Petrol-electric car
A hybrid petrol-electric car was displayed at Britain’s Birmingham Motor Show recently. It is seen as a means of furthering research in this field and was the product of a joint venture by three British companies that are generally considered to be more innovative in the automotive field than most others.
Looking like any well-de-signed four-door, hatch: backed saloon, the car was the brainchild of Lucas Chloride EV Systems, Reliant Motor and Ogle Design. It is powered by a Lucas electric drive system and an all-aluminium 848 cu cm Reliant engine coupled to a generator.
Ogle Design undertook the body styling and general layout of the hybrid car, which closely approximates Ford’s new Sierra, in size.
The glassfibre body, which incorporates steel doors, was engineered and built by Reliant and is roomy. However, having a height of 1575 mm (sft 2in), it is considerably taller than most of today’s cars. The Ford Sierra is 218 mm .(B.sin) shorter. The extra height is necessary because the battery bank is stowed beneath the floor of the car — a feasible solution to problems which arise in the hybrid car concept. The Lucas Hybrid has most of its driveline compon-
ents under the bonnet at the front of the car. The Reliant engine is installed longitudinally and drives the rear wheels. In line with the engine is an electric motor operated with or without the engine via a clutch. The petrol tanks and on-board battery charger are fitted at the rear.
Transmission is by direct drive and the car has a maximum speed of 137 km/h (85 mph) in its combined mode, 120 km/h (57 mph) in electric mode and 113 km/h (70 mph) using the petrol engine only. In the electric mode the cruising range in typical urban conditions is 64 kilometres (40 miles).
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Bibliographic details
Press, 25 November 1982, Page 23
Word Count
303Petrol-electric car Press, 25 November 1982, Page 23
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