Until recently, American consumers didn’t exactly fall head over heels for the eco-friendly car. With so many big and beautiful models on showroom floors, electric and hybrid cars seemed, well, puny. They didn’t make a lot of noise, usually couldn’t move too quickly, and, honestly, they often looked just plain weird. However, as technology progresses and buyers are catching on to the monetary and environmental benefits, energy efficient vehicles are now entering a whole new category – luxury. Thankfully, the future of these cars is in the hands of some of the industry’s best designers, making the idea of owning an eco-friendly vehicle all the more attractive.
Cadillac Escalade
Once the brunt of EPA employee jokes, the big Caddy has come a long way in terms of quality and efficiency…especially now with the introduction of the new Escalade.
Under the hood, the Escalade shares the two-mode technology of the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon Hybrids, whereby two electric motors supplement the V8 engines. The technology is such that the SUV utilizes electric, gas, or combination power, depending upon power demands. At low speeds, full battery power will motivate the vehicle; press the accelerator more, and the gas engine joins forces with the battery pack on four or eight cylinders to provide hybrid power; mash the pedal to the floor and full V8 power springs to life. Cruising on the highways, it offers four-cylinder hybrid efficiency.
Official EPA estimates are not yet available; however, the Chevrolet and GMC Hybrids deliver around 20 miles per gallon in both highway and city conditions, compared to full-gas powered versions delivering 15 city/20 highway. As the Escalade uses a larger engine and weighs more, a safe guess might be 18 miles per gallon for highway and city, while a full-gas powered Escalade delivers about 12city/18-highway.
Body:
Material: Steel Overall Length: 202 in. Overall Width: 79 in. Height: 74.3 in. Wheelbase: 116 in. Curb Weight: 5565 lbs. Weight distribution, (fr/rr): NA
Mechanicals:
Transmission: NA Engine: V8 w/ battery and electric motor assist Displacement: 6.2-Liter Horsepower: 332 @ 4,100 RPM Torque: 367 @ 4,100 RPM
Tires:
FR: 265/65 R 18 RR: 265/65 R 18
Performance:
0-62 MPH: 7.5 seconds Top Speed: NA
Porsche Cayenne and Panamera
As if getting an SUV from a die-hard sports car company weren’t a bizarre enough idea, Porsche is now offering a sedan. Clients who previously left the company to find a proper sedan can now simply trade in their two-seater for this new model. Making things even more interesting, they’re introducing a hybrid version. The Porsche Cayenne SUV Hybrid will be in showrooms by early-2009, while the Panamera will arrive
The Panamera hybrid will likely operate on the Cayenne system, an electric motor between a 6-speed auto trans, additional clutch, and a 3.6-Liter V6 engine. Depending upon performance demands, the car will switch from full electric to full engine or utilize both when able. Porsche may also move to an electro hydraulic steering system, electric brakes, aircon, and transmission oil pump, further lightening the engine load and allowing for higher mileage per gallon of gas.
Porsche has put a lot of thought into developing the Cayenne hybrid, ensuring that its engine will pack enough punch to be able to perform well off-road. If this effort is any indicator of the development of the Panamera hybrid, Porsche purists will have little to worry about. For those who aren’t so crazy about a hybrid engine but love the body design, Porsche is making a gas-burning version as well. Efficiency ratings are not available; however, as the Cayenne hybrid is expected to achieve about 28 miles per gallon, the Panamera hybrid (being smaller and lighter) should find just over 30.
Body:
Material: NA Overall Length: 190 in. Overall Width: 72 in. Height: 54.5 in. Wheelbase: 111 in. Curb Weight: 3,950 lbs. Weight distribution, (fr/rr): NA
Mechanicals:
Transmission: NA Engine: V6 Displacement: 3.6-Liters Horsepower: 300 Torque: NA
Tires:
FR: NA RR: NA
Performance:
0-62 MPH: NA Top Speed: NA
Tesla Roadster
What looks like a Lotus, zips to 60 miles per hour in about four seconds and produces zero emissions? The Tesla Roadster, a fully electric sports car that will take you about 220 miles per charge, is giving its gas-guzzling competition a run for the money. With a screaming resemblance to the Lotus Elise, expect confusion on the streets. But who cares? For purists, it’s a sweet design. The Targa top ensures miles of open-top, carefree motoring, while the low-slung design, fat tires, and athletic suspension promise race car handling.
The powertrain consists of four main parts book ended by regenerative braking. The first part, the Energy Storage System, is actually the battery, a lithium-ion type with some tweaks to the design by Tesla to ensure safety. The beauty is that it’s recyclable, so there is little to worry about in the way of waste. The second, the motor, is a single rotary type, about the size of a watermelon and weighing 70 pounds. Efficiently designed, the motor resists converting electrical energy into heat.
The third component, the transmission, is a two-speed design that the driver shifts without taking foot off the accelerator. Simply move the lever, and the car shifts for you. It’s like a semi-automatic. At the heart of it all is the fourth element, the Power Electronics Module, a sort of central computer which controls everything from your shifts to the amount of electricity being sent to the motor.
Requiring around three hours to go from nothing to full charge, the Tesla is easy to live with. Keeping you away from the pump makes it even more so. And when you factor in the fun, well, it’s easy to see why we might all want one of these little cars.
Tesla Specifications:
Body:
Material: Carbon fiber with steel doors and roof Overall Length: 155.4 in. Overall Width: 73.7 in. Height: 44.4 in. Wheelbase: 92.6 in. Curb Weight: 2,690 lbs. Weight distribution, (fr/rr): NA
Mechanicals:
Transmission: 2-speed Engine: Single Rotary Electric Motor with lithium-ion battery pack Displacement: NA Horsepower: 248 @ 13,000 RPM Torque: NA
Tires:
FR: NA RR: NA
Performance:
0-62 MPH: 4 seconds Top Speed: 125 MPH
