Gas 2.0 |
| Ford Rolls Out Two New MPV Hybrids at Detroit Posted: 10 Jan 2011 05:07 AM PST
The C-Max Hybrid will feature next-generation hybrid technology similar to that found in the Ford Fusion, and Ford is aiming to beat the current 41 mpg rating of the Fusion with the C-Max hybrid. Ford also wants to get the all-electric speed higher than the current ceiling of 47 mph. Basically, a better version of the current hybrids available on today’s market. Think of it like a mini-minivan with seating for five and ample cargo room. Ford is also bringing a seven-passenger Grand C-Max to America with a standard gas engine and sliding side doors (the hybrids get your standard doors, sorry soccer moms). The real news here, however, is the C-Max Energi, a plug-in hybrid that will be a direct competitor for the Volt. Ford is aiming for a total gas/electric range of around 500 miles, handily beating the 350 or so the Volt can get on gas and electric power. MyFord Mobile will allow users to monitor their battery level from their smart phone, and Ford says a full battery charge will be possible overnight from a standard 120-volt outlet. Pretty impressive stuff if they can pull it off. The Blue Oval is talking a big game. Too bad they couldn't make the C-Max less….ugly. I've never hidden the fact that I am a Ford fan from you, but even I think this is an awful looking automobile. It makes me long for the days of wood-paneled minivans and barge-like station wagons. On the same token, it feels like Ford is crowding its own market. Already, a family looking for options has the choice of the Ford Edge, Escape, Flex, and Explorer. Then there is the Fusion, Focus, and Fiesta. Is there really room for another family hauler in the Ford lineup. Especially one this fugly. It looks like a Ford Focus that spent too much time in the gym, but what do you guys think? Source: Ford Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to Hemis. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.
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| Swigz Electric Superbike Podiums Against Gas Bikes Posted: 09 Jan 2011 10:39 PM PST
When I first read about Chip Yates' project, he struck me as someone whose hubris could very well outperform the superbike he was building. I didn't write anything about the Swigz bike because I'm not interested in concept vehicles. I've seen too many great ones never make it to production. I waited until I could actually see the bike in action. Had I been able to make it to Infineon for his first test, I'd have written about that, but decided to wait for the real deal- race one, today at Auto Club Speedway, affectionately known among SoCal racers as "Fontucky." I made it to the track just in time to see him slip into position for his first race ever on the 194 horsepower electric superbike. What ensued was an excellent 6-lap race of relatively equal bikes, in which Yates finished 3rd. All WERA races are 6 laps, and multiple races are gridded in waves, so Yates was on course with anywhere from 12-20 bikes in each of his races. In his second race, Heavyweight SuperStock, Yates finished 2nd. I found him with his team, examining the bike after race 1. I quickly found that Yates is much more affable and downright humble in person than he may seem online. In this video, Yates answers my questions and explains why he's racing against gas bikes. The key point is that his goal has always been to have lap times that compete head-to-head with some of the more powerful gas bikes. He had already invested a tremendous amount of money and time toward this goal when TTXGP announced the 2011 weight restriction of 250kg. Although Yates was inspired by TTXGP and admires what they're doing, he enjoys racing against gas bikes, even if it's not a professional series.
After spending over $200,000 focused primarily on power, he cannot find ways to make the bike any lighter without starting all over again. But then, this is the dilemma of electric bikes, and while he is pushing development forward by seeking maximum power, manufacturers like Brammo are doing so by seeking reasonable power with acceptable range and weight. There is more than one way to move us out of the dinosaur era, and it's clear the advancements coming from electric motorcycles can benefit any EV which can benefit from a decent power/weight ratio. Which is all of them, really. I’m looking forward to seeing him race again in the WERA series, and hopefully in TTXGP 2012…
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