Lotus and Fagor Ederlan Group to produce range-extender engine
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Lotus, Geneva Motor Show
Lotus Engineering has reached an agreement with the Spanish Fagor Ederlan Group to develop and produce a small engine for use as a range extender in electric vehicles – a system similar to that found in the Chevrolet Volt. Lotus first showed its 1.2-liter inline-three engine at the Geneva Motor Show in the Evora 414E and Proton Emas concepts.
Both cars used a similar series hybrid powertrain architecture, where an electric motor provides the drive torque and the engine only drives a generator to sustain the battery after the plug-in charge has been depleted.
Because this new engine is designed specifically for use as a range extender rather than a primary power source, Lotus has been able to optimize the efficiency and reduce the weight. An adapted off-the-shelf engine like the one in the Volt is still designed to hold accessories like the alternator, air-conditioning compressor and power steering pump. Lotus has left out these structures for a lower cost and mass.
Lotus and Fagor Ederlan will take the 47 horsepower engine to production and offer it up to any automaker that wants to build an extended range electric vehicle, but no production timing or customers have been announced yet.
[Source: Lotus] Read more…
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Mitsuoka turns i-MiEV into monster-Like 5-seater, now taking reservations
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Mitsubishi, Japan
2010 Mitsuoka Live – Click above for high-res image gallery
How do you Like me now? That’s the question Mitsuoka’s newest abomination creation may be asking as the company begins taking reservations for their, um, upgraded Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Previously considered only suitable for four passengers, the small Japanese coach builder has stretched the length of our favorite electric jellybean by 175 mm (6.89 inches) and magically made it suitable for five. Somehow. Perhaps more noticeably, they’ve also attempted to give it a more upmarket look by reworking the fascia and adding a bit of metal plating to both the front and rear. The result? To borrow an overused, but in this case, apt, meme: Kill.it.with.fire. Please. Except for the 5-seater part. That’s cool.
Available for delivery in August, the Like is available in five colors and comes with free “Mitsuoka Road Assistance” for three years. The Japanese government will also help with your purchase by taking off ¥1,140,000 ($12,600 at today’s exchange rate) from the tax-included ¥4,280,000 ($47,290) price tag. Final cost to consumers in the land of the rising sun? ¥3,140,000 ($34,690). Where do we sign?
Gallery: 2010 Mitsuoka Like
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Electric vehicles supporters testify on Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2010
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Legislation and Policy, USA
Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources heard testimony on expanding the presence of electric cars in America. In short, the hearing gave plug-in vehicle supporters a chance to tell lawmakers what they think of this new breed of vehicles. There was a lot said in favor of plug-in vehicles, even if the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers did send a representative to voice some of the group’s concerns about the bill under discussion (the Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2010, S. 3495). Kathryn Clay, Auto Alliance director, said:
We believe the legislation should allow manufacturers, fuel providers, and communities the flexibility to invest in multiple electric drive pathways, including fuel cell electric vehicle and related hydrogen infrastructure. In addition, we must recognize that future successes of electric drive vehicles will be enhanced by growth in today’s hybrid electric vehicles, by establishing technical expertise and manufacturing capacity for batteries, motor and other key electronic components, and driving down their costs through production scale.
One part of the nearly two-hour hearing that jumped out at us was from Frederick Smith, the chairman, president and CEO of FedEx and also a member of the Electrification Coalition. Smith said:
2011 Saab 9-5
Saab will be bringing out the new 9-5 sedan in 2010 as a 2011 model. Even though GM is planning on shedding itself of the Swedish brand, the new 9-5 will share the same platform as the 2010 Buick Lacrosse. The new vehicle looks like it will be bigger than the model it [...]
Via New Car Blog
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Toyota strike over (CN)
Toyota Gosei’s Tianjin plant in China has reopened after three days of strikes.
Unconfirmed sources suggest that the company – an official supplier to Toyota – has offered employees a pay rise if they meet performance targets.
However, it refused demands for an additional pay rise over a 20% increase previously offered.
Honda workers in southern Guangdong in China recently ended a strike after securing a pay rise.
Autoblog Podcast #183 – Odyssey, IQS, UAW, CR-Z, CTS Coupe and Grand Cherokee
Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Government/Legal, BMW, Cadillac, Chrysler, GM, Honda, Jeep, Kia, Toyota, UAW/Unions
Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!
This week’s podcast team is Sam Abuelsamid, Alex Nunez and Dan Roth. We dive right in after a quick garage overview and take on the 2011 Honda Odyssey, JD Power’s Initial Quality Study results, action suggested by the new United Auto Workers president, and a whole bunch of first drives. The 2011 Grand Cherokee, Honda CR-Z and Cadillac CTS Coupe were all sampled by our wheelmen, and we discuss. We work in your feedback and wrap up with a question at the 80-minute mark. See you next week!
Autoblog Podcast #183 – Odyssey, IQS, UAW, CR-Z, CTS Coupe and Grand Cherokee
In the Autoblog Garage:
BMW X6 M
BMW 335i
Kia Sorento
Video: The race is over, but the Mini vs. Porsche hype continues
Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hatchback, Mini, Porsche
Mini vs. Porsche at the starting line – Click above to watch the video after the break
The race is over, the hype can now officially simmer down… right? Not so much, apparently. Mini has uploaded yet another video from its Porsche challenge event, complete with a guest appearance from Joe Rogan.
Since we’ve brought you all the updates up to this point, why not conclude with this bookend video. Here you’ll see each driver give a pre-race interview, followed by the course designer, who gives a kinda-sorta-ridiculous explanation as to why the track was set up in a certain way (hint: it wasn’t to favor Porsche).
There are the obligatory cheerleaders rooting for Mini and a suitably buxom flag girl… and finally a full video of the race. Oh, and a congratulatory note from Mini to Porsche, along with an ending that leaves the event open for a sequel. You saw that one coming, didn’t you? Full video after the break.
[Source: YouTube] Read more…
