[clett]

Can it be true!?

Maybe not in America, but over here in Europe a company under the GM umbrella (Saab) is building a hybrid system for use in small and medium sized cars.

Why so interesting? Because this will be a *Lithium-ion* hybrid, there's likely to be a diesel version AND they're going to be testing plug-in hybrid operation!!

If they actually go ahead and do it (remember we pay $6 per gallon over here, so I think they might!), this could be a 150 mpg car! 8)

 

[KTPhil]

Are they actually building this, or is this a concept?

Looks to be a combination of an ICE-driven front wheel drive, coupled with electric-only rear wheel drive.

 

[Doug]

Hey Clett, what about it? Are they just thinking about it or actually going to produce such a car? It would be a great thing that would hopfully spead to other car developments.

 

[C.Rickey Hirose]

GM about to make a VERY good hybrid!

Hello Clett, how is it that you already know this future concept vehicle
from SAAB will be VERY good hybrid. ? Also: the Lithium Ion has been rejected by Toyota Engineer due to heat build up and the dangerous
nature of its chemical composition then back in 1995. May be the GM-SAAB engineers has mastered to harness the L'ion ( dangerous Time Bomb ?)

 

[clett]

Using lithium-ion means being able to plug-in for lots of zero-emission miles at very low per-mile energy costs. 8)

As for the safety, some progress has been made since 1995! Toyota themselves use a Lithium-ion battery in the Toyota Vitz mild-hybrid (Japan market only). The Japanese even have trains with Lithium-ion hybrid assist!

Check out this video from Valence about old vs new lithium-ion safety:

http://www.valence.com/broadband.wmv (right click and save as).

Crushing, piercing and firing high velocity rounds through it all quite safe!