Category: Green Machines

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Green Machines Motor Shows Volkswagen

Qatar 2011: Volkswagen XL1 concept

Volkswagen XL1 concept

The oil-rich nation of Qatar; the perfect location for Volkswagen to launch the XL1 concept—a diesel-electric hybrid with a combined fuel consumption figure of just 0.9l/100km and a CO2 rating of only 24g/km.

The XL1 is the latest iteration of the “1 litre” car first premiered by Ferdinand Piech back in 2002. In 2009 we also saw the Volkswagen L1. Where the XL1 differs from those two is in its seating arrangement. The earlier concepts featured inline seating for two, whereas the XL1 uses a more traditional layout to seat two abreast.

Powering the XL1 is a mighty 35kW 800cc two cylinder TDI and a fearsome 20kW E-motor. The total range of the XL1 is around 550km, that’s pretty good from a 10 litre tank. In electric only mode the XL1 has a more modest range of 35km.

The use of carbon fibre and other advanced construction methods helps keep the kerb weight of the XL1 to 795kg. Performance is not blistering, but it’s not too shabby, either, with 100km/h able to be reached in 11.9 seconds. Top speed is limited at 160km/h.

More after the break, including pics and a basic press release. A more detailed release is available for download as well.

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Green Machines Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes ready to send AMG down hybrid path

Mercedes-Benz AMG

Word from Autocar tells us that Mercedes is ready to join Porsche in the performance hybrid market. Herbert Kohler, Daimler’s future mobility and advanced engineering guru, said, “In the future AMG will still offer high performance models but there will be hybrids there. AMG needs to reduce fuel consumption.”

Interestingly, where Porsche has used hybrid technology to add power, AMG will be taking a different approach. “Hybrids can boost, but AMGs will use stop-start and recuperation technology,” said Kohler.

No timeline has been given on the likely introduction of hybrid AMGs, so let’s take a guess at 2-3 years from now.

[Source: Autocar]

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Audi Green Machines

Audi A6 hybrid

Audi A6 hybrid

Audi will be adding a hybrid model to its new A6 range. The A6 hybrid will be powered by a 155kW 2.0 TFSI four cylinder and a 33kW electric motor. Audi claim the hybrid can achieve an average fuel consumption figure of 6.2l/100km, while emitting CO2 emissions of 142g/km.

The hybrid model will be driven by the front-wheels and the electric motor sits behind the petrol engine. A portion of the boot space is taken up by the lithium-ion battery.

While the car is designed to be powered by both petrol and electric motors, the A6 hybrid can run in a full zero emissions electric only mode. However, the range is an amusingly modest 3km, assuming a constant speed of 60km/h. Hmm, not much vorsprung durch technik going on there. Still, you have to start somewhere.

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Green Machines Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows

LA 2010: Mercedes-Benz BIOME

Mercedes-Benz BIOME

Check out this crazy thing, it’s called the Mercedes-Benz BIOME. We’re half expecting it to be some sort of joke. Read the press guff after the break and you’ll see why.

Truth is, the BIOME was created as an entry into the LA Design Challenge and it is a stunning looking creation. But the explanation of how it works and how it draws its power, well—honestly, you just can’t make this stuff up—it’s extraordinary. Who knows, maybe one day the joke will be on us.

Oh, the winner of the LA Design Challenge was the Cadillac Aera, an equally hair-brained concept powered by fiction.

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Green Machines Volkswagen

Zero-emission Golf blue-e-motion on sale by 2013

Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion

You’re looking at the Volkswagen Golf blue-e-motion. It looks most like any other Golf, except this one is a fully electric creation. VW say it will commence sales in late 2013; Australian buyers will have to wait until 2014.

The front-wheel drive Golf blue-e-motion has an electric motor under the bonnet in the traditional position and its power is stored in a lithium-ion battery. Three driving profiles are offered, “Normal”, “Comfort+” and “Range+”. Each setting alters peak power and top speed accordingly. You’ll need Comfort+ for all the herbs, which gives you 85kW and a dizzying v-max of 135km/h. Normal mode reduces power to 65kW and the top speed is 115km/h. Using the Range+ setting deactivates the air conditioning system and cuts power to 50kW, offering a top speed of 105km/h.

Performance is clearly not one of the blue-e-motion’s strong points, then, and you’ll need near on 12 seconds to reach 100km/h. Of course, going fast is not high on the agenda for this car, so its the range that can be travelled that will be key here. And, wouldn’t you know it, Volkswagen are keeping quiet on that front saying only that prototype models can go as far as 150km before needing a recharge. We’ll get full details closer to launch.

For more on the blue-e-motion, check out the official press release after the jump.

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BMW Green Machines

BMW turns vision into reality

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics

BMW has recently announced it will be turning its Vision EfficientDynamics concept into a full production model. The concept version first saw the light of day at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The road going version will be headlined by BMW’s ActiveHybrid technology, which in this instance translates to a 3 cylinder turbo diesel with a hybrid synchronous motor at the front axle and a full-hybrid engine fitted at the rear. All those bits add up to a peak power figure of 241kW (328bhp).

Other numbers of note are the claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds, a supposed fuel consumption figure of just 3.76 litres per 100km and CO2 emission rating of 99g/km. The car is fitted with a lithium-polymer rechargeable battery that can be charged in two and a half hours. This is a good thing, too, because the total range available in full electric mode is only 50km. However, the total range of the car, including 24 litres of diesel, is around 700km.

Those following more closely will have been kept up to date on this model at the dontblogaboutthis website, where more info can be found. After the break you read BMW’s press release along with some more pics and a repeat performance of the company’s explanation of the Vision EfficientDynamics concept.

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Green Machines Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus City Car concept

Lotus City Car Concept

Lotus has added to its Paris Motor Show bonanza with this wee City Car concept. As with the Eterne concept, Lotus are proving anything Aston Martin can do, they can do too. The petrol-electric hybrid City Car should do a ripping job at reducing the CO2 emissions of the Lotus fleet. The dirty air emitted from this concept is rated at around 60g/km.

Adding neither speed (0-100km/h: 9 seconds) nor lightness (1400kg), the three-door four seat City Car has a total range of 500km from its hybrid power, reduced to 60km in full electric mode. Lotus do say the new concept offers class-leading acceleration, but let’s face it, that’s no great claim at this point.

Perhaps forewarning us of new greenwash euphemisms to come Lotus call the City Car concept’s 1.2 litre petrol engine a “Range Extender”. To be fair, with just 35kW and 3 cylinders, calling it an engine might be stretching the truth, too. In total, peak power can be as high as 162kW, which is not too shabby at all. However, the catch comes when you see continuous power is rated at a more modest 54kW.

I suppose we shall have to get used to these econoboxes from sports car makers in years to come, but it doesn’t make them any less palatable. More details on the City Car concept can be read after the break.

[via World Car Fans]

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Audi Green Machines Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Audi e-tron Spyder

Audi e-tron Spyder

This is the Audi e-tron Spyder, it’s the latest in the e-tron range from Ingolstadt and joins similar concept models previously shown at Detroit and Frankfurt. Featuring a fuel efficient 221kW V6 diesel engine the e-tron Spyder is complemented with a a pair of electric motors, one each to drive the front wheels, offering a further 64kW in all.

By using its Audi Space Frame technology weight has kept to 1450kg, or about the same as a current model TT. That’s not especially light, it must be said, but at least the addition of the electric motors hasn’t bothered the scales too much. Audi has managed to distribute that weight evenly over both axles, aiding handling and road holding.

The V6 TDI provides 650Nm of torque, the electric power adds a further 352Nm, meaning the Spyder concept can propel itself to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds. Sedate driving is rewarded with fuel consumption of just 2.2l/100km. CO2 emissions are kept low as well, producing just 59g/km. If you want to play the zero emission game you can, but to achieve the maximum 50km range you need to keep your speed below 60km/h.

At just 1100mm high, thanks to its gangster looks, the e-tron Spyder adds to the successful design legacy of Audi’s recent concept models. There’s plenty of other trick details included with this car, too, so make sure you check out the complete press release. Full details, pictures and video available after the break.

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Green Machines Peugeot

Peugeot EX1 turns dreams into reality

Peugeot EX1

This funky little rocketship looks like something that could only have been created thanks to an automotive designer’s wildest dreams. But it’s the real deal. It’s called a Peugeot EX1 and it features a couple of electric engines giving a total of 250kW. It weighs bugger all and it is lightning quick, apparently.

Utilising an all-wheel drive system Peugeot say the EX1 the car has “already broken several world records for acceleration from a standing start.” Although, at this stage, no numbers are given to support those claims.

I guess that means we just have to marvel at the wild exoskeleton structure that has an overall height of just 90cm and features spectacular rearward opening doors.

There’s heaps of pics after the break, make sure you check them out, this EX1 is tres cool!

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Green Machines Porsche

Jay Leno on the Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder

AUSmotive is fast becoming Porsche 918 Spyder central; this is the fourth article on the hybrid hypercar inside one week after all. However, this close up look provided by Jay Leno is one of the best opportunities yet to get a good understanding of the 918’s finer details.

The chemistry between Jay and Porsche Design Chief Michael Mauer isn’t exactly electrifying, if you’ll pardon the pun. But the 8 minutes plus of footage available after the break is very easy watching if you’re a fan of the 918 Spyder.

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Green Machines Porsche

More Porsche 918 Spyder driving footage

Porsche 918 Spyder

With the recent appearance of footage showing the Porsche 918 Spyder in action it seems Porsche design boss Michael Mauer was feeling left out. But, as you can see from the pic above, Herr Mauer eventually got his way and found some one on one time with the 918 and some open road.

In the video below Mauer talks a little about the new Spyder and has a short squirt behind the wheel, in what must be close to being the best looking coupé to be revealed in 2010 so far.

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Green Machines Porsche

New info on the Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche 918 Spyder

In late July word came through that Porsche had signed off on production for the stunning 918 Spyder with hybrid drive. Now a prototype 918 is touring the United States. It is understood the car will be on show in California and Florida only.

A series of images apparently taken before the California event have been posted on the Teamspeed forums. Along with the pics came some interesting info that, while it may turn out to be 100% accurate, it’s probably best to treat the following with some reservation.

Production is expected to be somewhere around 1000-2000 vehicles. The current 3.4 litre V8 may have its capacity increased to something like 3.6 litres in a bid to find even more power. There will probably just be the one transmission option for the 918 Spyder, too, a double-clutch PDK unit.

Currently the show car, reportedly worth a cool US$20 million, is an all carbon-fibre body. However, it is likely some panels on the final version will be made from aluminium to help comply with safety regulations.

Inside, the trick touch screen centre console will stay; a first for Porsche. It’s also believed that Porsche want to keep the side wing mirror cameras, with their display shown in the main instrument cluster.

For the outside the massive 22″ inch wheels are likely to be reduced for the production version. Some minor revisions to the rear bumper assembly are expected for practical purposes. It is uncertain if the very cool side exit exhaust tips will make it to production.

There are a number of pics after the break and you can follow the link below for larger sizing and more information.

[Source: Teamspeed]

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