Premium electric and hybrid cars
Premium electric and hybrid cars prove their prowess with supercharged torques, longer-lasting batteries and sleek bodies that rival its gas-only-powered counterparts.-By John Grafman
A dawn of a new era in personal transportation is rapidly approaching. Similar to other revolutions, there are naysayers and skeptics. Nevertheless, the most prestigious automotive companies in the world are delving into the cutting-edge technology of gasless vehicles.
Within the past half-dozen years, a number of catalysts have prodded American, European and Asian car companies to create alternatives to tried and true combustion engines. This in part is due to governmental funding and regulations, the rising costs of petroleum and greater concerns over carbon emissions as well as overall environmental impact.
The results of these influences are nothing short of remarkable. Each car company is taking its own tack in what each believes is the correct course for transportation.
Jaguar C-X75 (Range Extended Supercar)The C-X75 was crowned the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2011 at the 10th annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards, which is an astounding achievement. The title was bestowed upon this automobile, as it is a technical marvel as much as it’s a delight for the eyes.
While the technical tour-de-force of the concept car uses twin turbines to generate power for two motors, one per axel, the upcoming production Jaguar touts a state-of-the-art, small-capacity, highly boosted internal combustion engine instead of the turbines. Expect the turbines to return in the not-too-distant future.
The result of this technology, along with four-wheel drive, is a zero to 60 acceleration time of less than three seconds, and a true supercar top speed of more than 200 mph. This can run on pure electric power for 31 miles and produce less than 99 grams per kilometer carbon dioxide emissions.
The unique relationship Jaguar forged with racecar manufacturer Williams F1 allows the production car to retain the original carbon-fiber chassis. The total production run is slated for just 250 units, and the price of admission will be closing in on seven figures.
Whether it’s the Audi R8 or the Lexus LS, electric and hybrid cars present a viable option for all different types of drivers. Aesthetic-conscious and eco-conscious drivers alike will find a myriad of positives in getting behind the wheel of one of these fine (gasless) vehicles.
Cadillac ELR
(Extended Range Electric)
General Motors (GM) is giving the green light to the ELR, which is a direct relative of the Cadillac Converj Concept. This aggressive-looking, premium concept car is ushering the way for the new production coupe, which should cover all bases from a refined driving experience to being eco-friendly.
In terms of the aesthetic of the Converj Concept, Edward Welburn, GM vice president of global design, says, “There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion, which showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury.”
Similar to others in the extended-range genre, the Cadillac ELR will use a small, four-cylinder engine to generate power to a battery pack. This T-shaped, lithium-ion battery pack will provide primary power, and the engine will kick in and repower the battery as it depletes.
In essence, if the driver only has short commutes, it’s possible to completely run on electric power, saving both gas and money, and producing far less emissions.
Fisker Karma
(Extended Range Electric)
One of a few new brands to the marketplace is Fisker Automotive. This company is producing an unusually sexy, electric vehicle with extended range.
Fisker emerged from the vision of Henrik Fisker and Bernhard Koehler. The goal: Create the first eco-friendly sport, luxury hybrid. Along the way, the company is encountering startup, teething pains that range from funding challenges to tech issues on the outsourced batteries. Nevertheless, with the media attention brought by celebrities such as Justin Bieber and brand ambassador Leonardo DiCaprio, Fisker is quickly becoming a household name.
The Karma is the first of several upcoming models that use an internal combustion engine as a generator to provide added range when battery power isn’t enough to get from point A to point B. A commutable range of 50 miles is possible on batteries alone before plugging back in. Total range is up to 300 miles when using the gasoline engine to recharge the battery pack.
Fisker rewards owners with a sense of sportiness as well. The rear wheel drive dual-electric traction motors provide a staggering 959 pound-feet of torque.
The Karma also features a full-length solar roof for plug-less recharging. Not only is this efficient, the unique pattern on the roof is an eye-catching design element.
Of course, it’s easy to overlook the ecological benefits when the body styling is so sinfully delicious. The exterior shape is clean, modern and vaguely reminiscent of 1970s Corvettes and pinup models.
This drives solidly as only a 5,300-pound car can, and the long wheelbase and 22-inch wheels and tires further enhance the comfort level. The fluid, smooth acceleration convincingly creates an aura of an ultra-premium sedan.
Audi R8 e-tron (Electric)
In late 2012, Audi will start rolling out an all-electric, rear-wheel drive version of its highly touted R8 sports car. Sold in limited numbers, this will be a halo-vehicle for the upcoming Audi electric e-tron model lineup. The R8 e-tron will give up little in blissful creature comfort of the typical R8.
The T-shaped, lithium-ion battery that’s able to store 49 kilowatt-hours of energy, along with the regenerative braking, enables this Audi to travel uninterrupted for roughly 130 miles.
The electronic management limits zero to 60 runs to 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 124 mph. This allows the battery to retain a greater driving range but doesn’t diminish the car’s torque. Two 280-kilowatt motors in combination are enough to provide a staggering, tire-shredding 3,614 pound-feet of torque. In comparison, the base 2012 R8 produces a scant 316 (391 for the V-10 engine). Clearly, the differences between gasoline and electric power are as obvious as night and day.
Perhaps it’s no surprise Markus Winkelhock, winner of the 24-hour race at the Nurburgring in 2012, says, “The torque with which the electric motors propel the car uphill beats everything that I know—even if they make hardly any noise in the process.”
Lotus Esprit
(Kinetic Energy Recovery System)
Lotus, a small player in the automotive world, shocked everyone more than two years ago with five full-sized concepts in its lineup. The first into production will be the Esprit.
This model comes with a pressure-charged, 5.0-liter gas engine. Instead of electric power as its main source, a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) provides supplemental power. The source of the power will be generated from what would otherwise be wasted energy, such as that found in braking. KERS stores that in a battery, and then allows the driver to draw from that at a touch of a button. This can either reduce the need for gasoline or boost the maximum power output.
The Lotus Esprit sits low at just 1.25 meters, and it’s relatively lightweight at 3,190 pounds. According to Lotus, this will redefine ride and handling, performance, comfort and exclusivity in supercars. With zero to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, this two-seater is certainly world-class in terms of speed.
Dany Bahar, former chief executive officer of Group Lotus, expresses what creating this new car entails. “There’s a fine balance between acknowledging the greatness of the past while at the same time rapidly leaping forward to the future and ensuring that this car not only does the name Esprit justice but also the Lotus brand,” he says. “I think we’ve managed to find the balance, and in doing so created a new icon, a car people will find hard to resist.”
Expect to find the Esprit in well-heeled neighborhoods in the spring of 2013.
Tesla Model S (Electric)
Elon Musk, founder of Tesla Motors, is far from the average executive. The founder of a space transportation company (SpaceX), Musk is also the mastermind behind PayPal, one of the most successful Internet companies.
The plan at Tesla is to create a new generation of affordable, all-electric vehicles from the ground up. So, there are no compromises due to existing body architecture.
The second car from Tesla, the Model S, is a five-door hatchback sedan that exploits the best properties of an electric drive automobile. This is engineered with all of the heavy batteries incorporated into the bottom of the chassis, which allows for a lower center of gravity and better space utilization. The result is a seven-seat vehicle with improved handling characteristics and more room.
The Model S comes in four varieties, with the big differentiator being the battery storage capabilities. The affordable base model can be ordered with a 40 kilowatt-hour battery that’s able to travel 160 miles on a charge, and offer 6.5-second sprints from zero to 60. On the far end of the spectrum, the Signature Performance version comes with an 85 kilowatt-hour battery. Not only does this extend the driving range to 300 miles, but it also allows for a Porsche-like blitz from zero to 60 in 4.4 seconds. Tesla’s warning to the sports car manufacturers of the world: Watch out, there’s a new game in town.
With these more-than-comparable electric-hybrid vehicles on the market, there’s no reason not to get behind the wheel.
