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Показаны сообщения с ярлыком hybrid technologies. Показать все сообщения

The Chrysler EV, An Electric Hybrid Town & Country

Автор: EliseoArredondo среда, 30 сентября 2009 г. Ярлыки: , , , , , , , , , , 0 коммент.

Introduced in conjunction with Chrysler ENVI’s electric hybrid 3-vehicle line-up, the Chrysler EV is a hybrid version of Chrysler’s current minivan offering, the Chrysler Town & Country. Ipso facto, the Chrysler EV is also a vehicle that no one, save for that overzealous mom who runs the local PTA, could ever possibly want. Fortunately, although Chrysler has admitted that only one of the three extended-range electric vehicles will make it to production, it hasn’t revealed which one, allowing us the glimmer of hope that it won’t be the Chrysler EV.

Despite the fact that its official classification as a minivan earns it our scathing ire, like the other two Chrysler ENVI vehicles, the Chrysler EV’s fuel-efficient engineering and innovative technology is actually pretty impressive.

Chrysler EV photo gallery after the jump

With the same electronic drive train application as both the Dodge EV and the Jeep EV, the Chrysler EV minivan is powered by a gasoline-powered small displacement engine that is integrated to function in tandem with an electric generator, both of which provide additional power to the Chrysler’s electronic drive system. The motor itself produces a zippy 9 second 0-60 mph acceleration time and produces 255-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. It also provides zero tailpipe emissions, and like it’s two ENVI siblings, features a fuel consumption average of approximately 50 mpg, or 400 miles per every 8 gallons of gasoline.

In addition to serving as a preview of what could possibly translate into a production model, the Chrysler EV also serves as a rubric for future, as yet unreleased vehicles. According to Chrysler, the knowledge and experience gained from engineering the Chrysler EV “will be applied to other front-wheel drive applications in Chrysler’s portfolio.”

We say: Chalk the Chrysler EV up to experience, and give us the Jeep EV.

[Photo Cred: Jalopnik]



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The EarthRoamer XV-LT Ford 550: A Classic Tale Of The HUMMER And The Winnebago Who Loved Him

Автор: EliseoArredondo Ярлыки: , , , , , , , 0 коммент.

Officially recognizing their brief foray into the compact car market as a major blunder, for 2009, Ford has reintroduced one of their most massive feats of engineering: the EarthRoamer XV-LT Ford 550. An all-terrain recreational vehicle that will make your pop-up camper wet its pants, the EarthRoamer XV-LT prides itself on being powerful enough to endure a rugged terrain while still providing [most] of the comforts of home. Contrary to what it suggests at first glance though, the EarthRoamer XV-LT is not another monstrous, testosterone-saturated gas guzzler.

Sitting on a Ford 550 Super Duty chassis with a turbo-diesel engine under the hood, the EarthRoamer XV-LT is extremely energy efficient as it relies largely on huge solar panels to generate energy for its massive marine batteries. Unlike most campers, the EarthRoamer XV-LT doesn’t rely on propane or an auxiliary generator to power the camper’s heat, hot water, or stove, relying instead on its 350-hp, 6.4L PowerStroke diesel engine. Equipped with a 5-speed Torqueshift automatic transmission, extended gear ratios ensure optimum performance, even when your towing a load [sounds dirty, but probably isn't] at maximum 10,000 capacity.

Entirely self-contained, the EarthRoamer doesn’t have to rely on external hook-ups usually provided at RV sites either, freeing it up to camp pretty much anywhere. Surprisingly, the EarthRoamer XV-LT doesn’t sacrifice comfort for durability and features a luxurious California King size bed, perfect for using to join that mile high club after you scale the Lusten [snicker] Mountains.



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The 2009 Mercedes-Benz MLS 450 Hybrid: Because You Vaguely Remember Your Houseboy Mumbling Something About “Global Warming”

Автор: EliseoArredondo пятница, 11 сентября 2009 г. Ярлыки: , , , 0 коммент.

Not scheduled to make its grand entrance until 2009, the much-anticipated Mercedes-Benz ML 450 2-Mode Hybrid is at the top of almost every upper class Greenie’s wish list. Co-designed with BMW and GM, the Mercedes ML 450 Hybrid will mark the German luxury symbol’s first foray into the eco-friendly world ["Thad, remind our driver he's picketing 'big oil' tomorrow, won't you dear?"]

A 3.5L V6 gasoline engine and twin 120kW electric motors boost the ML 450 Hybrid ICE’s [Internal Combustion Engine] standard performance from 279-hp to a powerful 321-hp, all while maintaining the stark quiet synonymous with both hybrid vehicles in general and Mercedes-Benz luxury [and providing optimum acoustics for listening to your “Das Engeri” audio book].
A mechanical blend of both a multi-speed automatic and continuously variable transmission enables the ML 450 Hybrid to ride smoother than silk while simultaneously making it a real bitch to fix [better hope that warranty doesn’t run out too soon]. An advanced regenerative braking system is powered by discretely placed, 288V battery packs and serve to further assist the electronically-variable transmission.

With an EPA estimate of 30mpg overall, and a reported carbon output of 185 g/km [we figured we didn’t need to convert those particular stats from their metric form since we’re fairly sure most people in North America have bought a gram of something in their life…]. Although mum’s the manufacturers’ word on suggested retail price, we expect somewhere in the range of its green luxury sibling’s, the Lexus 400H, 50k tag.



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