Suzuki Hybrid (technology)

Swift Range Extender, an electric vehicle suited for daily usage such as shopping or commuting.

Overview of the Swift Range Extender

Swift Range Extender is an electric vehicle equipped with a motor, a battery, and an engine-driven generator, which focuses on its concept “drive the minimal distance needed for daily usage as an electric vehicle”. For short distances such as shopping or commuting, it can run as an electric vehicle by using its battery power charged from a household outlet for approximately 15km. When the battery runs low, it can run by generating with the 0.66L engine-driven generator, therefore it has no anxiety of stopping due to running out of battery.

From the fall of 2010, Suzuki is heading toward more practical development by conducting on-road trials with the purpose of collecting information such as driving data and service technology suited for traffic condition of each area.

Driving modes

EV mode

• It runs with the motor by using only the power charged to the battery.

Range extend mode

• When the battery runs low, it runs with the motor by generating with the engine when needed.
• It is equipped with Engine Auto Stop Start System, which stops the engine at stops such as traffic lights.
• It is also equipped with regenerative brake, which generates and charges to the battery when the brake is applied.

Vehicle size	Overall length 3,755mm x overall width 1,690mm x overall height 1,510mm
Maximum seating capacity	5
Vehicle weight	1,190kg
Engine type	K6A (0.66L)
Motor	AC synchronous
Maximum motor output	55kW
Maximum motor torque	180N・m
Time required to charge battery	Approx. 1.5hrs@100V, Approx. 1hr@200V
Battery type	Lithium-ion
Battery capacity	2.66kWh
Plug-in hybrid fuel consumption*1	37.6km/L*2
Hybrid fuel consumption	25.6km/L*2
EV range*3	15km*2

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• *1 Average fuel consumption calculated by combining fuel consumption during operation on electric power from external charge and fuel consumption during hybrid operation after consumption of electric power from external charge.
• *2 Measured in JC08 test cycle and verified by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
• *3 Range on electric power from external charge only.

source : Suzuki global .

Electric, Hybrid Vehicles to Get Cheaper in India; Govt Announces Incentives

In a bid to promote green vehicles in India, the government recently launched the FAME India scheme- 'Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India' - as a part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan. Under the scheme, the government will offer incentives on hybrid and electric vehicles; of up to Rs. 29,000 for two-wheelers and Rs. 1.38 lakh for cars. The government will spend Rs. 795 crore in the first 2 fiscal years under this scheme.

Starting with metropolitan cities, the scheme will be launched in all major and smart cities across the country. Under the scheme's purview, battery-run motorcycles and scooters will be eligible for incentives in the price range of Rs. 1,800 to Rs. 29,000.

Similarly, one can demand incentive in the range of Rs. 13,000 to Rs. 1.38 lakh if he/she buys an electric or hybrid car. For three-wheelers and light commercial vehicles, the incentives are in the range of Rs.3,000 to Rs. 61,000 and Rs. 17,000 to Rs. 1.87 lakh, respectively. Whereas, for buses it ranges from Rs. 34 Lakh to Rs. 66 lakh.

"We are starting the scheme in metropolitan cities. Eventually the scheme will be launched in Smart Cities and all major cities across the country," Union Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete said.

At the launch of the scheme, the government officials also revealed that several leading carmakers, including Maruti Suzuki India and Tata Motors, will soon bring in few such vehicles in the country.

Talking about the country's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India, it is ready with a hybrid version of the Swift - the Range Extender - that was showcased at the event. The same vehicle was earlier showcased at the 2014 Delhi Auto Expo.

Maruti Suzuki told that the company will develop its hybrid models commercially only after "getting further clarity on key aspects, including technology development fund, charging infrastructure and demand incentive."

Maruti Suzuki May Consider Launching Swift Hybrid in India

In an effort to lure buyers towards electric and hybrid vehicles in the country, the government of India recently introduced FAME 'Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India' - as a part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan. Under the new scheme, the Government will offer incentives on electric and hybrid vehicles of upto Rs. 29,000 for two-wheelers and Rs. 1.38 lakh for cars.

During the event, government officials also revealed that carmakers like Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki will soon launch such products in the Indian market. One such product could be the Maruti Swift Range Extender, which was also showcased at the event. However, the company has clarified that it will develop its hybrid models only after getting further clarity about the schemes and incentives.

"The company will develop their hybrid models commercially only after getting further clarity on key aspects, including technology development fund, charging infrastructure and demand incentive.

The hybrid model of the Swift, called the Range Extender, was earlier being developed for a pilot project that was to be supplied to the Government of India. However, after this announcement, it seems that the company might launch it for the public as well.
Powered with a 658cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine paired to a permanent magnet synchronous motor, the vehicle is claimed to return an impressive 48.2Km/l of mileage. The vehicle has an electric driving range of about 25.5 Kms. Despite being a smaller capacity engine, it is good for 73bhp.

The vehicle runs on 3 models - series hybrid, parallel hybrid and all-electric. In series hybrid model, the petrol powertrain works as a generator to power the lithium-ion battery which then powers the electric motor. In this mode, the petrol engine indirectly helps generate electricity to power the electric motor. In parallel hybrid mode, both - the petrol engine and the electric motor - provide power to the wheels.

The Swift Range Extender weighs 1,600 Kg, and takes 1.5 hours to completely charge the lithium-ion battery through a 200V socket.

Key Features - Infotainment system, push start/stop button, remote keyless entry and rear disc brakes.

Tata Nano With Automatic Gearbox Launching Next Month

Tata Motors, the home-grown automaker, that launched two all new products last year - Zest and Bolt - is all set to launch its first product this year - the 2015 Nano . Set to launch early next month, the 2015 Nano will get both design and mechanical updates. In fact, the company has started testing the vehicle in India.

The vehicle will be manufactured at the company's Sanand plant, where the regular Nano is being developed. While the engine will be the same 624cc, MPFI, naturally-aspirate, twin-cylinder unit that also powers the regular Nano, it will get an new 5-speed semi-automatic transmission. The gearbox is the same that is also found in the Zest.

Besides new transmission, this new top-of-the-line variant will also get new bumpers, fog lamps and different headlights. Moreover, Tata will also offer the Nano Twist F-Tronic in new exterior shades as well.The cabin, however, will remain unchanged.

With slightly different exterior and new transmission, the new model is likely to be pricier by Rs. 40,000 than the regular Nano Twist model. At this price, this model will become the most affordable automatic car

Tata Motors diverts focus to launch six new SUVs in the next 4 years

They made a zesty new beginning with a compact sedan, the Bolt hatchback and will be expecting their Kites in the pipeline to soar high post launch. However, over the next four years, Tata Motors will also ensure they win back lost ground from their prime rival, Mahindra. The auto giant plans to launch as many as six new UVs in the coming years. Some of them will be replacing their aging product line-up, while some will be brand new products that will mark Tata’s foray into uncharted territory.

The first product will be the Hexa Crossover which made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2014 as a concept. A re-bodied Aria, the Hexa crossover will be powered by a 2.2-liter VARICOR 400 engine that delivers 154.21 hp of maximum power and 400 Nm of maximum twist along with an optional torque-on-demand 4WD system. Packed with features, the 6-seater could see launch early next year.

Later next year, Tata will also launch a compact SUV based on the Nexon concept displayed at the Auto Expo 2014. A 5-seater, the sub 4-meter product with RR Evoque inspired looks will take on the Ford Ecosport, Maruti’s upcoming compact SUV, Mahindra S101 and the Hyundai Ix25. The Tata Sumo will shed some of its flab and will be launched as the Raptor in late 2016. A rather rugged vehicle that will target B-town and rural markets, the Tata Raptor will try and hunt the Bolero down from its dominating position as the largest selling UV in India.

Two new global products which are being developed with inputs from JLR are expected to hit the market by the second half of 2017. Codenamed as Q501 and Q502, the former is a 5-seater while the latter has space for seven. Both vehicles could be powered by a new 2.0-liter Multijet motor that Tata is jointly developing along with Fiat Chrysler. Two other products – a 7-seater SUV on the X1 platform and a 9-seater based on the X6 platform are also under consideration.

* content courtesy motoroids .

Upcoming Tata Land Rover SUV based on Discovery Sport

Tata is currently developing it’s very own entry-level premium SUV based on the Land Rover Discovery Sport’s L550 platform. Known internally as the Q501, the SUV will share structural bits like the floorpan with the baby Disco, but will feature Tata specific styling on the outside. In these renderings, ace Theophilus Chin tries to imagine how the Tata land Rover SUV might end up looking.

 

Of course, it does look like as if the Tata Hexa grew a bigger nose, but according to Tata themselves, the Hexa’s styling does preview the maker’s future design direction for SUVs. Ground clearance and footwear have been appropriately beefed up too.

The Hexa’s altered SUV stance sprawls the LR Discover Sport’s shape, size and proportion, including the 2741 mm wheelbase, and to us, it looks fit. The Q501, due in 2016-17, will be Tata Motor’s first ever major production application of components sourced from the JLR parts bin, including the LR-MS platform, along with the possibility of the Terrain Response System.

The Discovery Sport is available in five and seven seat layouts, reflecting the desire for Discovery models to appeal to family buyers, so expect the Tata to follow suit too. But being a Land Rover, a wading depth of 600mm and a ground clearance of 212mm ensure that this is still a proper SUV – not a crossover.

The Discovery Sport is powered by 2.2 litre, 4-cylinder, TD4 and SD4 diesel engines, both available with six-speed manual and nine-speed automatic transmission (ZF) options respectively. While the TD4 units produce 150 PS of maximum power and 400 Nm of maximum torque, the SD4 units are rated at 190 PS of maximum power and 420 Nm of maximum torque. All versions offer Four Wheel Drive as standard.

 Land Rover Discovery Sport

However, for the Q501, Tata Motors is evaluating Fiat’s 2.0 Multijet II diesel engine which is expected to make between 150 and 175 PS and lower-powered versions of the same could be used as well. Though the engines from the Land Rover tentatively won’t be shared, a 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder, eD4 Diesel engine is also expected to join the Discovery Sport range in late 2015. To be available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission option and 2WD, the eD4 unit is expected to make 150 PS of maximum power and 380 Nm of torque – another possibility that Tata Motors could possibly consider.

*. Images courtesyTheophilus Chin . 

Tata Zest Gets A New Top-End AMT Diesel Variant

The home-grown automaker, has silently launched a new top-end AMT (Automated Manual Transmission) variant of the Zest. Called the Zest XTA, it is priced at Rs. 8.07 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). With this new variant, the Zest now has two AMT-equipped diesel models in its line-up.

Talking about the features, the Zest XTA has all the features that are offered with the XT manual variant. The list of features include Harman infotainment system that supports voice command, navigation, SMS readouts, etc. Other features are height adjustable driver seat, rear parking sensors, climate control, and two airbags among other provisions.

There are no changes to the exterior either. Powering the vehicle is the Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre multijet diesel engine that is good for 88bhp at 4000rpm and 200Nm at 1750-3000rpm. Mated to the 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT), the Zest is claimed to return an impressive mileage of 23Km/l.