A hybrid vehicle uses multiple propulsion systems to provide motive power. This most commonly refers to gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, which use gasoline (petrol) and electric batteries to power internal-combustion engines (ICEs) and electric motors.
It has been quite some time since we last heard anything about the amazing Ferrari P4/5 Competizione, but today rumors took root on the web that piqued our interest. According to RacingWorld.de, the supercar will be making another appearance at this year’s 24 hours of Nürburgring, but this time, it will combine a hybrid drive system with a 4.0L V8 engine.
At this point, there aren’t many details available, but it is believed that the V8 engine will be assisted by a Magneti Marelli electric motor that will add another 80 HP. If it is being matched up with the V8 from the one and only P4/5 Competizione, then we’re looking at 563 HP. This change will improve the car’s lap time by about six seconds. In fact, this new hybrid system is very similar to the KERS system used in the Toro Rosso and Red Bull Formula 1 cars.
Whether or not this engine modification will be combined with exterior upgrades is yet unknown, but we’ll keep our eyes and ears open. Stay tuned!
The X6 Active Hybrid may be seeing the end of its production day, but BMW is still forging ahead in its environmental pursuit with the new ActiveHybrid5. The new hybrid sedan will go on sale in March 2012.
The BMW ActiveHybrid5 combines a BMW TwinPower Turbo six-cylinder in-line engine, an electric drive system, and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. With a total output of 340 HP, the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 has become the most powerful and efficient full hybrid in its segment. It can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and deliver a fuel economy of 44 – 40 mpg. The 55 HP electric engine offers an all-electric driving range of up to 2.5 miles at an average speed of 22 mph.
The BMW ActiveHybrid5 will feature the same design language as the standard 5-Series, but will be further identified by "ActiveHybrid 5" lettering on the C-pillars, a BMW kidney grille with galvanized slats, and exhaust matte chrome tailpipes.
UPDATE 01/09/2012: BMW showed up to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show with pricing for their ActiveHybrid 5. The 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is scheduled to arrive in US BMW Centers in late Spring 2012 at a starting price of $61,845 (including the $895 Destination and Handling charge).
UPDATE 01/30/2012: BMW has announced that the new ActiveHybrid 5 will go on sale in March 2012 with a base MSRP of $61,845 (including $895 destination and handling). Next to this bit of news, the company has also unveiled a new set of images for the hybrid sedan. Enjoy!
Hit the jump to read more about the BMW ActiveHybrid 5.
Hybrid vehicles aren’t generally looked at as fast machines capable of break-neck speeds. In truth, hybrids aren’t even marketed as such. Their true calling card is the promise of better fuel economy and improved CO2 emission ratings.
Unless of course you can find a way to marry all three elements the way Infiniti managed to do with the new M35h. Nissan’s luxury division has released a video of their new M35h sedan taking on the equally irrepressible 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.
Not one to back down from a German challenge for full-on hybrid supremacy, the M35h and the Panamera S Hybrid engaged in a quarter-mile drag race - with surprising results.
Not only did the 360-horsepower M35h complete its time in just 13.4 seconds - impressive for a hybrid! - but it also managed to spank the Panamera S Hybrid by a good second. On top of that, the time is also a marked improvement from their previous record time of 13.9031 seconds, eclipsing the Guinness World Record by a tidy half-a-second.
Check out the video and watch the Infiniti M35h show up the Porsche Panamera S Hybrid.
Toyota is about to add another model to its hybrid line-up and, no surprise here, it’s based on the company’s best sold model on the European market: the Yaris. The new Yaris Hybrid is set to make its world debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March with sales in Europe beginning shortly thereafter.
The new Yaris Hybrid will be powered by the first downsizing of Toyota’s HSD powertrain that combines a new 1.5 liter petrol engine with a lighter, more compact electric motor, transaxle, inverter, and battery pack. This new system is about 20% lighter than that of the engine found in the Auris Hybrid and will deliver a total of 100 HP. It will be mated to a standard automatic transmission.
Next to having a hybrid powertrain, the new Yaris Hybrid will also be offered with an exclusive, aerodynamically efficient exterior design. This means it will have a new, more assertive Under Priority trapezoid opening frontal design element with the Keen Look design implemented on the front lamps.
More details about the new Yaris Hybrid will be unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned.
Jay Leno may be losing his touch. The Fisker Karma made its debut a few months ago and the car has only now made it into the late night talk show host’s garage for inspection. Of course, they could have been waiting for all of their ducks to be in a row, considering the vehicle showed up with the founder of the company — and former Aston Martin designer - Henrik Fisker.
The video is 20 minutes long and in it, Fisker explains the technology behind this impressive hybrid sedan in detail, as well as talks about the story behind this $95,900 luxury sedan.
Refresher: The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid that uses a lithium-ion battery pack to power two 200+ hp electric motors for about 50 miles. Fisker says the Karma achieves the 0 to 60 mph sprint in less than 6 seconds and can hit a top speed of more than 125 mph.
