Archive for the ‘Cars’ Category
February 5
Honda all-new Insight hybrid vehicle Introduced in Japan
Honda announced that the all-new Insight hybrid vehicle will go on sale in Japan on Friday, February 6, 2009. A five-door, five-passenger compact hatchback, the Insight features a lightweight, compact hybrid system that combines exceptional fuel economy with fun-to-drive performance. Offering customers exceptional fuel economy, the Honda Insight features a newly developed hybrid system including a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine and Honda’s proprietary Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). To further support fuel-efficient driving, the Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) as standard equipment on all models. The name Insight was chosen to denote that this new vehicle provides “insight” into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers.
February 1
Ultimate Aero EV – World’s fastest electric car can reach speeds of 208mph
The world’s fastest electric car that can reach speeds of 208mph has been unveiled. The Ultimate Aero EV created by Shelby Supercars utilizes a twin motor AESP producing an astounding 1,000 HP and 800 lb-ft of torque enabling it to rocket to 60 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 208 mph. Not only does the Ultimate Aero EV have a range of 150-200 miles on a single charge, but SSC’s Charge on the RunTM onboard charging system allows for full battery recharges in as little as 10 minutes. SSC’s 3-speed automatic transmission transfers the Ultimate Aero EV’s power to its wheels and achieves electronically controlled shift times of .24 s. In contrast the current electric sports car flagbearer, the Tesla Roadster which was recently tested by Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear, produces 250 horse power.
November 23
Honda reveals FC Sport – a hydrogen-powered three-seat sports car concept
Honda revealed the Honda FC Sport design study model, a hydrogen-powered, three-seat sports car concept, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Honda FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of Honda’s V Flow fuel cell technology – already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity sedan – and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions. The high-output Honda fuel cell powertrain and a sleek, aerodynamic body contribute to the vehicle’s performance potential. The optimal placement of fuel cell components for performance also allows for a relatively large passenger cabin by conventional supercar standards with enough space for three seating positions. The interior layout focuses primarily on the driver with a racecar-like center driving position. The enclosed canopy opens upward from the rear to allow for entry and exit. Two rear passenger seats flank the driver’s left and right side.
September 4
Honda Legend with Motion Adaptive EPS
Legend First Honda automobile in Japan to feature Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering
The new Honda Legend, which goes on sale in Japan, will be the first Honda automobile released in Japan to feature Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS), a new driving stability technology which initiates steering inputs that prompt the driver to steer in the correct direction during cornering and in slippery road conditions. Motion Adaptive EPS is also planned for implementation on other models such as the new Odyssey and the new Accord series, both scheduled for release in Japan in the near future.
Continue reading »
July 21
Fuji Develops Subaru Plug-in Stella Concept Electric Car
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. the maker of Subaru automobiles announced the successful development of its Subaru Plug-in Stella Concept model, a prototype electric vehicle (EV). The Subaru Plug-in STELLA Concept combines the EV system employed in the R1e with the mini car, Subaru Stella. The resulting vehicle represents an optimized model that features the compact packaging and superb utility that the Stella offers to meet a wider array of market needs. FHI plans to use the Plug-in Stella Concept in the development and test-marketing of the next generation of EV in Japan in the near future. Fuji Heavy Industries has placed emphasis on its mission to pursue the perfect integration of a pleasant and reliable driving with environmental considerations. While seamlessly improving the power units design and introducing such cleaner engines as the Horizontally-Opposed diesel engine in Europe (available since March of this year), the company has positioned EVs as another viable solution for environmental preservation, and it plans to accelerate its EV development work.
Continue reading »
