Citroen Survolt - Electric dream racer

So sexy it should probably come wrapped in a condom, this little beauty is Citroen's prototype electric racing car - probably not destined for production (insert sad face), and almost certainly far too expensive if by some alcoholic miracle the suits at Citroen did give it the green light for production, the Survolt is one of those 'if only' cars - PLEASE make it Citroen!

Extremely rare in the world of racing, Survolt’s full-electric drivetrain combines dynamic, sporting performance with environmental consideration.  Specially developed with compact dimensions and a light-weight frame (1.15 tonnes), Survolt features a tubular chassis, a flat underside with extractor and full carbon bodywork, all combining to make a genuine emissions-free, all-electric racing car. Propelled by two electric motors with a combined power of 300bhp, Survolt is capable of exceptional performance with a top speed of 260kph (162mph) and a 0-100kph (0-62mph) time of under five seconds.  The concept’s twin 140kg lithium-ion batteries each boast a 31kw capacity, which allows Survolt to cover 200km (124 miles). The Survolt uses technology bought in from Electric racing car manufacturer GreenGT, who are currently working on a super exciting Hydrogen/Electric le-mans racer for 2013

Lotus Evora 414E - Range Extended electric Vehicle

Lotus founder Colin Chapman wouldn't have liked this car - his design philosophy was 'simplify and add lightness' this car is heavier than a standard evora, having to lug around batteries and electric motors in addition to a 47hp 3 cylinder 1.2 litre petrol engine, which acts as a generator with drive to the rear wheels coming only from a pair of electric motors rated at 414 PS

Lotus says about it's new baby: "The Evora 414E is powered by two electric motor packs driving the rear wheels through its Xtrac transmission with a battery pack that can be charged by the Lotus range extender engine or directly from mains electricity. The Lotus 3 cylinder range extender engine has been design protected to run on either gasoline or renewable bio alcohol fuels (methanol and ethanol). It drives an EVO electric generator which produces electrical energy to either charge the battery pack or power the EVO traction motors directly. In normal driving, the Evora 414E will run purely on electricity stored in the battery pack for up to 30 miles (48 km). With the Lotus range extender and the electric traction motors powering the vehicle through an Xtrac 1092 transmission, the Evora 414E is targeted to produce just 55 g of CO2 / km emissions on the Northern European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Should the driver require more performance, under hard acceleration, for example, the electricity will come from both the battery storage and the small range extender engine. -1000 Nm (738 lbft) of Torque -414 PS (408 hp) -0-60 mph / 97 km/h in around 4 seconds -Top speed 130 mph (209 km/h) -Target emissions of just 55 g CO2 / km (NEDC) It's all Torque Now that the car is undergoing testing, what does 1000 Nm in an Evora feel like? Simon Corbett, Principal Vehicle Dynamics Test and Development Engineer at Lotus Engineering, has been doing the majority of the development testing, over the last few weeks, "The Evora S has 400 Nm of torque which in such a lightweight car is already a healthy figure. But the Evora 414E has two and a half times that amount! The acceleration sensation is almost indescribable, the surge of torque is like an ocean wave!" The 414E shares a lot of it's technology with the upcoming Infiniti Emerg-e concept although the Lotus will likely be the more hardcore version. It is expected that both vehicles will be in production by 2014. Watch video of the 414E testing below.

Tesla Model S gets Supercharging - Electric Vehicles

Tesla's model S is designed from the ground up to maximise the advantages of electric vehicle architecture. Model S boasts an ultra-low center of gravity, with a light weight aluminium body engineered for superior handling. And now comes with 'Supercharged' network of Solar carports!

Tesla has created a vehicle that is not only visually stunning, but also extremely efficient  (the 85 kWh Model S received a U.S. fuel economy rating of 89MPGe and EPA rated range of 265 miles!). All this AND 0-60mph in around 4.4 seconds! A distinct lack of an internal combustion engine or transmission tunnel, means that the interior of the Tesla 'S' has more cargo space than any other sedan in its class including a extra trunk under the hood. The car seats five adults plus two children in optional rear-facing child seats. The interior features a 17" in-dash touchscreen giving internet, streaming radio and nav. Supercharging The technology at the heart of the Supercharger was developed at Tesla and uses the existing charging technology already fitted to the 85KWh Model S, enabling Tesla to create the Supercharger device at minimal cost. Electricity used by the Supercharger comes from a solar carport system provided by SolarCity, which results in almost zero marginal energy cost after installation. Combining these two factors, Tesla is able to provide Model S owners free long distance travel indefinitely. Each solar power system is designed to generate more energy from the sun over the course of a year than is consumed by Tesla vehicles using the Supercharger. This results in a slight net positive transfer of sunlight generated power back to the electricity grid. In addition to lowering the cost of electricity, this addresses a commonly held misunderstanding that charging an electric car simply pushes carbon emissions to the power plant. The Supercharger system will always generate more power from sunlight than Model S customers use for driving. By adding even a small solar system at their home, electric car owners can extend this same principle to local city driving too. The six California locations unveiled today are just the beginning. By next year, we plan to install Superchargers in high traffic corridors across the continental United States, enabling fast, purely electric travel from Vancouver to San Diego, Miami to Montreal and Los Angeles to New York. Tesla will also begin installing Superchargers in Europe and Asia in the second half of 2013. The Supercharger is substantially more powerful than any charging technology to date, providing almost 100 kilowatts of power to the Model S, with the potential to go as high as 120 kilowatts in the future. This can replenish three hours of driving at 60 mph in about half an hour, which is the convenience inflection point for travelers at a highway rest stop. Most people who begin a road trip at 9:00 a.m. would normally stop by noon to have lunch, refresh and pick up a coffee or soda for the road, all of which takes about 30 minutes. "Tesla's Supercharger network is a game changer for electric vehicles, providing long distance travel that has a level of convenience equivalent to gasoline cars for all practical purposes. However, by making electric long distance travel at no cost, an impossibility for gasoline cars, Tesla is demonstrating just how fundamentally better electric transport can be," said Elon Musk, Tesla Motors co-founder and CEO. "We are giving Model S the ability to drive almost anywhere for free on pure sunlight." Watch the video - The future is here......or will be soon!

Exagon Furtive eGT - Electric 2 + 2 Concept Car

Bonjour Monsieur Bond - your future looks electric

France has a long and rich history of innovative vehicles and although the name might not be familiar Exagon Motors have years of experience designing and racing electric vehicles in the Andros Trophy electric category - A slightly mad ice racing series held in the frozen alps!

Exagon Motors are based at the former French Grand Prix circuit Magny Cours, and this is what they say about the Furtive eGT:

"The Furtive-eGT is no run-of-the-mill GT car. It represents a new approach to grand touring, a new experience on the road, a new sports car driving concept with added comfort. Electric propulsion offers entirely new sensations, in part thanks to immediate torque availability. With a constant torque of 480 Nm from 0 to 5,000 rpm, the Furtive-eGT has a phenomenal capacity for acceleration – 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 s – and can hit 287 km/h on the race track (maximum speed is otherwise limited electronically to 250 km/h). Such high performance is achieved in near-silence, with only the air flow to be heard, heightening the sensations experienced while driving. This is more than just impressive figures, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Furtive-eGT is powered by two latest-generation motors created by Siemens Corporate Technology, each providing an output of 125 kW, i.e. total power equivalent to 340 hp at 5,000 to 10,000 rpm. These are currently the lightest and most compact engines available on the market. They have a liquid cooling system and their efficiency is outstanding.

The lithium-ion batteries manufactured by worldwide specialist Saft are the beating heart of the Furtive-eGT. These state-of-the-art VL 4 batteries provide 150 kWh. They have a life cycle of approximately ten years, can undergo 3,000 charging cycles and are recyclable. Their autonomy is astounding: 197 to 402 km in electric-only mode, depending on usage conditions. An optional range extender brings the autonomy up to 807 km."

Exagon are hoping to offer the Furtive e-GT as a pure electric 2 + 2 and also with a range-extending petrol engine (not for driving the wheels - purely as a battery charging system). 

No news as yet on when the Exagon Furtive e-GT will become available, but judging by looks and specification the sooner the better please!

Protoscar LAMPO3 GT - Prototype Electric Supercar

Presumably it will usually run on Tarmac?

Switzerland's Protoscar concern has designed and built it's third incarnation of Electric supercar - The Lampo (Swiss for Lightning) - is now ready to go into production, and Protoscar are actively looking for partners to help turn this striking prototype into a production reality.

Here's what Protoscar themselves have to say about the Lampo 3 GT:

"After its predecessors LAMPO  and LAMPO 2, LAMPO 3

– the third prototype of electric super sports car 

developed by Protoscar – will also be exposed at the Geneva Motor Show starting March 8

th

, 2012. During 

the past 3 years, the LAMPO's  have been fine-tuned together with the partner company EVTEC. The electric 

sports cars have been tested for more than 40.000km on circuits and streets  all over Europe. Since the 

results are more than promising, LAMPO 3 could now be further developed in a micro series. 

With 3 BRUSA-motors outputting 570 HP and 900 Nm of torque, LAMPO 3 is the most powerful full electric 

2+2-seater in the world. It also is the first electric vehicle equipped with two different DC fast charging inlets 

(CHAdeMO and the new German standard), allowing for “Coffee&Charge” breaks. Dual DC inlet allows to 

recharge enough energy for up to 100km additional range within just 10 minutes, with every type of  DCcharger 

you will find on the highways or at “petrol stations” in the close future. In fact, such DC-charger will 

be commercialized and installed on behalf of power utilities and petrol stations very soon in Switzerland and 

Europe by a recently established company focusing on charging infrastructure, with a strong connection to 

Protoscar: Alpiq E-Mobility AG.

Compared to the prototype LAMPO 3 , important further technical developments have been prepared in order 

to meet the needs of the micro series:

 lighter and stiffer chassis has been designed (optimized for production by ThyssenKrupp System 

Engineering)

 a new 42 kWh battery pack supplied by Akasol Engineering will be introduced and

 the interior has been designed and will be fully visualized by a virtual animation to be unveiled  at the  

Geneva Motor Show 2012".

The Lampo will be available in a variety of body styles including a 'soft-top' version. Here at The Efficient Car Guide opinions are divided on it's looks, but that's no bad thing - at least it aint bland!!

Toyota Yaris Hybrid - 80mpg Petrol/Electric Hybrid

Yaris Hybrid - Tunnel Vision?

After it's unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show the new Toyota Yaris Hybrid is due in UK showrooms this summer.

The yaris has already been available in petrol & diesel varieties and, from June the petrol/electric hybrid arrives. The Yaris Hybrid builds on Toyota's extensive Hybrid history, having sold over 3,000,000 Hybrid vehicles worldwide. This latest generation 'Hybrid Synergy Drive' to use Toyota terminology, is 440lb or 20% lighter than the power pack used in both the Prius and the Auris.

This is achieved with a smaller 1.5 litre VVT-i petrol engine and more compact electric motor coupled to a smaller inverter which in turn is fed by a lighter Nickel/Metal Hydride battery pack situated near the fuel tank under the rear seats. Remarkably cabin space isn't compromised in comparison with the Petrol only or diesel versions of the new Yaris, which just goes to show what a great packaging job Toyota have achieved.

Speaking of the cabin, the changes are minimal: a Prius-style “combimeter” showing energy flowing through the drivetrain, a blue-edged electronic gear lever, Toyota’s touch screen with pale-blue illumination and a couple of extra buttons down near the gear lever for the Eco and Electric Vehicle modes. The Yaris Hybrid also features dual climate control air conditioning, a reverse parking camera and mp3/ipod/telephone connectivity, ABS and stability/traction control.

Claimed Miles Per gallon is 81 (UK, about 67 US), but manufacturers claims are usually achieved in fastidiously prepared laboratory conditions and are rarely achievable in real - life situations, so you'll probably be lucky to achieve 60 MPG (UK)

Providing you don't floor the throttle from the traffic lights - Sebastian Vettel Style -  it will whisper away from a standstill using just battery power, and has a total EV range of 1.2 miles. With two motors and all the associated Hybrid gubbins it weighs about 20%  more than the basic petrol Yaris, so electric vehicle mode doesn't last long and the petrol engine bursts into life to take over the acceleration duties. Handling is bound to be dulled by the extra weight, but that's not what this car is about, though it's nice to dream of  having the best of both worlds!

Power: petrol engine 73bhp, motor 60bhp, battery 26bhp. Total combined: 98bhp
Top speed: 120mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in about 12sec
Fuel economy: From 81mpg
CO2 emissions: 79g/km
VED band: A (£0 Road Tax), london congestion charge exempt
Price: £14,995 (UK)

Kia Rio EcoDynamics - 88 MPG Diesel Supermini

New Kia on the block

Fuel consumption of 88.3 MPG plus Co2 emissions of 85g/km it's got to be a hybrid? no, I hear you cry (or is there just an echo here!)........Kia's Rio EcoDynamics is just a pretty darn efficient Diesel Supermini., and those emissions stats make it the lowest carbon dioxide producer on the dirty side of a zero emissions electric car.

Here's the magic mix - a brand new three cylinder 1.1 litre twin cam, common rail diesel engine feature's a variable vane turbo and this, blended with longer gearing, low rolling resistance tyres, a roof spoiler, a closed-off front grille, stop-start system and the vitally important ingredient -a low weight of only 1155kg - allow it to return that magnificent 88.3mpg on the official combined cycle.

Of course there has to be sacrifices to produce those amazing figures and that means chucking the air conditioning in the skip – it is available for an extra £800 (and 36kg of lard!), but the economy suffers, with a drop to a still impressive 78.5mpg and 94g/km. A standard six-speed gearbox and oodles of torque (125lb ft to be precise)  peaking early at 1500rpm, also helps the little Kia further on a gallon.

Otherwise the ultimate EcoDynamics version is almost the same as the rest of the new Rio range,  meaning a car that’s among the biggest in its class, resulting in a spacious cabin, reasonable equipment levels including six airbags and ESP and a style that’s come a long way from Kia's early vehicles. You also get Kia’s desirable seven-year 100,000 mile warranty in with the £11,895 price tag.

So, wind the windows down, let the breeze flow through, who needs Air Conditioning anyway - it's just something else to go wrong!