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Everyone is jumping into the green transportation game. (www.cleanmpg.com)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/Nissan_Hybrid_Electric_Vehicle.jpgWayne Gerdes – CleanMPG.com (www.cleanmpg.com) – Aug. 6, 2008

Infiniti G35 Sedan Hybrid Drivetrain test mule.

The Nissan Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) delivers two breakthrough technologies – a high-performance rear-wheel drive hybrid system and parallel-powertrain hybrid system. The hybrid employs Nissan’s own originally developed hybrid technology and its first rear-wheel drive hybrid powertrain.

The parallel-powertrain system comprises an energy-optimizing system with two clutches, where one motor is directly connected to an engine and transmission via two separate clutches. Under changing driving conditions, the motor switches between the two clutches to optimize and conserve energy utilization as well as improve fuel-efficiency.

The parallel-powertrain hybrid system eliminates the need for conventional torque converters, contributing to higher responsiveness and linear acceleration for improved driving feel.

The dynamic characteristics of the clutches are as follows:

Idle-stop: The battery is used to power the motor to save on fuel.

Regular driving: The engine is used to power the motor as well as regenerate the battery.

Acceleration: Both the engine and battery (power assist) is used to power the motor to achieve smooth acceleration.

Deceleration: Energy from braking is conserved and re-routed back to regenerate the battery.

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

Powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries, the EV prototype is part of Nissan’s substantial research and development program on zero emission vehicles. This latest generation vehicle features a front-wheel drive layout and uses a newly developed 80kW motor and inverter. The advanced laminated compact lithium-ion batteries are installed under the floor, without sacrificing either cabin or cargo space.

The production vehicle to be introduced in 2010 will have a unique body style and is not based on any existing Nissan model.

Lithium-ion Battery

The advanced batteries used in both prototypes are sourced from the Nissan-NEC joint-venture, AESC (Automotive Energy Supply Corporation). These advanced batteries offer superior performance, reliability, safety, versatility and cost competitiveness, compared to the conventional nickel metal-hydride batteries. Its compact laminated configuration delivers twice the electric power compared to conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries with a cylindrical configuration. The compact batteries also allow for improved vehicle packaging and a wide range of applications.

That hybrid system sounds remarkably like our concept of a clutched IMA for Honda. Hm. Did Honda get beat to it??

eliminates the need for conventional torque convertersDo CVTs even use torque converters? I'm presuming the transmission on this car is CVT, since Nissan already offers those on a range of vehicles.

Why on earth would you need a torque converter? Except for vehicles equipped for the handicapped, of course :-)

A week ago this past Tuesday in the Fairfield CT rest stop on the northbound side of I-95 a guy pulled up next to us in a silver Nissan with stickers like this one has. Only the stickers said "Nissan Altima Hybrid". He was careful to park it at the furthest least crowded edge of the parking lot and didn't seem concerned that there was a video crew standing nearby.

He stayed just a few minutes so I didn't get a chance to ask what it was about. If it's a test mule they're not shy about it.

That hybrid system sounds remarkably like our concept of a clutched IMA for Honda. Hm. Did Honda get beat to it??

No much more advanced.

Its more like a dual DSG expect the clutch's manage the power output and regen. Be it ICE or Elect. or a mix of power. The key will be the clutch's themelves. My take on it is a ICE with clutch and then a electric motor with clutch both feeding a transmission or other ratio inducing device. I think this would be parallel.

Or a single DSG with input coming from the ICE on one set of plates and input from the electric motor coming to the second set of plates in the DSG. At any rate a balancing act would have to follow. With a finale output. I would think this would be series.

I think Honda is now starting to do to there cars what they did to there motorcycles 20 years ago. Honda can build the very best made. But it seems they are now dead set on second best or even mid pack. As long as the Honda name brings in the Sheeple why bother being the best.

Thanks Wayne

On the BEV mule shown, battery weight was reported as 300kg.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26051059/

Also it was reported that the energy density was twice that of the 2000 Hypermini which would put it at about 180Wh/kg. If we take a 100Wh-180Wh/kg ballpark range, this would give 30-54kWh as a battery pack. This will go in a dedicated design so if we presume 200Wh/m Prius level, range would be 150m-270m. Not bad.

Good Luck
Andrew