a 0-to-60 kilometres per hour (37 mph) time of 6.5 seconds, the same as for the gasoline version. It has a single fixed-gear ratio transmission and is about 308 lb (140 kg) heavier than a gasoline-powered Fortwo.

The ED was trialled in the U.S. from January 2011 with the first customer taking delivery in Washington, D.C. A total of 250 units were made available for leasing at a price of US$599 per month for a period of 48 months and 60,000 kilometres (37,282 mi), plus US$2,500 due at signing. This pricing is before taxes or any government tax credits or rebates available. Daimler announced that United States sales are scheduled for January 2012.

The Environmental Protection Agency officially rated the Smart ED combined fuel economy at 87 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (mpg-e) (2.7 L gasoline equivalent/100 km; 104 mpg-imp gasoline equivalent), 94 mpg-US (2.5 L/100 km; 113 mpg-imp) city and 79 mpg-US (3.0 L/100 km; 95 mpg-imp) highway. EPA's official all-electric range is 63 miles (101 km), but in favorable conditions in an urban environment at warm temperatures the carmaker claims the Smart fortwo ED can reach up to 98 miles (158 km).

In July 2011, Car2Go announced that a fleet of Smart EDs will be deployed into carsharing service in San Diego before the end of 2011. The company stated that the carsharing electric cars will have a range of 84 miles (135 km), and, based on their experience with usage in other cities, they will most likely need to be recharged every two or three days. When reserving the electric car online, San Diego Car2Go members will be able to see the battery's state of charge, so if the customer wants to go for an extended drive, the option is available to find the right car for that trip. In November 2011 fleets of 300 Smart EDs each were deployed in San Diego and Amsterdam as part of the Car2Go service.

France registered a total of 34 Smart EDs in 2010 and 52 for 2011.

Third generation

Unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show the third-generation Smart ED is scheduled to be launched by September of 2012 and is planned to be available in 30 countries worldwide. A close-to production version was unveiled at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Key differences from the 2nd-gen model include a more powerful electric motor, giving better acceleration and top speed, a new lithium-ion battery pack with an extended range to 140 kilometres (87 mi) and a quick-charge option will be available, other features include an enlarged grille opening, stylish LED daytime running lights, wider door sills, some minor modifications to the rear, fully automatic air conditioning with pollen filter and pre-air conditioning. Several features will be controlled remotely through a smart drive application for the iPhone.
In Germany the Smart ED will be available for €16,000 (around US$22,400) plus a monthly fee of €60 (US$84) for the battery rental. Online reservations are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter 2011.

Specifications
Power: peak power output of 55 kW (74 hp)
Torque: 130 nm (96 ft·lbf)
Top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph)
0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in less than 13 seconds and 0 to 60 km/h (0 to 37 mph) in 5 seconds
Battery capacity: 17.6 kW·h lithium-ion battery by Deutsche ACCUmotive
Range: 140 km (87 mi)

Think! Citycar

The Th!nk City is produced  as a small two-seater or 2+2-seater car by Think Global and production partner Valmet Automotive, with a top speed of 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph) and an all-electric range of 160 kilometres (99 miles) on a full charge. Charging takes around 9 1/2 hours, but Th!nk are looking at ways of incorporating a rapid charger.

The Th!nk City was sold in Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, France, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, and the U.S. and by March 2011 approximately 1,045 units were sold worldwide. As of early 2011 it was one of the five crash-tested, mass-produced and highway-certified electric cars in the world, together with the Tesla Roadster, the Mitsubishi i MiEV, the Nissan Leaf and the Smart ED.

Financial difficulties put an end to production of the Th!nk City in Finland in March 2011, and the company filed for bankruptcy on June 22, 2011, for the fourth time in 20 years; but the company was bought soon after by Electric Mobility Solutions AS and production is scheduled to restart in early 2012 with a refined Think City.