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9.1 Introduction - This section deals with hybrid cars that utilise two different energy sources, one of which is electric power and the other usually a petrol or diesel powered internal combustion engine and which have been produced since 1980.
- For information on earlier hybrid cars see Part 2, The Last 100 Years, Section 4.
- For information on fuel cell hybrid cars see Green Cars, Section 8.
9.2 Audi 300 Duo: In 1989 Audi produced an experimental vehicle. A 12.6 hp (9.4 kW) electric motor drove the rear wheels and a 2.3 litre five-cylinder engine, with an output of 136 hp (101.5 kW), drove the front wheels.
80 Duo: The Audi 80 Duo was produced in 1994. Information required.
A4 Duo: In 1997 Audi became the first European manufacturer to mass-produce a hybrid car. How many produced and up to when?
The front wheel drive Audi duo was based on the A4 Avant and was powered by a 90 hp (67 kW) 1.9-litre TDI engine and a 29 hp (21.6 kW) electric motor. Note: 1kW = hp x 0.746
The electrical motor powered by a lead-gel battery.
Q7 Concept: In 2005 Audi announced a hybrid Q7 concept vehicle to be powered by a petrol engine or, up to 29 kph (18 mph) by an electric motor, or both.
When stationary for more than three seconds the petrol engine automatically switched off (restarting when the accelerator was depressed).
The electric motor was powered by a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery.
Compared to a conventional Audi Q7, a fuel consumption saving of about 13 percent was projected.
Solar cells powered the air-conditioning system when the vehicle was parked.
9.3 Ford
- Escape Hybrid: In 2004 Ford started production of the 2.3 litre Escape Hybrid.
- The SUV is powered by a 133 hp (99 kW) petrol engine and a 94 hp (70 kW) electric motor. Electric power being provided by a 330 volt nickel-metal hybride (NiMH) battery. What is battery rated at in kW?
- Regenerative braking is employed (the electric drive motor acting as a generator) to recharge the battery pack.
- The vehicle can be powered solely by its engine or its electric motor, or both together. From 0 to 39 mph the SUV can be powered solely by the electric motor (at which speed the petrol engine switches on).
- During high acceleration the engine and the electric motor provide power together. An average fuel economy figure for the Escape Hybrid of just under 32 mpg (US) has been achieved.
- Note: Compared to standard vehicles, hybrids usually achieve better mpg figures during “city” driving partly because some power is recovered by the regenerative braking.
- The petrol engine switches off when idling to conserve gasoline.
9.4 Honda
- Insight: In 1999 Honda produced the 1 litre Insight model, a two-seater hybrid car which employed the company’s first generation Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology.
- 10 kW of electrical power was provided by Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries to an electrical motor which, during fast acceleration, provided additional power.
- Because the car cannot run on the electric motor alone the Insight is not a consdered to be a "full" hybrid vehicle.
- During deceleration a process called regenerative braking is used; the motor acting as a generator to recharge the batteries.
- Whenever the car has to stop an on-board computer automatically turns off the engine; quickly restarting it when the car needed to move.
- When production ceased in 2006 nearly 14,000 Insight models had been sold.
- Civic Hybrid: Honda produced the first-generation Civic Hybrid between 2003 and 2005.
- It was fitted with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid technology and continously variable transmission (CVT).
- The 1.3 litre car uses a VTEC Cylinder Cut-off System, which allows up to three cylinders to cease operating during deceleration.
- 15 kW of electrical power provided by NiMH batteries.
- In the second generation (2006-07) model the power of the 1.3 litre petrol engine was increased to 93 hp (69 kW) and a more powerful battery fitted.
- The 2006-07 models were full hybrids because they could also run solely on the battery during low speed cruising.
- The 2006 hybrid versions of the Civic also included a 2-door coupe and a 200 hp (149 kW) Si coupe.
- An average fuel economy figure for the Civic Hybrid of just over 47 mpg (US) has been achieved.
- Civic Accord: Honda started production of the Accord Hybrid in 2005.
- The car, which has a 255 hp (190 kW) 3 litre petrol engine and a high-torque electric motor, uses the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system.
- The Accord Hybrid uses the petrol engine in most situations, with the electric motor being used when extra power is required. Battery information required.
- Regenerative braking is used to recharge the battery pack when the brakes are applied.
- An average fuel economy figure for the Accord Hybrid of just under 32 mpg (US) has been achieved.
9.5 Mercury
9.6 Nissan
- Tino: In 2000 Nissan produced its first hybrid vehicle, the 1.7 litre Tino. 100 were supplied.
- The vehicle had a 100 hp (75 kW) petrol engine and two electric motors capable of providing a further 23 hp (17 kW).
- Electrical power was supplied by a lithium-ion battery pack.
- Regenerative braking was used to recharge the battery.
- Altima Hybrid: The company produced the Altima Hybrid Electric in 2007.
- The car has a 158 hp (118 kW) 2.5 litre petrol engine and two electric motors, giving a combined output of 198 hp (148 kW).
- The company’s estimated EPA fuel economy figures are 41 mpg (US) city and 36 mpg highway. Further information on the car required.
9.7 Peugeot
- 307 CC Hybride: In 2006 Peugeot introduced a diesel hybrid technology demonstrator called the 307 CC Hybride HDI.
- The vehicle is fitted with a 1.6-litre HDi diesel engine, a Diesel Particle Filter System (DPFS) and an electric motor.
- The electric motor is designed to operate the vehicle in an “all-electric” mode during low speed city/town driving.
- During fast acceleration the vehicle’s 110 hp (82 kW) engine can be supplemented by 31 hp (23 kW) provided by the electric motor, with a further 12 hp (9 kW) available if required.
- The battery pack contains 240-nickel metal hydride (NiHM) cells, with regenerative braking, the kinetic energy recovered during the vehicle’s deceleration and braking phases, being used to recharge the batteries.
- The vehicle also includes a Stop & Start system (STT).
- Because the car has a diesel engine it can use pure biodiesel. See Green Cars, Section 3.2.2 (Biodiesel).
9.8 Saturn
- Green Line VUE: Saturn introduced their mild hybrid Green Line VUE model in 2006.
- The vehicle has a 2.4 litre, 170 hp (127 kW) engine and an electric motor powered by a nickel metal hybride (NiMH) battery.
- Regenerative charging is used to charge the battery.
- The vehicle employs a “belt alternator starter” system (BAS). The vehicle’s engine automatically stops when the vehicle comes to a halt and automatically restarts when it needs to move again.
- The vehicle’s electric motor can also assist during acceleration.
- Aura Green Line: In 2007 Saturn produced the 164 hp (122 kW) Aura Green Line model, a mild hybrid. The vehicle also employs the “belt alternator starter” system (BAS).
- An electric motor/generator assisting the 2.4 litre petrol engine during the initial drive away period and when under full acceleration. More information on the two Saturn models required.
9.9 Subaru
- B5-TPH Concept: In 2005 Subaru introduced the B5-TPH concept car. The car contained a new hybrid system called the Turbo Parallel Hybrid (TPH) power train. Engine and other details required.
- Electrical power is provided to an electrical motor by a manganese lithium-ion battery pack.
- In addition to propelling the wheels when required, the motor can also function as a generator and recharge the battery during regenerative braking.
9.10 Suzuki - Twin Keicar Hybrid: During the period 2003-05 Suzuki produced a hybrid version of their front wheel drive, three-cylinder, Suzuki Twin keicar (“small automobile”).
- The car contains a 44 hp (32 kW) engine and a 7 hp (5 kW) electrical motor.
- The car employs a “start-stop” system. The engine switching off whenever the vehicle halted, instantly restating when the car needed to move again
9.11 Toyota
- Prius: The 1.5 litre Prius model produced by Toyota from 1997 to 2001 was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car.
- The car, designated NHW 10, could be powered by its petrol-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) or a battery, or both, and employed a “Toyota Hybrid System” (THS).
- An improved 1.5 litre Pirus model (NHW 11) was produced from 2000 to 2003.
- In 2004 the company produced another improved 1.5 litre Pirus model (NHW 20), a 5 seater car which was fitted with the Toyota designed “Hydrid Synergy Drive” (HSD) system.
- At slow speeds, at traffic lights, decending long hills, etc., the car can run on battery only (the “stealth mode”).
- The nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are charged by the petrol engine and also by regenerative braking. Solar panels can also be used to provide additional energy to the batteries.
- An average fuel economy figure for the 2004-05 Prius of just under 50 mpg (US) has been achieved.
- By mid 2006 half a million Prius cars had been sold, over 50% in the USA.
- The DHW 20 model has a top speed of 105 mph (168 kph) or 42 mph (67 kph) when in the battery only “stealth mode”. The engine is rated at 76 hp (57 kW), the motor at 67 hp (50 kW), with a nett power rating of 110 hp (82 kW).
- Technical Note: The Toyota’s Hydrid Synergy Drive (HSD) is a drive-by-wire system. There are no direct mechanical connections between the engine and its controls.
- Signals from the accelerator pedal, gear lever, etc being sent by wire to the car’s on-board computer.
- HSD replaces the usual geared transmission. It is described as E-CTV (Electronically-controlled ContinuouslyVariable Transmission).
- Estima & Alphard: The Estima (2000/2006) and the Alphard (2003) were both hybrid minivans. In 2005 Toyota introduced the Kluger/Jighlander Hybrid.
- Camry Hybrid: In 2006 the company introduced the petrol/battery powered 2.4 litre, 147 hp (110 kW) Camry Hybrid.
- The car is fitted with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system.
- 40 hp (30 kW) of power for the electrical motors being provided by a 150-pound nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery.
- The car typically achieves 43 mpg (US) city driving and about 33 mpg overall.
- The car has a curb weight of 3,640 lbs (1,655 kg) and a top speed governed to 117 mph (187 kph).
- Lexus RX 400h: In 2005 the company introduced a 3.3 litre, 211hp (157 kW) hybrid. In Japan it was called the Toyota Harrier.
- A Lexus Hybrid Drive system (also called the Hybrid Synergy Drive) produces a maximum of 272 hp (203 kW).
- Two electric motors, powered by a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, aid the petrol powered engine. The Ni-MH battery being charged during deceleration.
- One motor drives the front wheels, the other drives the rear wheels.
- Normally only the front motor and/or the petrol powered engine are used, the rear motor only operating when the car is under full acceleration or when the front wheels lose their grip.
- The car’s engine is automatically switched off when stationary, decelerating or at slow speeds (hence fuel economy is better in city/town driving).
- Another version, the GS 450h hybrid, has been produced. It has a 3.5 litre engine and a combined hybrid power of 339 hp (253 kW).
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