Cadillac Confirms 335HP Four-Cylinder Plug-in Hybrid For CT6

As expected, Cadillac announced the addition of a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain for its range-topping CT6 sedan at the Shanghai Auto Show.

The powertrain combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with an all-new rear wheel electric variable transmission (EVT) that incorporates two electric motors and draws energy from an 18.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack positioned between the rear seat and the trunk. 

GM estimates the system is capable of producing a combined output of 335 hp (250 kW) and 432 lb-ft (586 Nm) of peak torque, stating that fuel economy will be "more than double that of the car’s conventional engine offerings, as measured by miles per gallon equivalent".

The driver will be able to choose among three operating modes named Normal, Sport and Hold:

• Normal: Designed for everyday commuting. Provides ideal balance of comfort, performance and maximized EV range and fuel economy.
• Sport: Provides more aggressive pedal mapping for improved off-the-line feel and a stiffer steering response.
• Hold: Allows owners to select when the CT6 PHEV uses its engine, reserving the remaining battery charge for later use. This feature helps enhance efficiency because owners who mix city and highway driving can save the battery charge for city travel, where the CT6 EV mode operates most efficiently.

The CT6 PHEV will get GM's Regen on Demand system that allows the driver to temporarily regenerate energy through steering-wheel paddles by slowing the car, such as when entering a turn, much like downshifting with a manual transmission. It also gets iBooster and Electronic Stability Program customized for hybrid electric vehicle regenerative blended braking. 
“The first-ever CT6 is a technological showcase throughout, making it an ideal platform for Cadillac to offer its first plug-in hybrid,” said Cadillac boss Johan de Nysschen. “In the CT6, Cadillac presents a new formula for prestige luxury. The advanced Plug-In Hybrid system is a key addition, providing a combination of exceptional fuel economy, crisp acceleration and strong electric-driving range.”

*Note: regular 2016 Cadillac CT6 pictured 

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Audi SQ7 with An Electrically Turbocharged V8 Diesel

Audi wants to offer a successor of the ice-cold cool Q7 V12 TDI according to a new report.

Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi’s head of technical development told English car magazine Autoexpress that a faster SQ7 model is in the works, powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 diesel engine which uses a pair of electric turbos in order to wipe out the lag forever and ever.

The technology was first shown on the Audi RS5 TDI-e Concept, and uses “e-boost” electric motors to spin the turbos before the exhaust gases get in there. With this solution the turbochargers will offer their benefits without the usual lag in throttle response and Audi says that even a diesel will offer a sharp response. The electric motors spin the turbos up to 3,000rpm and then leave the exhaust gases on their own completely to continue compressing the air into the induction. 

The same report says that the engine will be based on the 4.2-litre TDI unit used in the Cayenne Diesel S and might have a slightly smaller capacity. The engine is also going to be used in the Bentley Bentayga which is based on the same MLB-evo platform the Q7 uses. The power is expected to reach over 400hp with a torque figure to match its super-diesel credentials and be able to move the earth. 

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Lyons Motor Car LM2 Streamliner with 1,700HP

Startup carmakers promising stellar performance from cars that don’t exist yet are nothing new. Meet Lyons Motor Car, a US-based company that says it plans to build a 1,700hp car called LM2 Streamliner which will be able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a “guaranteed” 2.2 seconds “or better” and to do the quarter mile in 8 seconds. It also claims an estimated top speed of 290 mph (467 km/h).

Although all photos of the car released so far are renderings, the folks from Lyons Motor Car say they will unveil a prototype at the New York Auto Show. 

Power should come from a twin-turbocharged V8 engine with twin intercoolers mated to a 7-speed sequential gearbox and an electric all-wheel drive system. The engine is said to deliver 1,700hp. 

The hypercar is also said to feature Brembo sourced carbon ceramic brake rotors, Bosch ESP and ABS systems as well as titanium and billet aluminum suspension with two damping settings (Luxury and Sport).

The LM2 Streamliner is designed to have a carbon fiber body and full length carbon fiber chassis, with carbon fiber and billet stainless steel subframes. Lyons Motor Car claims it will also get “the most advanced and technologically convenient full microprocessor controlled electrical system ever.” 

What this means is the car won’t have any chassis wiring harnesses, breakers relays or fuses or buttons toggle switches of levers and will be fully programmable from an iPhone or other mobile device – whatever that means.

Lyons Motor Car was founded in 2011 and “is the first car manufacturer to be based in New York City in the last 70 years.”

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2013 Buick Riviera Concept Coupe

While that study never materialized into a production car, GM's Shanghai GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) joint ventures are giving the project a fresh try with a new concept at this weekend's 2013 Shanghai motor show.

"The new Riviera offers a preview of Buick’s future design language," said Shanghai GM President Ye Yongming. "By seamlessly integrating advanced technologies, flexible functions and contemporary aesthetics, the new Riviera heralds the start of a new chapter for the 110-year-old Buick brand."

Buick says the new Riviera coupe concept's styling took inspiration from the Chinese saying, "The greatest good is like water", with a sweeping design and flowing lines, though, we should note that it doesn't look like a great departure from the original 2007 study.

The new interpretation of the Riviera luxury coupe adopts GM's all-new, dual-mode W-PHEV (wireless plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) propulsion system, allowing the driver to use the car on battery-power alone or in hybrid mode.

Other highlights include the ability to charge the batteries through a traditional cable or wirelessly via a sensory recharge panel on the car's chassis, four-wheel steering, an electromagnetic-controlled suspension and an air spring package.

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2013 Honda CR-Z

 The CR-Z gains an all-new Lithium-Ion battery that improves performance, and at the same time, mpg ratings, along with styling upgrades to the exterior and interior.

Thanks to the new battery, assist from the electric motor has increased from 10 kW to 15 kW. As a result, the combined output from the 1.5-liter gasoline unit and the electric motor is 130hp at 6,000rpm and 140 lb-ft. of torque (127 lb-ft. on CVT-equipped models), a gain of 8hp and 12 lb-ft of torque (4 lb-ft for the CVT versions).

Other mechanical improvements include a larger clutch and a new lower final drive ratio for the manual transmission models.

Furthermore, Honda has introduced a new Plus Sport System on all 2013 CR-Zs, which can be used when the battery is charged more than 50 percent and the car is travelling over 19mph (31km/h). According to Honda, once the driver activates the "S+" button on the steering wheel, electric boost begins, delivering increased acceleration for up to five seconds.

Honda says the 2013 CR-Z offers a 1mpg improvement in city driving with a CVT (36mpg city, 39mpg highway and 37mpg combined), and 1mpg on the highway for the manual version (31/38/34 mpg).

Exterior revisions include a new front fascia with a mesh grille and a "floating" lower spoiler lip, chrome plating and a blue tint for the headlamp assemblies, a redesigned rear diffuser, a blue clearcoat treatment for the taillights, a darker finish for the 16-inch alloy wheels and two new colors named Passion Berry Pearl and Polished Metal Metallic.

The interior of the hybrid model gains new metallic trim on the door pulls and latches, center console, speaker grilles and lower steering wheel spokes, along with redesigned inner door panels and pads, while the the horizontal bar on the speaker housing has been eliminated.

Finally, Honda has improved the standard equipment of the base model with Expanded View Driver's Mirror, Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and rearview camera while also adding LED daytime running lights and Pandora Interface with SMS text message function to the options list.

The 2013 CR-Z is available in two trim levels, the base and the EX, with prices starting at $19,975, excluding a $790 destination charge.

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