Posted : September 2009
Author :
The spotlight of 2009’s Frankfurt
auto show was the latest breed of electric cars. Most of the car manufacturers,
including the big fishes and small ones of the industry displayed at least one
electric vehicle on their part. Some of them concepts, while others nearing
production, but both pointed towards a bright future for electric-fuel cars.
The best of the lot are the following ones mentioned below:
The Peugeot BB1 comes with an insane design that makes one
stunned by its design. It features two 20hp Michelin wheel-motors, mounted
inside each rear-wheel. Two lithium-ion batteries are fitted which needs to be
recharged after a burst for 75 miles. The BB1 will go from 0-30kmph in a
respectable 2.8 seconds and will hit a top speed of 90kmph. The driver needs to
use bike-like handlebars rather than the steering wheel to control it.
9. Trabant
Trabant is a concept car brought by Herpa Miniaturmodelle
GmbH, a scale model car-maker from Germany. According to Herpa, it has
a 64-hp electric-motor that can propel the hatchback up to 80 mph with a range
of up to 155 miles. A lithium ion battery pack sits in between the car’s rear-axle
and transmission tunnel. It has a snazzy design that incorporates a roof-top
solar panel for battery replenishment on the go. It is a truly affordable
smart, electric car.
8. Renault Zoe Z.E. Concept
Renault’s Zoe Z.E. Concept car is an eye-catching stuff. The
front doors open up like scissors and the rear like a butterfly’s wings. The
Zoe ZE is powered by an electric-motor that delivers 95 hp and 166 lb ft of
torque. The Renault Zoe ZE can attain a top speed of 87 mph and power for 100
miles before a recharge with this motor. The retractable spoiler pops out at
speed in excess of 55 mph to provide great aerodynamic-efficiency. Ultimately,
the Zoe ZE is an all-electric zero-emission-vehicle that also boasts smart and
appealing looks.
7. Mercedes F-Cell
The F-Cell is Mercedes-Benz’s hydrogen fuel cell-powered
car. The car breaks the short distance jinx of electric cars by claiming that
it can travel 250 miles on a single plug-in. The electric motor powers the
F-Cell by producing 134bhp and 214lb ft of torque while returning an economy of
86.6 mpg. The hydrogen-powered, five-door hatchback is also a zero emission
vehicle. Another fascinating fact about the car is the engine can start in
temperatures as low as -25degrees Celsius.
6. Hyundai i-Blue
The Hyundai i-Blue is a sports car that uses
third-generation hydrogen fuel cell. The i-Blue Concept is the Korean Company’s
latest fuel cell technology for developing a hybrid which is green and
practical at the same time. It comes in with a 1.6-litre petrol hybrid engine
that is mated to a 100kw electric-motor for instantaneous acceleration. It has
the grille design with lamps pulled back over the top-edge of the fenders. The
roof even features solar panels for recharging on the move.
5. Lexus LF-CH
The LF-CH is a new hybrid-hatchback concept from Lexus. It
is claimed as a BMW 1 series which is a hybrid. The new LF-CH hatch’s list of
competitors also includes Audi A3 and Volvo C30. The ‘LF’ designation
represents the car’s concept status and ‘CH’ denotes the car’s C-segment sizing
with hybrid power-train. The interior boasts satellite navigation screen in the
centre of the dash and two large instrument dials in front of the driver,
keeping the distracting elements to a minimum. The LF-CH deploys itself as a
fume-free-motoring system for the masses.
4. Citroen REVOLTe
Citroen Revolte is a compact car that combines the topmost
luxury with a fashionable fun. It is a reviewed version of Citroen 2CV. The
Revolte gets power from a rechargeable, hybrid drivetrain that includes a small
capacity combustion engine combined with an electric-motor. A battery supplying
recharges electric motor and both power trains are able to drive the wheels.
The French concept car has no CO2 emission and also features a quiet ride with
a high level of comfort. It also features three seats, rear-hinged doors and a
foldable, solar-powered roof.
3. VW L1
Volkswagen L1 is an electric car with a diesel engine as a
back-up. The German automaker claims the concept-car will become the world’s
most fuel-efficient car when it will be launched in 2013. It weighs a meagre
380kg and has a seating capacity of two passengers. VW L1 Hybrid has an
innovative shape that resembles a bullet-jet and also its body parts are
integrated. Its diesel-electric hybrid-engine achieves a whopping 157.8 mpg and
races out at 100 mph. The L1 also has impressive 416 miles driving range which
beats plug-in competitors.
2. BMW VisionED
BMW’s Vision Efficient Dynamics is a fast and frugal concept
car. It is a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine
that emits a meagre 99g/km of carbon emissions. It generates 163 hp with peak
torque of 214 lb ft and speeds 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds. One of its two electric
motors powers the front wheels and the other the rears. BMW claims it has
remarkably low fuel consumption scoring 62.6 miles per gallon. Its notable
feature is the intelligent suspension which adjusts the dampers according to
the road on which you are driving.
1. Audi e-Tron
Audi e-Tron was one of the biggest surprises of the show.
The concept car is an electric version of Audi’s R8 V12 TDI super car. The new
e-tron packs four electric-motors and a lithium-ion battery package with a fair
313 hp but a whopping 3319 lb-ft of torque. It rises from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8
seconds, and the e-tron’s a massive amount of twist aids rolling acceleration
from 37 to 75 mph in just 4.1 seconds. The battery pack provides an energy
content of 42.4 kWh to allow a range of 155 miles. It is also well designed and
has a high level of interior comfort.
~Admin~
No comments:
Post a Comment