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Sacto8221 August 30, 2009 12:47 PM

What's interesting is that the hybrid systems being developed by the Europeans has already been done in Japan: Honda perfected it some nine years ago with the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) drivetrain found on the original three-door Insight hatchback. And the current five-door Insight hatchback has developed this technology much further, especially now you can over 50 mpg (based on British Imperial gallon) fairly easily on the new model.

rtwingo August 30, 2009 6:18 PM

"European carmakers, however, have come up with another plan. They are poised to use simplified hybrid technology to allow them to radically downsize the typical engine in larger cars, improving fuel economy and reducing Co2 emissions and pollution."

Hmm... A honda Civic IMA / Insight / Toyota Prius maybe?

The Europeans haven't shown anything in hybrid tech that the Japanese haven't done (mostly better) before.

TegTypeR August 31, 2009 9:13 AM

I'm glad to see the further development of this technology.  Sacto8221 and rtwingo are right, this has been around for a while, but the will to develop it further hasn't (Honda preferring to concentrate on hydrogen tech).  Coupled with the new super efficient engines, this technology now has the ability to produce a vehicle with a lower Co2 output than an all electric car.

VelSatis23 August 31, 2009 4:34 PM

Isn´t this type of tech pretty old? I remember Conti showing of a system in the late 90s, that replaced the starter and generator of an engine with some kind of e-motor sitting between the engine and the clutch or transmission. Trouble was, the thing was laid out for the thing than most hyped, the 42Volt Battery in a car instead of a 12 Volt battery we have nowadays. That system delivered some urge while accelerating, it was also used as a start stop system, looked pretty good, but nothing happened with it.

HiltonH August 31, 2009 4:44 PM

The point I'm making is that these new hybrid assist are simplified versions of what's in most of the Japanese hybrids. Also the big Lexus models  have V-engines and electric motors, whereas the upcoming the Euro execs will have small engines and electric assist.

Small engines save money, as do the smaller batteries. All in all, these Euro-hybrids should be cheaper to build and a more practical business proposition.

MrTrilby September 1, 2009 12:13 PM

But Hilton, the Honda Insight uses a small 1.3 litre petrol engine with a "simple" 13BHP electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission, and uses a smaller cheaper battery than something like the Prius (half the size).

From your article, Saab's only variation seems to be to fit a turbocharger and a bigger electric motor. Both of which must surely add cost and complexity - and Honda, who have considerably more experience of designing these cars, doesn't seem to have managed to make the Insight especially cheap when compared with either a diesel or a more complex hybrid like the Prius.

Don't get me wrong - I applaud European manufacturers waking up to the potential advantages of hybrid. Being cynical though, they're quite late to the party, aren't bringing anything new despite what their marketing claims, and it seems to more a panic reaction to the costs of making diesel cleaner than a planned strategy to achieve reduced running costs.

hybridrallyman September 1, 2009 2:38 PM

The Honda IMA type system is just what Hilton is describing and its potential is considerable. The Toyota system is much more complex and costly.

We develop Honda Hybrids for motorsport. Our Insight rally car which uses IMA and CVT transmission has astonishing performance for a 1 litre car yet we have returned nearly 100mpg on a 60mile road test at 42mph average speed. This car is nearly 10 years old yet still has no equal. It is a regular Formula 1000 class winner.

The secret for the future success of hybrid is to capture and store the maximum ammount of waste energy for the  minimum cost. Energy recycling is the future!

HiltonH September 2, 2009 1:12 AM

Yes, chaps. Just like the IMA.

But in a much bigger car....

rnp1946 June 2, 2010 11:47 AM

Hilton et al [bloggers], you might be interested to know Toyota Australia have developed a hybrid Camry, based on the current petrol engined Camry. Fed Govt gave Toyota AUD$35million to develope the car. It's now on sale, though from the Toyota ads one wouldn't know a thing about the hybrid technology employed in the new car. Acrobats and walking balloons really don't reveal much except about the advertising dills in charge. For those interested in this Aussie development go to www.Toyota.com.au Ray from Sydney june 2 2010