New AutoCars News: Hybrid

Honda HR-V Crossover

The all-new HR-V features a lower profile fuel tank mounted under the front seats in order to free up the underfloor space beneath the rear seats, enabling the use of their 60:40 split Magic Seats - which can adopt several configurations.

New BMW i3 Model

BMW will keep improving the two i vehicles it already sells, and we presume they too will feature an LCI (facelift) at some point which will also improve some of the technical aspects as well as update the styling, gadgets and interiors.

2016 Infiniti QX50

The updated 2016 Infiniti QX50 has a wheelbase increase of more than three inches, creating additional rear legroom and interior volume as well as new front and rear fascias, newly designed alloy wheels, side sills, and a slightly higher ride stance.

2016 Hyundai Tucson

The All-New Tucson has a bold and athletic presence achieved through refined, flowing surfaces, bold proportions, sharp lines and most importantly, our newest generation hexagonal grille – our brand signature.

2016 Toyota Avalon

The fourth generation Toyota Avalon first saw the light of day back in 2012 when it became an overnight hit with mid-size car buyers across the continental United States.

All-New SuperB Skoda

The All-New Superb is a bigger, more elegant-looking and tad more luxurious car than Skoda's existing Octavia, with the two cars positioned slightly below and above the mid-size segment respectively.

Kia Sportspace Concept

The study is a stylish estate created for long distance driving, with Kia saying it has been designed "for fast and efficient travel with maximum comfort and minimal stress, in the best grand touring tradition of the weekend getaway."

New Alfa-Romeo Sedan

The sedan still hasn’t got a name, although it has constantly been referred to as the Giulia. Alfa Romeo will also offer a high-performance model.

2016 McLaren 570s Coupe

McLaren 570S Coupe McLaren says that its new coupe is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.2 seconds, to 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.5 seconds, while top speed is 328 km/h or 204 mph.

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2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle

5:05 PM

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The North American version in LAthat makes its debut at the LA Auto Show is all but identical to its Japanese counterpart and it has an aerodynamic body with clean character lines, LED exterior lighting and 18-inch alloy wheels. Customers can choose between three colors, namely red, white and black. Standard equipment includes Honda's comprehensive array of driver assist systems. The cabin can seat five in its leather-wrapped seats and the infotainment system comes with a large touchscreen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support.

Compared to the original FCX, the Clarity features a fuel cell stack that's 33 percent more compact and its power density is up by 60 percent. The fuel cell powertrain is comparable to a 3.5-liter V6 in size and it fits entirely under the hood, making room for a spacious cabin.

The automaker didn't release any output figures on the Clarity FCV, but from previous releases we know that the fuel cell stack has a total capacity of 100kW and the electric motor generates 174hp (177 PS). Filling its tank with hydrogen takes approximately three minutes and the total driving range is estimated to exceed 300 miles (483 km).

Honda will use the platform underpinning the Clarity Fuel Cell as the foundation for the next PHEV, which will launch in the United States by 2018. This will get the two-motor hybrid plug-in system with improvements in battery capacity and power, offering "more than triple the 13-mile all-electric range of the Accord Sedan".

The hydrogen-powered model will be available at select fuel cell dealers in California, at first in Los Angeles and Orange County and then San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. As hydrogen fueling networks expand, Honda will introduce it to other states, too.

6:23 PM

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An MPV like the 2-Series Active Tourer would previously been unthinkable – front-wheel drive, a heresy, a betrayal against the brand's core values. The powers that be in BMW, of course, know very well that the 3-Series is their bread-and-butter model and their best-seller, so they make sure they don't meddle much with its successful recipe.

Nevertheless, electrification has become inevitable in order to meet the stringent norms concerning fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This does not necessarily imply that driving pleasure has been compromised. According to BMW, the new 330e "adds to the 3-Series model range a plug-in hybrid variant that meets the highest standards of dynamics and efficiency".

The engineers might have used the know-how gained by the i-Series, but unlike the i3 and i8, as well as the 225xe Active Tourer that will also debut at the IAA, the 65kW/88 PS electric motor that's positioned in front of the eight-speed auto gearbox is mated not to the 1.5-liter three-cylinder, but the 184 PS, 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

Thus, the 330e has a total combined output of 252 PS and a peak torque of 420 Nm (310 lb-feat), with 100 Nm (74 lb-ft) – and, for small bursts, up to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) - being available at all times by the eDrive system.

This enables the 330e to accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in just 6.1 seconds and top out at 225 km/h (140 mph). Not bad for a premium compact saloon, especially when you factor in the 1.9-2.1 lt/100 km (148.7-134.5 mpg) average fuel consumption and its CO2 emissions that are just 44-49 g/km.

BMW claims that, in all-electric mode, the hybrid 3-Series has a range of 40 km (25 miles) at speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph) before the petrol engine kicks in and the total range in everyday driving can reach 600 km (373 miles).

The 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is situated under the boot, reducing its 480 lt capacity by 90 lt, though the company says that it has managed to keep the 50/50 weight balance and, anyway, the 370 lt that's available is still more than enough – plus, one can always fold the 40/20/40 split rear seat.

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5:57 PM

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BMW is bringing the 225xe to the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show for its world premiere on September 15 where it will be joined by another plug-in hybrid addition to the firm's range with the dedicated "e" moniker, the 330e sedan. While aimed at the masses, the new 225xe takes inspiration from the i8 sports car, since it uses the same 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline unit (though positioned on the front this time) and electric motor configuration.

In the Active Tourer, the 1.5L mill produces 136PS (134hp) and 220Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque, driving the front wheels via a six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, while an 88PS (87hp) electric motor is integrated into the rear axle. Together, the two drive systems produce a combined 224PS (221hp) and 385Nm (284 lb-ft) of peak torque.

The cool thing about BMW's system is that it can power the front, rear or all four wheels, depending on the drive mode. When using both, the 225xe can accelerate to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.7 seconds and top out at 202km/h (126mph).

There are three pure electric modes named "AUTO eDRIVE", "MAX eDRIVE" and SAVE BATTERY. The 225xe has a top speed of up to 125km/h (78mph) in MAX eDrive mode and 80km/h (50mph) in AUTO eDRIVE. BMW quotes an electric range of up to 41 kilometers (25 miles). Electric power comes from a lithium-ion battery positioned under the rear seat bench, with BMW claiming that "primary" boot capacity remains unchanged over the conventional 2-Series Active Tourer models at 400 liters.

The battery can be charged either by means of brake energy recuperation or by plugging into a domestic socket, which takes around 3 hours and 15 minutes from empty, or via the optional BMW iWallbox that cuts that time by an hour. According to the Germans, the 225xe's combined fuel economy that includes use of the battery, is 2.0l/100km or 117.6mpg US / 141.2mpg UK.

The 225xe will go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year with prices in Germany starting from €37,800 ($42,400), which is slightly less than the 192PS 2.0-liter turbo 225i that begins from €38,000. You probably already suspected this, but the 225xe will not be offered in the States.

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8:27 PM

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The range-topping Audi TT is going to be offered exclusively with the same, seven-speed dual-clutch unit found in the latest Audi RS3 as the German company decided to stop pairing a manual gearbox to the turbocharged 5-cylinder 2.5-litre engine according to this Car&Driver report.

We have already heard that the next TT-RS will likely produce close to 400 ponies instead of the 362hp this engine makes under the bonnet of the RS3 which is expected to reach the US shores in a sedan body rather than the hatchback available in Europe. The new Audi TT-RS is expected around the second-half of 2016.

If you are curious about how the new Audi TT-RS will look like, your best chance is to have a second glimpse on the TT Quattro Sport concept from the 2014 Geneva Motor Show which was wearing a more aggressive bodywork and an updated aero agenda.

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11:55 AM

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Two sources familiar with Nissan's product plans told Automotive News that the automaker plans to expand the Rogue lineup in North America by adding a hybrid version in 2016 and bringing the European Qashqai crossover. The latter would be sold as a smaller and more fuel-efficient version of the Rogue, effectively replacing the lower priced, previous-generation Rogue Select. The decision to build the new Rogue at the Kyushu plant in Japan will result in the facility discontinuing the Rogue Select.

The Nissan Qashqai shares the same architecture with the Rogue (which is sold as the X-Trail in Europe), but it’s 10 inches (254mm) shorter and has a 2-inch (51mm) shorter wheelbase. As a result, the Qashqai offers less cargo space than the Rogue. When it arrives in the US, the Qashqai may be offered with the 1.6-liter gasoline engine that returns approximately 53 mpg US.

As for the Rogue Hybrid, it will likely use the same powertrain as the X-Trail Hybrid sold in Japan, which pairs a 145hp 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a 30kW (40hp) RM31 electric motor and a high-output lithium-ion battery. Nissan declined to comment on the report.

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11:19 AM

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The new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle will offer an EPA-estimated 67 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) city/highway/combined (or 3.5 l/100 km) when it hits dealerships in California this fall. This corresponds to a driving range of 312 miles (502 km) on a full tank of hydrogen.

"Toyota realized in the early 90’s that electrification was key to the future of the automobile. Just as the Prius introduced hybrid-electric vehicles to millions of customers nearly twenty years ago, the Mirai is now poised to usher in a new era of efficient, hydrogen transportation," said Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz.

Toyota has also announced a range of services offered to Mirai customers in the United States, including three years worth of complimentary fuel (or $15,000 maximum, whichever comes first), no cost scheduled maintenance for three years or 35,000 miles (whichever comes first), three years of 24/7 customer call support, Mirai Complimentary Rental Experience for seven days per year for three years, as well as no cost enhanced roadside assistance for three years.

Toyota will offer an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on key fuel cell vehicle components including the fuel cell stack and power control unit, fuel cell hydrogen tanks, hybrid battery pack and ECU, fuel cell air compressor, boost converter and ECU, hybrid control module (power management control module), and hydrogen fueling ECU.

9:33 AM

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The BMW 2-Series Active Tourer plug-in hybrid concept is the automaker's first PHEV with a front/transverse-mounted combustion engine. The vehicle features an 136PS (134hp) 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine driving the front wheels, a high-voltage generator mounted in the front structure and a 65kW (87hp) electric motor sending its power to the rear wheels. As a result, the car has an all-wheel drive system similar to that of the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, but in this case arranged in a mirror image.

The high-voltage generator on the front axle fulfils three different tasks: it boosts the combustion engine for brief periods with extra output of up to 15kW (20hp) and some 150Nm (111lb-ft) from rest, generates electric power while on the move and feeds it directly to the high-voltage battery, and enables the engine to be started and turned off very smoothly thanks to its higher output compared to conventional starters.

The concept can cover up to 38 km (23.6 miles) on electric power alone, sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in around 6.5 seconds and average approximately 2 l/100 km (117.6 mpg US or 141.2 mpg UK), equating to CO2 emissions of under 50 g/km (according to the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles).