TSX to House Acura’s First Hybrid Powertrain
Possible Hybrid Drivetrain for Next-Gen Lancer Evo
According to Motor Trend and Left Lane News, the next stage in the evolution of Mitsubishi’s Lancer will come in the form of a hybrid. The brand’s green efforts are expected to make their way into the drivetrain of the Evo XI.
The next Evo will be a plug-in hybrid based on the PX-MiEV concept. Power will come from the combination of a 2.0-L 4 cylinder engine and an electric motor.
Unlike traditional hybrids (have they been around long enough to be a tradition?), the Evo will use it’s electric motor to drive the front wheels most of the time, and the turbo 2.0-L to drive the rear wheels, when needed.
Not only will this combination improve fuel economy for the Evo, it will provide it with excellent acceleration. The 4 cylinder engine apparently packs 320 hp on it’s own, which should already be enough to really get the car moving. Add the torque of the electric motor and you’ve got yourself a 0-60 time of around 4.5 seconds.
Another nice benefit of the added electric motor is the absence of turbo lag. Since electric motors have great torque at really low speed, it will fill in the gap in the low RPM range, where the turbo’s effects aren’t completely felt.
Hot Hybrids in Detroit: Proof that Green Can be Fun?
Sporty entries into the hybrid class prove green doesn’t have to be lame - no offense to those of our readers driving a Prius or Insight. (Remember, you too can have a stylish ride) Honda and VW have everyone talking 0-60 times with their sporty hybrid entries, the CR-Z and NCC.
Volkswagen claims some pretty impressive performance specs for the NCC. Even with an estimated 45 mpg combined fuel economy rating, VW predicts the NCC will reach 60 from zero in just over 8 seconds, with a top speed of 141 mph. It’s got to be one of the coolest looking hybrid concepts to date too.
Honda’s CR-Z is expected to have some soul too, at least, compared to “other” hybrids. Although it’s specs aren’t quite as impressive they are more likely the real deal. The CR-Z is being shown in production form at Detroit, and is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. later this year. Read more
Rumor: Next-Gen Nissan GT-R to Gain Hybrid Option
Introduced in 2007, the Nissan GT-R was created to rival Porsche’s 911, both on paper and on the track. Evidence has shown that it does this quite well. Nissan’s engineers even planned to mimic the model update cycle used by Porsche for the 911. After a year like 2009, almost everyone has made some changes to their strategies and future product line-ups. Likewise, Nissan is rumored to be planning a surprising option for the next generation of the GT-R. Although some rumors suggested a GT-R based SUV, or 4-door M5 fighter, sources of Inside Line have led them to believe a hybrid version of the current 2-door supercar is the most likely addition to the Nissan family. Read more
Toyota Prius and Honda Insight get Tommy Kaira Kits
Body kits and tuning are nothing new to fans of Japanese imports, although they tend to remind us of Supras and Civics, rather than the fuel sipping hybrids of the 21st century. Hybrids, by nature, are not the speedy performance machines generally associated with aggressive body styling and over sized rims, so this seems like an unlikely market for tuner accessories.
The Ten Best Concepts of the Decade #2: Infiniti Essence
The Essence may be where Infiniti finds its niche: the superb ‘09 concept embraced beautiful sculpting with progressive technology. Whereas most concepts go to bizarre places, the Essence makes sense for the future of upscale motoring. The power behind this rear-drive wonder is a gas-electric V-6, souped to pump out 590+ hp. The passenger compartment is beautifully adorned with two-tone leather, a digital driver display, and a shaded panorama roof. We don’t know how far this’ll go yet, but we’re praying it becomes a reality.
GM Considering Performance Volt and Converj Hybrids
Buzz has spread on the Web about GM vice-chair Bob Lutz’s statements regarding his company’s two upcoming hybrid-electric vehicles. Lutz has mentioned performance variants of the Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac Converj are possible in order to appeal to a wider demographic. Gas-electric cars aren’t noted for their speed, but that is changing with the oncoming of the Honda CR-Z and Fisker Karma.
Our take is that cost-cutting General Motors won’t take the leap unless it gets its fiscal situation in check. CEO and Chairman Fritz Henderson has said GM is performing better than expected, but we have yet to see a competitive compact and sub-compact hit the Chevy division. GM’s made lavish promises before.
We’ll believe it when we see it.
Honda to Build the CR-Z, Fit Hybrid to Follow
Honda will be continuing its hybrid path with full steam, despite the poor reception to its Insight sedan. The CR-Z, a sport hatch designed in the spirit of the old CRX, will be the attention-grabber. The CR-Z will utilize lightweight materials, a streamlined form, and possibly a reworked version of the Inisght powertrain to create the greenest sport compact in the market. Honda will also be producing a gas-electric version of its Fit subcompact, said to be targeting a $19,000 starting price range. Both are reportedly scheduled for the 2011 model year and may premiere in the upcoming LA auto show.
It’s Official: The Best Concepts of 2009
The Southeast Automotive Media Organization has handed out awards for the best concepts of 2009. Award winning vehicles are held as positive examples of the future of the industry. Concepts are to be more than design studies, but practical works that will be applied to the road.
Fisker Automotive to Go All-Hybrid, Expand to Four Models
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Fisker Automotive’s sensuous Karma has received a lot of good press for its plug-in hybrid-electric concepts, the Karma sedan and the Sunset convertible. But aiming a step ahead of its arch-rival (and courtroom adversary), Tesla Motors, Fisker will be expand its product range to four vehicles by the middle of the next decade. The third prototype is still unnamed; Fisker’s PR rep only confirmed that it was ongoing effort set after the Sunset’s 2012 release. (Word is that it’s either a crossover or a sports car.) The fourth and final model will be a low-priced HEV in response to Tesla’s planned “BlueStar” segment-expander planned for the mid-2010s.
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