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Thursday, 19 March 2009
Toyota are apparently developing a new version of their great little MR2 sports car, that ended production back in 2007. This comeback model will be in the form of a compact coupe, rather than the roadster style of its predecessor and will feature a specially developed version of the hybrid powertrain from Toyota’s Prius. Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Nissan have unveiled their new prototype electric vehicle which comes equipped with batteries that are twice as powerful as those in use today. The boxy-looking car also features a new motor, delivering 80kW (105 hp) of power for quick acceleration. The batteries were developed in partnership with NEC and use advanced lithium-ion technology, offering twice the power of nickel-metal hydride batteries in current electric vehicles. They are stored under the floor of the vehicle to maximize interior space. Nissan wants in on the electric car market and is aiming to be industry leader, despite a very slow start. They plan to begin selling an electric vehicle in both Japan and the U.S. in 2010 and the rest of the world in 2012. Nissan have also unveiled a hybrid vehicle with numerous innovations to improve on efficiency such as a parallel-powertrain. The hybrid will launch alongside the electric model in 2010. They are clearly taking the low/zero-emission market very seriously and are working on the development of a hydrogen fuel-cell car to round out their offerings. Friday, 18 July 2008
Have you ever been torn between your love of both cars and bikes? You can’t beat the thrill of riding a motorbike, but when the weather is terrible, don’t you just long for the comfort of a car? Alvino Design has come up with a solution in the form of their Proxima car/bike hybrid concept. The Proxima is a stunning vehicle that looks like a hotrod at the front and a motorcycle at the rear. The cabin has 2 tandem seats for a motorcycle-like seating arrangement but instead of being exposed to the elements, are tucked inside a fully-enclosed cabin. Apart from providing comfortable, all-weather riding, it should also improve aerodynamics considerably. The wheel arrangement might be seen to offer less maneuverability than a traditional motorcycle, but at the same time could present a whole new level of excitement and capabilities. If you’re into odd-shaped vehicles, this should definitely be up your alley. For those who are not, you’ve got to appreciate the elegant tapering that makes this car a work of art.
Friday, 13 June 2008
Genepax Japan has developed a power system that creates zero CO2 emissions and can power a car using nothing but water for fuel. Like fuel cells, the system uses hydrogen for power but it creates its own on the fly. It contains a special material that acts like a small reactor, turning water and air into hydrogen through a chemical reaction. This process has been seen on a smaller scale recently to power unmanned fuel cell helicopters. This larger scale version has great advantages over existing green technologies in that it can be used for any kind of power generation application. It does not depend on braking force to recharge the batteries like systems in many hybrid cars. Nor does it require clear sunny days or high wind velocities like solar panels or wind turbines do. It can be kept running for as long as it is supplied with water which means it could also be used in residential applications. Genepax has demonstrated a 300W active system mounted in the luggage area of a compact electric car. The car, known as “Reva”, was driven by the system but it is still early days. The company plans to produce a 1KW model to offer more power and if it succeeds in mass production, could shrink the cost from ¥2,000,000 (US$18,522) to just ¥500,000 ($5000) or lower. If brought down to this price, Genepax feels it could compete with residential solar cell systems. Source: Related articles: Thursday, 12 June 2008
Toyota has plans to release a plug-in hybrid by 2010 that will run on lithium-ion batteries as part of its mission to produce cleaner, more efficient cars. The company is also working with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co to develop next generation battery technology. Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe thinks the auto industry has no option but to move away from petroleum. He says that Toyota will have hybrid versions for every car in its line-up somewhere between 2020 and 2029. “Without focusing on measures to address global warming and energy issues, there can be no future for our auto business,” he told reporters in Tokyo. He added, “Our view is that oil production will peak in the near future. We need to develop power train(s) for alternative energy sources.” Toyota’s sales of its leading hybrid, the Prius, recently topped 1 million worldwide. The third generation Prius will use NiMH batteries and is slated for a release sometime next year. Source: Related articles: | Subscribe
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