Lexus News - Tokyo 2007 Preview: Lexus LF-XH hybrid crossover concept
October 31, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
Click the photo for a high-res gallery of the LF-XH concept
Lexus has released photos and a little bit of information on what they will be showing at the Tokyo Motor Show in a couple of weeks and it looks like a new version the RX400h is just around the corner. This V-6 hybrid LF-XH crossover concept carries some hints of the current RX in the greenhouse and window shapes but with a lower roof-line and more aggressive looking stance than the current model. Other than the mention of the hybrid drive-train not much else is known at this point.
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[Source: Lexus]
Lexus announced today that it plans to display two concept vehicles and six production vehicles at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show. The show will be open to the general public from October 27 to November 11 at the International Convention Complex (Makuhari Messe) in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture.
On the basis of its “pursuit of perfection” philosophy, Lexus strives to provide the highest-quality products and to fill every moment with exhilaration and comfort for its customers through continued, uncompromising efforts in all aspects of development, production and sales. At the Tokyo Motor Show, as a new global premium brand for the 21st century, Lexus plans to exhibit a specialty SUV and a premium two-seater sports car.
Further details of the Lexus display are below.
I. Concept Vehicles
LF-Xh (Global unveiling)
A specialty SUV based on the Lexus design philosophy of L-finesse and equipped with an advanced hybrid system
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The combination of a powerful body and elegant interior gives this next-generation SUV a dynamic look and feel.
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Application of “Lexus Hybrid Drive”, which features a sophisticated fusion of superior environmental and power performance, seeks to achieve outstanding driving performance, quiet operation, high fuel efficiency and low emissions.
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All-wheel drive is backed by a V6 gasoline engine and high-output electric motor hybrid system.
Total length: 4,800mm
Total width: 1,895mm
Total height: 1,650mm
Wheelbase: 2,850mm
LF-A
A premium two-seater sports car that represents the impressive Lexus driving performance
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Manifestation of the Lexus “F” premium sports car concept, which offers new Lexus performance through the combination of enhanced fundamental performance and cutting-edge driving technology, pursues the pinnacle of sports car performance.
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Use of L-finesse design creates an elegant and a solid presence.
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A high-performance V10 engine (up to 5.0 liters) and a body made of light yet sturdy carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) combine to provide unprecedented driving performance.
Total length: 4,460mm
Total width: 1,895mm
Total height: 1,220mm
Wheelbase: 2,605mm
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Chevrolet News - Volt to get branded as Cadillac instead of Chevy? Not likely!
October 31, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
Late last Friday we got the news that General Motors had committed to the building the Volt at their Detroit Hamtramck assembly plant. The information came from a leaked summary of the new GM-UAW contract that local union leaders were reviewing. Over at the Motor Trend blog, Todd Lassa took a look at the information on the list did some extrapolation. Most of the vehicle assignments on the plant list specified brands in addition to platforms. One vehicle that was conspicuous in missing a brand was the Volt which was listed as simply Global Delta Volt.
From that Lassa is surmising that the GM has possibly decided not to brand the Volt as a Chevrolet but instead sell it under a premium brand like Cadillac. The rationale for such a move is that production cost of the Volt is high enough that calling it a Cadillac would allow GM to charge a higher price and hence recover more of that cost. While this seems reasonable, it also seems highly improbable.
When GM announced the Volt they made it clear that unlike the GM branded EV1, they were calling the Volt a Chevrolet because they wanted the car to be a high-volume, mainstream model. They know full-well that they will almost certainly take a loss on the Volt in the first couple of years. Bob Lutz has made clear that they intend to sell the Volt for well under $30,000 and GM has already started running TV ads and billboards that feature the Chevrolet branding in conjunction with the Volt. Most likely the lack of branding on the list for both the Volt and the Global Delta MPV7 (the next generation Opel Zafira) is due to the fact that both vehicles will be sold globally under different brands in different regions. Here in the US, the Volt will almost certainly be a Chevrolet.
[Source: Motor Trend Blog]
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Saab News - Saab to make entire 9-3 range flex-fuel capable
October 31, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
Saab has announced that they will be making their BioPower engines available across the entire 9-3 model lineup including the sedan, SportCombi wagon, and convertible models. They will be using a 1.8L turbocharged four cylinder engine, that can run on any combination of gasoline or ethanol up to 85% ethanol. Thanks to the higher octane of ethanol (99.5 average) compared to gasoline, when the engine management system can optimize turbo boost and spark timing based on the fuel mix. When running on E85, the BioPower engine makes 17% more maximum power (175 hp v 150 hp) and 10% more torque (195 v 177 lb-ft) compared to running on straight gasoline. Unfortunately Saab doesn’t yet list how much fuel consumption drops when running on Ethanol. In Saab’s homeland of Sweden they already have 650 E85 filling stations with 800 expected to be in operation by the end of 2008.
[Source: Saab]
Saab Adds BioPower To Entire 9-3 Range
- BioPower variants to be launched across Saab 9-3 model range
- 1.8t BioPower engine for SportSedan, SportCombi and Convertible
- 17% more power, 10% more torque on E85 fuel
- BioPower expansion confirms Saab’s commitment to bioethanol
The Saab 9-5 BioPower is already established as Europe’s best selling flex-fuel vehicle and the addition of BioPower to the 9-3 range will significantly broaden customer choice. For example, the 9-3 BioPower Convertible becomes the only premium soft-top on the market to offer open-top motoring with eco-friendly performance.
“The success of the 9-5 BioPower has encouraged us to extend this concept to the 9-3 range,” says Jan ke Jonsson, Saab Automobile’s Managing Director. “This means we can now offer BioPower variants throughout our core product line-up.”
Saab 9-3 BioPower models, in Linear and Vector specification with manual or automatic transmission, go on sale with immediate effect in Nordic markets, the UK and Ireland. Sales in other European markets will commence later this year.
Enhanced Performance
By using turbocharging, Saab BioPower is the only flex-fuel technology on the market that offers the enjoyment of ‘greener’ motoring, together with more engine power and performance.
Running on E85 fuel (85% bioethanol/15% gasoline), the new 9-3 BioPower 1.8t engine delivers 17% more maximum power (175 hp/129 kW v 150 hp/111 kW) and 10% more torque (265 v 240 Nm). In the 9-3 Sport Sedan, that translates to projected zero to 100 kph acceleration in 8.4 sec and 80 to 120 kph in fifth gear in 13.9 sec, compared to 9.5 sec and 15.0 sec, respectively, on gasoline.
E85 has a higher octane rating (104 RON) than gasoline (95 RON), and turbocharging with Saab BioPower allows the use of a higher boost pressure and more advanced ignition timing than is possible with gasoline. This gives more engine power, without risk of harmful ‘knocking’ or pre-detonation. In contrast, a naturally-aspirated flex-fuel engine has only a fixed compression ratio and cannot realize the true performance potential of bioethanol fuel.
Saab’s 32-bit Trionic 8 engine management system controls the throttle setting, ignition timing, fuel injection, air mass and turbo boost pressure. It is a powerful platform that has facilitated software re-programming to accommodate the different ignition timing and fuel/air mixture requirements of E85. The only hardware modifications necessary to the all-aluminum Saab 9-3 engine are the fitment of more durable valves and valve seats. Bioethanol-compatible materials are also used in the fuel system, including the tank, pump, lines and connectors.
Trionic monitors fuel quality after every visit to the filling station and automatically makes any adjustments necessary for running on E85 and/or gasoline in any combination. That means Saab BioPower drivers can also use gasoline, should E85 not be available.
Bioethanol fuel is produced from a wide range of agricultural crops and biomass. Unlike gasoline, its consumption does not raise atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main ‘greenhouse’ gas that contributes to climate change.
This is because emissions during driving are balanced by the amount of CO2 that is removed from the atmosphere when crops for conversion are grown. Bioethanol is sold in Sweden, and a growing number of other European markets, as E85 fuel.
BioPower Success
The extension of BioPower demonstrates Saab’s commitment to exploiting the potential of bioethanol as a sustainable and renewable fuel for road transport. And the commercial success of Saab’s current 9-5 BioPower models - now available with 2.3-liter and 2.0-liter turbo engines - also demonstrates its attraction in providing enhanced performance, together with greater environmental responsibility.
The EU is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and a directive currently requires member states to ensure bio-fuels account for an increasing proportion of energy needs in the road transport sector, with a target of 5.75 per cent by 2010. A further directive on energy taxation also calls on member states to apply reduced taxation, or a complete exemption, for bio-fuels in pure or low blends.
In Sweden, where the Saab 9-5 BioPower is the top selling environmentally-friendly vehicle, a growing network of more than 650 E85 fuel pumps is already established and a total of 800 pumps, covering 25% of the country’s filling stations, is targeted by the end of 2008.
Other European countries are now following Sweden’s lead. E85 has already entered the market in Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium, with other countries expected to follow. And in France, the government has targeted the establishment of 500 pumps this year throughout the country. With increasing E85 availability in the United States, bioethanol is now established as the world’s fastest growing alternative fuel.
Jan ke Jonsson concludes: “We believe Saab BioPower represents an attractive and practical step forward in helping to meet the environmental challenges that now confront us. Saab is delighted to be leading growth in the flex-fuel segment and we are committed to giving our customers the opportunity to enjoy greener motoring. We look forward to the substantial development of distribution infrastructures in Europe that will extend this opportunity to more drivers.”
Note to Editors:
Bioethanol fuel is produced commercially from agricultural crops, such as corn and sugar cane. Also under development are second-generation processes which offer greater energy efficiency be using ligno-cellulose extracted from forestry and agricultural products, such as wood, straw and grass. Unlike gasoline, bioethanol consumption does not raise atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main ‘greenhouse’ gas. This is because emissions during driving are balanced by the amount of CO2 that is removed from the atmosphere when crops for conversion are grown. In contrast, fossil-based fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, release new amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere which have been locked away underground in oil deposits.
Saab 9-3 1.8t BioPower:
Technical Specifications
Turbocharged, intercooled. Compression ratio, 9.5:1
Saab Trionic 8 engine management. Direct ignition, multi-point fuel injection, electronic throttle control
|
Fuel
|
Gasoline
|
E85
|
|
EEC rating
|
150 hp (111 kW)
@ 5500 rpm. |
175 hp (129 kW)
@ 5500 rpm. |
|
EEC peak torque
|
240 Nm
@ 2000-3500 rpm. |
265 Nm
@ 2500-4000 rpm. |
|
Max boost
Pressure |
0.48 bar
|
0.55 bar
|
|
Performance
Sedan |
Gasoline
|
E85*
|
|
0-100 km/h (sec)
|
9.5 (manual)
10.7 (auto) |
8.4
9.4 |
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80-120 kph (sec)
5th gear |
15.0 (manual)
|
13.9
|
|
Top Speed (kph)
|
210 (manual)
210 (auto) |
220
220 |
Fuel ConsumptionSedan
|
Gasoline
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E85
|
|
Combined
(l/100km) |
7.7 (manual)
8.5 (auto) |
No certification figures available
|
* projected figures
Saab 9-3 1,8t BioPower:
Power and Torque Curves Gasoline v E85
Nm, gasoline
Nm, E85
kW, gasoline
kW, E85
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Dodge News - Stanly Community College creates their third electric truck
October 31, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
I am not entirely sure, but I think that the yellow truck converted by students at Stanly Community College from gas to electric is a Dodge Ram 50, which was made by Mitsubishi and was replaced by the Dakota. The Ram 50 was a small truck which was powered by a four-cylinder engine. Not this one, though, because the gas engine was yanked out in favor of an electric motor. Not only that, but solar power has been added as a backup charger. Additionally, the vehicle can be plugged into any standard outlet for recharging. From what I can tell in the article, the vehicle not only has lead-acid batteries but seems to have some sort of capacitor storage too. Capacitors are like batteries, but they do not rely on chemicals for their energy storage and can usually deliver a good jolt of power when necessary.
This happens to be the third truck that Stanly Community College has converted to electric. The other two were a Chevy S10 and a Ford Ranger. Trucks are often chosen for electric conversions because their open bed makes a good spot to store the batteries. Unfortunately, they are usually heavier than small cars and are not very aerodynamic. This particular conversion can reach up to 90 miles per hour and can go for 70 miles on a full charge. The tally for the vehicles comes to $9,500. That’s not too bad considering that they’ll never need to fill ‘er up with gas!
[Source: The Snap Online]
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Isuzu News - Toyota and Isuzu to collaborate on small diesel engines
October 31, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
Isuzu may not be particularly successful as a purveyor of cars - particularly in the US market - but they have done much better in the medium duty truck market and as a designer and producer of diesel engines. Their joint venture with General Motors to produce diesels under the Duramax brand for GM’s heavy duty trucks has gotten excellent reviews.
Toyota and Isuzu agreed last fall to investigate building small diesel engines and they have now agreed to develop and build engines together. The first product will be 1.6L aluminum block four cylinder for European Toyota models and it’s scheduled to go into production in 2012.
[Source: Toyota]
Isuzu and Toyota Reach Basic Agreement on Collaboration
for Development, Production and Supply of Small Diesel Engines Tokyo - ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED (Isuzu) and TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that they have reached a basic agreement concerning a business collaboration on the development, production and supply of small diesel engines.
Isuzu and TMC signed a memorandum of understanding last November to begin studying the synergic effects of business collaboration to mutually utilize their management resources in the fields of R&D and production, and to supplement each other’s technological development. Since then, the two companies have conducted investigations with the aim of reaching agreement on the specific details of the business collaboration.
The engine that the two companies will develop is a 1.6-liter engine with an aluminum cylinder block for use in Toyota vehicles sold in European markets. Both companies will maximize use of their technological capabilities and expertise to develop and produce an engine with the world’s highest performance.
Isuzu and TMC will begin discussions on the details of operations concerning development, production and supply of the diesel engine, but in principle, Isuzu will play the leading role. Production is scheduled to begin around 2012.
The two companies intend to hold continuing talks over the creation of a comprehensive cooperative framework that will contribute to their mutual competitiveness and development over the long term.
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