Archive for the ‘Hybrid cars’ Category

Next gen Mitsubishi Montero/Outlander come with hybrid technology

The Outlander and Montero could use Concept PX-MiEV’s technology in few years

Car Advice Australia have revealed that Mitsubishi will introduce the next generation Montero with plug-in hybrid technology. The Mitsubishi Montero is offered in India with a 3.2-liter diesel engine that can be purchased with either manual or automatic transmission.

CA Australia also reports the Outlander, which just received a facelift in India, could also come with a similar hybrid powertrain.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited president and CEO, Robert McEniry -

The next generation will be plug-in hybrid and will do more and have more capabilities than current models.

Mitsubishi exhibited a hybrid SUV named Concept PX-MiEV which was a plug-in hybrid type at the Tokyo Motor Show last year.

Mitsubishi’s plug-in hybrid system displayed in the PX-MiEV concept is driven by all four wheels by two permanent magnet synchronous motors in combination with a 1.6L DOHC MIVEC petrol engine which powers the front-wheels and acts as a generator. The car can also be used as a generator to run household appliances!

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Entry posted on March 16th, 2010 and filed under Hybrid cars, Mitsubishi

Random Thoughts – Prius making money in India

new Toyota PriusThe new Toyota Prius was Japan’s best selling vehicle and one of our favorites

The update is that Toyota will not be making a loss on the Prius in India. This is not exactly a “breaking news”, but rather a no brainer. After all, every car maker wants to introduce models that make good money for them.

Strategically speaking, the question is important as the Prius is coming to India under an limited order of 200 vehicles. The pricing is above Rs. 25 lakh and Toyota already have orders for 54 vehicles. That is a good order booked in a short time for this car.

Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motors had this to say in an interview for Forbes India -

Priced at over Rs. 25 lakh, isn’t the car very expensive?
We always knew that we are going to be very expensive and that’s primarily because of the custom duty levied on the car. We did approach Toyota Motor Corporation for subsidies but we were advised to speak to the Government of India. That’s how it works in most other countries where we have launched the Prius. Most governments have a subsidy or concession plan in place. So for the last six months we have been talking to the government, but we realised that it will take time to get any special concessions. The question was whether we should wait to work with the government, or go ahead and launch it. So, we decided to be selfish and launched the Prius which has all the features of any luxury car and I think it will connect with a limited, select group of people.

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Entry posted on February 10th, 2010 and filed under Hybrid cars, Toyota

Random Thoughts – Brake problems hit hybrids, Ford joins list

Some Ford Fusion hybrids have braking issues which will be rectified

If you think hybrids are the future of automobiles, hit your “Brakes” and wait. Over the last few months we witnessed the massive recall of Toyota vehicles in the US and UK to fix faulty accelerator pedals. This is followed by Honda’s recall of its City and Jazz models across many countries to fix faulty electronic windows switches on the driver’s door.

The latest cause of worry is one of Toyota’s best selling cars in the US – the Prius. Toyota has acknowledged a problem with the brakes on the Prius. The hybrid Prius has an advanced regenerative braking system that converts kinetic energy to electrical energy. Apparently, the problem is caused by a glitch in the brake software that has forced the company to issue a massive recall of 270,000 Prius vehicles in US and Japan.

Well, Toyota is not alone. It appears that one of the other best selling hybrid cars might have an problem as well. Ford has launched a “Customer Satisfaction Program” aimed specifically for Ford Fusion Hybrid (sedan, not connected with the Fusion sold in India) customers. Cars manufactured prior to Oct 17, 2009 will receive a free software update to reduce the chances of a brake failure. Ford has not acknowledged a fault with the braking system on the Fusion hybrid, but indicates that the customers might experience a “different brake feel” due to the switch between the electronic and hydraulic brake systems.

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Entry posted on February 8th, 2010 and filed under Ford, Hybrid cars, Toyota

Toyota seriously considering Prius for India

2010 toyota prius indiaThe third generation Toyota Prius needs to be assembled in India if it has to find success

Business Standard is reporting that Toyota is presently conducting feasibility studies in India for its hybrid car Prius. It is understood that Toyota will not stop with just offering petrol and diesel powered variants in the country.

In March this year, to estimate the reaction of the general public, the Toyota Prius was put on display at the 18th International Engineering and Technology Fair (IETF )in Bangalore.

Toyota could take the CBU route but that will bump costs into head-spinning levels. The Indian government does not offer any duty slashes for imported hybrid vehicles. The Honda Civic Hybrid had no takers when its price tag was around 20-25 lakh rupees. When the price was brought down by 8 lakh rupees, the consignment was sold in just a matter of days.

That leaves us with just one feasible option – CKD kits.

Only if priced well, will the Prius find buyers in India. Maybe Toyota could run an introductory offer so that Indian customers get familiar with the technology and added benefits of a hybrid car. Later on, as the word spreads, it could hike prices according to the level of demand.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to how many hybrid vehicles Toyota wants to sell in India

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Entry posted on October 20th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, Hybrid cars, Toyota

Mahindra could be working on an affordable hybrid two wheeler?

mahindra_logoWhat kind of a rumor is that? Is it worth even considering such a case?

As per floating rumors, Mahindra could be working on an affordable hybrid two wheeler for the Indian market. They might offer battery packs+motor along with either petrol or LPG option.

Mahindra is not new to hybrids or hybrid technology. They showcased a Mahindra Scorpio SUV concept vehicle with hybrid powertrain at last year’ Auto Expo.

Some reports in the past claim this vehicle was meant primarily for the United States market where Mahindra will start selling its products next year.

Even if Mahindra was working on hybrid scooter or motorcycle, which price band would they choose to compete? Mahindra is a type of company which first decides on the competitor and then designs a product to wipe it out. Hybrid vehicles are costly to build as they involve additional parts and customers would also have to pay more to maintain them.

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Entry posted on October 1st, 2009 and filed under Hybrid cars, Mahindra

Tokyo 2009 – Suzuki Swift hybrid

Suzuki-Swift-Plug-in-Hybrid-2009

At the Suzuki stall in this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, you can expect to see a different kind of Swift. No, it’s not a sport model or a souped up 200hp version from a local tuner. It’s how a Suzuki Swift would and should evolve.

Suzuki will showcase a plug-in hybrid Swift at the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. The concept will have lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the center console. This would mean rear passengers don’t have to cut their legs off to sit comfortably.

The engine on-board is not your regular Multijet or K-Series type. A 658cc gasoline engine powers the front-drive electric motor, which in-turn produces 74hp at the front axle. At no point will the engine drive the wheels.

The available details are scanty. We are expecting more information as we move closer to the show.

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Entry posted on October 1st, 2009 and filed under Hybrid cars, Suzuki

Spied – Honda Fit (Jazz) hybrid

Honda_Fit_hybrid

This isn’t coming to India right now, but the Jazz hybrid is a very important model overseas. Honda’s Insight, which is a direct competitor to the Prius, has not done well in the U.S. Sales figures tell the shocking story – the Prius outsells the Insight by 6 times.

The Honda Fit hybrid has two tasks to perform

a) Act as a backup model to the under-performing Insight

b) Serve as the Toyota Auris (Corolla hatchback) hybrid slayer, which debuts at the Frankfurt Show next week.

We’ve been receiving so many complaints on the Jazz‘ price, so the hybrid model (if it ever comes to India) will thrill the Indian hybrid vehicle lovers (if there’s such a group) with its practicality and fuel-efficiency.

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Entry posted on September 10th, 2009 and filed under Hybrid cars, Spy pictures, honda jazz

Flash – Toyota working on Corolla Altis hybrid in Thailand

Flash – Toyota working on Corolla Altis hybrid in Thailand

Inside Line is reporting Toyota’s working on a hybrid version of the current generation Corolla.

The 1.8-liter four cylinder engine is getting married to a motor and battery pack. The operation is being performed in Thailand where recently a Camry hybrid was also unveiled. The Thai government encourages hybrid vehicles and their development, offering financial boosts.

According to Autocar UK, in ten years time, every major Toyota would be hybridized in the interest of fuel economy and qualifying for benefits in developed countries with lower emission values. This applies to even the Hilux, which shares its architecture with the Innova and the soon to be launched Fortuner.

A Innova hybrid would not be a bad idea at all.

Light cars like the Aygo would forgo their advantage if they had a battery pack mounted. Such cars could go the fully-electric route.

Coming back to the Corolla hybrid, it will be interesting to see if they launch it in India, and it along with the Prius could make Toyota the first brand to take a major step in the hybrid front in India.

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Entry posted on August 10th, 2009 and filed under Hybrid cars, Toyota

Honda to bring two Hybrid models next year

Honda to bring two Hybrid models next year

It was long known, that a Honda Jazz Hybrid is in the pipeline. What we hear of late is that, Honda will be bringing out two hybrid models next year into the Japanese market – a sportscoupe and the Jazz Hybrid. Both models will set sail to European and Asian markets, but no release schedule has been revealed.

Honda already produces the Civic Hybrid and Insight. With the addition of the new cars, Honda will enhance its lineup of compact hybrid models, which leverage the unique characteristics of Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), including compact size, lightweight and high efficiency.

click through for more Information & Press Release

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Entry posted on July 13th, 2009 and filed under Honda, Hybrid cars, honda jazz

Thai-assembled Toyota Camry Hybrid in India in 2010

Thai-assembled Toyota Camry Hybrid in India in 2010

The Thai-assembled Toyota Camry hybrid which was displayed yesterday in a special ceremony will reportedly ship to India next year.

The Toyota Camry hybrid has its own tail lamp, headlamp and bumper, the three chief features apart from the ‘Hybrid Synergy Drive’ badge setting it apart from the regular petrol model. 9,000 of these cars will roll out of the Gateway plant in Thailand in the first phase with local deliveries scheduled in August.

This is not the first time we’re showing you a hybrid Camry on Indian Autos Blog. Don’t think so? Check out the Toyota Camry HC-CV from the Melbourne Motor Show earlier this year.

The automobile engineering under the skin of this Camry is surprisingly still hidden from the media. Whether the U.S Toyota Camry’s 2.4 liter-engine producing 147 horsepower at 6,000rpm and 187Nm of torque at 4,400rpm, paired to a 30kW (40 horses) electric motor with 270Nm of torque goes for the Thai Camry is anybody’s guess.

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Entry posted on June 2nd, 2009 and filed under Hybrid cars, Toyota

Honda Jazz hybrid launch brought forward 1.5 years; $15,800 price tag

Honda Jazz hybrid launch brought forward 1.5 years; $15,800 price tag

Tip of the day – The Honda Jazz hybrid’s price is what we Indians are going to pay for the 1.2-liter petrol model.

Honda’s renewed commitment to the environment is known to us right from the time of the first Insight to the recent Civic hybrid, working for long hours in laboratories, fighting their way through the barriers namely weight, density, Toyota Prius, cost and what not.

The next car with hybrid technology to don the Honda badge is none other than the hugely successful Honda Jazz. The nature of the powertrain at this juncture is unknown. It might use the Insight’s motor and battery pack or Honda could have developed one specifically for this car.

Nevertheless Honda decided to revise the launch date of the Honda Jazz hybrid after seeing the demand for fuel efficient cars. The revised date as of now stands at autumn of 2010, about a year and half ahead of the original schedule.

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Entry posted on June 2nd, 2009 and filed under Honda, Hybrid cars, honda jazz

Tata, Mahindra and Maruti work together to develop hybrid technology

Tata, Mahindra and Maruti work together to develop hybrid technology

This is a rare occurrence. To me these guys were competitors and not potential partners or never have I envisaged a concept of them coming together before. Recession has forced a lot of manufacturers to tie-up with each other and develop cars and technology to shave costs. In India, recession hasn’t caused this occurrence for sure.

They say sometimes reality can be stranger than fiction.

India Automotive reports Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki will collaborate to develop hybrid technology. They will then have the license to incorporate them into their products.

The trio will venture into making lithium-ion batteries, controller and electric motor technologies, essential components of a hybrid powertrain. The partnership will be governed by by I V Rao, R&D chief of Maruti Suzuki and additionally charged with the post of chairman of the committee on National Hybrid Propulsion Programme.

Mahindra’s hybrid vehicle dreams began with the Scorpio hybrid which is production ready. Tata Motors has the electric vehicle technology which looks promising on the Indica Vista EV and the Indica EV.

Maruti Suzuki hasn’t shown interest in developing hybrid or electric cars in the past, but this is a good place to start as hybrid vehicles are undeniably the next phase of evolution in the automobile industry. The three are committed to making the most out of this partnership and the results will be displayed during the Commonwealth games next year.

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Entry posted on May 18th, 2009 and filed under Hybrid cars, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Tata

Hyundai unveils World’s first LPG Hybrid car

Hyundai unveils World’s first LPG Hybrid car

Hyundai is very obsessed with Blue (the new name for ‘Green’) cars these days. Keeping with the same theme, the Korean automaker showcased Avante/Elantra LPI Hybrid – The World’s first Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) powered hybrid car, in Korea.

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Entry posted on April 3rd, 2009 and filed under Hybrid cars, Hyundai
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