Honda S2000 going hybrid?

The Japan car magazine, Best Car is reporting that the recently discontinued Honda S2000 will return in 2012, but that the new S2000 will be powered by Honda’s second-generation hybrid drivetrain used in the Honda Accord rather than by Honda’s high-revving F20C 2.0-Liter engine. What will probably disappoint fans of the original Honda S2000 more is the news that car will also be front-wheel driven rather than rear wheel drive of its predecessor, although rumors of a front wheel drive Honda S2000 have been circulating since late 2006.

Best Car also reports that the new convertible is likely to be fitted with a retractable hard-top and will be a step up from the all-new Honda CR-Z hybrid due for release in 2010. The new Honda S2000 is thought to make its debut in production form at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show and is expected to be released for sale in the first half of 2012.

Roush Yates to supply EcoBoost V6 for 2011 ALMS Competition

Photos: Lola Cars International

The recently released Ford 3.5-liter, direct injection V6 engine will be modified by Mooresville, NC, engine builder, Roush Yates, for use by Lola Cars in their 2011 LMP2 design. Changes in the class regulations for 2011 require that production-based engines be used. Lola Cars International is the first race car constructor to support the new Ford engine.

“Everyone at Roush Yates Engines is excited to partner with such a prominent car constructor of LMP sports cars,” said John Maddox, Sports Car Program Manager for Roush Yates Engines. “We are proud to build exceptional engines to pair with Lola’s LMP2 design as we enter this innovative championship. Roush Yates Engines plans to use this opportunity to continue improving our technology and efficiency as we strive towards our goal of becoming world-class engine builders.”

The Ecoboost engine will have to have its displacement reduced by ten percent, in order to meet the allowed maximum displacement under American LeMans Series (ALMS) regulations. According to a Roush Yates spokesperson, the modified V6 is expected to deliver around 400 hp. A twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, as used in the 2010 Taurus SHO, produces 365 hp @ 5,500 rpm while meeting fuel economy and emissions objectives.

In addition to the EcoBoost V6, Roush Yates is reportedly evaluating a race version of Ford’s recently released, 5.0-liter, all-aluminum V8 for ALMS competition in the LMP1 class.

2011 Volvo C30 EV

2011 Volvo C30 EV Volvo Cars increases the development of cars powered by electricity - builds electric test fleet At the Detroit Motor Show, Volvo Cars is presenting a complete battery electric Volvo C30 with a range of 150 km. The next step forward is to build a test fleet of at least 50 electric Volvo C30s, which will be used in real-life traffic from 2011. Volvo presented a driveable electric car prototype in September 2009. The C30 now being shown in Detroit takes the company one step further in the development process. It features both a complete interior and full instrumentation, as well as enhanced battery packaging. 'The first prototype helped us identify the main technological challenges, such as battery packaging and safety issues. We have addressed these challenges without compromising the C30's cool and fun-to-drive personality. I am very happy with the result. The electric C30 in Detroit is a much more complete product,' says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles. The next step in 2010 is a factory-built series of test cars. Selected users will drive the test fleet during a two-year trial period in order to provide Volvo Cars with valuable experience. Not just technical but also behavioural. The Swedish Energy Agency is supporting the project by contributing SEK 150 million towards its funding. Valuable field data A pure electric car has different characteristics compared to a car with an internal combustion engine. Now Volvo's experts will have the opportunity to study how users handle these differences. 'Our test fleet data will be valuable in Volvo Cars' development of electric cars. It will also provide crucial input for the infrastructure planners and help define which services are needed to make rechargeable cars the most attractive choice in the future,' says Lennart Stegland. New instruments and graphics The electric C30 looks like a regular Volvo C30 and it offers the very same safety, comfort and roominess as the standard car. The most obvious difference inside the car is the new instruments facing the driver. The gauges and graphics are somewhat different to those in a conventional Volvo. The cool and user-friendly combined instrument shows in principle only road speed and energy consumption. However, it also integrates a number of new symbols such as a gauge for battery charge status and other relevant information for this type of vehicle. The driving experience is also different to that in a conventional car. The electric C30 has no gears and the motor's power is delivered seamlessly, with full power available immediately. 'Sailing along virtually without a sound is a very special experience. The power is there instantaneously. We need to spend a lot of time verifying a transmission system that is both comfortable and safe for the driver to handle and at the same time utilizes the battery's capacity optimally at different speeds,' says Lennart Stegland. Like a regular C30 - all the fun but with no emissions An electric motor uses about one-fourth as much energy as an engine running on fossil fuels. This superior energy efficiency suggests that interest in electric cars will increase as fuel prices rise and demands for low CO2 emissions become increasingly stringent. The Volvo C30 shown in Detroit is powered by Lithium-Ion batteries that can be recharged via either a regular household power socket or special roadside charging stations. Charging the battery fully takes about eight hours, If the car is recharged with renewable electricity, CO2 emissions could be almost zero in the well-to-wheel perspective. Top speed with a fully charged battery pack is about 130 km/h (81 mph). Acceleration from 0 to 60 mph takes less than 11 seconds. The car's range is up to 150 km (94 miles). This covers the daily transport needs of more than 90 percent of all motorists in Europe. As safe as all other Volvos The electric motor is fitted under the bonnet while the batteries (24 kWh) are installed in the propshaft tunnel and in the space normally occupied by the fuel tank, outside the passenger compartment and away from the deformations zones. 'What is more, they are well encapsulated and the structure around them has been reinforced. Electric cars represent yet another interesting challenge in our dedication to building the world's safest cars. An electrically powered Volvo must be as safe as all other new Volvos. And the very same standards also apply to ownership, driving and protection in the event of an accident,' says Thomas Broberg, Senior Safety Advisor at Volvo Cars. Market prospects for electric power When it comes to electric-only cars, there are several factors that determine their appeal in the future. 'The consumers must feel that this type of car is attractive both to drive and own. That is why electric cars have to be as comfortable and safe and offer the same sort of performance as cars with other power sources,' says Paul Gustavsson, Director of Electrification Strategy at Volvo Cars. He continues: 'We believe in this technology and our field test aims to demonstrate that electric cars have considerable market potential. However, offering an attractive car is not enough. What is also needed initially is a system of subsidies to make the electric car's expensive battery technology financially viable for the car buyers. We hope that the authorities and the rest of the society will follow Volvo Cars in our 'Drive Towards Zero' - Volvo Cars' journey towards zero emissions.' Technical specification Electric C30 Car model: Volvo C30 - full four seater Main engine: Electric engine 40/82KW Power output: Electric engine 82kW, 111 bhp Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 10.5 seconds Charging duration: Charging via standard power socket, 230 V, 16 ampere: < 8 hours Range on electric power: 150 km (NEDC cycle) Battery energy content: 24 kWh nominal energy, of which 22.7 kWh used to power the car Battery weight: 280 kg Carbon dioxide emissions (tailpipe): none Source: Volvo Press Release