Monday, August 24, 2015

LA Auto Show 2010: Hot hybrid and concept cars


The LA Auto Show 2010 saw some breathtaking display of cars, primarily in the hybrid and concept categories. Here are some of the wonder cars unveiled at the auto show: 

Commuter Car Tango (above) is made by Commuter Cars, a US company, and comes for almost $1,10,000 (The T600 model). The T200 model is likely to be priced lower at $40,000, while the T100 may be priced at $19,000. It has two advanced DC motors DC FB1-4001 9, one driving each of the back wheel with over 1,400 Nm of combined torque at low rpms. It can zoom to 40–60 miles (96–128 km) with lead-acid batteries. And, with lithium batteries, this can shore up to over 150 miles.




Kia’s (South Korean co) Pop Concept’s (above) price has not been unveiled yet. It is based on Kia’s popular Optima model that ranked third in customer satisfaction in the NADA Dealer Attitude Survey this year. The Optima hybrid will be out in the US next year. It can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge and get recharged in six hours.




The Fisker Karma (above), priced around $88,000, is propelled by Quantum Technologies’ Q-Drive technology, which combines innovative petrol engine and electric motor. Q-Drive is a series hybrid system where the engine combines with a generator to provide an electrical connection to the motors and recharge batteries. The electric motors are the only mechanical driving force connected to the wheels. The Karma can go up to 125 mph (201 km/h) and is capable of reaching 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.8 seconds. Its battery is capable of retaining charge for almost 80 km before the internal-combustion engine kicks in. Running on just battery power, the car can touch a speed of 153 km per hour.




The Hybrid version of the Cadillac Escalade (above) of GM was first unveiled at the South Florida Auto Show in 2008. In 2009, its model carried a price tag of $74,000. The hybrid takes around eight seconds to vroom to 100 kmph and is propelled by a six lt V8 engine that makes 332 hp (248 kW) at 5,100 rpm and 498 Nm at 4,100 rpm.




US car maker Li-ion Motors electric supercar Inizio (above) can touch 60 mph in flat 4.5 seconds. Charging time of this car is over eight hours. Performance and handling allows the consumer to travel up to 200 miles (320 km) on a single charge. Its top speed is 170 mph (270 kmph). It is priced at a cool $139,000.



The Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid (above) is a car with a lithium ion battery that has gone on mass production and is also the first Mercedes hybrid. It is priced around $90,000. The S400 is propelled by a hybrid system that is mild along with a 3.5-lt V6 gas engine. The electric-gas combination allows an output of 295 hp.
 



The Nissan Leaf (above) is a five-door hatchback electric car made by Nissan. The Leaf's fully electric range is 100 miles (160 km) in city driving. It is priced around $33,000. The Nissan Leaf uses a front-mounted electric motor driving the wheels, propelled by a 24 kw-hours lithium ion battery pack that is capable of reaching a power of up to 90 kW. Nissan says the battery can last up to eight years or 110,000 miles (almost 160,000 km).




The Kia Optima Hybrid (above) uses the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid powertrain and combines a 2.4-lt engine with a six-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries. It produces a gasoline-electric hybrid with 37 miles per US gallon (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg-imp) in city conditions whereas 39 miles per US gallon (6.0 L/100 km; 47 mpg-imp) on the highway. No price details are available.




The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (above) has a 2.4-lt engine with six-speed automatic transmission along with a 30kW electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries that can produce a gasoline-electric hybrid with 37 miles per US gallon (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg) in city roads and 39 miles per US gallon (6.0 L/100 km; 47 mpg) on highways. Price has not been given.




The Wheego Life (above) is a 100-mile range car with a 30 kw-hour lithium-ion battery pack that can seat only two persons. Its top speed is only 65 mph but carries a price tag of $33,000 (prior to an optional cooling). The Nissan Leaf, with more attractive features, has the same price tag.

The LA Auto Show 2010 has been a trendsetter of sorts in green vehicles and could pave the way for a revolution in hybrid and concept cars.

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