New Energy Automotive

Archive for January, 2012

The Acura NSX on the designs of the next Honda supercar. He has performed with the Acura brand, which is the luxury division of Honda for the U.S., the equivalent of Toyota Lexus or Infiniti Nissan. Be manufactured in the U.S. and will be released by 2014, in Europe with the Honda brand.

This prototype reinterprets the sportsmanship of the brand with a more modern and seductive. The Japanese Ferrari has a line that seems inspired by the Ferrari 430, but it takes nerve to highlight more pronounced sportiness.

Stresses the front wedge design with a strip of LED lights on each side, and presents an aggressive face and character. And in the back draw attention to the large air vents reminiscent of the Formula 1. Otherwise it is made of lightweight materials like aluminum, magnesium and carbon fiber to reduce weight and improve the efficiency and dynamism.

Despite the spectacular image, the highlight of the NSX Concept is that it uses a mechanical hybrid to deliver the performance you expect from a supercar without having to resort to a large displacement engine and leverages the power to strengthen stability in curve.

Thus, VTEC engine meets a six-cylinder gasoline direct injection with 3 or 3.5 liter engine (Honda does not state) and central position behind the two seats, and adds a power module which includes only reports two electric motors. One in each front wheel. It also incorporates an automatic sequential double clutch is integrated within a third electric motor. And the three electric thrusters assist the gasoline engine, especially during acceleration to improve performance while maintaining a restrained consumption.

The two electric motors of the front wheels also perform many other functions. On the one hand provide 4×4 with a technology that Honda calls SH-AWD Hybrid Sport (Super Handling All Wheel Drive. That has to mean something like supermanejo-wheel drive. The system uses electric motors to the front wheels to speed up or slow each independently in the corners as the car need to optimize grip and agility.

After the fall in sales by product failure caused by the effects of the tsunami in Japan in March to its suppliers, the assembler Isuzu see signs of recovery and commercial battle now waged by the appreciation of the yen against the dollar.

According to figures from the National Association of Manufacturers of Buses, Trucks and Tractors (ANPACT) in the first nine months the company made sales of 1.257 units, i.e. 34% less than the same period last year, but in the next few weeks will be presenting at various fleet vehicles so expect to close the year with 3 000 500. His initial sales forecast before the tsunami was between 4 000 and 4 000 500 units this year.

“It delayed the delivery trucks had problems as a result of the tsunami in Japan and the effects that occurred in plants of several of our suppliers, but at the end of the year we will have standard delivery orders,” said Jorge Murakami, manager marketing of the brand.

He explained that fulfills orders Isuzu in 130 countries from its plant in Japan, so that recovery has been rapid, if one takes into account the damage that caused the natural phenomenon in March.

He said the yen-dollar parity-weight also influenced the utility company, since Japanese companies have had to suffer the appreciation of the yen against the dollar, located at its highest level in its history, to the extent that the Japanese government last week allocated eight billion yen ($ 102 billion U.S. dollars) to purchase tickets in U.S. currency intervention sought to contain the appreciation of the yen.

“Yet the price of our 2011 model truck that had kept the cost models 2010,” said Murakami.

The main consequence was the late delivery of its new models Elf Forward, launched late last year; production is used in Japan to lift the debris left by the tsunami. “As of November will start selling this model in Mexico,” said the manager.

With a 40% appreciation of the yen against the dollar and 35% between the dollar and the peso, the Japanese firm Isuzu applies formulas to stay in contention for the Mexican market for the distribution trucks.

Takeshi Wakayama, president and chief operating officer of Isuzu Motors de Mexico, said the impact of the exchange rate has affected only 1.5% increase in the price of their trucks, even if their operating costs have increased by up to 40 percent. “We worked hard on reducing costs to the interior, as we increase market would bring the increase to the customer.”

In the past seven years since the start of the operation of the enterprise Mexico, the yen’s value against the dollar went from 120 to 76 yen per dollar and 10 to almost 14 pesos per dollar. Most Isuzu trucks sold in the country are imported from Japan, hence the impact of parity on the currency in the operation remain in the country.

However, sales are going well, then consider closing the year with 4 000 units and thus overcome the 3 000 360 which sold in 2011. “The expectation of sale in Mexico for 2011 was about 4 000 500 units, but the tsunami affected the production and delivery of this product to the customer”, said Jorge Murakami, manager of marketing for the company.

He said that expectation made to retrieve a financing program exchange rate fixed, extend its service workshops for better customer service, as well as relying on product quality and performance that offers fuel consumption and maintenance costs. “We have 32 dealers and 48 service points by the end of the year came to 78 centers,” he said.

He said he will double the production of trucks at the plant that are in the State of Mexico, where last December began production of the Model Forward, an eight-ton truck and a load bus model for the transportation of passengers.

Honda does not want to just being a mere number and it seems that Toyota has accelerated plans to launch an all-electric version of the little Jazz in American and Japanese markets on an ambitious plan that includes developing a plug-in hybrid engine that finally leave behind the current IMA system.

The Jazz mounts the same engine as the eternal promise FCX Clarity with 92kW of power able to push it up to a maximum speed of 144km/hay that have three driving styles that will suit the characteristics of the traffic and the road. Have a lithium battery pack that will equip an average range of 160 miles on each charge.

In parallel, Honda is working on a new generation of hybrid engines to erase from our memory the unfortunate IMA system. The first to be unveiled will have a total capacity of 120kw and will have a gasoline engine as a generator of support that will come into operation when the batteries reach a certain level of discharge. You may drive all-electric mode up to a maximum speed of 100km/hay for a maximum of about 20 miles thanks to its small battery pack with capacity 6kwh and now the Japanese are testing on an Accord as a “mule.”

We hope that Honda finally put the meat on the grill and is not to afford to stay out of the new generation of electric vehicles or even, as he usually does, stay in the middle.

Despite having an excellent product, the Japanese automaker Honda decides to put on the market and continue the testing program with electric models. On this occasion we would have to hold the first delivery of a unit of the electric version of the Jazz, the problem is that not come to an individual, or property, and will be the local municipality in Torrance California, who have the Honda Jazz Eva lease, a real lactic as the technological features of this model, make a mockery of other models on the market’s own Honda.

The session of Torrance will have to pay a fairly interesting and many signed instantly, 300 Euros a month for a program where you only have to worry about plugging the vehicle from time to time, and occasionally say that despite its size, the electric Jazz has a lithium battery pack 20 kWh of capacity, which together with its low weight and good aerodynamics, give a maximum range of nearly 200 miles on each charge.

When we say that EV technology pales Jazz to Honda’s own models already on the market, such as the Insight hybrid, just remember that this only has a larger battery to an electric bike, 0.58 kWh and an electric motor 10 kW (13.6 hp)

Unfortunately, if you want a Honda with an electric motor, we have to make do with what there is, because currently there is no date of arrival in the market for this interesting model, a model according to the manufacturer’s own Japanese, would be priced in U.S. market for $ 36,625 before subsidies that transformed the euro and aid applied, would lower the barrier of 30,000 Euros, a figure consistent with the rest of the offer.

Apparently the BMW M3 has only had a first incident with a curb, something harmless. If you do not want to embitter the evening, Believe it and stop reading. Well, then do not say you did not notice. In fact, things were a little more serious, beware of the detail of the square of the passenger.

Yes, we have an airbag deployed. Turns out a few days ago, the driver of the BMW and its accompanying circulating Breda, a city of the Netherlands (Holland), which has nothing to do with a people of the same name Girona. Apparently there was some fog, and, absent-mindedness. A fatal termination.

If we are a little more curious, we see that the car behind another rough detail, a disturbing amount of fluid around a barrier retractable pivot type, of which tend to close off cars to historic districts or banned traffic. Note that what comes next hurts.

In this one instant we see that the impact has been strong. have jumped the two airbags, and driver’s window has burst. The car is sprouting much much oil. That makes us fear the worst, it is a minor loss, nor is it to take it lightly.

But if we see the body of the crime in question, and is fully basted with oil, which means that the crankcase went to hell in the act, which is synonymous with expensive repair: very expensive. The engine is completely ruptured, and a V8.

The source is 120,000 euros worth of damage, so if insurance is not in charge, the car is to throw it directly. And watch out, that the barrier in question has not moved an inch. Things to think if someone is thinking about skipping one good.

The new Kia Rio has achieved five-star Euro CAP, which was partly achieved through the whole range has standard stability control, which some rivals cannot say. Bring front airbags, front and side curtain front and rear. It also has electronic brake distribution and hill start assistant serially from the basic finish. The 1.4-liter Cedi is mounted only in the finishes Drive, Concept and Emotion, not in the Basic Access.

Our unit has a fully equipped Emotion with features such as automatic climate control, cruise control and speed limiter, rear parking sensors and automation for lights and wipers. The multifunction steering wheel is leather wrapped and is also enjoying a well-wrapped shift knob in the same material. All versions equipped with onboard computer, but not the big screen with circular – Supervision – Emotion finish.

Differences also lie in other finishes riding electric windows for all four windows, electrically folding mirrors, hands-free headset or alloy wheels of 16 inches. All versions have USB connectivity / iPod and MP3 CD radio. The differences with the finish Drive – 810 € cheaper – lie on the wheels, automatic lights / mirrors or transport aid items in the boot, as the network sujetaobjetos.

With Emotion and finishing equipment quite abundant, as we have seen, the Kia Rio 1.4 Cedi costs € 15,100 today. I think the more interesting the finished version Drive, since the differences with the Emotion does not go far beyond aesthetics or basic functionality.

Main rivals

Kia Rio 1.4 Cedi the 90 hp and finish rival Emotion is practically all upper B-segment vehicles. Although depending on the intended end use some people also might see as a rival to a Nissan Micro or Toyota Yards, compare us with rivals limited to around 4 meters in length with similar engines. His main rival in my opinion is the Renault Clio, an institution in the segment, and profuse in trade discounts.

Evolution and Finished eco2 1.5 dice 90 hp is more efficient than the Rio, consumes 4.0 l/100 km on average and has superior performance on paper. Their equipment is slightly higher, adding integrated Tom-tom Live on the provisioning of Kia. With all this costs € 15,245, € 145 more than the Kia. The interior quality is slightly lower and the Kia space level is higher. Another rival to consider is the Seat Ibiza 1.6 TDI engine of 90 hp.

The Spanish utility is below the Kia quality and space, as we saw in-depth testing. However, engine 90 hp 1.6 TDI has better performance than the 1.4 Cedi and an average consumption of 4.2 l/100 km, and a greater pleasure to use. As for equipment, the version with the pack Style Cup level gets Kia Rio, but at a price of € 16,650. We cannot forget the 207, even when on the point of recall.

Its 1.6-liter Hid 92 hp has good power delivery and low consumption steadily, as we saw in another test it thoroughly. The front seats of the 207 are as wide as those of Rio but you cannot say the same for the rear. In practical terms the qualities and approaches the Korean Peugeot and almost reaches match. Consumes an average of 4.2 l/100 km approved. With the Active equipment and options that put Kia level cost € 15,820.

However, being about to retire is likely that units can get very good price, very strong discounts that could decant the price in their favor. Finally, we compare it with the Opel Corse, one of the best-selling utility in Spain. With Cosmo 1.3 CDTI engine and 95 HP gets an average consumption of 4.4 l/100 km, but we know that the Fiat motor home is one that achieves the lower real consumption of the market.

Matching equipment costs € 14,720, but less broad and its qualities are lower, but has a big trunk and optimal access. Finally, we would like to make the comparison with the gasoline engine of 109 hp that the Kia Rio offers in its range, but does not offer Emotion finish. The comparison in the finish Drive is a conclusion that is more performance based engine and diesel will be amortized on this in about 110,000 km.

The material covering the dashboard and doors are hard plastic and do not offer the quality of other brand products. Seems to have been to sacrifice appearance for the final price but it will not trigger a sense disappointing when compared to an Accord or a Civic.

Ergonomically are well resolved and we can handle almost all functions from the steering wheel and climate controls are close to this. The shifter is way down on the center tunnel but as the automatic transmission will not have to resort to it frequently.

The front seats have a plush drive, pick up the body to perfection and not get tired on long trips. Passengers in the rear also travel comfortably and enjoy a good habitability except in width, making it very unwise to use the three places, which often happen even in cars of greater width.

The trunk has a capacity of 400 liters only correct with a small gap of 8 liters under the carpet.

Technique.

the Honda Insight measures 4.39 meters long and 1.69 meters wide. These compact dimensions are due to a car developed from the platform and the chassis of the Honda Jazz with which it shares many elements such as both front and rear suspension.

The mechanics comes from the Honda Civic Hybrid. The hybrid system – IMA Honda called – in the Insight is formed by a gasoline engine 1.3 with 88 hp and 121 Nm of torque coupled with an electric motor of 14 hp and 78 Nm. The electric motor is always a support to the combustion engine cannot drive the car alone. The battery that a power the electric motor is charged with regenerative energy is obtained in deceleration and braking.

The automatic transmission is continuously variable-speed CVT with seven presets. It has a Start / Stop to reduce consumption in city traffic jams. Public benefits are very discrete, taking 12.6 seconds to reach 100km / h. The average consumption is 4.6 liters/100 approved.

Eco Assist button.

to the left of the dashboard are located a green button, the boron ECON. When activated by the driver indicates to the vehicle management system to adopt a specific configuration of the engine and CVT to improve fuel consumption. For example, limits the power and torque are reduced by 4% (except when the driver presses the pedal to the metal) and limits the use of air conditioning, promoting circulation and stopping the compressor stops.

System Ecological Driving Assistance.

basically it is a system based on certain parameters assess whether organically drive, i.e. if our driving promotes fuel economy. We can see on the screen in the center of the tachometer and shows us information on-board computer.

This is a bar located in a central position and is moved to one side or another as we are driving. Ideally, keep it in the center, if gradually accelerate moves slightly to the right and if we pulled gently move slightly to the left. This is accompanied by a green background of the speedometer on the screen.

If, however, accelerate or brake suddenly, the central bar to scroll past one end and the bottom of the speedometer will change to blue. To find our environmental score, just look at the top of the screen, where we have several stems that will be filled with leaves and even complete a flower if we have been efficient driving.

Tomorrow we start the Honda Insight, we’ll see how it behaves, how consumed and what equipment offers.

Another new sport was born in the land of the rising sun, was unveiled in Detroit. The Honda NSX is finally over, and as pointed to initial reports, will mark a before and after in the concept that until now knew both hybrid as sports. Clean lines and innovative design in the Honda range, the profile of the new NSX exudes sportiness from all sides, under the hood … even more.

Long time has passed since the legendary Honda NSX with the latest technology used in gasoline engines. The unique Honda engine evolved far ahead of the engines of that time, the VTEC made a difference and an increase of turns still misses cut in many sports cars. Also not only was a machine accurately and quickly, because the reliability of Honda boasted that has been backed by the passage of more than a few years.

Well, to a legend of this magnitude, and after hundreds and thousands of rumors about versions, and even concepts derived from the Japanese GT championship, the Honda NSX has been unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show today. Under the Acura brand, Honda’s luxury subsidiary, the NSX is dressed in silver gray and presented to the world without any options to meet their final specifications.

We advance, though, that the hybrid system is a novelty in what we know to date under any brand. The main engine is a V6 gasoline engine with direct injection equipped with VTEC technology, installed in central rear position, which moves the rear wheels through a gearbox double clutch, inside which houses an electric motor assist mode the main engine.

But the hybrid approach does not end here, because in order to endow the Honda NSX-wheel drive, front end receives enough torque and power of two independent electric motors of internal combustion engine that drives the rear axle. This means that the performance of the front is focused on the correct path of the sport in the corners, so even really know how the SH-AWD Hybrid Sport, we could determine that the NSX is more like a rear wheel drive.

And though it may seem a lie, this is all that Honda has ventured to tell us about the new generation of sports home. Well, all is not as it has placed his life from within 3 years (2015), a moment that will go into production in the U.S. market and will be exported globally.

So this will not know if more data will be revealed in a short space of time, but Honda is not usually allow the leaks in their models or ranges, so we can only muster elucubrar and patience in the face of these 3-year wait . To get you started, the closest thing we have concerning the new model will be its appearance in the movie “The Avengers” film which released the first images of sports convertible variant and under the seal Acura.

As so often, touch us dream of what will be able to make the new Honda NSX, and above all, what sports will be able to challenge considering the effectiveness of the hybrid approach is expected that hosts in her womb …?

Not long now for the first units of Jazz Hybrid start rolling on Spanish roads. Specifically, the delivery dates will be in October this year, although the orders began to be accepted from media this May. It belongs to the segment “B” in the Spanish market represents about 26% of total sales, and where all the brands have at least one representative.

The idea is to compete directly with Honda diesel versions of the competition, although the average consumption of the petrol-engined Jazz is 4.5 l/100km is still around 0.8 liters higher than diesel engines. Perhaps this will become the biggest handicap when deciding on this car. In a country so deeply dieselizado, few and give importance or barely remember the benefits of internal combustion engines: softness, elasticity, no vibration, etc.. Yet this small obstacle and knowing, Honda will launch the Jazz Hybrid as the cheapest hybrid vehicle currently on sale.

The mechanistic basis of the small hybrid will be the knowledge in the system IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) Honda. Its operation is a parallel hybrid system, so traffic does not allow 100% electric mode. Honda hybrid system based motor assistance as a complement, ie acceleration, plus the required torque will be delivered by the electrical system, avoiding excess fuel into the mix to round up. The withholding, motor fuel will no longer receive and keep the valves closed, turning empty and generating electricity to recharge the batteries.

Its 1,300 cc engine is a SOHC i-VTEC technology, deliver a power of 88 hp, which is added an ultra-compact electric motor of 14 hp. The combined power will be of 98 hp at 5,800 rpm and maximum torque of 17 mkg between 1000 and 1500 rpm. Batteries food that was the electric motor will nickel metal hydride and be under the boot floor. All the power is transmitted to the front wheels through a CVT continuously variable change, without predetermined relationship and together with the management system will enable us to choose between two driving modes: normal and econ.