Subaru Hybrid Concept (coming 2012)
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,534
Likes: 0
From: MD
Subaru Hybrid Concept (coming 2012)
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/t...o-take-flight/
Quote:
Subaru is adding a green tint to its renowned all-wheel drive technical know-how at the Tokyo Motor Show next month with the Hybrid Tourer Concept. Three separate power sources will share the duties of propelling this concept, depending on the specific set of circumstances.
Naturally, a horizontally-opposed "Boxer" engine – in this case displacing two liters and boasting a turbocharger and direct injection – sits under the hood and sends power to the front wheels when necessary. A Lineartronic CVT transmission is used to promote maximum fuel efficiency.
As is the case with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, an electric motor is mated up to that gasoline engine and acts as a 10 kW motor when power is needed and a generator to recharge the lithium ion battery pack the rest of the time. A second electric motor sends 20 kW of power to the rear wheels under low-speed driving conditions and when maximum power is required. Because no driveshaft is required to connect the rear differential to the front-mounted engine, Subaru has managed to keep a flat floor for the rear occupants.
Besides the high-tech powertrain, Subaru's Hybrid Tourer Concept sports concept-appropriate touches such as giant wing-like gullwing doors that offer access for both the front- and rear-seat passengers and a dashboard that moves up and down to offer the driver a perfect view ahead.
Quote:
Subaru is adding a green tint to its renowned all-wheel drive technical know-how at the Tokyo Motor Show next month with the Hybrid Tourer Concept. Three separate power sources will share the duties of propelling this concept, depending on the specific set of circumstances.
Naturally, a horizontally-opposed "Boxer" engine – in this case displacing two liters and boasting a turbocharger and direct injection – sits under the hood and sends power to the front wheels when necessary. A Lineartronic CVT transmission is used to promote maximum fuel efficiency.
As is the case with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, an electric motor is mated up to that gasoline engine and acts as a 10 kW motor when power is needed and a generator to recharge the lithium ion battery pack the rest of the time. A second electric motor sends 20 kW of power to the rear wheels under low-speed driving conditions and when maximum power is required. Because no driveshaft is required to connect the rear differential to the front-mounted engine, Subaru has managed to keep a flat floor for the rear occupants.
Besides the high-tech powertrain, Subaru's Hybrid Tourer Concept sports concept-appropriate touches such as giant wing-like gullwing doors that offer access for both the front- and rear-seat passengers and a dashboard that moves up and down to offer the driver a perfect view ahead.
I bet that there alot of people out there that would like an affordable, AWD hybrid sedan.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
A better AWD hybrid setup, IMO, would be a single electric motor up front with the engine and simply keep the center differential, conventional driveshaft to the rear wheels, and the proven Subaru LSD rear differential. Granted, the two-electric-motor setup may be lighter and cheaper (which I suspect is the real aim), but the traditional Symmetrical Subaru AWD system is famous for its superb winter traction (it certainly won me over). Subaru, IMO, has already gotten away from this too much on the 2009 and 2010 models by eliminating the LSD on some models and substituting electronic sensors to control rear wheelspin.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 5
From: California
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,226
Likes: 222
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The important figure with electric motors, as with diesels, is torque, not HP.
Electric motors typically produce very high torque at very low RPM (theoretically, max torque is at 0 RPM), and it drops off rapidly as RPM climbs.
Electric motors typically produce very high torque at very low RPM (theoretically, max torque is at 0 RPM), and it drops off rapidly as RPM climbs.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 1
From: Makati, Philippines
The R8 electric concept car demonstrates this phenomenon well. It has a mammoth torque figure of 4,500 Newton meters (that's MORE THAN FOUR TIMES the torque produced by the 6.0 liter V12 diesel engine of VAG)......yet it only has 300+ hp.
I guess the same principle is in effect here.
Anyways, I would like to see the physics (and generally the science) behind the mechanics and technology behind this concept.
P.S.
FYI
I found something on the internet a while ago. Said that:
HP = Torque x RPM / 5252
