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Honda Jazz gets Hybrid Tech
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
A hybrid version of Honda’s much-loved Jazz will make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, bringing lower emissions and improved fuel economy to the practical supermini.
- Improved emissions and fuel economy for popular supermini
- World’s first B-class hybrid car
The introduction of Honda’s petrol-electric IMA system to the Jazz, makes the car the world’s first B-segment hybrid.
Featuring the practicality and flexibility of the current Jazz, but with reduced CO2 emissions and improvements to fuel economy, the hybrid version will go on sale in the UK in early 2011.
The car will feature the same engine as the Insight hybrid; a 1.3-litre i-VTEC engine combined with a CVT gearbox, with an electric motor sandwiched between the two to create a parallel hybrid system. The hybrid Jazz – like the Insight and Civic Hybrid models – will be capable of running on the electric motor alone under some medium and low speed conditions.
Much of the Jazz’s practicality is derived from its height, but despite being taller than the current Honda Insight, the hybrid version of Jazz manages to maintain fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on comparable levels.
Visually, this new, cleaner Jazz is distinguished from the current range by revised headlights with a blue surround, clear rear lights, new front grille, restyled bumpers and a chrome tailgate garnish. The new hybrid will also be available in a range of existing colours plus a bespoke Lime Green metallic.
Inside, the cabin is also given a fresh look, with darker single colour dashboard, which contrasts strongly with the blue lighting of the dials and dashboard instruments. The new hybrid is also available with leather trim, the first time this has been available on a Jazz model in Europe.
MPG and emissions data will be released at the Paris Motor Show in September.
Along with the new hybrid Jazz, Honda will display the 2011 model year Insight, CR-Z, Jazz, CR-V, Accord and Accord Tourer, as well as the sports touring motorcycle VFR1200F equipped with the V4 engine, and a stylish PCX scooter with low emission idle-stop 125cc engine.
Press data & images: Honda
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Fisker Karma ‘Get Hot’ Commercial
by Aman ChaudhryNo CommentsFisker has recently brought out this new commercial show casing the all-new ‘very hot’ Karma – the plug-in sports hybrid. The same Karma was first advertised differently but that obviously didn’t work for Fisker.
This is the new ‘Get Hot’ commercial and we are a tad bit curious to find out if this leaves an impression or not. After all the Karma comes with 2.0-litre turbocharged direct petrol engine and an electric motor that produces 403 horsepower.
Even though there’s a pretty woman, a soft alluring sound track, ice cubes melting, fast car, donuts, basically the works, it somehow doesn’t touch the cord. But that’s just what we think.
Check it out right here:
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Infiniti M35 stops and steers like no other car
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
The “driver’s hybrid” from Infiniti, the M35h, will introduce world-first steering and braking technologies when it goes on sale in the USA and Europe in 2011. The debut systems have been designed to deliver both environmental benefits and enhanced driving feel, reinforcing strengths already central to the Infiniti M35h with its innovative one motor/two clutch system.
Like the drivetrain, which marries a charismatic V6 petrol engine with 50 kW (68 PS) electric motor built in to the 7-speed automatic transmission, simplicity was a key tenet in the development of the steering and brakes of the high performance luxury sedan.
The steering of the Infiniti M35h is an electro-hydraulic system with “on-demand” assistance. It offers the advantages of both types of steering – the natural and smooth feel of hydraulic power steering and the improved fuel efficiency of an electric system – while the motor cuts in only when the wheel is turned, further boosting efficiency. The system is smaller than traditional power steering set-ups, a feat achieved by integrating multiple parts.
The brakes are similarly designed primarily to suit sports sedan buyers’ needs, but at the same time contributing to the lower carbon footprint of the M35h, low CO2 champion of Infiniti’s all-new M Line sedan line-up.
The engineers looked to the hybrid system itself for the solution. What they came up with – a way to use the vehicle’s electric drive motor to operate the brake cylinders – represents another world-first innovation for the Japanese brand.
The system is called Electric Driven Intelligent Brake. When the driver steps on the brake pedal, the necessary braking force is maintained while the hydraulic pressure of the friction brake is controlled to help maximize the energy regeneration of the hybrid motor. Because of its simple structure, in which the motor directly operates the brake cylinders, the Electric Driven Intelligent Brake system has the potential to be a key part of all future Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid vehicles.
The simplicity of these elegant mechanical solutions, with their emphasis on more compactness, lighter weight and fewer parts, is made possible by advanced computerized control.
Another benefit of both the new steering and braking systems is that they work with the innovative drivetrain to enhance the driving experience rather than dilute it in the manner of some hybrid vehicles. Designed to be fast and responsive with a strong sporting bias to the rear-wheel drive handling, the Infiniti M35h aims to deliver an exhilarating drive in all situations.
Central to this is its one motor/two clutch system. The first clutch is installed between the naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 and the electric motor, which is embedded within the automatic transmission. The electronically controlled clutch allows the full decoupling of the V6 when the car is in electric drive and power regeneration modes. Decoupling the V6 reduces mechanical drag and boosts the efficiency of the electric motor.
Aided by an exceptionally fast charge/discharge response from the lithium-ion battery pack, the result is a hybrid that’s electrically powered for more of the time, and at higher speeds, than conventional hybrids.
Yet when the driver demands it the Infiniti M35h responds like a true high performance machine, offering the linear acceleration and unsullied rear-drive handling of a true Infiniti – complete with all the charisma of one of the great V6 petrol engines. Like the 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) automatic transmission that blips the throttle on downchanges, the new braking and steering technologies are integral to the M35h’s positioning as the hybrid to please the most demanding of drivers.
Infiniti’s first hybrid, the M35h is the low CO2 star of the all-new M Line which also includes petrol and diesel models and which is the first M ever to be sold in all of Infiniti’s 34 world markets.
Among the Infiniti M’s many other claims to fame are the world-first Blind Spot Intervention (BSI), state-of-the-art Forest Air climate control and Active Noise Control, while comfort and luxury are taken care of with double-piston dampers and the availability of semi-aniline leather in the spacious cabin.
M35h sales start in spring 2011, depending on market.
Press data & images: Infiniti
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Renault DeZir Concept
by Aman ChaudhryNo Comments
Renault’s design team seems to be very busy these days. Renault is working hard on a new style for a concept car – The DeZir. The DeZir will be the first major project to be undertaken by the new design vice president Laurens van den Acker at Renault.
According to Renault, The DeZir will be a vision of simplicity, sensuousness and warmth. This brand new concept isn’t exactly based on a very modern concept technology because the power does not come from electrons. A 24 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery back will power the DeZir, which is similar to the Nissan Leaf. The driving range will also be similar i.e. under 100 miles per hour although the battery pack for the DeZir is configured for Quick Drop exchanges not found the Leaf.
The driving force is provided by a 110-kilowatt electric motor to this new concept, which spins the rear wheels, and helps the DeZir cover the 60 mph distance in 5 seconds.
On the outside there are Kevlar body panels along with reverse-hinged butterfly doors, which are wrapped around a steel tube frame chassis with double wishbone. Though Renault has not revealed any further details on the production plans of The DeZir, we have a hunch it would be ready for public at the Paris Motor Show in Fall this year.
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Jaguar to come with Hybrid version by 2013
by Aman Chaudhry1 Comment
Land Rover has been working on hybrid products for some time and now Jaguar seems to have also joined the cue. It is possible that the initial models to be seen in hybrid versions will be the XF and XJ, which will be in the market by 2013. According to a report in CAR UK magazine the parent Jaguar-Land Rover company is planning on coming out with a battery-assisted hybrid technology for both its models that will be equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel engine joined to a 35 kW electric motor and an eight-speed hybrid transmission.
The report also mentions that these hybrid versions could cost around $15,000 (U.S.) above the existing traditional versions.
Jaguar Land Rover spokesman, Stuart Schorr stated that Jaguar is currently working in collaboration with three other auto manufacturers on a hybrid powertrain that can attain a mileage of 55 miles per gallon without losing out on any of the premium features of the luxury brand.
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CITROËN’S LUXURY NEW METROPOLIS CONCEPT
by Aman Chaudhry1 Comment
This is the latest Citroen Metropolis – a magnificent and impressive concept car that will be on display in the French pavilion at the Shanghai Word fair for 1st of May to 31st of October 2010. The Citroën International design team based in Shanghai since 2008, has designed this concept car limousine.
The wheelbase of the Citroen Metropolis is longer than the S-Class or the A8L. At 5.3 meters long, it is also as wide as the Maybach, which could mean that this luxury saloon could open new doors for the French carmaker in China. China happens to be the second biggest market for Citroen.
This prototype Citroen is derived from a hybrid platform with a 2.0 V6 engine with an output of 275 hp and 377 nm of torque is combined with a second electric motor with power varying between 55 and 96 hp. Taking advantage of both engines, the overboost offers a total power of 460 hp and 430 nm of torque with a CO2 emission of just 70gm/kg. This luxury hybrid is equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and this four-wheel drive car can be recharged from an electrical outlet.
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