The Fruit of Knowledge
Posts tagged zero emission
Nissan Leaf Nismo RC set to electrify New York
Apr 17th
Filed under: New York Auto Show, Coupe, Nissan, Electric
Nissan Leaf Nismo RC – Click above to enlarge
Nissan will unveil a racing variant of the Leaf electric car at the New York Auto Show, but the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC has little in common with its more pedestrian “sibling.” Nismo started with a lithium ion battery pack and badging from a stock Leaf, then built a completely new vehicle around it.
There are no rear doors; the carpeting, navigation and stereo system are gone; and the battery pack has been relocated to the middle of the vehicle for better weight distribution. Speaking of weight, the Nismo RC is about 40 percent lighter than the production Leaf, as a carbon fiber monocoque platform and more compact dimensions cut total weight to just 2,068 pounds. The Nismo RC is also a foot shorter and 6.7 inches wider, and with a scant 2.4 inches of ground clearance.
While the Nismo RC is a different animal than its production namesake, it still carries a familial resemblance, at least up front. Nissan employed LED lighting all around, a driver-adjustable rear wing and plenty of Nismo/Zero Emission graphics to ensure that onlookers know this is no fossil-fuel burner.
Nissan says the Nismo RC will be used for demonstration purposes, so don’t expect this Leaf to compete any time soon. The automaker does say, however, that it’s considering a zero-emission spec series for the future. With an estimated run time of 20 minutes under racing conditions, the 30 minute quick-charge time (to achieve 80 percent capacity) would make for some leisurely pit stops. When the Leaf Nismo RC is in motion, its 80kW AC motor generates 107 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque; good enough for a 0-60 time of 6.85 seconds and a 93-mph top speed. No land-speed records there, folks, but we’re betting the Nismo RC would be a blast to drive anyway. Hit the jump to read over Nissan’s press release.
Gallery: Nissan Leaf Nismo RC
[Source: Nissan]
Continue reading Nissan Leaf Nismo RC set to electrify New York
Nissan Leaf Nismo RC set to electrify New York originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: Renault paid informant 250,000 euros in "spy" case
Mar 14th
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Renault, Europe/EU
Renault’s Zero Emission line-up
Last time we broached the subject of suspected industrial espionage involving automaker Renault, we reported that, according to Reuters, Renault’s chief operating officer, Patrick Pelata will likely be the man who:
Forms the shield to protect the CEO [Carlos Ghosn]. In this story, somebody has to throw themselves on the grenade.
Turns out, Reuters’ source, an unidentified individual that’s supposedly “close to the carmaker,” may have dished out false intel. Dominque Thormann, chief executive officer of RCl Banque, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Renault, responded to last week’s “espionage” reports by posting this on The Alliance’s blog:
Renault has made headlines in Paris and beyond with a “spy story” whose cast includes executives, investigators and politicians. The star is Renault, one of Europe’s most loved brands. The plot appears to touch on intellectual property and zero-emission cars.The story invites sensationalism by its very nature, like a Hollywood thriller.
But this week the truth was stretched too far. While the vast majority of media coverage has been credible and fair, a few articles have been laced with too-good-to-be-true quotes from anonymous “leaks” and arm-chair quarterbacking by so-called experts who get their facts wrong. These same sources imply that the case has distracted executives or forced employees to take sides.
This is nonsense. It’s not true, no matter how desperately pundits try to turn this into a novel by John Le Carré.
Now, Reuters is reporting that Renault, probably through an intermediary, paid an informant 250,000 euros ($347,200 U.S. at the current exchange rate) for information that sparked a probe into the suspected espionage case. Apparently, Renault’s execs don’t know the identity of the informant, but two of the automaker’s security managers do. Renault has asked that the security managers, who were arrested by authorities last Friday, reveal the identity of the mysterious informant to French police.
Thorman closed out his blog post with this chunk of positive info:
Renault has ascertained that its technology did not get into the wrong hands, thus enabling the company to continue to push forward its visionary mission of sustainable and affordable transportation for mainstream consumers. No amount of drama can mask this essential truth.
Just like in Hollywood, the story continues.
[Source: Reuters, Renault-Nissan blog]
Report: Renault paid informant 250,000 euros in “spy” case originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Report: Electric Renault Twingo coming in 2014
Mar 11th
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Renault, Europe/EU
Renault Twingo Eco – Click above for high-res image gallery
Renault will launch its fifth battery-powered model, an electrified version of its Twingo minicar, dubbed the Twingo Z.E. (Zero Emission), in the second half on 2014. When it hits the market, the electric Twingo will join Renault’s battery-powered quartet: the Kangoo, Fluence, Twizy and Zoe.
Speaking on the sidelines of a media event in Rome, Jacques Bousquet, head of Renault’s Italy division, credited the automaker’s alliance with Daimler AG with the earlier-than-expected launch date for the Twingo Z.E. The partnership between Renault-Nissan and Daimler includes the development of a combined platform that will eventually underpin the next-generation Twingo. Before Penske bailed on the Smart distribution deal, that same platform was to be the basis for a four-door model sold under the Smart banner.
Bousquet said that Renault will eventually expand its electric van lineup beyond the battery-powered Kangoo, which means that no less than six plug-in models, all bearing the Renault badge, will come charging out of the French automaker’s factories soon. Well, soon-ish. Hat tip to David!
Gallery: Renault Twingo eco2
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]
Report: Electric Renault Twingo coming in 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven
Mar 1st
Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota, Geneva Motor Show
2012 Toyota Prius+ – Click above for high-res image gallery
As the second size extension of the Toyota Prius family tree, the 2012 Prius+ adds a healthy dose of roominess to the well-known fuel-sipping hybrid equation, and it’s making its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. There’s seating for seven occupants inside, but the multi-purpose vehicle shares a clear design language with Toyota’s standard-bearing Prius. What’s more, it manages a low 0.29 drag coefficient thanks to its extended roofline and carefully designed front fascia.
Equally as notable is the battery. This is the first lithium-ion battery pack to be incorporated within a non-plug-in Toyota full hybrid. Toyota has found enough room underneath the center console between the driver and the front passenger to fit the battery, which helps maximize interior space for occupants and their cargo.
As you would expect from a Prius, there are three drive modes: A zero-emission EV mode that relies on electric motor power alone, an ECO mode that maximizes efficiency and fuel economy and finally a somewhat ambitiously named POWER mode that is said to boost overall performance.
Toyota is saying that the Prius+ will be on sale in Europe in the first half of 2012, but it’s coming to the U.S. around the same time in the form of the Prius V, which we previously saw at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Check out the complete press release after the break and be sure to check out our high-res image gallery of live photos below.
Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL
Continue reading Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven
Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 09:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven
Mar 1st
Filed under: Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Toyota
2012 Toyota Prius+ – Click above for high-res image gallery
As the second size extension of the Toyota Prius family tree, the 2012 Prius+ adds a healthy dose of roominess to the well-known fuel-sipping hybrid equation, and it’s making its world debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. There’s seating for seven occupants inside, but the multi-purpose vehicle shares a clear design language with Toyota’s standard-bearing Prius. What’s more, it manages a low 0.29 drag coefficient thanks to its extended roofline and carefully designed front fascia.
Equally as notable is the battery. This is the first lithium-ion battery pack to be incorporated within a non-plug-in Toyota full hybrid. Toyota has found enough room underneath the center console between the driver and the front passenger to fit the battery, which helps maximize interior space for occupants and their cargo.
As you would expect from a Prius, there are three drive modes: A zero-emission EV mode that relies on electric motor power alone, an ECO mode that maximizes efficiency and fuel economy and finally a somewhat ambitiously named POWER mode that is said to boost overall performance.
Toyota is saying that the Prius+ will be on sale in Europe in the first half of 2012, but it’s coming to the U.S. around the same time in the form of the Prius V, which we previously saw at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Check out the complete press release after the break and be sure to check out our high-res image gallery of live photos below.
Gallery: Toyota Prius+ MPV: Geneva 2011
Photos copyright (C)2011 Jeremy Korzeniewski / AOL
Continue reading Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven
Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 06:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Geneva preview: Kangoo Maxi Z.E. is an electric van for the larger set
Feb 23rd
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Renault, Geneva Motor Show
Kangoo Maxi Z.E. – Click above for high-res image gallery
Renault is gearing up for one of those model reveals that’s not going to garner many headlines but is an important debut nonetheless. The Kangoo Maxi Z.E., an electric version of Kangoo Maxi, is coming to the Geneva Motor Show and it’s just the kind of vehicle that will help make plug-in vehicles mainstream (see aso: the Ford Transit Connect Electric). It’s a basic utility vehicle – bigger than the standard Kangoo Z.E. – that can hold between two and five people and hase a maximum carrying capacity of 4.6 square meters. The options for the Z.E. (Zero Emission) version are the same as for the standard ICE models. Sell or lease enough of these things to fleets and the price for “regular” consumers comes down.
The Kangoo Maxi Z.E. will go on sale this fall starting at a pre-tax, pre-subsidy price of €21,200 ($29,135 U.S. at current exchange rates). The standard Kangoo Z.E. starts at €20,000, not including the battery. The same deal applies here, with the battery subscription costing €72 ($99) a month. Renault says this is done, “to ensure optimal capacity of the [battery] throughout the vehicle’s working life.” Orders for the Maxi Z.E. will be accepted starting March 1 at the Renault Zero Emissions website.
Gallery: Renault Kangoo Maxi Z.E.
[Source: Renault]
Continue reading Geneva preview: Kangoo Maxi Z.E. is an electric van for the larger set
Geneva preview: Kangoo Maxi Z.E. is an electric van for the larger set originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 18:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Nissan breaks ground on lithium-ion battery plant in Portugal
Feb 11th
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Nissan, Renault, Europe/EU
Nissan has officially broken ground on the construction of a lithium-ion battery plant in Cacia, Portugal. The facility, which will be erected on a 30,450-square-meter plot of land owned by partner Renault, should be fully operational by December of 2012.
Construction of the Cacia plant requires a total investment of €156 million ($211 million U.S. at the current exchange rate) from Renault-Nissan, but it’s money well spent. The li-ion manufacturing site will, upon completion, boast a total capacity of “50,000 units a year” and create approximately 200 jobs. The Cacia plant is one of many li-ion battery manufacturing sites that the Alliance will construct to support its extensive rollout of electric vehicles.
While speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Nissan’s chief operating officer Toshiyuki Shiga outlined the Alliance’s massive European battery production efforts, stating:
The Cacia plant will be one of three facilities in Europe supplying batteries to electric vehicles produced by the Alliance, starting with the 100% electric Nissan Leaf. Together, the three plants will enable the Alliance to rollout electric vehicles in Europe on an unprecedented scale, bringing the world one step closer to a zero-emission future.
In related news, construction of Nissan’s 1.3-million-square-foot Smyrna, TN battery plant is on schedule, with a completion date set for sometime in 2012.
[Source: Renault]
Continue reading Nissan breaks ground on lithium-ion battery plant in Portugal
Nissan breaks ground on lithium-ion battery plant in Portugal originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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