Ferrari 599 Hybrid, Faster, More Powerful And 25 MPG

Ferrari 599 KERS HY

Ferrari showed off a new prototype for their vision of hybrids going forward. The Ferrarri 599 HY KERS concept is meant to give an idea of how Ferrari is looking to adopt hybrid and other green technology over the next four years.

With tough new CO2 emissions in the works, Ferrari is looking to cut fuel by up to 40% over the next few years, or risk being squeezed out. They plan on having green technology across their entire line-up by 2015.

The spokesperson noted the concept would cost twice as much as the £207,000 petrol 559 GTB Fiorano on which the concept is based. But, the price should come down to below £300,000 in the next four years.

The HY KERS concept uses the Formula One developed system called Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). The system allows for regenerative braking, but will not run the vehicle on electric power alone.

The two-seater comes with a 6.0 liter V12 mated to an electric motor powered by lithium ion batteries. The prototype has a top speed of 200 mph and can go from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. That's faster than the standard version. It can reach 125 mph in 10.4 seconds and has a top speed of 200 mph.

But that extra power also comes at greater efficiency, with a 35% improvement in CO2 emission (down to 270 g/km) and they estimate a fuel efficiency of 25 mpg (up from 16 mpg).

The battery pack is set low in the floor, which lowers the center of gravity, allowing for better 'cornering dynamics.' They also do not affect interior space of functionality.

Ferrari painted the concept green, making it stand out from the rest of the Ferrari line-up. The company is hoping this is the leading edge of their goal of reducing fuel use in their entire line-up by at least 40%.

Lexus Hoping CT 200h Will Help Boost Sales in Europe by 80 Percent

Lexus is hoping the new CT 200h will boost sales of Lexus vehicles by 80% in Europe next year. That would put them up at 50,000 units a year in Europe. Their sales have been stable this year, at 28,000 units.

“In 2011, we expect to see significant growth in our sales from relatively stable growth this year,” Pfeiffenberger said.

Hybrids make up 60 percent of Lexus sales in Europe already.

The Lexus CT 200h (the h is for hybrid) uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor powered by a nickel metal hydride battery pack.

The CT has a longer wheelbase allowing for more interior room. Lexus added in a damping system and rear wishbone suspension. It is headed to Europe at first, but Lexus has said it will be sold in the US next year.

Converj is Dead, Long Live the Volt

Cadillac Converj is on hold

GM has killed off work on the Cadillac Converj, a variant on the Chevy Volt Extended Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV). The Cadillac variant was said to be a good fit, allowing GM to charge more for the plug-in Volt which is supposed to be coming later this year at around $40,000. GM expects some of the cost to consumers ($7,500) will be covered in tax breaks from the federal government.

But GM has killed it off according to sources (BusinessWeek, Reuters)

Apparently, all the luxury items they could include just wouldn't be enough to create a profit on the vehicle. The battery pack, which is going to be one of the most expensive parts of the Volt, is supposed to give the Volt 40 miles of all electric power. But the range in the Converj would have to be lower, given the extra weight of the luxury items, making it less appealing to consumers.

"As we took a look at our available capital and engineering resources, we decided that there were things that were more urgent than doing a Cadillac version of the Voltec architecture," General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said.

"We had originally had a time slot for the Converj and that has been put on hold," Lutz said.

The upcoming competition from plug-in vehicles (essentially pumped up full hybrids, rather than electric vehicles with range extending gas engines) is forcing their hand. They expect plug-ins to cost less, since the battery packs will be smaller. So, if the all electric range comes down, so does the appeal.

Throw in the added weight, lower range (20 miles) and cost (up to $30,000 more) and GM came to the conclusion they couldn't compete with the Converj right now. The decision to end the Converj work was made in January.

Porsche 918 Spyder Plug-in Hybrid

Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche unveiled the 918 Spyder Plug-in Hybrid at the Geneva Auto Show, stunning journalists attending the event.

The Spyder plug-in is faster than the Porsche Carrera GT, while getting 78 mpg (emissions of 70g CO2/km).

The 500 hp V-8 is mated to two electric motors located on the front and rear axle, which can create another 160 kW of power (218 hp). Combined, the Spyder plug-in can produce 718 hp.

Which means the mid-engined two seater car can go from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 198 miles per hour.

The V-8 was described as high-revving with seven speed transmission. The electric motors are powered by liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery.

There are four modes, controllable by the driver which allow it to run in:

• E-Drive mode (all electric) for a 16 mile range
• Hybrid mode (more fuel efficient)
• Sport hybrid (aggressive performance)
• Race Hybrid (All about Pure Performance)

"Porsche is not saying whether the 918 Spyder concept will go into production, but don’t bet against it. The technology is just too promising, the styling too delectable." - NY Times Blog

"the specifications out of this car seem too good to be true." - USA Today

"stealthy-looking ride is a parallel hybrid just like the Prius – well, except much, much sexier." - Inhabit

"One thing there's no debating is the 918's style, a magnificent two-seater with clear Porsche DNA that's low, lean and mean without being over-the-top outrageous. It has the supercar looks, we'll see if Porsche can deliver on its eye-popping future propulsion numbers." - WOT Motortrend