Inifinity "M" "Super Powerful Hybrid" Sports Car: "Take That, Lexus!" 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid Preview - Infiniti Going Hybrid with Next-Gen 2012 M - Motor Trend "It's very different from the hybrid system licensed from Toyota in the Nissan Altima hybrid. The electric motor sits behind the V-6 in this RWD application, and there are two clutches, so either the V-6 or the electric motor can drive the automatic trans, or both together. Because the electric motor can operate from zero rpm, there is no torque converter, enhancing efficiency. The hybrid will use lithium-ion batteries. Nissan has announced factories worldwide for Li-ion batteries to supply its 2011 electric vehicle. Infiniti is also considering a luxury subcompact electric vehicle, using Nissan's [Leaf] EV platform. Lexus LF-Ch Premium Compact Hybrid: Lexus LF-Ch: Frankfurt-Bound Premium Compact Hybrid Concept Gets a Name | Motortrend News & Auto Blog - Wide Open Throttle Toyota Prius PHEV, iQ Full Hybrid, Auris Full Hybrid: Toyota's New Auris HSD Full Hybrid, Prius Plug-In, Custom iQs to Hit Frankfurt | Motortrend News & Auto Blog - Wide Open Throttle . ..And a whole bunch of other cool new stuff, including leaked photos of the new Hyundai Sonata (looks cool): Motortrend News & Auto Blog | Car Industry News & Blogs - Wide Open Throttle MotorTrend coverage of the Frankfurt AutoShow: http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/coverage/112_0909_2009_frankfurt_auto_show_shell/index.html
That Nissan one reminds me of a Fisker. It looks like they're adding elements from the Z cars though.
That M hybrid Concept looks sweet! It does take cues from their Z cars. however, one thing that bugged me in that MT article That could not be further from the truth.
All signs point to the Auris having 2ZR-FXE and the Prius transaxle. That's by far the cheapest and simplest thing to do. We'll find out in a couple of weeks.
Frankfurt Motor Show: September 17 - September 27, 2009. Press days: September 15 + September 16, 2009. [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfurt_Motor_Show"]Frankfurt Motor Show - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
I now can't remember if I read that somewhere or was speculating! I would have thought that the aim was to increase production output of the components so that costs would be lowered overall (the fixed costs spread over more units produced). I'm making the assumption that the new Auris will have (at least one platform with) ZR engine mounts. The current models have 1ZR-FE (1.6L) and 2ZR-FE (1.8L) (models ZRE151, ZRE152). There's also a 1NR-FE 1.33L on the current range (NRE150), plus a bunch of diesels. They've already announced that the engines will be produced at Deeside, which already produces 1ZR-FE and 2ZR-FE engines. I'm not sure about the NR. A 1.33L would be too small to run Atkinson-cycle, in my view. (Atkinson-cycle reduces effective capacity to 45%-71% of full capacity, if valve close is at 65°-105° past bottom dead centre.) You might get away with it in an iQ, but not the C-segment Auris. The designs obviously already exist for 2ZR-FXE. I believe the Atkinson 'X' variant only needs new pistons - to raise the head of the piston, to increase the compression ratio - and a new cam profile, to keep the intake valves open longer. Or, it might be slightly longer conrods - the stroke is controlled by the crankshaft. 1ZR-FE has the same bore but a shorter stroke. I'm trying to work out the geometry in my head - it may be that the cam profile and piston of 2ZR-FXE would also work for a hypothetical 1ZR-FXE as well. I recall that we had rumours about a 1.6L Prius variant before the 2010 was officially announced, so it could be a 1.6. Don't expect a hybrid Auris to weigh much less than a Prius though. The current model is 1250 - 1450kg depending on the engine. The current 1.6 V-matic manual is quoted as a 10s 0-62 time, so the Prius is actually a little slower (10.4s).
Did anyone notice that Infiniti did not have a single new vehicle to sell that qualified under the Cash for Clunkers program? CASH FOR CLUNKERS WINNERS AND LOSERS LA Car.com - The Cars and Culture of Southern California Magazine & Directory - BACK SEAT DRIVING - AUGUST 2009 Infiniti offered no cars that qualified for CARS
Who are these folks an Infinity that think they'll be invening a high powered hybrid?!? What are they ... maybe a dollar short and 5 years too late (if in fact in makes it off the drawing board by 2012)? Wasn't it back in late 2007 that Lexus LS600h went into production? .... good for 438 horsepower, along with 385 lb-ft of torque.
