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03 Sep 2006 HEADLINE |
British Firm Converts Mini Cooper to 80mpg Hybrid
Source: Treehugger
Class: SYNDICATED NEWS
SYNOPSIS: The PML Mini QED supports an all-electric range of 200-250 miles and has a total range of about 932 miles (1,500 km).
A British engineering firm has put together a high-performance hybrid version
of BMW's Mini Cooper. The PML Mini QED has a top speed of 150 mph, a 0-60 mph
time of 4.5 seconds. The car uses a small gasoline engine with four 160
horsepower electric motors — one on each wheel. The car has been designed to run
for four hours of combined urban/extra urban driving, powered only by a battery
and bank of ultra capacitors. The QED supports an all-electric range of 200-250
miles and has a total range of about 932 miles (1,500 km). For longer journeys
at higher speeds, a small conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) is used
to re-charge the battery. In this hybrid mode, fuel economies of up to 80mpg can
be achieved.
Explains Martin Boughtwood, PML’s MD: “Until now, most electric vehicles have
been little more than souped-up milk floats, limited by range and speed, with
compromised performance. For those with a green conscience who also value an
enhanced motoring experience, there is still something missing.
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Reader Comments
15 comments so far...
13-Jul-2007
57114
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It sucks that this is a one off car, if this was a commercially available production piece. they'd be sold out of atleast 1 or 2 years of production. I also hope the price would be cheap as I would love to have the same system put in my car, but without spedning an arm and leg in the process. I also wish current automakers would use this as an example for their hybrids and maybe switch to this style so that the hybrid is more efficient and more powerful and sporty. This thing will smoke alot of supercars and muscle cars out there and it's a sleeper by comparison looks wise. I love it!!
Posted by: Realistic American
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24-Dec-2006
41815
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LETS GET 500 PEOPLE TO PUT IN $50,000 EACH AND GET A CAR BUILT.SOMETHING ALONG THE SHAPE OF EITHER A CAYMEN OR EVEN BETTER A LIGHT WEIGHT MARCOS.THE COST NOW TO MAKE THE MOTORS(PROTOTYPES BUILT AS A ONE OFF)WAS ABOUT $60,000 BUT PML TELLS ME WITH MASS PRODUCTION IT COSTS WILL COME DOWN TO HALF.
Posted by: HOWARD MILLER
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06-Sep-2006
32165
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Hello,
Please let me know where I can purchase one today! Tesla Motors has officially released their Tesla Roadster but at $100,000.00 US dollars it is just a little pricey for the average consumer.
Also to increase battery range, why not have a switch to only run two of the four electric motors? When power is needed 4 of the motors could kick in. Also when regenerative braking is needed all 4 of the motors would contribute.
Please contact me as I would like to become a dealer to sell these great cars!
Regards,
Dr. Randy Sun
Posted by: Randy Sun
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06-Sep-2006
32170
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Hello, Does anyone have any idea what this system costs to convert the mini? I would think that cost would be a big issue at this stage, particularly with the battery Technology and super capacitors. Great idea and great technology but can the average consumer afford it?
Posted by: Hybi green1
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07-Sep-2006
32249
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640 horsepower? I don't like it. That means that it might be able to beat my motorcycle!
Posted by: Frank Eggers
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07-Sep-2006
32251
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I checked the specifications of the motors; they weigh 18 kg, which is about 40 pounds. That may be tollerable, but because the motors are unsprung weight, that weight will have undesirable effects on handling and ride except on glass-smooth roads. However, further development could reduce the weight of the motors to the point that the increased unsprung weight would be less of a disadvantage than the advantages of mechanical simplicity.
Posted by: Frank Eggers
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02-Sep-2006
31872
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Info directly from the British Firm (PML) is here
Posted by: Joe Silva
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02-Sep-2006
31874
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If this went into production, then maybe i wouldnt have to wait for tesla to start exporting to europe. Looks like great inovation, who cares about invalidated warranties when you have such an improvment on the origional car.
Posted by: colin thomas
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03-Sep-2006
31944
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WOW! Mass produce this sucker and watch the price come down. Please don't show this article to Exxon. This innovatoin alone will bring the price of gasoline down another ten cents.
Posted by: William Thompson
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04-Sep-2006
31998
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Produce it and we will buy it. If only Toyota would catch up so they could start making the scions as hybrids.
Posted by: jim stACk
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04-Sep-2006
32019
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No one needs 640 HP in a vehicle this size. Think what they could do with 160 HP as far as economy and resonable performance is concerned. They are going in the right direction though, they just need to act like they are a little more in touch with reality.
Posted by: John Gilkison
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05-Sep-2006
32054
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of course no one needs 640HP but this is an eye catching technology demonstrator to show that they mean business.
They've got it spot on - develop a prototype that has blistering performance (both in terms of speed and range) to catch the headlines and then follow it up with something more practical.
'we felt it time to demonstrate what really can be achieved today using the best technology available...The MINI was chosen as the platform because of its broad appeal and iconic styling...if we can successfully convert this vehicle then most others should be easy in comparison' (http://www.pmlflightlink.com/pdfs/mini_qed1.pdf)
Range extender hybrids are shaping up very nicely indeed. For a short term solution these are looking very promising
Congratulations PML!
Posted by: Scatter Brain
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05-Sep-2006
32073
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Four in-wheel motors? Awsome, where can I buy the car? I would be happy with only two in-wheel motors. (http://www.pmlflightlink.com/ the makers of the motors)They saved a lot of space not having an industrial size electric motor, and most likely could have not done the project with one.
I have pretty much gave up on American engineered cars, nothing that I want is available.
Posted by: Mr. Bruce Arkwright, Jr.
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24-Sep-2006
33654
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Don't forget there's no brakes and no axle, so a little less unsprung weight than one might immediately think. I just hope it becomes affordable soon.
Posted by: Mr E
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06-Sep-2006
32159
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>"* No (mechanical) brakes means returned energy!"
Eh, doesn't that design have problems at low speeds? I know Prius and all other EV's I've read about can't get full break lock threshold without engaging traditional breaks.
>"you can take advantage of lower cost mains electricity and plug in to recharge."
PHEV - Cool!
From www.PMLflightlink.com:
>"Motors: 4 x 750Nm 1800rpm high efficiency Brushless permanent magnet sine wave Hi-Pa drive™ 24 phase water-cooled"
Not sure what moter model they are using. Possibly their EW 30/60 with doubled RPM.
I see PML is a components maker or distributor in UK (not an automotive company).
Can anyone find parts costs for PML's components?
Posted by: Zephan Schroeder
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