Showing posts with label electric cars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label electric cars. Show all posts

9/2/11

VW Nils





The Nils measures 3.04 meters (119.6-in.) long, 1.39 meters (54.7-in.) wide and just 1.20 meters (47.2-in.) tall, making it about 0.5 meter shorter than the new Volkswagen Up! 


It is built on a lightweight aluminum spaceframe while the same material has been used on certain body parts such as the gullwing-style doors and free-standing wheels. As a result, the Nils tips the scales at just 460kg or 1,014 pounds.


Propulsion is provided by an electric motor positioned right behind the driver. The motor develops a continuous 20HP (15kW) and 130Nm (95.9 lb-ft), and a short boost of 33.5HP (25kW).


Volkswagen says the Nils can sprint from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in less than 11 seconds and reach speeds of up to 130km/h (81mph).


The concept rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels equipped with 115/80 (front) and 125/80 (rear) tyres optimised for low rolling resistance.


A lithium-ion battery, which is also mounted at the back, has a capacity of 5.3 kWh, enough to provide energy to cover a driving distance of around 65 kilometers or 40 miles.


The automaker says that's more than enough to cover the needs of city duelers as according to the German Bureau of Statistics, 73.9 per cent of all commuters residing between Berlin and Munich cover less than 25 kilometres (15.5 miles) on their way to work.
















8/21/11

VW Up






The Up! is based on the German firm's Modularer Querbaukasten or MQB platform using a more traditional front-engine, front-wheel drive setup.
Volkswagen will offer the Lupo's spiritual successor at launch with a choice of small displacement, three-cylinder gasoline engines with plans to add a pure-electric version into the mix at a later date.




















6/14/11

Volvo’s Pure Electric C30 Enters Production



Volvo is starting production of the all electric version of its compact-size hatchback which, unsurprisingly, is named the C30 Electric. After testing about 50 cars since autumn 2010, mainly internally, the Swedish automaker plans to build about 250 cars by the end of 2012 (or more if there is enough interest), which will be leased in a number of European countries, including Sweden, Norway, Belgium and the Netherlands.




The electric vehicle's batteries can be recharged from a normal socket, with a full charge requiring 7 hours and offering a driving range of 150 km or close to 100 miles. The C30 Electric accelerates from 0-50 km/h (0-30 mph) in 4 seconds, and its top speed reaches 130 km/h (80 mph).