When the next-generation Nissan GT-R arrives a few years from now, it is expected to be powered by a hybrid powertrain. The new hybrid supercar is expected in about 2013 and the powertrain will likely be derived from the system that will debut next year on the Infiniti M. The version in the GT-R will likely be a lot more powerful, with a 160 hp electric motor and net output from the twin turbo V6 and electric drive of around 600 hp.

Due to the extra mass, the overall performance will likely be similar to the current model, but mileage would be in the 25-30 mpg range on the highway. The Nissan hybrid system uses an electric motor between the engine and transmission and a lithium ion battery using the same modules that are going into Nissan's range of electric vehicles.

[Source: Inside Line]

Thomas Built Buses, the school bus manufacturing unit of Daimler Trucks North America, has just received its first order for new clean diesel buses. Montgomery County in Maryland has ordered 59 new Saf-T-Liner HDX school buses equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. The SCR system eliminates most nitrogen oxide emissions and allow the buses to meet the 2010 emissions standards for heavier trucks.

The SCR system consists of a urea injection system that breaks down in the hot exhaust into ammonia and water. The ammonia reacts with the NOx to convert it to nitrogen and water. According to Daimler, the SCR-equipped engine also gets better fuel consumption than the previous engine.

[Source: Daimler]

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We haven't heard much from A123 Systems in recent months, other than the battery maker's public stock offering. Its best shot at a major automotive battery program seemed to be with Chrysler, until we found out that all those plug-in vehicles we saw in Detroit last January had been pretty much killed. With Chrysler uninterested for now, GM going with LG Chem and Ford opting for Johnson Controls-Saft, the fate of A123's plans for a Michigan battery plant are unknown.

For now, A123 seems to be looking to China. Last week, A123 announced a new joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industries Company (SAIC) to produce complete battery packs in China. The packs will be targeted at both plug-in hybrid and pure battery electric vehicles. The new venture will be 51 percent owned by SAIC with A123 holding the rest. SAIC has been planning hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of its Roewe 750 and 550 models and the new venture could potentially supply those

[Source: Reuters]

If Autocar is correct, Mercedes-Benz will impose some serious downsizing in the engine compartment of the S-class next year. Six cylinder engines are nothing new in European-spec versions of the big Merc. However, Daimler is now set to install its latest 2.2-liter four cylinder diesel in the S.

In dual turbocharged form, the little oil burner produces 201 hp and an ample 384 pound-feet of torque. The new model is expected to be badged as the S300 CDI and equipped with Mercedes' 7-speed automatic. It should perform reasonably well thanks to its ample torque. The biggest problem is apparently ensuring the smooth operation that S-class drivers expect. Don't count on ever seeing this version come to the U.S., though.

[Source: Autocar]

Last week, Panasonic launched production of new, more powerful lithium ion cells at a factory in Japan. The new cells are of the same 18650 format used for laptop batteries and the Tesla Roadster. The new cells have an output of 3.1 Ah at 3.6 volts and energy capacity of 11.2 Wh compared to the previous generation cell's 10.4 Wh. If these cells were used in the Roadster pack (which uses 6,831 cells) it would have a capacity of 76.5 kWh, a 44 percent increase over the the current 53 kWh capacity.

In the press release, Panasonic only discusses supplying these cells for consumer electronics such as laptops and phones. However, earlier this fall there was a report that Panasonic could be providing the cells for the Tesla Model S. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that the company plans to stick with the smaller cell form factor for the Model S rather than using the new larger form factor automotive cells that other companies are adopting. If Tesla does use a variant of these cells for the Model S it would certainly help drive down the cost of the car and improve the range.


[Source: Panasonic]

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Late last month, BMW officially revealed its next generation 5 series sedan in Munich and the opening salvo of powertrains includes the usual array of gas and diesel six- and eight-cylinder engines. However, with the recent launches of the ActiveHybrid X6 and 7, no one expects it to stay that way for long. BMW officials have acknowledged its intent to expand hybrid capability to other models going forward and, as the next redesign, the 5 would be the logical choice.

We're not sure if the new 5 will show up at the Detroit show next month, but it should appear by the Geneva Motor Show in March. At that time, the ActiveHybrid 5 will probably debut as a concept with the production version possibly arriving by the end of 2010. At this point, it appears unlikely that we'll see any more BMW applications of the two-mode hybrid system used in the X6 (with the possible exception of the X5). Instead, the modular mild hybrid from the 7 is the likely candidate since it delivers much of the benefit at a lower cost and smaller packaging size.



[Source: BMWBlog]

As we were discussing an upcoming story related to a certain extended range EV with some colleagues the other day, a potentially serious problem for EVs came up. The primary market for plug-in vehicles for the foreseeable future will be urban areas where the range limitations of battery-powered cars figure to be less of an issue. However, if you look at the older residential areas in many cities, you will find that many homes don't have garages and people have to park on the street.

However, as we know, street parking carries with it certain risks. Break-ins and thefts are not at all uncommon, as are other misdemeanors like dragging keys along the paint. Now imagine the type of miscreant who would commit such an act when faced with several blocks and dozens of cars plugged into curbside chargers. Such an individual would likely be inclined to simply unplug all the cars as they walk by. Or worse.

You can put a locking fuel cap on an ICE vehicle to keep gas from being siphoned off. However, the proposed locking mechanisms on some of the charging couplers don't totally eliminate the possibility that someone might simply disconnect the cord. We're not sure what the solution is, but if this sort of thing were to happen on a wide scale, it's just another potential impediment to getting drivers to consider plug-in vehicles.

Over the last several years, Irv Miller has been one of our main sources of answers about Toyota's environmental policies. Not for much longer. Miller has been group vice president of environmental and public affairs for Toyota in North America. However, it appears that Miller and two other U.S. vice presidents will be calling it quits in the next couple of months. Also leaving with Miller are Steve Sturm and Dave Danzer who headed strategic research and product planning respectively.

Toyota has been struggling of late as a result of both the global recession and, more recently, a massive recall campaign related to unintended acceleration. In recent years Toyota has made some questionable product decisions, including making a major push into the full size truck market just as that market was starting to shrink. The Tundra full size pickup has never met expectations and has generally not been considered competitive in the class.

[Source: Automotive News - sub req'd]

For some time now, Livonia, Michigan-based Roush engineering has been selling Ford F-series pickup trucks converted to run on either propane or both propane and gasoline. Availability of that conversion has now been expanded to include Ford's full-size E-series vans. The conversions are popular among commercial fleet users because the cost of propane is significantly less than gasoline and, since the vehicles tend to operate within a limited range out of a central depot, fueling is convenient.

The conversion is now available on E-150, E-250 and E-350 vans in either cargo or passenger versions with the 5.4-liter V8. Roush plans to start production in the first quarter of 2010. Because propane burns so completely, the new vans are able to meet the Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) II emission standard. The next step for Roush is to develop a propane kit for the 6.8-liter V10 and the E-450 cut-away, commonly used for shuttle bus conversions. The company hopes to have these ready by the end of 2010.

[Source: Roush]

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