Audi Presents High-Tech Auto Union Type C e-tron Toy Car Study with All-Electric Drive

At this year’s International Toy Fair in Nuremberg (February 3-8), Audi will showcase a selection of model cars and other products, including the Auto Union Type C e-tron, a concept study with a fully-electric drive based on the firm's limited edition pedal car, which is sold through is quattro GmbH subsidiary.

The one-of-a-kind Auto Union Type C e-tron boasts a hand-finished body made of aluminum and carbon-look material. Measuring 2.32 meters (91.34 inches) in length and 97 centimeters (38.2 inches) in width, the 1:2 scale model is suitable for children as well as adults up to 1.8 meters (5’11”) tall.

The high-tech toy car is powered by an electric motor delivering 1.5HP (1.12kW) and up to 60 Nm (44.25 lb-ft) of torque, fed by a lithium-ion battery. Power is sent to the rear wheels and the study is also equipped with a reverse gear.

The top speed is a very respectable 30 km/h (18.64 mph) and, depending on the driving style, the electrified Type C can travel as far as 25 kilometers (15.53 miles). Charging takes about two hours at most, using any standard 230-volt household socket.

Audi did not say if it has any plans to introduce a production model of the study in the future.

By Csaba Daradics

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Tesla Model S Road Testing Underway [with Video]

It has been a long journey, but it looks like the Tesla Model S all-electric sport sedan is one step closer to series production as the California-based automaker announced it is moving on to the final road tests. The first phase called Alpha, which began in 2010, includes both computer simulations and test-drives of prototype vehicles. There will be a Beta phase as well.

“The first Alpha is amazingly agile for a car of its size. It has great handling balance and poised ride with communicative steering. Just goes to show what combining a low center of gravity with a very stiff body structure can achieve”, said test drive Graham Sutherland.

According to Tesla, Alpha cars will be tested in the coming months in all sorts of climatic conditions, which should help engineers improve the EV’s driving dynamics.

Tesla’s second model after the Roadster offers seating for five adults and two children. The Model-S' drivetrain consists of an electric motor coupled to a single-speed transmission and a floor-mounted lithium-ion battery pack. Customers will be able to specify their cars with one of three available battery packs offering a driving range of up to 160, 230 or 300 miles (258, 370 or 483 kilometers).

Roughly the same size as a BMW 5-Series, the Model S sprints to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 5.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h). Production is set to begin in 2012 and Tesla is currently taking orders, with the base price set at US$49,000, including a US$7,500 Federal tax credit.

By Csaba Daradics

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Renault Espionage Case with EV Models Continues with the Company Filing a Complaint Against "Persons Unknown"

The industrial espionage scandal involving three senior Renault managers suspected of leaking confidential information about the company’s upcoming electric cars is nowhere over, as earlier today, the French automaker filed a complaint “against persons unknown for acts constituting organized industrial espionage, corruption, breach of trust, theft and concealment”.

The legal action follows an internal investigation, which revealed serious misconduct detrimental to the company and in particular to its strategic, technological and intellectual assets.

The complaint has been filed with the State Prosecutor of Paris and the automaker emphasized that the matter is now in judiciary hands, so it won’t release any further information to the public in an effort to avoid more controversy.

Without doubt, it will take a long time before this whole mess gets sorted out, but fortunately for Renault, it seems that nothing crucial has been leaked - or at least that's what the company claims.

This past weekend, the French automaker said some information might have been disclosed on the costs and economic model of the EV program, but not the technology itself, including some two hundred, very important patents.

“It's serious, but not as bad as if it had been the technology”, said Chief Operating Officer Patrick Pelata in an interview. "Whether it's the chemistry of the electrodes, the structure of the batteries, the different elements of assembling, be it the charger or the engine itself, we feel ok", he added.

That means the jointly developed EV project with Nissan, in which the two companies are investing €200 million (US $263.4 million) a year, is on schedule.

“We have not lost one day to launch our four electric cars”, Mr. Pelata commented.

At the same time, French media reported that Industry Minister Eric Besson has played down the Chinese link, saying that he couldn’t confirm anything for now.

However, this wasn’t enough to satisfy the Chinese government, which, according to a Bloomberg report, denied involvement in the case.

“The accusations are baseless and irresponsible, and the Chinese side cannot accept them,” said Hong Lei, a spokesman’s for the foreign ministry.

By Csaba Daradics

Sources: Renault, Reuters , Bloomberg

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Fulton Innovation Wirelessly Charges Tesla Roadster

A few days ago we brought you the news that GM will begin offering in-car wireless charging mats for mobile phones as an option from Q3 2012. These devices, that are making big waves at trade shows both in the U.S. and around the world, do away with the pesky cords and bulky adapters of old, replacing them with two conductive metal plates (i.e. one on the back of your phone and one in your car).

So imagine if you could charge your electric car this way. It should be simple, right? You’d just need to upscale it to suit charging a bigger battery. Well, at the 2011 CES technology trade show in Las Vegas, Fulton Innovation showed such a gadget by wirelessly charging the be-all and end-all of electric vehicles: the Tesla Roadster.

The eCoupled Powerspot, as it is called, works on the same principles as its smaller cousins and can even provide you with charging updates through a smart phone app. Do you want to keep track of how much it costs to recharger your electric car? The app can do that too.

There’s even a video, though admittedly it’s not very interesting. No electrical arching or unearthly humming noise here, I’m afraid; just a silent, practical vision for the future. You can check out the video for yourself, if you’re so inclined. There’s no indication of when this technology will be available, though I suspect we will be seeing it within the next five years or so.

It has, after all, been used by Hino to recharge electric busses for at least the past two years. It’s not so much a matter of if but when, and whether it can be made cost effective. One thing is for sure, the future for electric vehicles just got a little brighter.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Jalopnik & The Next Web

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China's BYD Debuts Lexus RX-Inspired S6DM Dual-Mode Hybrid at Detroit Motor Show

Chinese automaker BYD marked its fourth consecutive appearance at the North American International Auto Show with the world premiere of the S6DM hybrid, with the DM in the name standing for "Dual-Mode".

The gasoline-electric hybrid is based on the Chinese firm's S6, a mid-size SUV model first introduced at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2009. And no, you're not the only one to find the overall styling of the S6 reminiscent of the previous generation Lexus RX.

The Warren Buffett-backed battery and car maker claims the S6DM is "the world’s first independent 4WD dual-mode electric SUV". Under the hood, the Chinese model is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and three electric motors. Two 10-kilowatt electric motors drive the front wheels while a more potent 75 kilowatt motor powers the rear wheels. A six six-speed dual clutch transmission handles power transfer.

Despite the "Dual-Mode" moniker, BYD says the system offers three driving modes including electric only, hybrid gasoline-electric and gasoline engine only. In detail, here's how the Chinese automaker describes each mode:

THREE DRIVING MODES

Fully electric (BEV) mode: At normal speeds, the vehicle can operate in its all-electric mode, with the electric motor (M2) propelling the rear wheels.

Hybrid gasoline-electric (HEV):

1. 2WD: The gasoline engine not only directly powers the vehicle, but also drives the electric motor (M1) at the front wheels to charge the battery pack.

2. 4WD: When more power is needed, the gas engine and the electric motor (M2) power the vehicle together. If the combined power is enough, the gasoline engine will also drive the electric motor (M1) to charge the battery pack. As speed increases, the gasoline engine can take over seamlessly with support from the 6-speed DCT; when braking, the gas engine automatically shuts down and the electric motor (M2) takes over.

3. 2WD: When battery power is low and not much driving power is required, the gasoline engine drives the electric motor (M1) to charge the battery pack and the electric motor (M2) powers the vehicle by itself.

Gasoline powered: When driving on the highway or in case the battery pack is depleted, the gasoline engine can power the vehicle on its own very efficiently.

According to BYD, the S6DM can travel over 38 miles (60km) purely on electric power (BEV) and over 500km (310 miles) combined when engaging the gasoline engine.

BYD said that the S6DM is amongst the models being considering for the U.S market. At the Detroit show, the company's Chairman, Wang Chuanfu, pushed back the brand's U.S. launch to the first quarter of 2012.

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Mercedes Confirms Production Version of SLS AMG E-Cell All-Electric Supercar at Detroit Motor Show

Mercedes-Benz showcased its SLS AMG E-Cell concept car at the Detroit Motor Show, however, the big news wasn't the presentation of the all-electric supercar but the announcement that it will enter production within the next couple of years.

"The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG E-CELL is the most technically advanced super sports car in the 125-year history of the automobile, and shows just how fascinating electromobility can be," said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, at the press conference. "Our customers will be able to order it from their Mercedes-Benz dealers from 2013 onwards."

At the heart of the all-electric supercar are four, high-revving, synchronous electric motors, which can reach 12,000 rpm, producing a combined output of 526 hp (392 kW) with a peak torque of 880 Nm (649 lb-ft) of torque, enough to catapult the E-Cell to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4 seconds or almost as fast as the stock SLS’ 571 hp V8 gasoline engine (3,8 seconds).

The E-Cell’s drive is also comprised of a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery featuring a modular design and a maximum electric load potential of 480 kW. Aside the power outlet, the 400-volt battery can also be charged by the regenerative braking system.

It might be a green machine, but the E-Cell is also a thoroughbred sports car. By positioning the electric motors as close to the wheels as possible and carefully placing the battery modules throughout the chassis, engineers managed to obtain a near-perfect weight distribution. The new front suspension, boasting a multilink setup with pushrod damper struts, is another feature usually found on high performance cars, alongside the oversized ceramic composite brakes.

Finished in a fluorescent “AMG lumilectric magno” paint, the body has been fitted with an extensive aerodynamic kit. The 10-spoke 19-inch AMG alloys, shod in 265/35 front and 295/30 rear tires, round up the exterior appointments.

Inside, there’s a new instrument cluster and center console housing a 10-inch display, used to operate all audio, climate and navigation functions. Other touches include the black/white nappa leather combination, sport seats and steering wheel.

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