Audi has unveiled its latest green-tinged showcar, the A8 Hybrid, at Geneva today, showcasing a new petrol-electric hybrid powerplant that is expected to be added to the A8 range in 2011.
The A8 Hybrid concept packages a 2.0 litre turbocharged direct-injected inline four with an electric assistance motor, both of which are linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The petrol engine produces 155kW and 350Nm, while the electric motor puts out 33kW and 211Nm of torque. When both are operating simultaneously, a total of 180kW and 480Nm are available.
Power is supplied by a lithium-ion battery pack moutned in the rear of the car, and ancillaries such as the power steering, airconditioner compressor and brake vacuum are now electrically-run rather than engine-driven.
The battery pack does intrude into boot space, however a full 400 litres of cargo volume is still available.
Despite weighing in excess of 1800kg and having a 2.0 litre engine as its primary source of motivation, the A8 Hybrid is still capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 7.6 seconds and running up to a top speed of 235km/h.
Average fuel consumption is claimed to be just 6.2 l/100km on the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 144g/km, and city traffic sees the A8 Hybrid using 20 percent less fuel than a petrol-engined model.
Fully-electric operation can be sustained for over two kilometres at speeds up to 65km/h, and regenerative braking enables the battery to be topped up while on the move. When coasting or at rest, the petrol engine shuts down to conserve fuel.
Audi has yet to announce precise launch dates for a production version of the A8 Hybrid, but the German automaker acknowledges the hybrid design study is "near-production" and industry pundits expect it to go on sale in Europe and the USA by late 2011.
For decades, Ferrari has made its name selling the sort of testosterone-packed cars that get petrolheads hot under the collar.
But now the Italian car-maker is ditching its famous red livery - temporarily at least - as it experiments with going green.
The company yesterday unveiled the Ferrari 599, a 200mph electric hybrid vehicle that aims to cut pollution and fuel consumption while retaining the brand's breathtaking acceleration and performance.
The prototype's appearance at the opening day of the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland stunned visitors.
The hybrid vehicle - which uses the electric motor to back up a more traditional 6.0-litre V12 petrol engine - even sported a bright metallic green paint to reinforce its environmentally friendly credentials.
The aim is to have the green technology as an option across Ferrari's entire range of cars by 2015.
But don't get too carried away with the idea that the macho Formula 1 stable has suddenly gone all politically correct in an attempt to save the planet.
Rather, it is being driven by the EU's tough environmental targets to cut carbon dioxide emissions, which could otherwise see Ferrari's supercars squeezed out of the market.
Ferrari reckons the 599 would cost twice as much as the £207,000 petrol 559 GTB Fiorano on which it is based. But by the time the technology has been ' industrialised' in four years' time, the price should come down to below £300,000.
The two-seater will accelerate from 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds - quicker than the standard version - and to 125mph in 10.4 seconds.
Under braking, the electric part of the hybrid system 'captures' energy that would otherwise be wasted from braking or slowing down, and uses it to recharge the batteries, which in turn can propel the car by electric power.
CO2 emissions are cut to 270g/km - a 35 per cent reduction on a conventional petrol-only model. It is expected to do up to 25 miles to the gallon, whereas the petrol- only version manages under 16mpg.
A Ferrari spokesman said: ' Ferrari has applied its F1 technology to the design, engineering and construction of a new kind of electric motor which also helps optimise the dynamics of the car.'
Kia has launched its first all-electric plug-in car at the Geneva motor show.
The Kia Venga EV concept features an 80kW electric motor (the equivalent of 107bhp), which produces 206lb ft of torque. It can get from 0-62mph in 11.8sec and reach a top speed of 87mph.
The Venga EV uses lithium ion polymer battery packs. This helps give the car a range of 112 miles. Using the car’s quick-charge function, 80 per cent of the battery pack can be charged in 20 minutes; a full charge takes eight hours.
The electric motor powers the front wheels and sits in the engine bay, while the battery pack is situated under the boot floor.
Kia has also launched a new Cee'd 1.6 diesel EcoDynamics model, which has CO2 emissions of 98g/km. Eco tweaks include lowered suspension, low-resistance tyres and a new rear spoiler.
Porsche Reveals High-Performance 918 Spyder Concept Highly Efficient and Ultra-Fast Plug-in Hybrid Super Sports Car Unveiled in Geneva
Today, on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show, Porsche unveiled an ultra-efficient, low-emission, mid-engine super sports car featuring hybrid and electric drive technology.
The 918 Spyder concept combines high-tech racing features with electric-mobility to offer a fascinating range of qualities. For example, it is planned to provide an emission level of just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer on fuel consumption of only three liters/100 kilometers (equal to approximately 78 mpg U.S.), which is truly outstanding, even for an ultra-compact city car. This car, however, is intended to offer the performance of a super sports car with acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in just under 3.2 seconds, top speed of 320 km/h (198 mph), and a lap time lap on the Nurburgring in less than 7:30 minutes, faster than even the Porsche Carrera GT.
The 918 Spyder is one of three Porsche models with hybrid drive making their world debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. This trio ñ made up of Porscheís new Cayenne S Hybrid SUV with parallel full-hybrid drive, the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car with electric drive on the front axle and a flywheel mass battery, and the two-seater high-performance 918 Spyder mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology ñ clearly demonstrates not only the great bandwidth of this new drive technology, but also the innovative power of Porsche as a genuine pioneer in hybrid drive.
The highly-innovative 918 Spyder concept car combines Porscheís Intelligent Performance philosophy with the high-technology from motorsport, with classic but modern design to make a truly convincing statement.
Innovative powertrain combines race-bred V8 engine with electric drive This open two-seater is powered by a high-revving V8 developing more than 500 horsepower and a maximum engine speed of 9,200 rpm as well as electric motors on the front and rear axle with overall mechanical output of 218 horsepower (160 kW).
The V8 combustion engine is the next step in the evolution of the highly successful 3.4- liter power unit already featured in the RS Spyder racing car and positioned mid-ship, in front of the rear axle, giving the car excellent balance and the right set-up for supreme performance on the race track.
Power is transmitted to the wheels by a seven-speed Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) transmission that feeds the power of the electric drive system to the rear axle. The front-wheel electric drive powers the wheels through a fixed transmission ratio.
The energy reservoir is a fluid-cooled lithium-ion battery positioned behind the passenger cell. The big advantage of a plug-in hybrid is that the battery can be charged on the regular electrical network. A further point is that the carís kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy fed into the battery when applying the brakes, thus providing additional energy for fast and dynamic acceleration.
Driver's choice of four distinct driving modes
A button on the steering wheel allows the driver to choose among four different running modes: The E-Drive mode is for running the car under electric power alone, with a range of up to 25 km or 16 miles. In the Hybrid mode, the 918 Spyder uses both the electric motors and the combustion engine as a function of driving conditions and requirements, offering a range from particularly fuel-efficient all the way to extra-powerful.
The Sport Hybrid mode uses both drive systems, but with the focus on performance. Most of the drive power goes to the rear wheels, with Torque Vectoring serving to additionally improve the carís driving dynamics.
In the Race Hybrid mode the drive systems are focused on pure performance with the highest standard of driving dynamics on the track, running at the limit to their power and dynamic output. With the battery sufficiently charged, a push-to-pass button feeds in additional electrical power (E-Boost), when overtaking or for even better performance.
With the hybrid drive system offering this wide range of individual modes and applications, the 918 Spyder is able either to achieve lap times comparable to those of a thoroughbred racing car, or the extremely low emissions and high fuel economy figures of a plug-in hybrid.
Advanced body structure and design offer more than just good looks
Like the drivetrain, the lightweight body structure of the Porsche 918 Spyder also bears out the carís DNA carried over directly from motorsport: The modular structure with its monocoque bodyshell made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFP) and liberal use of magnesium and aluminum not only reduce weight to below 1,490 kg, or 3,285 lb, but also ensure supreme driving precision thanks to a high level of torsional stiffness.
Reminiscent of highly successful, legendary racing cars such as the Porsche 917 and the current Porsche RS Spyder, the 918 Spyder, with its design concept so typical of Porsche arouses powerful emotions. The combination of racing car dimensions, clearly structured design with perfectly balanced surfaces, and innovative details throughout, creates an ideal synthesis of form and function ñ following Porscheís design DNA.
The smooth balance of tradition and progress gives the car a powerful stance on the road. Variable aerodynamics, typical of Porsche, ensures both visionary and traditional highlights especially around the rear spoiler. The striking rear hoods extending out of the headrests, in turn, not only fulfill an aerodynamic function on the 918 Spyder, but also accommodate retractable air intakes with a ram air function.
High-tech interior provides glimpse into the future
The driver and passenger are not only embedded in contoured sports bucket seats but also form part of the cockpit, which provides a synthesis of efficient functionality and ergonomic high-tech operation. Additionally, the cockpit offers a glimpse at the potential interior architecture of future Porsche super sports cars. The three free-standing circular dials for road speed (left), engine speed (middle) and energy management (right) would appear to come directly from a racing car in the 60s, bearing out that unique philosophy of driver orientation so characteristic of Porsche.
The center console rises up towards the front in the 918 Spyder and houses a touch screen for intuitive control of the carís functions, serving to reduce the number of visible controls and maintain the principle of direct operation.
The control units relevant to the driver are mainly concentrated on the three-spoke multifunction sports steering wheel, while the variable driving modes are supplemented by a switch enabling the driver to call up various drive programs and serving as the push-to-pass button for E-boosting. Instrument illumination, finally, varies from green for the consumption-oriented running modes to red for the performance-oriented driving programs.
The Porsche 918 Spyder concept also comes with further innovative functions such as the Range Manager. After being activated in the Center Display, the Range Manager uses the map in the navigation system to present the remaining range the car is able to cover, naturally allowing the driver to influence that range through the appropriate choice of power and performance.
In cities with environmental alert areas the Range Manager also states whether the driver is able to reach a certain destination on electric power alone.
Applying this information and using further info on the availability and location of special energy filling stations, the driver is then able to choose his personal style of driving as well as the right battery charge and filling strategy.
Offering a unique combination of extremely low fuel consumption, supreme performance and long electric range, the Porsche 918 Spyder concept represents an essential milestone in Porscheís strategy on the way to genuine electric-mobility.
Audi has confirmed it will put the Audi A1 e-tron electric car into production in 2012.
The concept car, which will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show on Tuesday, has an all-electric range of more than 31 miles in city traffic, which can be extended to 124 miles.
The lithium ion battery pack has a capacity of 12 kilowatt-hours, which is claimed to provide about 30 miles of range on a charge. Unlike the 1,000+ pound pack in the original e-tron concept, this unit weighs in at just 330 pounds. The electric motor provides a standard output of 45 kW or 61 horsepower, though peak power of 75 kW or 102 hp is available in short bursts and keeps the car's 0-62 mile-per-hour time around 10 seconds. The motor and all of the power electronics reside in the car's front where the internal combustion powerplant of a conventional A1 would normally be found.
The Wankel weighs in at just 154 lbs and displaces just 254 cc of volume in its single rotor. The whole unit is small enough to sit below the cargo floor of the A1. Running at a constant 5,000 rpm, the rotary motor can extend the A1 e-tron's range to 130 miles. Why not longer? The fuel tank holds only 3.17 gallons. With the Wankel running, Audi says the A1 e-tron will return about 124 miles per gallon U.S.
The Audi A1 e-tron electric car is being displayed to highlight Audi's growing plans to introduce electric cars "where it is appropriate for specific model lines and markets".
Rupert Stadler, Audi chairman, said: "In future our customers will be able to choose from an increasingly broad range of driveline technologies. To accompany our high-efficiency TDI and FSI engines, we shall offer electric power in the best possible forms for a wide range of mobility needs. The hybrid driveline will be followed by all-electric vehicles.
"Just as "quattro" has become a synonym for all-wheel drive, so "e-tron" is to be the Audi brand name for electric mobility."
Audi also confirmed it is continuing to invest in fuel cell and hydrogen technology. Audi is also display an Audi A8 hybrid concept car, with the production model going on sale in 2011. It is rated as emitting 144g/km of CO2 and averaging 46mpg.
The concept car has two power units - a 2.0 TFSI engine and the electric motor. They have a combined output of 242bhp and 354lb ft of torque. The power units can operate separately or together. In electric mode the car has a top speed of 40mph and range of 1.2miles.
In addition, Audi has confirmed the Audi Q5 hybrid will go on sale in 2010, powered by a petrol engine and electric motor.
Volkswagen over the next few months will start testing 500 battery-powered Golfs with single-charge ranges of about 95 miles in North America, Europe and China, and will start selling a hybrid version of the Jetta (pictured) in the U.S. in 2012, says Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn.
Winterkorn added that electric vehicles will account for about 3 percent of Volkswagen's sales by 2018, which would translate to about 190,000 vehicles assuming 2009 unit sales levels.
Such production hints at more everyday-type EVs from Volkswagen, whose biggest splash on the EV front has been with its Audi division's super sporty E-Tron. That car may hit the market in limited numbers as soon as late 2011 with a selling price at about $160,000 and a 0-60 mph quickness of about 4.5 seconds.
Volkswagen, whose representatives didn't immediately respond to requests for confirmation, last week said its new CrossGolf will be available with turbocharged gasoline engines ranging from 105 to 160 horsepower as well as with several turbodiesel options.
The gas-powered engine's gas mileage will be about 7 percent better than the previous incarnation of the CrossGolf, while the diesel mileage, rated under the more generous European standards, will top out at about 45 miles a gallon.
Daimler AG says it has signed a memorandum of understanding with China's BYD Co. to develop jointly electric vehicles for the fast-growing Chinese market.
Daimler said Monday the two companies envision a "comprehensive technology partnership" that would result in a vehicle specific to the Chinese market's requirements.
It said the plan is for the car to be marketed under a new brand jointly created and owned by Daimler and BYD and for the companies to set up a common technology center in China to develop, design and test the vehicle.
Daimler didn't say when the planned vehicle might be ready.
Daimler's Mercedes-Benz plans to introduce an all-electric version of its A-Class car this year. BYD plans to launch its own electric e6 soon.
