Kia has released an electric version of its new Venga B-segment hatchback. Powered with 24 kilowatt-hours lithium polymer batteries and an 80-kilowatt motor, Kia Venga EV can produce a 112 miles of driving, a great range when you drive around the city. Also it has a fast charge capability that can juiced up its battery in just 20 minutes up-to 80%.
Porsche 918 Spyder is one of the most exciting released concepts Porsche made. This green mean machine is a plug-in hybrid that is powered by a 500 hp V8 and a pair of electric motors. Porsche 918 Spyder Concept is said to reach 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds. We have to say that this is one of the high performance supercars bundled up in a small body. $TBA.
A new hybrid member was introduced by BMW as the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid. This will use a 40KW electric motor for its full hybrid function in city speeds. The Concept 5 Series uses the 535i’s twin-scroll turbo inline-six that outputs 300 hp with a larger battery pack. Other features include a monitoring navigation route for an advanced preparation of controls and full electric implementation. The debut model has a compact sedan body that features the standard hybrid contours, wheels, grille, and headlamps.
An over 400 horsepower hybrid? Lotus says yes, with the Evora 414E Hybrid concept. The two-seater has a 1.2 liter gasoline engine as well as a couple of electric motors mated to each rear wheel. The gas engine doesn’t drive the wheels directly; instead, it charges the 17 kW-hour lithium polymer battery pack. You can enjoy 35 miles of gasoline-free driving with each full charge. Lotus programmed the independent electric motors to give them torque-vectoring capabilities and don’t worry about the car being too silent since the manufacturers have installed artificial supercar sound.
The Volvo C30 BEV that can run up-to 93 miles on a fully charge engine powered by a 24kWh lithium-ion battery and can accelerate from 0-60 in under 11 seconds is one of the most awaited electric power car. Although it will only be available in the Europe but a plug-in hybrid model from the Swedish automaker will be release in the US in early 2012.
If you are a nature friendly person and wants to contribute as much as possible to mother earth then this car is for you. Check out Kia’s new car model the KIA RAY. Kia Ray has a plug-in concept and has the same platform as the Kia Forte. The car’s design is a four-door coupe which is made of lightweight and recycled materials with a roof-mounted solar panels and a cool glazing solar glass that keeps the vehicle comfortably cool. This car runs at 153hp with its 1.4L four-cylinder mated to a 78kw electric motor that can travel up to 50 miles. Kia Ray will be launch by the end of 2011.
This is probably the coolest and most technical use of four-wheel hybrid technology available. Porsche jumps into the hybrid bandwagon but not in the conventional way. Instead of using heavy and expensive batteries, the new 911 GT3 R Hybrid uses a technology first developed for the Williams Formula 1 team. The front wheels are driven by an electromechanical flywheel that generates power when braking. The fast-spinning flywheel is made of a composite material that’s infused with magnetic particles which turns it into a permanent magnet. For brief periods of time, the system can deliver about 160 added horsepower for quicker getaways or acceleration.
