Porsche puts hybrids in the fast lane

[queenlives]

(from cnn.com, all legal mumbo jumbo applies)
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New Cayenne SUV can cruise at 70 mph on the electric motor, far faster than existing models.
July 24 2007: 6:01 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Porsche said Tuesday a new prototype SUV hybrid will be capable of cruising at speeds up to 70 miles an hour on the electric engine alone, far faster than existing hybrids.

The hybrid version of the popular Cayenne SUV, expected to hit showrooms in the next two or three years, can't reach 70 miles per hour without the traditional engine, but once it gets there it can cruise at 70 without the need for gasoline.

The result is a vehicle that's 25 percent more efficient than current models and can cruise considerably faster than the current 40 mph top cruising speed of the hybrid Toyota Camry.

"If Porsche was going to do a hybrid, it makes sense to do it from a performance standpoint," said company spokesman Tony Fouladpour.

The hybrid Cayenne, Porsche's first foray into the hybrid market, uses a single transmission to power both the electric motor and gasoline motor, which is partly responsible for the increased performance, said Fouladpour.

It's expected to be in the same general price range as the basic Cayenne, which starts at $44,000.

 

[Cairo94507]

Yeah, well I will wait to see the actual vehicle and the MSRP-I seriously doubt it is going to come in at $44K. But at least Porsche is thinking "green" for a minute.

 

[nsxotic911]

Yeah, well I will wait to see the actual vehicle and the MSRP-I seriously doubt it is going to come in at $44K. But at least Porsche is thinking "green" for a minute.

Porsche is a very green car... if you keep it stock.

 

[Khajjathefang]

whens the diesel 911 coming out?

 

[NSXgrrrrl]

The hybrid version of the popular Cayenne SUV, expected to hit showrooms in the next two or three years, can't reach 70 miles per hour without the traditional engine, but once it gets there it can cruise at 70 without the need for gasoline.

The result is a vehicle that's 25 percent more efficient than current models and can cruise considerably faster than the current 40 mph top cruising speed of the hybrid Toyota Camry.

Shouldn't it be hundreds of times more efficient rather than only 25%? Cruising at 70 mph burns no gas vs. gas engine maybe returning consistent low 20s mpg at that speed. Even if the hybrid burns 8 ounces of fuel accelerating up to highway speeds, once situated there the mileage return grows infinitely better against its gas-only counterpart.

 

[Carguy!]

Shouldn't it be hundreds of times more efficient rather than only 25%? Cruising at 70 mph burns no gas vs. gas engine maybe returning consistent low 20s mpg at that speed. Even if the hybrid burns 8 ounces of fuel accelerating up to highway speeds, once situated there the mileage return grows infinitely better against its gas-only counterpart.

The power has to come from somewhere! What it means is that while battery power is available it can cruise at 70mph. The amount of electricity that the motor draws will be pretty high at that speed so it will need to start the gas motor to generate more electricity to recharge the batteries. From everything I have read Gas engines are less efficient when accelerating, but very efficient at a sustained speed. So it seems that this SUV won't really be much more efficient than other Hybrid SUV's that also use the Gas engine to suplement cruising at 70mph.

It will be quiet though!

The main benefits of a gas / electric hybrid vehicle are:

When the gas engine is running, it is normally at a near constant RPM so it is more efficient than at variable RPM's, the engine runs similiar to a generator.

The electric motor can be turned into a generator when braking to recover energy.

The engine can be shut off when stopped.

The electric motor can be used in stop and go traffic and then the gas engine only has to run infrequently to charge the batteries.

The gas engine should last longer since it is being run at a near constant RPM for much of its life.

You can pretend you are a spy and sneak up on people using only battery power!

 

[naaman]

You can pretend you are a spy and sneak up on people using only battery power!

Just have to say, that made me laugh!:biggrin:

 

[ss5153]

:biggrin: 9ff

 

[steveny]

(from cnn.com, all legal mumbo jumbo applies)
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It's expected to be in the same general price range as the basic Cayenne, which starts at $44,000.

LOL...44k....LOL yeah until you add the first option then it rockets past 50k. Has anyone ever seen a Cayenne under 50K sticker?

 

[steveny]

The power has to come from somewhere! What it means is that while battery power is available it can cruise at 70mph. The amount of electricity that the motor draws will be pretty high at that speed so it will need to start the gas motor to generate more electricity to recharge the batteries. From everything I have read Gas engines are less efficient when accelerating, but very efficient at a sustained speed. So it seems that this SUV won't really be much more efficient than other Hybrid SUV's that also use the Gas engine to suplement cruising at 70mph.

It will be quiet though!

The main benefits of a gas / electric hybrid vehicle are:

When the gas engine is running, it is normally at a near constant RPM so it is more efficient than at variable RPM's, the engine runs similiar to a generator.

The electric motor can be turned into a generator when braking to recover energy.

The engine can be shut off when stopped.

The electric motor can be used in stop and go traffic and then the gas engine only has to run infrequently to charge the batteries.

The gas engine should last longer since it is being run at a near constant RPM for much of its life.

You can pretend you are a spy and sneak up on people using only battery power!

Why can't a generator be put on all 4 corners that makes power as the wheels spin forward? No need to ever start the gas engine as the forward movement of the car charges the batteries.

 

[hofffam]

Steveny - not sure what you're trying to suggest. If indeed there were 4 generators in the vehicle, they still only work when the vehicle is moving. In your scenerio, what causes the vehicle to move forward if the gas engine is not running? Just the main electric motor powered by a battery? Are you suggesting that once started the generators can charge the very same batteries that power the main motor?

I can't work because the energy conversion has too many losses. Both on the battery-to-motor side and the generator-to-battery side. Plus all the mechanical losses plus electricity lost for accessories, HP used for A/C, etc.

BTW - big generators have lots of resistance to motion. Ever used one of those self-powered flashlights?

Current hybrids do generate electricity to charge the battery during braking. That resistance from the generators is a braking force.