Category: Green Machines

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Audi Green Machines

Audi says 1+1 equals ‘urban concept’

Audi urban concept

Audi has just released these sketch drawings of what they call the ‘urban concept’. Basically they’ve taken the Volkswagen XL1 and given it a personality. It looks pretty cool too, don’t you think.

The issue of whether a 1+1 seater electric powered city car is a genuinely practical proposition is another question altogether. Then there’s the free-standing wheels. They look great, but not sure they would make it into final production.

The ‘urban concept’ is powered by a pair of e-tron motors, one for each axle we assume. We also assume we’ll be seeing more of this car at Frankfurt next month.

Residents of Berlin were given a very brief preview of the car during a film shoot in Potsdamer Platz on the weekend. You can see a couple of YouTube clips after the break. It’s actually quite helpful to see the car in a real-world context. It’s not quite as small as you might think.

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BMW Green Machines

BMW embraces i-generation

BMW i3 and i8 concepts

BMW took a further step with its ‘i’ brand last Friday when it launched concept models of the i3 and i8. The smaller i3, to be released in 2013, is powered by an all-electric engine. The i8, based on the Vision EfficientDynamics, will follow in 2014 and is a hybrid performance car with a top speed of 250km/h. Both models follow a lighter is better principle, relying on the use of carbon fibre body panels and other innovative construction techniques.

The electric motor in the i3 is rated at 125kW/250Nm and can reach 100km/h in a tidy 7.9 seconds. Its ‘everyday range’ is quoted as being between 130–160km. The engine can be recharged to 80% in as little as one hour, while a full recharge will take up to six hours.

Pushing the performance envelope further the i8 has a combined total of 260kW/550Nm from its hybrid drivetrain. That’s enough to propel the car to 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds. Separating the power individually, a three cylinder petrol engine drives the rear wheel and produces 164kW/300Nm. The front wheels are powered by the 96kW/250Nm electric motor, which can achieve a 100% recharge in less than two hours. In all-electric mode the i8 has a 35km range.

After the break you can see a collection of videos published by BMWi. For more info you can download BMW’s media release (300kb PDF) or visit the BMWi website.

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Green Machines Jaguar

Williams and Jaguar join forces to build C-X75

Jaguar C-X75

Jaguar has announced a partnership with the Williams F1 team that will see the C-X75 concept car from last year’s Paris Motor Show come to life. The hybrid powered concept used a pair of gas turbine engines to recharge the batteries for the electric motors found at each wheel. However, the transformation from concept to reality will see the C-X75 be powered by a more conventional arrangement including two electric motors and an internal combustion engine.

The only specifics given, at this stage, relate to performance targets and pricing. Jaguar say the road version of the C-X75 will be able to crack 100km/h in under three seconds, 160km/h in 12 seconds and have a top speed over 320km/h. In all electric mode it will have a modest 50km range, while overall it should emit 99g/km of CO2 emissions.

Just 250 examples of the all-wheel drive hybrid supercar will be built, with an expected price range of £700,000–900,000 (AU$1.07–1.37 million).

After the break you’ll see more pics, a press release from Jaguar along with a video review of the concept car by Jay Leno. Also included is a download of the press docs from Paris 2010.

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Green Machines Peugeot

Peugeot EX1 sets new electric record at the Ring

Peugeot EX1

This crazy looking electric powered Peugeot EX1, complete with 250kW, has set a new lap record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife for an electric powered car. It didn’t hang about, either, posting time of 9:01.338—oh so close to breaking the 9 minute barrier—at an average speed of just over 138km/h for those slow with their calculators.

Stéphane Caillet, from Peugeot’s Research & Development Centre, was the man behind the wheel and we reckon he deserves a big pat on the back. He knocked some 50 seconds off the lap record, previously held by the MINI E.

The official word from Peugeot, plus a brief video clip, can be seen after the break.

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Green Machines MINI

All-wheel drive MINI hybrid spied

MINI Hybrid AWD

Autoblog brings us new pics of a very interesting prototype vehicle, it’s a regular looking R56 MINI Cooper S hatch; regular until you see the dangly bits at the rear of the car. It’s understood the front wheels will be driven by conventional petrol power, while the rears will be driven by electric power.

Sporting a “Hybrid test vehicle” sticker not much detail is known about the car in terms of power specs and the like. It’s expected the hybrid powered model will hit the market in 2013 with the launch of the next generation MINI.

[Source: Autoblog via MotoringFile]

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Green Machines Porsche

Porsche opens order book for 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche has announced it’s ready to take orders for its hyper car with a green tinge, the stunning 918 Spyder hybrid—shown above in this new sketch. The asking price, in Europe, is a cool €645,000, plus taxes. First deliveries are due in late 2013.

Limited to 918 examples, all expected to be southpaws, it’s unlikely that we’ll ever see the 918 Spyder offered for sale in Australia. If we did, its asking price would be well beyond $1,000,000.

The production version of the 918 will be heavily based on the concept car shown at Geneva last year. Indeed, aside from the addition of a removable one-piece roof, any changes appear to be minimal, The company is still claiming a sub 7:30 Nürburgring lap time from the 528kW hybrid powered beast.

All that power is provided by a 368kW 3.4 litre V8, with links to the RS Spyder, and a pair of electric motors providing 160kW. The killer blow for this car comes via its fuel consumption figure. If you play nicely and follow Euro testing protocols, Porsche reckon the combined fuel consumption rating for this astonishing car will be as low as 3l/100km. Further highlighting the car’s almost impossible to believe numbers is the predicted CO2 emissions of 70g/km.

We all know companies like Porsche like to offer a lot of options for buyers to tick. Well, the 918 Spyder is probably a world first. Buyers who sign on the dotted line for the hybrid model can also tick a box that will land them a specially prepared limited edition 911 Turbo S. It’s true!

Read all about that, and more after the break.

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Green Machines Motor Shows Volkswagen

Geneva 2011: Volkswagen Bulli concept

Volkswagen Bulli

How cool is this! The Volkswagen Bulli is an all-new Kombi concept that builds not only the model’s 60 year history, but also reignites the flame lit by the too-costly-to-make-but-also-very-cool 2001 Microbus concept.

The Bulli is an electric powered six-seater that has a plug in iPad to drive its infotainment systems. Powered by an 85kW/270Nm zero-emission electric motor the Bulli has a maximum range of 300km on a single charge. The concept can reach 100km/h in 11.5 seconds and has a top speed of 140km/h.

Impressively, recharging the lithium-ion battery can take as little as one hour if a special “electric refuelling station” is used.

Perhaps indicating at a possible hybrid production future the Bulli has also been designed to suit Vollkswagen’s 1.0 litre and 1.4 litre petrol powered engines.

This new concept is reasonably compact in size at only 3.99m long, 1.75m wide and 1.7m tall. Thanks to reconfigurable seating as much as 1600 litres of storage/sleeping space can be achieved as well.

Take the jump to discover more…

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BMW Green Machines

BMW i – Born electric

BMW i launch

BMW has launched a new sub-brand to support its electric powered models. Deciding the new sub-brand should be going places and that it must think different, they have chosen the name “BMW i”. Hyundai and Apple must be over joyed by such nomenclature.

Speaking at the launch in Munich overnight, Ian Robertson, BMW’s Sales and Marketing boss, said, “BMW i represents a new movement in premium mobility. With the introduction of this new sub-brand, the BMW Group reaffirms its leadership as the most innovative and sustainable premium car company. The products and services have been conceived around a revolutionary approach: purpose designed and purpose built for sustainable, premium mobility. It’s a new day in our industry; a new era for individual mobility. This is BMW i – Born Electric.”

The first tangible signs of the new i range will take form in 2013 with the BMW i3 (previously known as the Megacity Vehicle) and BMW i8 (based on the Vision EfficientDynamics concept). Although new concpet models of each are likely to debut later this year.

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Green Machines Rolls-Royce

102EX displays spirit of electricity

Rolls-Royce is getting in on the electric vehicle lark with a new model called the 102EX, a Phantom-based concept which will debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

At the time of writing there are no plans for series production, according to Rolls, instead the 102EX will be sent on a world tour to gauge public reaction to the use of alternative technologies.

From the following press release, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO, says, “We have engineered the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment. With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future.

“I must be convinced that any alternative drive-train we choose for the future delivers an authentic Rolls-Royce experience.”

Further adding to the electric experience is a new website—www.electricluxury.com—designed to broaden public comment to the concept, as well as being a platform to deliver further news on the 102EX.

UPDATE 21 February: Video added at the start of this article.

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Green Machines Porsche

Porsche announces Panamera S Hybrid

Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

It’s barely been a day since Porsche told us they would be premiering a new hybrid model at the Geneva Motor Show. So eager is the Stuttgart company to tell the world about their new green machine they have let the cat out of the bag already and revealed information about the Panamera S Hybrid.

The big saloon has a total of 279kW and can reach 100km/h in six seconds flat. The top speed of 270km/h isn;t too shabby, either. But this is a hybrid, right, so what are its green credentials like?

Well, the combined fuel consumption rating is 6.8l/100km and CO2 emissions are rated at a low 159g/km. However, the range available in full electric mode is a comical two kilometres. Count them; one, two.

Power is provided by a boosted 3.0 litre V6 offering 245kW, while the electric motor gives a further 34kW. The sparky motor is not really on an equal footing with the petrol engine is it. But, it’s a start and Porsche is to be commended for the effort.

There’s more after the break and keep an eye on www.porsche.com/geneva for launch details.

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Green Machines Porsche

Porsche planning a hybrid debut for Geneva

Porsche 918 RSR

Porsche has revealed they will be bringing a new “parallel full hybrid model” to the Geneva Motor Show. The company says this move has been based on the success of the Cayenne S Hybrid.

Also on show in Geneva will be the recently revealed 918 RSR (interior pictured above), which made its debut at Detroit last month.

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Green Machines Volkswagen

Volkswagen confirms limited production for lean, green XL1

Volkswagen XL1 concept

According to German publication Automobilwoche Volkswagen chief Dr Martin Winterkorn has confirmed the diesel-electric hybrid XL1, revealed at the Qatar Motor Show earlier this week, will be built. It’s due in a couple of years and just 100 are likely to be made utlising the production facilities at Wolfsburg or Dresden.

At a mere 795kg and with a combined fuel consumption figure of just 0.9l/100km the XL1 shapes as being one of the best eco-conscious cars money can buy. But is it likely to be any good, or will it be little more than a meek marketing gimmick? With such limited production plans it looks like Volkswagen is hedging its bets.

However, Autocar journo Hilton Holloway was in Qatar during the week and he had the opportunity to drive the two-seat city car concept. If his thoughts are anything to go by, Volkswagen should feel optimistic. Here are a few of his comments:

“I’ve just been scurrying around Doha in the sole Volkswagen XL1. And although it’s a very early prototype, the concept is clearly right on the money.”

“What was so surprising was that the XL1 felt so safe and secure, despite me having to mix it with wayward Toyota Landcruisers.”

“One other thing struck me. With a bigger motor, the XL1 would probably make the most amazing eco-supercar.”

    [Source: Automobilwoche (translated) via engadget]