Lexus CT 200h - More Details Ahead of the New York Auto Show

The Lexus CT 200h compact hybrid will be at the New York Auto Show March 31 through April 11.  The fivie door will be Lexus second dedicated hybrid model.

CT 200h Revealed at Geneva Auto Show

The LF-Ch, unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2009 served as the basis for the CT 200h.  The compact hybrid is meant to fill the luxury compact division, for those who are interested in luxury and fuel efficiency.

The CT 200h features a 1.8-liter gas engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), a high performance battery, power control unit, transmission with an electric motor generator, a power split device to re-allocate power from the engine and electric motor generator according to operational requirements.

The CT 200h comes with four drive modes.  Each mode will change the rate of throttle opening for a given throttle-pedal angle.  EV mode allows you to drive on all electric power for as long as you can.  Eco-mode reduces the throttle response, while also adjusting the air conditioning settings to emphasize fuel economy.  Sport mode will provide a more responsive throttle, while modifying the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) settings to give a faster response to driver input. 

Normal mode allows you to balance between Eco and Sport.
 
In the interest of maximum fuel efficiency, particular attention has been paid to the aerodynamic efficiency of every aspect of the CT 200h’s design. The front and rear corners have been pulled in tight to improve the flow of air down the sides of the vehicle and minimize wind turbulence within the wheel arches. The sides of the cabin have been tapered, the rear edge of the roof lowered and even the lower body painstakingly detailed to optimize airflow. Completing the look are unique 17-inch alloy wheels and blue badging specific to Lexus hybrid vehicles.

CT 200h is Compact Luxury

The interior is 'efficient and elegant.'  Lexus made extensive use of metallic finishes and dark, soft touch materials reinforces the luxury experience.

The CT 200h 102-inch wheelbase allows front and rear seat passenger accomodations 'that is amongst the most spacious in the compact segment.'

Lexus has high hopes for the CT 200h in Europe, but it won't be released in the US until next year.

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Hybrid Car Sales, February 2010

Hybrid car sales were up 5.4% for the month of February, which would seem to indicate a good month and is also indicative of an overall recovery in the car market.  But individual model sales are more of a mixed bag.  Some were up, some were down, and the overall increase does not seem to reflect a lot of what might be expected.

Also, keep in mind that hybrid car sales were down by 30% in February, 2009 compared to February 2008.  The recession was in full force and overall light duty car sales were down by 40% (which means hybrids were a bright spot even if they were down 30%).  So, a 5 percent gain this month is nice, but not exactly the best they could be.

Monthly Sales		February 2009		February 2010		% Change
Make	Model	N	%	N	%
Ford	Escape/Mariner	1,294	8.3	782	4.8	-39.6
Ford	Fusion/Milan	0	0.0	1,317	8.0	0.0
GM	Escalade	0	0.0	146	0.9	0.0
GM	Silverado/Sierra	47	0.3	106	0.6	125.5
GM	Tahoe/Yukon	632	4.0	169	1.0	-73.3
Honda	Accord	0	0.0	0	0.0	0.0
Honda	Civic	1,362	8.7	346	2.1	-74.6
Honda	Insight	0	0.0	2,014	12.2	0.0
Nissan	Altima	463	3.0	619	3.8	33.7
Toyota	Camry	2,080	13.3	1,011	6.1	-51.4
Toyota	GS 450h	22	0.1	22	0.1	0.0
Toyota	HS 250h	0	0.0	712	4.3	0.0
Toyota	Highlander	956	6.1	339	2.1	-64.5
Toyota	LS600hL	22	0.1	15	0.1	-31.8
Toyota	Prius	7,232	46.3	7,968	48.4	10.2
Toyota	RX 400h	1,502	9.6	890	5.4	-40.7
Total		15,612		16,456		5.4
Cumulative Sales		Cumulative 2009		Cumulative 2010		% Change
Make	Model	N	%	N	%
Ford	Escape/Mariner	2,174	7.1	1,497	4.5	-31.1
Ford	Fusion/Milan	0	0.0	2,469	7.4	0.0
GM	Escalade	132	0.4	198	0.6	50.0
GM	Silverado/Sierra	54	0.2	203	0.6	275.9
GM	Tahoe/Yukon	1,099	3.6	395	1.2	-64.1
Honda	Accord	1	0.0	0	0.0	-100.0
Honda	Civic	2,438	7.9	599	1.8	-75.4
Honda	Insight	0	0.0	3,321	9.9	0.0
Nissan	Altima	1,107	3.6	1,678	5.0	51.6
Toyota	Camry	3,221	10.5	1,878	5.6	-41.7
Toyota	GS 450h	63	0.2	63	0.2	0.0
Toyota	HS 250h	0	0.0	1,959	5.8	0.0
Toyota	Highlander	1,940	6.3	865	2.6	-55.4
Toyota	LS600hL	55	0.2	24	0.1	-56.4
Toyota	Prius	15,353	50.0	16,452	49.1	7.2
Toyota	RX 400h	3,058	10.0	1,906	5.7	-37.7
Total		30,695		33,507		9.2

Some assumptions you might make about hybrid sales this month just don't seem to be panning out.  For instance, the Toyota recalls should be affecting sales, especially with the Prius which is one of the models involved.  Although overall Toyota/Lexus hybrid car sales were down by 7.3% as Toyota overall light duty sales were way down this month, the Prius remains unaffected, however.  Prius sales were up by 10%, as heavy incentives, plus a waiting list on the Prius and an artificial limit on the numbers being imported right now have kept the pressure up. 

Japanese Prius sales are still sky high, with a six month waiting list on the Prius.  That means Toyota is not shipping as many Prius to the US.  That means there are still people who are having to wait for the Prius they ordered.  It's unclear if Toyota can keep that up in the coming months, but they are continuing to offer incentives on hybrids in February.

Also keep in mind that four new models are keeping things up, since they weren't being sold last February.  The Honda Insight, Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids launched in March, so we'll have a better idea next month of how well they are doing.

Overall, Ford, Honda and Nissan were up from last year, which may indicate they were able to take advantage of the bad news surrounding Toyota.  Also, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid was up 125% with big rebates being offered. 

Related:
Hybrid Car Sales, February 2009
Hybrid Car Sales, January 2010

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Rumors of a Plug-in Chevy

When the plug-in Saturn Vue was cancelled (since Saturn was ending), there were rumors flying about the Vue plug-in would morph into a Chevy Eqinox plug-in, but those rumors were later squashed by GM exectutives.

But now the rumors are back, but with pictures.  Straightline has photos of a plug-in hybrid with Saturn and hybrid badging, taped over plug-in port, and Buick wheels.  Straightline thinks this indicates the Chevrolet Equinox plug-in may be back on, but I'm wondering if it might be something else.

GM promised a Buick crossover plug-in hybrid for testing by the Energy Department in 2010, with a production model to follow in 2011.  The idea of the crossover moving into production was killed off fairly quickly, however.

Now, whether or not those time lines still apply in the current economic climate is another thing, but if they promised a vehicle to the Energy Department, what Straightline saw may be an early iteration/holdover from Saturn to be sent for testing.

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BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid

BMW 5 Series Hybrid

BMW revealed the 5 Series Hybrid at the Geneva Auto Show. The turbocharged 3.0 liter inline-6 motor is mated to a 50 kW electric motor as a two-mode full hybrid sedan. By that, BMW means the 5 Series ActiveHybrid can operate on electric power, gasoline power or a combination of both.

BMW estimates the fuel efficiency will increase by 10 percent over the standard model and that it will be slightly more expensive than the conventionally powered sedan. It will also likely have a power advantage over the standard 535i, with the additional electric motor providing aid in the acceleration.

The luxury sedan will come with eight speed transmission and auxillary climate control function. The battery pack is located in the trunk. There is regenerative braking along with an auto start-stop for increased fuel economy. But the two-mode system allows it save fuel while on the highway, too.

Interestingly, the powertrain will interact with the navigation system. That allows it to provide fuel economy feedback according to the planned route.

The 5 Series is scheduled to enter production next year.

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Infiniti M35 Hybrid

M35 Hybrid Debuts at Geneva Auto Show

The new M35 Hybrid from Infiniti was debuted at the Geneva Auto Show. The front-engine, rear drive only hybrid is the first hybrid to use hybrid technology developed by Nissan. The Nissan Altima uses the Hybrid Synergy Drive from Toyota, but Nissan wanted to develop their own, while still allowing them to make a profit.

So they decided their first hybrid will be from Infiniti, allowing them to bump the price up in order to help recoup the development cost.

The M35 Hybrid mates a 3.5 liter V6 to an electric motor powered by a lithium ion battery pack. The seven speed transmission is the standard Infiniti model, minus the torque converter.

There is a two clutch system to allow for more efficient driving. The first clutch allows the gas engine to be disconnected from the electric motor, while the second clutch can disconnect the engine from the transmission allowing the sedan to coast more efficiently.

Infiniti says the M35 Hybrid is "electrically powered for more of the time, and at higher speeds, than conventional hybrids.... in a rigorous test program in the US based on day-in, day-out driving over a three-month period on a route that took in not just busy city streets but also suburbs, freeways and even mountain roads. The results showed that the M35 HYBRID was able to drive in electric-only mode, with zero tailpipe emissions, for as much as 50 per cent of the time."

Infiniti says the lithium-ion battery pack will last at least 136,000 miles. It, plus the other hybrid components, make the hybrid M35 heavier than the standard M by 330 pounds.

The M35 is due in spring of 2011 in Europe, while there is no release date in North America. Price and fuel economy are not available.

Press Release Continues Below
ROLLE, Switzerland (March 2, 2010) – Innovative electric technology and an undiluted driving experience come together in Infiniti’s first hybrid, making its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show today. The low CO2 champion of the all-new M Line sedan range, the Infiniti M35 HYBRID steers the hybrid advantage from the city to the open road – and into the arms of all those who love their driving.

A decoupling V6 engine, 50 kW (68 PS) electric motor built in to the 7-speed automatic transmission and exceptionally fast charge/discharge response from the lithium-ion battery pack all add up to a hybrid that’s electrically powered for more of the time, and at higher speeds, than conventional hybrids.

The M35 HYBRID’S high degree of electric intervention results in the fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions of a smaller, less powerful car while offering the linear acceleration and unsullied rear-drive handling of a true Infiniti complete with all the charisma and potency of one of the great V6 petrol engines.

The technology, which previewed in the Essence concept coupé at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009, has been given the name INFINITI DIRECT RESPONSE HYBRID. Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President Infiniti, said: “INFINITI DIRECT RESPONSE HYBRID is the core of the future Infiniti performance.”

Sharing the seductive looks, alluring cabin and world-first features of the all-new M Line flagship saloon – the first ever M to go on sale in Europe, also making its show debut in Geneva – the M35 HYBRID uses a front-engine, rear-drive-only layout based around an innovative drivetrain featuring a one motor/two clutch system.

Innovatively, the first clutch is installed between the naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 and the electric motor. This clutch allows the full decoupling of the V6 when in both electric and power regeneration modes – in order to reduce mechanical drag and boost the efficiency of the electric motor.

Just how efficient the M35 HYBRID’s electric side is was shown in a rigorous test program in the US based on day-in, day-out driving over a three-month period on a route that took in not just busy city streets but also suburbs, freeways and even mountain roads. The results showed that the M35 HYBRID was able to drive in electric-only mode, with zero tailpipe emissions, for as much as 50 per cent of the time.

Two new technologies are fundamental to the M35 HYBRID’s broad-ranging abilities. One is the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack – quick to alternate between charging/discharging and, size for size, twice as powerful as conventional batteries. The second is the direct manner in which the petrol or electric power is delivered to the rear wheels. This “directness” is central to the M35 HYBRID’s overall efficiency as well as offering a consistent driving feel under all conditions.

The M35 HYBRID’s transmission is an even more sophisticated version of Infiniti’s 7-speed Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) automatic transmission. One difference over the ASC transmission used in other Infiniti models is that there is no torque converter, and therefore none of the losses that torque converters cause.

The lack of a torque converter also enhances responsiveness for a sportier-feeling drive. The throttle can be “blipped” just as in a manual transmission car, while acceleration is seamless thanks to motor-assisted gear-shifting that ensures ratio changes aren’t just eye-blink fast but also completely smooth.

The electric motor is rated at 50 kW (68 PS) with 270 Nm of torque and is embedded within the transmission. The motor acts as both propulsion unit, either by itself or to boost the V6 in “power assist” mode when maximum acceleration is required, and also as a generator. As well as charging the battery in the normal way, the motor recovers energy otherwise lost during deceleration and braking.

Apart from its fast charge/discharge response and 1.3kWh capacity, the Li-on battery pack is laminated to enhance the cooling performance. Temperature stability is further improved by the use of manganese positive electrodes. An end result of this is exceptional battery reliability.

Light weight is another key advantage of the M35 HYBRID, with the compact battery pack, allied to the single electric motor, resulting in a 30kg weight saving.

Power outputs and performance data will be confirmed at later date.

The new M Line has all the qualifications needed to be the flagship saloon for Infiniti and provide a distinctive and finely crafted alternative to timeworn German rivals. Classic sports saloon proportions and an elegantly flowing body go hand in hand with a spacious five-seat interior that sets a benchmark for quality and luxury even by Infiniti’s high standards.

The M35 HYBRID, like all the new M Line models, has been engineered for European drivers and roads. Super strong, highly aerodynamic and based on the FM (Front-Midship) platform, the M35 delivers incisive handling matched by exceptional ride comfort thanks in part to the world-first use of double-piston dampers. The M35 in Geneva is shown in luxury GT form complete with semi-aniline leather and White Ash wood trim with silver-powder finish.

Other M Line world firsts include Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) – a system that doesn’t just warn of vehicles in adjacent lanes but actively prevents the car being steered into their path – and a state-of-the-art “Forest Air” climate control system. An Active Noise Control system is also available.

M Line sales in Western Europe begin in September, with the M35 HYBRID due to arrive from spring 2011, depending on market.

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Prius is on Top of Sales Charts in Japan Despite Recall

Not surprisingly, the Toyota Prius  was still Japan's number one selling car, despite recall and some cancellations from concerned customers.

Over 27,000 units were sold in February, which handily beat out the second best selling car in Japan, the Honda Fit, which sold 14,000 units.

The incentives offered on hybrids and other low consumption vehicles has kept the sales fever high in Japan for months, which has create a huge waiting list (over six months) for the Toyota Prius.  And so, even though the recall has affected the perception of Toyota and their safety, sales of the Prius have not been affected as the cars being delivered now were sold months ago.

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Ferrari 599 Hybrid, Faster, More Powerful And 25 MPG

Ferrari 599 KERS HY

Ferrari showed off a new prototype for their vision of hybrids going forward. The Ferrarri 599 HY KERS concept is meant to give an idea of how Ferrari is looking to adopt hybrid and other green technology over the next four years.

With tough new CO2 emissions in the works, Ferrari is looking to cut fuel by up to 40% over the next few years, or risk being squeezed out. They plan on having green technology across their entire line-up by 2015.

The spokesperson noted the concept would cost twice as much as the £207,000 petrol 559 GTB Fiorano on which the concept is based. But, the price should come down to below £300,000 in the next four years.

The HY KERS concept uses the Formula One developed system called Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). The system allows for regenerative braking, but will not run the vehicle on electric power alone.

The two-seater comes with a 6.0 liter V12 mated to an electric motor powered by lithium ion batteries. The prototype has a top speed of 200 mph and can go from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. That's faster than the standard version. It can reach 125 mph in 10.4 seconds and has a top speed of 200 mph.

But that extra power also comes at greater efficiency, with a 35% improvement in CO2 emission (down to 270 g/km) and they estimate a fuel efficiency of 25 mpg (up from 16 mpg).

The battery pack is set low in the floor, which lowers the center of gravity, allowing for better 'cornering dynamics.' They also do not affect interior space of functionality.

Ferrari painted the concept green, making it stand out from the rest of the Ferrari line-up. The company is hoping this is the leading edge of their goal of reducing fuel use in their entire line-up by at least 40%.

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