Toyota unveils Hybrid racer for Le Mans
Toyota Racing is creating very good use of its prolonged-phrase investment in hybrid engineering with the advancement of two TS03 HYBRID vehicles for competition in this year’s FIA Globe Endurance Championship.
So far, Toyota has sold much more than 3.five million hybrid vehicles globally, and is the first automobile producer to confirm entry into the championship race series employing a hybrid powertrain.
The TS030 HYBRID is a successor to the TS010 and TS020 cars of the 1990’s, which gained podium spots at Le Mans. The latest Toyota Sport vehicles will also run at Le Mans, as well as in the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.
The bespoke THS-R (Toyota Hybrid Method – Racing) engine is an all-new 3.four-litre V-eight usually aspirated petrol unit with a hybrid technique and capacitor storage by Nisshinbo.
Laws restrict braking recovery to a maximum of 500kj between braking locations, and deployment of that energy is restricted to two wheels only.
Toyota finds alternative to rare earth metals for hybrids: report
Toyota has reportedly formulated a way to generate its hybrid and electrical automobiles with out using scarce and pricey uncommon earth metals.
Japan’s Kyodo News reports Toyota – the world’s biggest manufacturer of hybrid vehicles – could have the technologies ready for complete-scale production inside two a long time.
Toyota is understandably keeping it cards close to its chest, and has not revealed anything about its long term powertrain technology. A Toyota spokesperson told Reuters the business is continuing its investigation into rare earth metal substitutes but at this stage has no timeline on when new parts could hit the market.
Two of the metals – neodymium and dysprosium – are generally used in the magnets of electrical motors and are increasingly sought soon after as the demand for hybrids and EVs grows about the world.
China at present generates a lot more than 95 per cent of the world’s uncommon earth metals and has recently revealed its intention to restrict exports, fearing depletion of its all-natural sources. China’s hesitancy has forced hybrid manufacturers like Toyota into overdrive to discover alternatives to unusual supplies. Japan currently accounts for roughly one 3rd of the world’s uncommon earth metal consumption.
2012 Toyota Prius c; the newest of the Prii
Toyota promised Prius lovers a full loved ones of hybrids a number of many years ago and now, they’ve delivered. The 2012 Toyota Prius c is the newest and most accessible member of Toyota’s popular line of compact hybrid vehicles. Commencing cost is anticipated to be under $ 21,000.
The “c” stands for “city” in the event you have been wondering and this is wherever this modest automobile is developed to thrive.
The c is shorter, lighter and a lot more compact in every way compared to the standard Prius. This, in large part, explains why the 2012 Toyota Prius c will be motivated by an Atkinson-cycle one.five-litre, four-cylinder engine. On its own, it generates 73 hp and 82 lb-ft of torque. The electric motor is excellent for 60 hp or 45kW. Combined, they are rated at 99 hp.
The diminutive car is roomy enough for 4 occupants and some gear as the fuel tank and nickel-metal hydride battery are located under the rear seats. The exterior shell is plainly developed with a youthful purchaser in mind.
Fuel consumption numbers are extraordinary. According to Toyota, the 2012 Toyota Prius c’s mixed rating of 3.7 L/100 km is the best this side of non plug-in automobiles.
GM moving to safer lithium-phosphate battery for Chevrolet Spark EV
Following the Chevrolet Volt’s lithium-ion battery become the subject of a major NHTSA safety probe, GM said that it is moving to a less volatile battery chemistry for its upcoming Chevrolet Spark Electric that will go on sale in 2013.
GM said that it will be using phosphate-based lithium ion batteries from A123 Systems that are less likely to burn than other lithium chemistry.
Click here for more news on the Chevrolet Spark.
Obviously this shows how quickly the technology in electric and hybrid vehicles are changing. The Detroit automaker and other EV companies have started engineering future models with lithium-phosphate technology because the batteries cane be safer and can also last longer, said James Hall, principal of consulting firm 2953 Analytics Inc.
Mitsubishi PX-MiEV Review (Outlander preview)
Mitsubishi continued its pursuit of mass migration to electric and hybrid vehicles with the unveiling of the advanced hybrid PX-MiEV II in Japan last week.
Although not officially announced as the next-generation Mitsubishi Outlander, the PX-MiEV is about the same size both inside and out as the current model. And if you needed more convincing of its future potential in Australia, Mitsubishi brought us out to Japan to review the PX-MiEV using test cars based on current Outlanders.
Unlike traditional hybrids, such as the current Toyota Prius, which run on the electric motor alone for only a limited time and mostly complement the petrol engine, the PX-MiEV is heavily focused on using electricity as its main source of power. Mitsubishi expects the PX-MiEV to use just 1.67 litres of fuel per 100km, a figure that if achieved will make the Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid the most fuel efficient SUV on the market.
Honda to Introduce New Hybrid Variant of Accord Sedan Next Year
[JDM Honda Accord pictured above]
There’s plenty of news coming out from the sidelines of the Tokyo Motor Show and a lot of them concern Honda’s future plans.
Along with the Acura-badged NSX hybrid concept that’s heading to Detroit, we also learned that Honda is preparing a raft of hybrid powertrains for its mainstream models.
Speaking to Bloomberg News, Honda Motor President Takanobu Ito said that company’s plans including the introduction of a hybrid version of its Accord sedan next year. Ito didn’t elaborate on which markets would get the Accord hybrid nor did he reveal any information on the engine set up.
Aside from Ito’s remarks, the company released initial details on its powertrain plans that include the presentation of a 2.0-liter hybrid powerplant and a brand new two-motor hybrid system.
“Mid-sized vehicles equipped with this system [the twin motor hybrid] are scheduled to begin production, starting with the plug-in hybrid model in 2012 and the hybrid model in 2013,” Honda stated in a press release. The company added that the plug-in models would employ the use of a “special lithium-ion battery and charger”.
Mazda i-ELOOP regenerative braking coming in 2012
By Tim Beissmann | November 25th, 2011
Mazda has released the details of ‘i-ELOOP’ – a regenerative braking system it claims will reduce the fuel consumption of its future vehicles by up to 10 per cent.
The Japanese manufacturer says i-ELOOP (which stands for ‘Intelligent Energy Loop’) is the world’s first capacitor-based regenerative braking system for a passenger vehicle.
Mazda has confirmed the fuel-saving technology will debut in its passenger vehicle range in 2012. We will get our first look at i-ELOOP at next week’s Tokyo Motor Show when Mazda unveils the Takeri – the concept that previews the next-generation Mazda6, which is expected to go on sale in Australia in 2013.
Mazda says i-ELOOP improves fuel efficiency in stop-start city traffic by as much as 10 per cent. It works in tandem with Mazda’s ‘i-stop’ start/stop system, extending the length of time the engine can be in shutdown mode.
