A Human Powered Hybrid Car

HUMANCAR INC. creates a car that doesnot require gas,generates its own electricity,and may charge power back to the grid. The vehicle seats four and generates power through a system of hand cranks. Yes, hand cranks.The next big thing in hybrid vehicles does not come from the likes of Toyota or General Motors. Instead, it comes from Charles Samuel Greenwood. Greenwood has been working on a human-powered vehicle concept for decades, and all of his hard work is coming together in the form of the HumanCar Imagine_ PS.
Don't think that a hand-cranked vehicle would be marketable only as a neighborhood vehicle with a limited top speed. However, the HumanCar has surprising potential--a top speed of 30 mph going uphill and 60 mph on a flat surface. All of this can be achieved via human power and nothing else.
As an exercise-enabled vehicle, it is possible for one, two, three or four people to operate the bi-directional human-power interface. Alternatively, a single operator may operate the vehicle in electric power mode only – or any combination of human and electric power may be employed.

This zero-emissions vehicle is not only better for the environment; it improves the driver's health thanks to the workout you get while driving it. The human health aspect was part of Greenwood's decision to build and ultimately refine this concept.

"It was 1968. Traffic was at a complete standstill, again, on a busy boulevard in what is now known as the Silicon Valley," Greenwood wrote. "Sitting within their cars were many commuters who were overweight and out of shape, breathing unhealthy exhaust fumes. As a young engineer working at my first job at a research and development laboratory for a major corporation, it seemed intuitively that there must be a better way to move people around than this."

And with that, the concept for the HumanCar Imagine PS was born. The vehicle is street legal as a low-mass vehicle and is vehicle-to-grid (V2G) compatible. Greenwood plans to bring the vehicle to market next year but is already taking reservations on his website. A $50 fully refundable, no-questions-asked reservation fee will put you on the list for a $15,500 HumanCar Imagine PS.

The Ferrari Story

2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid confirmed, coming in spring 2011

Infiniti confirmed today that it will offer its first production hybrid ever in its 20-years of existence with the 2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid. The model will join the Infiniti M lineup in spring 2011.

Infiniti said that its hybrid system consists of a single electric-motor/twin-clutch arrangement, mated to a naturally aspirated 3.5L V6. The first-clutch is installed between the V6 engine and the electric motor, which Infiniti says allows for a more responsive drive. Infiniti said that the M35 Hybrid, which will carry a lithium-ion battery pack, has the ability to run solely on electric-power under certain driving conditions.

Additional technical details will be announced closer to launch.

Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid Concept Will Use Li-Ion Battery

Let’s take a moment of our time to take a look to a car which is not related and will not show up for the Geneva Motor Show. The reason why we present you this Mercedes-Benz is that the German automaker has developed a new hybrid system. The new S400 BlueHybrid will be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine along with the 15kW electric engine.

The novelty consists of the fact that this hybrid will be the first to use lithium ion battery. Also the S400 BlueHybrid is the most economical sedan in NEDC (city and highway driving) by managing about 30 miles per gallon. This Hybrid Concept will be available as of 2009 with the ML450 two-mode hybrid system in the U.S. and Europe.

Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid Concept Will Use Li-Ion Battery

Let’s take a moment of our time to take a look to a car which is not related and will not show up for the Geneva Motor Show. The reason why we present you this Mercedes-Benz is that the German automaker has developed a new hybrid system. The new S400 BlueHybrid will be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine along with the 15kW electric engine.

The novelty consists of the fact that this hybrid will be the first to use lithium ion battery. Also the S400 BlueHybrid is the most economical sedan in NEDC (city and highway driving) by managing about 30 miles per gallon. This Hybrid Concept will be available as of 2009 with the ML450 two-mode hybrid system in the U.S. and Europe.

Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta - ‘08 Geneva Preview

Finally we get something we want - Italdesign Giugiaro has released high-res pics of the Quaranta Concept just before Geneva Motor Show. We’ve been expecting this for a long time for the concept based on the 1968 Bizzarrini Manta Concept for its looks and on the Toyota Prius for its engine.

The Hybrid Synergy Drive completed with the 3.3-liter V6 engine produces 268 HP and 212 lb-ft of torque, enough to boost the Quaranta from 0 to 60 in just 4.05 seconds. Another design and tech cool characteristic is the solar power-generating roof. The design of the concept is simply astonishing and it will surely draw everybody’s attention at the upcoming auto show.

Check out the gallery below and follow the full press release after the jump.

Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta - ‘08 Geneva Preview

Finally we get something we want - Italdesign Giugiaro has released high-res pics of the Quaranta Concept just before Geneva Motor Show. We’ve been expecting this for a long time for the concept based on the 1968 Bizzarrini Manta Concept for its looks and on the Toyota Prius for its engine.

The Hybrid Synergy Drive completed with the 3.3-liter V6 engine produces 268 HP and 212 lb-ft of torque, enough to boost the Quaranta from 0 to 60 in just 4.05 seconds. Another design and tech cool characteristic is the solar power-generating roof. The design of the concept is simply astonishing and it will surely draw everybody’s attention at the upcoming auto show.

Check out the gallery below and follow the full press release after the jump.

LA Auto Show: Honda FCX Clarity unveiled

Honda has released the FCX fuel-cell hybrid concept in 2004 and it will now finally go on production, named the FCX Clarity. It has been unveiled at the LA Auto Show today and they state that it’s a zero-emissions, but it’s kinda hard to find stations for it and we are not sure yet if it features the GPS system that finds hydrogen fuel stations. Unfortunately, there will only be 100 Honda FCX Clarity models released for the ones that live near one of it’s three hydrogen fuel stations. So only southern California inhabitants will have the occasion to buy it.

LA Auto Show: Honda FCX Clarity unveiled

Honda has released the FCX fuel-cell hybrid concept in 2004 and it will now finally go on production, named the FCX Clarity. It has been unveiled at the LA Auto Show today and they state that it’s a zero-emissions, but it’s kinda hard to find stations for it and we are not sure yet if it features the GPS system that finds hydrogen fuel stations. Unfortunately, there will only be 100 Honda FCX Clarity models released for the ones that live near one of it’s three hydrogen fuel stations. So only southern California inhabitants will have the occasion to buy it.