Are hybrid and electric airplanes ready for commercial debut?
Filed under: Etc., Hybrid, Green Daily
We don’t claim to be experts on airplanes, nor is the physics of flight one of our strong suits, but we do know a thing or two about hybrid and electric-powered stuff. Therefore, we’ll focus more on the commercial feasibility and public reception of hybrid and electric airplanes, rather than on the logistics and technical elements that can be sorted out by those with the proper expertise in the respective fields. With that aside, we’re ready to jump into the discussion.
CalCars provided a remarkable overview of current hybrid and electric airplane technology and kindly provided a PDF chart, which breaks down the performance numbers of many prototype hybrid and electric airplanes. Glancing over the specs of the many non-commercial aircraft contained in the chart reveals some of the hurdles which still remain for both hybrid and electric planes. For example, the gasoline-powered planes typically cruise at 200-plus miles per hour, but both the hybrids and electrics reach speeds just over 100 mph. The range of the gasoline-powered planes is in the neighborhood of 600-900 miles, but many of the electrics fail to exceed 300 miles. Battery prices for most of the electric airplanes come in around $30,000, but some examples exceed $100,000. The real upside, though, is the cost of flying. While in the air, most of the electrics cost well below $10 per mile to operate, while the gasoline-powered planes typically exceed $30 per mile. Doesn’t all of this sound strikingly similar to what we discuss day in, day out with electric and hybrid cars?
All of the specs provided above apply to relatively small aircraft, but when you size up to the commercial level, the real discussion is not one of money or stats, but more of public perception. While it’s been argued that commercial aircraft are insanely expensive to purchase and adding the cost of batteries on top of that would go almost unnoticed, we don’t really think that the flying public is ready for this sort of thing. Range anxiety is one of the most common concerns for potential electric car buyers and would certainly be much worse when you take to the air. Despite the added complexity, we could see hybrids catching on in the commercial aviation industry someday, maybe. Electrics, though, are highly unlikely. Hey, we’re just car guys; let’s hope any aviation experts amongst us chime in.
[Source: Beyond the Edge, CalCars | Image: Henrique Vicente - C.C. License 2.0]
Are hybrid and electric airplanes ready for commercial debut? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 12 Jun 2010 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Baseball, Hot Dogs, and Apple Pie with a Dollop of Cheese
By now you’ve heard about the front-page story below the fold of Thursday’s New York Times. Management for a certain brand, undergoing revitalization with help from us taxpayers, has issued a memo calling on its employees to stop referring to the brand by its shortened name.
With this automotive brand getting such publicity on the front page of The New York Times, or as I like to call it, The Times, we don’t need to give it more publicity right here on the top page of an auto magazine Web site. So let’s refer to this brand by the name “Cheeseball.” We don’t want to use its now-banned nickname, either, in violation of its management’s wisdom. Call it “Cheesy,” for short.
Hey, where I come from, that’s a compliment.
The front-page story, by Richard S. Chang — an auto writer I’ve always called “Richard” — notes that Cheeseball has a new ad agency. It’s Cheesy’s ninth ad agency since last Saturday, by the way, having replaced the longtime agency that in the early ’60s employed Elmore Leonard and David E. Davis, Junior, as copywriters.
The memo directing Cheeseball’s employees to stop calling it Cheesy, came after that latest ad agency change. The new agency is known for its commercials, “Hi, I’m an Apple Macintosh…and I’m a Microsoft personal computer.” The memo, Richard’s story notes, “was provided to The Times by the disbelieving recipient of a copy.”
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Vauxhall introduces Insignia 4×4 diesel (UK)
The Vauxhall Insignia estate is now available as a 4WD diesel for the first time. The Insignia Estate 4×4 will go on sale in September, combining the company’s adaptive 4×4 system (previously available with the 2.0 and 2.8 litre petrol engines) with the 2.0 CDTi 160 engine.
As well as automatically dispensing power between the front and rear axles to maximise traction, the 4×4 system also comes with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. This controls the distribution of torque between the rear wheels, transferring it to the wheel that has the most grip and allowing the car to keep moving even when just one wheel has traction.
For safety reasons, the system is able to recognise potential danger quickly and can cut the power to a wheel even before it starts to spin. At the same time, when four-wheel drive is not needed – in town, for example – the car reverts to two-wheel drive to improve fuel economy.
In the new model, four-wheel drive also comes with the company’s FlexRide electronic suspension system. This gives the driver the choice of three modes: standard, Sport or Tour.
In addition, if buyers order a 4×4 estate with a towbar, the standard stability control system comes with a Trailer Stability Assist programme.
Lead Audi nearly taken out of Le Mans by BMW Art Car
Filed under: Motorsports, Audi, Diesel, Racing
BMW Art Car and lead Audi R15 TDI altercation – Click above for image gallery
Just four hours into the 24 Hours of Le Mans, eight-time-winner Tom Kristensen’s race almost ended after contact with the BMW M3 GT2 Art Car. Audi R15 driver Kristensen was the lead Audi at the time, running a lap down in fourth overall when he went off into the gravel at Porsche curves after overtaking the Jeff Koons-liveried BMW.
The Art Car was limping back to the pits with a punctured left front tire and drifted wide in the right-hand sweeper when Kristensen arrived on the scene. TK had to make a quick choice at speed and opted for the outside, assuming the BMW would stay inside. Unfortunately, the BMW was unable to turn in, and the Audi ended up going across the gravel and backing into the wall.
Fortunately for Audi, Kristensen kept the engine running and got a push of out the gravel. Back in the pits, the car was taken into the garage, where the crew descended upon it with huge shop vacs to get the gravel out. After two and a half minutes, fresh rear bodywork and a new wing were attached and the R15 was on its way again, another lap down. The #7 Audi is now running seventh overall.
BMW Art Car and all-female Ford GT out of Le Mans
Filed under: Motorsports, BMW, Ford
BMW Art Car and all-female Ford GT out of Le Mans – Click above for image gallery
Artist Jeff Koons’ special paint scheme is now the only thing that makes the #79 BMW M3 GT2 Art Car look like it’s moving. Just after starting the sixth hour of the 24 hours of Le Mans, the BMW was crawling around the track for the third time. Andy Priaulx pulled off the course onto the grass and began swerving back and forth as though he was out of fuel. Unfortunately, it was to no avail as the M3 rolled to a stop for good. The marshals pushed the car behind the guardrail and Priaulx set off on foot for the pits.
Meanwhile in GT1, the all-female team of Natacha Gachnang, Cyndie Allemann and Rahel Frey have finished their race in the #61 Ford GT as well. At about the same time the BMW Art Car gave up the ghost, Gachnang pulled over right in front of the marshal’s stand at the Mulsanne corner with thick smoke pouring out of the Ford. Gachnang, who has been limping on crutches all week, was able to crawl out of the car just as the marshals arrived with fire extinguishers. At this point, we haven’t heard the cause of the fire.
Alleged Porsche dealer meeting notes point to many new models
Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Porsche, Rumormill
If you thought Porsche was going to cool its jets after rolling out the Panamera, you’ve got another thing coming. A quick hit of information has crept out of a sales managers’ meeting that says we can expect a rash new models to head our way soon. Supposedly, Stuttgart is eying the creation of a new 911 Speedster with a $200,000 price tag and a 408 horsepower mill at the tail end. If true, the car will sport widebody sheetmetal and come equipped with the PDK and two-wheel drive.
There’s more. Early 2011 just might bring the 620-horsepower GT2 RS to the US. Buyers will have the option of equipping the car with carbon fiber fenders, but that will likely add to its $245,000 base price.
If that’s a little too rich for your blood, you can always opt for a widebody version of the Carrera called the GTS. With center-lug wheels, a sport exhaust and 408 horsepower, the coupe will set you back a still heady $103,100. Porsche also supposedly mulling a Cayman with the same sort of treatment given to the Boxster Spyder – less weight, more power – for around $65,300.
And what of the mighty 918 Spyder? According to the post, dealers haven’t heard word either way, but they expect a final answer by the time Pebble Beach rolls around later this summer. We’ve asked Porsche to verify the above claims, but have yet to hear back, so stay tuned.
