The ultimate goal is fuel economy. Then max power gas engine or torque should be out of the question in hybrids BMW ActiveHybrid 7 at the Seoul Motor Show made this editor to believe for a second that Hybrids drivers too can get speeding tickets. Blue zones at the show present the latest hybrid vehicles, and their future riders are showing high interests to all fancy terms like Blue On (by Hyundai) and luxury performance hybrid.
Hyundai
The 2.4L Theta 2 Engine, with a 41 hp electric motor, creates up to 212 hp. Instead of the traditional Ni-MH battery, the Sonata Hybrid utilizes Li-Polymer batteries, which is 30 percent lighter and creates better fuel efficiency. The electric motor alone can create speeds of up to 100 km/h without the gasoline engine.
KIA Motors K5 is KIA's first mass produced gasoline hybrid model. In order to maximize performance and fuel economy, the K5 Hybrid will be built with a NU 2.0 engine with a 6 speed automatic transmission and a 30 kW electric motor. Combine, the 150 hp engine and the 41 hp electric motor it will produce up to 191 hp.
These state-of-the-art advanced technologies allow a fuel economy rate of 21.0 km/L, which is the best rate amongst the same level of competition. The 270V Li-Polymer battery used in the K5 Gasoline Hybrid is 25 percent lighter than traditional Ni-MH batteries. This is the world's first attempt and allows midsize vehicle propulsion for KIA's newest hybrid.
Mercedes-Benz decided to send their newest S400 Hybrid to the hybrid competition amongst the top end models. As a 'mild' hybrid, the 3.5L V-6 engine and an electric motor can create an output of 295 hp, which is a slight downsizing from the traditional S series models, although it ranks amongst the top in the hybrid market of similar size.
The S400 is not the lightest hybrid, with its 7 speed auto transmission, Li-ion battery pack and electric motor, but is the lightest amongst the S class models. In addition, it is unable to run on electric power alone. The fuel economy is also improved from the predecessors as well, with 8.1 km/L within city limits and 11.1 km/L on the highway. Although seemingly less compared with the lighter competitors, it boasts more hp and the cheapest price tag of the S series.
BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is interesting in a sense that the company turned the twin-turbo V-8 gas engine for an additional 40 hp and 30 lb-ft of torque. Mr. Ahn Jong-hyun (34) commented, "I like this model in a sense that it is more powerful than the 750i. I was considering to purchase the 760Li actually before I visited this motor show, but since ActiveHybrid 7 will give me about 20 percent saving in gas price, I don't know, I think I kind of want to drive this car in the near future."
As "the fastest-accelerating hybrid sedan in the world", the new ActiveHybrid 7 seems to be able to run from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds with the help of the electric motor and the new Li-ion battery pack, which greatly enhances traditional battery packs of the electric motors. However, would this do any good in the fuel economy
Subaru's newest Hybrid Tourer mixes the traditional eco-friendliness of hybrid vehicles with Subaru's signature: stability and drivability. The Hybrid Tourer concept was developed as the prototype for Subaru's newest hybrid car, is scheduled for mass production in 2012.
The Hybrid Tourer features an interesting Gull-Wing door as well as four individual bucket seats for comfort. The Hybrid Tourer situates the engine in both front and back of the car, with the battery pack, generator and the 2.0L Turbo Engine in the front and electric motor in the rear. During lower speeds only the rear motor will activate, while both motor and engines will run during normal driving.
As the forerunner of the eco friendly driving, Toyota returns with the third generation Prius Hybrid-the Prius Plug-in Hybrid. This model is not much different from the regular Prius, but with a swapped nickel-metal hydride battery pack, the new batteries can be fully charged in an hour and a half from a 220-volt plug. This model is in fact suitable for local drivers who do not have to speed much.
Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid is spotted at the show as well. This new Cayenne model increased fuel economy by an average of 23 percent to 14.62 km/L. The Cayenne S Hybrid sports a V6 Supercharger engine, which has an output of 333 hp. With the 52 hp electric motor, they can create up to 375 hp. The Cayenne S Hybrid has a max speed of around 48 km/h using only the electric engine.
Don't expect to speed with hybrids Honda says perhaps not always. CR-Z, or Compact Renaissance Zero, is a hybrid sports car. Under the concept 'Emotional, Exciting, Smart', the CR-Z was made to sport a 1.5L i-VTEC engine and Honda's exclusive IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system, allowing a greater feeling of acceleration and fuel economy of 25 km/L. What is more interesting is its three mode driving system. The system allows control of various driving modes (Normal Mode, performance focused Sport Mode and the green minded Econ mode) depending on the situation
