A Smaller Engine Equals Much less Power

One widespread complaint charged towards hybrid cars is that they’re somewhat too bland. Regardless of some slick, futuristic-seeming features on the instrument panel that inform drivers of effectivity statistics like common miles per gallon and battery charge levels, some hybrid cars may not catch the eye of potential new automobile buyers.

This is usually as a result of most hybrid cars are small and compact, and corporations struggling to catch up with present eco-pleasant trends have simply retrofitted older, established designs. Hybrid powertrains are additionally thought-about barely slower or much less powerful than the standard gasoline-powered automobiles on the highway. The rationale for this is twofold: First, the gas engines found in gas-electric hybrid cars are generally smaller than those engines present in typical passenger automobiles. A smaller engine equals much less energy, which, of course, makes it tougher for hybrids to speed up at a fast rate. As an illustration, whereas most typical vehicles can speed up from zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in about six seconds, most hybrid vehicles take around 10 seconds to realize the same velocity. This smaller fuel engine is coupled with an even smaller electric motor, which offers further power to drive the wheels — but nonetheless ends in a lot less energy. Some are simply questioning: When will hybrids start having a bit of more kick?

Toyota, makers of the popular Prius hybrid, has considered the demand for a extra sporty design within the hybrid automotive market. After spending a while on the drawing board, the company has launched a vehicle referred to as the Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Concept. And the result’s something that appears more like a race automobile than a hybrid automotive, and a few have even described it as a «Prius on steroids.» Regardless that the FT-HS is at the moment a concept automobile — which means there’s a very good chance the automotive might by no means go into full manufacturing — the design offers a singular view of a flashier kind of hybrid. It does not appear to be some other hybrid automobile at the moment on the road. The FT-HS was designed by Calty Design Research, which is Toyota’s design studio situated in Newport Seaside, 西武 ライオンズ FA Calif. The corporate initially launched the automotive at the 2007 North American Worldwide Auto Present in Detroit, Mich., as nothing greater than a number of sketches and some 3-D images, however working models have since emerged and a few reviews counsel the concept could go into production soon.

The FT-HS (which stands for Future Toyota Hybrid Sport) has a sporty, triangular profile, one that’s related in spirit to the Toyota Supra, the company’s earlier sports activities automobile that’s now not in manufacturing. Calty apparently modeled the streamlined design with the look of a downhill skier in mind, where a number of particular person aerodynamic parts are emphasised over an total sleek design. The realm below the headlights, for instance, swoops inward extra dramatically than is typical, and a ridge that rises alongside the hybrid’s decrease door edge extends upward near the rear wheels. The FT-HS is quite giant, really — practically as huge as a Corvette, measuring 170.Three inches (432.6 centimeters) from entrance to again, seventy three.2 inches (186 centimeters) extensive and 50.8 inches (129 centimeters) tall. With the intent of putting focus on the hybrid know-how, Calty made part of the engine seen by a gap in the hood.

Calty calls the interior of the FT-HS the «Solo Area,» emphasizing the driver’s importance and highlighting the driver’s seat as a type of cockpit. Much of the design suggests lightweight materials; the seats consist merely of skinny pads and the wheels (made from carbon fiber) are additionally lightweight to encourage a sporty, Method 1 really feel. The roof may also end up being retractable, sliding again to cowl the backseat space, making it only a two-seat car. Whereas the gas engine inside 2010 Prius, as an example, produces only 98 horsepower, the projected energy contained in the FT-HS would come from a 400-horsepower hybrid powertrain, a major improve. A 3.5-liter V-6 engine would fuel the automotive, which is apparently just like the DOHC (twin overhead camshaft) three.5-liter V-6 from the Lexus GS 450h.

The electric motor in the FT-HS would also provide extra energy than most individuals count on in a hybrid. Engineers count on to use a water-cooled, 650-volt motor that may produce as a lot as 197-horsepower at peak output. The battery powering the electric motor might be lithium-ion, which might weigh about half as much as the same old nickel-steel hydride batteries present in most hybrids at this time. The FT-HS will even use rear-wheel-drive, and the efficiency goal for the automobile’s zero to 60 miles per hour (ninety seven kilometers per hour) time is four seconds, which is less than half the time it takes for the standard hybrid automotive to speed up to highway speeds. Actually, fluctuating fuel costs and a poor financial system in 2009 may have led to the demise of the FT-HS, based on Automotive News [supply: Abuelsamid]. On high of that, there are many technical challenges in developing a hybrid sports activities car which might be tough to gauge because of so little information between the introduction of the FT-HS and now. If something does emerge, nonetheless, a sporty, mid-vary hybrid automotive is likely to be an excellent introduction for drivers who’re unsure of the know-how’s efficiency issues. And if it does carry this car to market, Toyota hopes to promote the FT-HS somewhere in the center $30,000 range.

For more information about hybrid cars and different related matters, observe the hyperlinks on the following page. «Gas costs shift Toyota product plans, FJ Cruiser and new Supra dead.» AutoBlog.com. Aug. 16, 2008. (May 26, 2009) http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/08/sixteen/fuel-costs-shift- toyota-product-plans-fj-crusier-and-new-supra

Oldham, Scott. «Detroit Auto Show: Toyota FT-HS Hybrid Sports Idea.» Edmunds Inside Line. Dec. 24, 2006. (May 26, 2009) http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Options/articleId=118933

Toyota.com. «FT-HS — hybrid powertrain meets sports activities-car fundamentals.» (Could 26, 2009) http://www.toyota.com/idea-vehicles/fths.html