The Suburu Hybrid Tourer Concept uses twin gull-wing doors and steeply raked front windshield for a spectacular display at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit Michigan. Look for future Subaru vehicles to take on the new front grille design.
The Hybrid Tourer was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2009. Nice wide-open door to the interior. I'm not sure how this would work in Michigan with snow, sleet, rain and other nasties.
The Hybrid Tourer will use a 2.0 litre turbocharged boxer engine along with two electric motors. Suburu is planning on using a Lineartronic Automatic Transmission (actually a CVT) and utilizes a rear motor that can be used at start up or during acceleration. A front motor would be used as a power generator and aid in acceleration.
Reminds me of a fresh vehicle that could easily be used in "Back to the Future X."
Showing posts with label Auto Show. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Auto Show. Show all posts
Friday, February 26, 2010
Toyota "Baby Prius" FT-EV II Concept
Lot of weird stuff happening here. Funky in a freakish kind of way. Love the graphics on this EV concept. Not so sure about the drive-by-wire joystick control that replaces the steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals.
Reminds me of the song we sang in Junior High about how things are interconnected, called Dry Bones:
"The ankle bone's connected to the leg bone,
The foot bone connected to the heel bone,
The heel bone connected ot the ankle bone,
Now hear the word of the Lord... "
Most vehicles on the road today are using drive-by-wire technology. Even vehicles you think of as mechanical in nature like the Jeep Wrangler use the linkless pedal. But a decoupled steering wheel is a whole 'nuther ball of wax. Toyota's version of the campfire song:
"The steering wheel's not connected to a steering column
The steering column's not connected to the the track rod,
The track rod's not connected to the tie rods,
Now hear the word of the Toyoda..."
Are American's ready to trust Toyota's trick technology?
Reminds me of the song we sang in Junior High about how things are interconnected, called Dry Bones:
"The ankle bone's connected to the leg bone,
The foot bone connected to the heel bone,
The heel bone connected ot the ankle bone,
Now hear the word of the Lord... "
Most vehicles on the road today are using drive-by-wire technology. Even vehicles you think of as mechanical in nature like the Jeep Wrangler use the linkless pedal. But a decoupled steering wheel is a whole 'nuther ball of wax. Toyota's version of the campfire song:
"The steering wheel's not connected to a steering column
The steering column's not connected to the the track rod,
The track rod's not connected to the tie rods,
Now hear the word of the Toyoda..."
Are American's ready to trust Toyota's trick technology?
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Toyota FT-CH Concept Car
Toyota's Hybrid Concept vehicle debuted at the 2010 North American International Show in Detroit, Michigan. Toyota is gunning for a price-point lower than the Prius to lure a younger, hipper audience. The dedicated compact hybrid will be aimed primarily for the urban environment. Drop the wheels, replace the interior floor mats, fix the drive-by-wire electronics and it might actually sell.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tantalizing Tango
I couldn't believe this vehicle was legit when I saw it at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit Michigan. The more I researched this vehicle - the more it grew on me. At first glance, the Tango looked too tall and seemed like it might tip over on a windy day.Rollover Potential:
Not to worry, remember this is an electric vehicle (EV), with the 988 lbs of Hawker batteries under the floor. This allows for a low-center of gravity, with go-cart like-handling and NHTSA 5-star equivalent static rollover threshold rating.
Safety:
OK, but what about the thin shell? It looks like it's made of cardboard! Slow down, and you'll find out the Tango team's outlandish claims appear to be legit.
Underneath the 100% carbon fiber/epoxy panels is a chrom-moly steel race car roll cage. According to Tango engineers this roll cage meets or exceed both SCCA and NHRA regulations. There are four times more side door protection bars than found in the largest SUVs.Performance:
This part blows me away. Tango can rocket down a 1/4 mile track in 12 seconds at over 120 mph and blast you from 0-60 mph in a mere 4 seconds. That's mind-bending speed. How does it accomplish this extraordinary feat? Torque. Lots of it. The two electric motors in the Tango EV have more torque than a Dodge Viper V10 engine. Racing slicks and proper gearing help too.Charging:
The Tango can charge to 80% of its capacity in just 10 minutes from a 200 amp charging station. Impressive. A full charge takes about 3 hours from a standard dryer style outlet.
Interior:
Looks tiny. Not so say's Tango (well, maybe for Shaq). Comfort comes in many sizes - someone claimed it comfortable that cleared 6-foot 10-inches and weighed 325 lbs.Storage:
A whopping 10 cubic feet of space. Just a little shy of a 2006 Wrangler (11.6 cubic feet).
Batteries:
High-quality lead acid batteries (19 of them) made by Hawker. Cost to replace - guestimate is around 6K.
The Spec's are impressive:
Width: 39" (5" narrower than a Honda Gold Wing)
Ground Clearance: 4" (won't be seeing this clear snow on any dirt roads near my house in the winter)
Batteries: 19 Hawker Genesis G70EP lead acid batteries (list for about $435 each - not sure about long-term life-expectancy of lead acid batteries - one site says "GENESIS product will deliver up to 400 cycles")
Motors: 2 Advanced 9" motors, one driving each wheel with over 1,000 ft-lb of combined torque at low rpms (wow!)
Tires: Toyo Proxes T1R: 195/45R14 front; 215/45R15 rear
Range: 40-60 miles max with lead-acid batteries
Cost per mile: About 1/10 the cost of gasoline car for the average commuter (about a penny a mile)Top speed: 135 mph
Emissions: It would be zero if it weren't for the tire smoke
Kind of reminds me of a pink panther cartoon I was watching recently. Waiting to see Chief Inspector Clouseau coming out of the vehicle in his original way. Much like Clouseau character, I want to see the Tango prosper - even as it defies the odds on its way to success.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Let the takeover begin
If the Chinese business man Wang Chuanfu's goal is to lull us to sleep - he has succeeded. The styling is mundane and lackluster. But beware - under the hood of this dragon is Wang's deep desire to be China's top automaker by 2015. He plans on being #1 in the world by 2025. Unreasonable? Think again.
Build Your Dream (BYD) sold 450,000 vehicles in 2009 alone. China is pushing hard to "Go inland." That is - to sell in China first - then conquer the foreign lands. Vehicle sales are skyrocketing - The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported auto sales in second (41%) and third-tier (51%) cities surged for the first 9 months of 2009. Once fortified in China - watch out for the U.S. takeover.
BYD's display didn't have singers, dancers or any showstopping entertainment. But if there were one company to take note of this year - it is BYD. Sure they have to learn our culture and cater to our style and American needs (like large cupholders). But good design can be acquired as seen by Hyundai - when they hired Joel Piaskowski. In fact, Piaskowski was wooed away from Hyundai to Mercedes early last year.
BYD is the largest supplier of cell phone batteries in the world. Combine the worldly know-how with visionaries like Warren Buffet, who recently made a 10% investment in the nascent company and you can just see a glimmer of what's to come. When electric turns the corner in the states, BYD will be there.
There might even be an electric vehicle for sale by the end of 2010. With up to 205 miles between charges, and torque that rivals a Ford F-150 pickup truck, the e6 may have just enough performance for American's to overlook the dull appearance. Time will tell.
Build Your Dream (BYD) sold 450,000 vehicles in 2009 alone. China is pushing hard to "Go inland." That is - to sell in China first - then conquer the foreign lands. Vehicle sales are skyrocketing - The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported auto sales in second (41%) and third-tier (51%) cities surged for the first 9 months of 2009. Once fortified in China - watch out for the U.S. takeover.
BYD's display didn't have singers, dancers or any showstopping entertainment. But if there were one company to take note of this year - it is BYD. Sure they have to learn our culture and cater to our style and American needs (like large cupholders). But good design can be acquired as seen by Hyundai - when they hired Joel Piaskowski. In fact, Piaskowski was wooed away from Hyundai to Mercedes early last year.
BYD is the largest supplier of cell phone batteries in the world. Combine the worldly know-how with visionaries like Warren Buffet, who recently made a 10% investment in the nascent company and you can just see a glimmer of what's to come. When electric turns the corner in the states, BYD will be there.
There might even be an electric vehicle for sale by the end of 2010. With up to 205 miles between charges, and torque that rivals a Ford F-150 pickup truck, the e6 may have just enough performance for American's to overlook the dull appearance. Time will tell.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Detroit Electric Vehicle Circa 1922
This 1922 Detroit Electric Car was originally owned by socialite Mrs. Joseph Ballard of Binghamton, New York from 1922 until 1934. The $2,985 price tag is equivalent to about $38,000 today.
Mrs. Ford had an electric car just like this one - also on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. This car was on display at the 2010 North American international Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.
Electric cars were extremely popular with well-to-do women who had trouble, or didn't care for, the hand-cranking that was necessary with gasoline powered cars. One of the other key selling points: wealthy woman much preferred the electric cars roomy interiors that resembled parlors or powder rooms.
The performance wasn't bad for the day - top speed of 25mph and a range of up to 60 miles. In 1900 electric cars far outsold steam and gasoline powered cars, but that all changed with the electric starters on gasoline cars. In 1916, Detroit Electric made almost 1900 cars - that dropped dramatically to 143 cars in 1922 when this vehicle was made.
Mrs. Ford had an electric car just like this one - also on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. This car was on display at the 2010 North American international Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.Electric cars were extremely popular with well-to-do women who had trouble, or didn't care for, the hand-cranking that was necessary with gasoline powered cars. One of the other key selling points: wealthy woman much preferred the electric cars roomy interiors that resembled parlors or powder rooms.
The performance wasn't bad for the day - top speed of 25mph and a range of up to 60 miles. In 1900 electric cars far outsold steam and gasoline powered cars, but that all changed with the electric starters on gasoline cars. In 1916, Detroit Electric made almost 1900 cars - that dropped dramatically to 143 cars in 1922 when this vehicle was made.
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