Earlier this week the German automaker Mercedes Benz started to offer a gas/electric version of their full size SUV, the the ML450 Hybrid 4MATIC. However owners looking to establish a long term relationship with the new truck might be a little surprised to find out that the luxury automaker is only offering the new hybrid SUV as part of a special lease only option starting at $659 per month for a three year commitment and as low as $549 per month with a five year agreement.
Powered by a 3.5 Liter Atkinson cycle V6 gasoline engine assisted by two magneto electric motors and a sophisticated hybrid electric module that promises to return up to 46% better fuel economy than the comparable V8 powered Mercedes Benz ML550. Each of the ML450 Hybrid’s electric motors serve a different purpose. The first is affixed to the transmission output shaft and generates an additional 80 HP and 192 lb-ft of torque allowing the new hybrid powered ML450 to operate as a zero emissions electric vehicle before the gasoline engine is needed for additional support. The second combination of magnets and wound electric wires is dedicated to improving the hybrid’s acceleration and is rated at 83 HP and 173 lb-ft of thrust, bringing the green SUV’s maximum output up to 335 HP and 381 lb-ft of torque. The only downside is that at least for now, you won’t be able to pick up one of these premium hybrid luxury SUVs second hand.
Press release after the jump.
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BMW is the only automaker that can successfully come up with market segments and then serve them to customers who are more than eager to gobble them up. The German automakers latest creation is the BMW X6 SAV, or sports activity vehicle, now this differs from ordinary SUVs because instead of being a storage box on wheels an active lifestyle calls for truck like ground clearance combined with a fastback roofline and room for four, even though it still has the same footprint as a full sized sport utility vehicle. This sounds perfect for the American market.
Despite the questionable nature of this fresh design, BMW is pushing the niche appeal of their luxury vehicle to the next level with a BMW X6 ActiveHybrid version and it will only cost consumers $89,775. Not bad considering that you will be able to counter any SUV protesters by informing them of your X6’s gas/electric hybrid drivetrain and then turn around and tell your muscle car friends about the BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology V8 and that you are laying down 485 HP and 575 lb-ft of torque to the pavement, just make sure that both conversations don’t coincide.
In an effort to hop aboard the hybrid bandwagon, perennial luxury carmaker, Rolls Royce recently announced of their plans to produce a hybrid drivetrain for the new Ghost sedan that will effectively cut the car’s gas-guzzling capabilities by as much as 15%.
The word floating around is that since the Ghost uses the a platform that was pegged from the BMW 7-Series, the new hybrid version of the Ghost will also use the same ActiveHybrid 7-Series from BMW.
According to Autocar, the hybrid model of the Ghost will still come with the same 6.2-liter V12 engine found on the traditional model, but with the addition of an electric motor that’s integrated into the Ghost’s eight-speed auto transmission, which if form holds, will amount to the hybrid Ghost saving 15% of its fuel compared to the traditional counterpart.
If plans move along – and they are moving rather quickly, as a matter of fact – we could very well see a hybrid Rolls Royce – who would’ve thought that day would come – rolling out of production lots sooner than we thought.
The Japanese automaker Leuxs has just revealed details about the extended wheelbase 2010 LS 600h L Hybrid luxury sedan. The LS 600h has always been more about providing owners with the feel of a twelve cylinder engine while offering them a hybrid badged vehicle at the same time. For 2010 the LS 600h L receives a new exterior design complete with revised front fascia and a redesigned front grille and bumper, while out back the tail lamps now feature a distinctive blue tint. As usual, the Lexus flagship sedan doesn’t fall short on the technological side either.
The 2010 LS 600h L Hybrid is powered by a variant of Toyota’s hybrid synergy drive power train, a system that combines a 5.0 Liter gas burning V8 with two powerful electric motors and a large capacity battery pack. The hybrid unit generates a peak combined output rating of 438 HP and can move the LS 600h L from 0 to 60 MPH in a very sporty 5.5 seconds.
The 2010 LS 600h L benefits from numerous additional luxury amenities as well as technologies like a driver’s seat that now features a standard slide away feature that makes it easier to enter and exit the vehicle and a memory function to ensure that the bucket goes right back to the perfect spot. There is also a new LCD instrument cluster; the standard Lexus Navigation system employs new casual language recognition; Bluetooth phonebook capability and new music playing capability with the obligatory USB/iPod connectivity.
Press release after the jump.
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The Japanese automaker Honda has just revealed three new vehicles at the Tokyo Motor Show. The EV-N, SKYDECK and CR-Z Concept made their world debuts at the 41st annual auto show. The EV-N is an electric concept model that is powered by a lithium ion battery pack, creating a a fun and easygoing relationship between person and car ushering in a new era of people friendly future mobility. The Skydeck is a six seater hybrid vehicle that transcends generational and lifestyle boundaries to offer multipurpose transport suitable for motorists of all ages. The last of Honda’s new offerings is powered by a compact, lightweight and efficient Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system, the CR-Z Concept 2009 features a broad, low-slung stance with a short wheelbase creating an attractive 21st century vehicle that is both stylish and fuel efficient.
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The fuel efficient Japanese automaker Toyota has just launch the Sai luxury hybrid sedan, a model based on the Lexus HS 250h, into its home market. The new four door Hybrid Synergy Drive sedan is both bigger and more luxurious than the automobile manufacturer’s current flagship hybrid, the Toyota Prius. With the Sai’s scheduled launch only a few days away at the Tokyo Auto Salon, Toyota is taking a step forward to shake up the gas/electric car market.
Compared to the Lexus HS 250h, the new Toyota Sai features a distinct front end design with new head lamps, a unique hood, grill and bumper as we;; as a set of different taillights. On the inside, the new Sai gets its own instrument panel and center console design as well as a different steering wheel than the entry level Lexus hybrid.
However this where the differences end, under the hood the Sai features the same hybrid drive train as the Lexus HS 250h which includes a 2.4 Liter four cylinder engine running on an Atkinson cycle combined with an electric motor and a reduction gear to take over power train responsibilities when the gas burning engine isn’t required, when combined, the pair of conventional and electric motors can delver up to 190 HP. The Sai successfully bridges the gap between the entry level Prius hatchback and the more expensive Lexus HS 250h as far as the Japanese automaker Toyota’s lineup of hybrids is concerned.
Press release after the jump.
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With the Tokyo Motor Show just a few days away, manufacturers that are set to participate are working double-time getting their concepts prepped for their debuts at the event.
Subaru is one such brand that is scheduled to partake in the event and one of its meal tickets, the Hybrid Tourer Concept, is the company’s first major foray into the world of hybrid vehicles and, incidentally, the first-ever hybrid to use a boxer four-cylinder engine. If you haven’t been prepped on what this type of engine really is, it’s actually a pair of electric motors housed in a lithium-ion battery pack that allows for regenerative braking, blended electric boost, and a purely electric drive.
Together with Toyota’s FT-86 Concept, the Hybrid Tourer concept is another car that was created out of the joint partnership between Subaru and Toyota to introduce cars that fit under the new hybrid umbrella that’s beginning to take shape as the cars of the future. Though the concept will be introduced in Tokyo in a few days, plans are already under way to have a production version out on the road in the coming years.
With hybrids and electric vehicles becoming more and more popular these days, Subaru is hitching on the Gullwing-ish-designed Hybrid Tourer to bring the company into the world of hybrids. Judging by these new photos that Subaru recently released, the Hybrid Tourer is fast-shaping up to be a hybrid that should give its more established counterparts a run for their money in the coming years.
Check out the new photos to get a closer look at Subaru’s new baby.
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Lexus revealed today details on the 2010 GS 450h, that comes with stylish exterior changes, but also with the latest technologies. The exterior chabges include: front grille, special 18-inch light-alloy wheels, a Lexis Hybrid Drive engine cover, blue front and rear "L" logos, a blue tint to the headlamps, clear tail lamp covers and a power meter that replaces the tachometer.
The 450h’s hybrid system combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a compact, permanent magnet electric motor that both delivers a total of 340 hp. The 450h sprints from zero-to-60 mph in just 5.2 seconds.
The gasoline V6 uses an Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i) and a dual fuel-injection system that combines the benefits of direct injection with those of port injection. Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) operates on the intake and exhaust valves to further enhance power and torque across a broad engine speed range.
Press release after the jump.
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The Japanese automaker Infiniti has just confirmed that they finer line of Nissan car will indeed produce the M35 hybrid luxury sedan. An M35 hybrid will join the rest of the conventional internal combustion only vehicles when the 2012 M arrives in showrooms. The revised fuel efficient lineup ill also be available with a new high performance diesel V6 model for the Western European market where the less refined fueled automobiles are preferred due to their incredible range and the high price of petrol. The next generation hybrid powered Infiniti M will become the most fuel efficient model in the entire automakers history.
The M35 Hybrid is powered by a gas/electric power train system that combines a naturally aspirated 3.5 Liter V6 and an efficient electric motor. The electric motor acts as both a propulsion unit, boosting the V6 with a “power assist” mode when the pedal is pushed to the metal and also as a generator to power the vehicle’s accessories and improve the engine’s efficiency. However, the combination of electrically charged wound wires and powerful magnets is not the only item that charges the hybrid’s next generation Lithium ion battery pack, but it is also recharged by the luxury sedans deceleration and braking.
The M Hybrid also features and electric vehicle mode where it runs solely on the motors, drastically improving fuel efficiency and allowing it to operate as a zero emissions vehicle as well. This optimizes the Inifiniti’s energy consumption across the widest array of driving conditions. The luxury automaker Inifiniti has promised to release further details about the hybrid’s range, performance and transmission soon. No mater what they have to say about the new green Japanese sedan it will definitely be a hot item.
Press release after the jump.
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The third concept Toyota will have on display at the Tokyo Motor Show is the Prius Plug-in Hybrid - the first Toyota vehicle brand that uses a lithium-ion battery as the drive battery.
Thanks to the lithium-ion battery, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid has a fuel efficiency of at least 55km/l (target); that’s quite an improvement compared to the 38km/l of the model now on sale.
Charged from an external power source such as a household electrical outlet, it extends the cruising range in electric vehicle mode, maximizing the benefits as an environmentally-considerate vehicle. As the cruising distance as an electric vehicle increases, environmental benefits that surpass those even of the regular Prius can be expected including lower CO2 emissions and air pollution and reduced consumption of fossil fuels. Approximate charging times using ordinary household electricity are 180 minutes at 100V and 100 minutes at 200V.
Press release after the jump.
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