The word Hybrid in the context of the automobile refers to the vehicle that is powered by both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine and a hybrid battery.  The two systems work directly with each other to drive the wheels. Hybrid cars can switch between the petrol engine and electric motor, or combine both power sources depending on the driving scenario. Better fuel economy is the primary motivation behind hybridization. 

Certain driving conditions favor the use of only the electric motor (depending on the state of charge of battery) such as driving below a specific speed or sitting at idle, the engine remains off and thus burns zero gasoline. When the battery level gets to a certain depletion level or if heavy control loads are required, the gasoline motor automatically kicks in to assist both in recharging the battery and pushing the drive wheels. When the engine isn’t needed, say if you’re idling at the lights, it shuts off altogether. This makes hybrids incredibly fuel-efficient as they tend to only use the engine for accelerating, climbing hills, or when extra power is required. In terms of performance, driving a hybrid is much like driving a regular car. Hybrids automatically charge their own hybrid battery so you don’t need to use an external charging point or worry about the distance you can drive.

How do they work?

Hybrid cars use a combination of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and a battery-electric drive motor. The engine and the motor can work separately or together to power the wheels. Here are 5 different driving scenarios so you can see how hybrid cars work:

• When pulling away from a stop: The electric motor gets the car moving initially, and draws on the hybrid battery for power.
• During normal cruising: Both the electric motor and petrol engine can run together or independently when cruising at higher speeds.
• During heavy acceleration: The petrol engine provides power during heavy acceleration and higher speeds.
• During braking and deceleration: When the brakes are applied or you ease pressure on the accelerator, power is stopped being fed to the wheels.
• When coming to a complete stop: Both the petrol engine and the electric motor turn off once the vehicle comes to a complete stop. Battery power is used to keep vehicle systems running, e.g. lights, radio, air conditioning, etc.

On the surface level, it might seem like all the hybrid cars are the same in mechanism but there are variations in the designs and layouts of certain hybrids. There are different types of hybrid vehicles out there, though we’re focusing mainly on common consumer and commercial vehicle applications.

Type of Hybrid Vehicles

Parallel Hybrid

In this most common design, the electric motor and gasoline engine are connected in a common transmission that blends the two power sources. That transmission can be an automatic, a manual, or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). One very popular hybrid transmission is a power-split CVT, which is used by the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Volt. Transmission type and the size of the gasoline engine are the main factors that determine how a parallel hybrid will accelerate, sound, and feel. Brands that use the parallel design include Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Honda, Lincoln, Nissan, and Infiniti.

Series Hybrid

In this design, the electric motor provides all the thrust, and there is never a physical-mechanical connection between the engine and the wheels. The gasoline engine is just there to recharge the battery. This results in a driving experience that's more indicative of an electric car, with smoother, powerful acceleration. There's typically less vibration when the gasoline engine engages. However, that engagement doesn't always happen in concert with what your right foot is doing (remember, the battery is making the demands), so the engine might be revving up while the car is cruising at a steady speed. Some find this behavior disconcerting. The BMW i3 with the range extender is an example of a series hybrid.

Plug-In Hybrid

A plug-in hybrid enhances the conventional hybrid concept with a much larger battery pack that, like an electric car's, must be fully recharged using an external electricity source—from your home, office, or public charging station. This greater amount of energy storage is like a larger gas tank: It allows for extended all-electric driving (between 15 and 55 kilometers depending on the model) and can significantly reduce fuel consumption. In fact, if you have a short commute and recharge nightly, you'll be running on electricity most of the time. Should you deplete the all-electric range, the car basically reverts to being a conventional parallel hybrid. The Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid is an example of the plug-in breed.

Mild Hybrid

All of the above are considered "full hybrids," which means that the electric motor is capable of moving the car by itself, even if it's for a short distance. In a "mild" hybrid, it cannot. The mild-hybrid, the term was coined to describe one of the industry’s latest innovations, the 48-volt electrical system. It’s an additional electric supply that supplements the already standard 12-volt electrical supply used on vehicles.  Just as in a full hybrid, a mild hybrid's electric motor is there to assist the gasoline engine to improve fuel economy, increase performance, or both. It also serves as the starter for the automatic start-stop system, which shuts down the engine when the car comes to rest in order to save fuel.

In the end, we can say it’s an exciting time to buy a hybrid car. As more cities invest in charging stations, there are more opportunities than ever before to rely on electricity and save money on gas. It’s important to assess how you will drive the vehicle before choosing a hybrid car. Figuring out an average mileage and typical trip distance can help you determine what kind of hybrid system makes the most sense for you. You should also research charging options and ask yourself how often you will be able to recharge your hybrid vehicle. Hybrid cars are well suited for stop-start city driving and reducing CO2 emissions since they generally run on electric power at low speeds.

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This NADA, Suzuki launched four cars and they are, Ciaz, Ertiga, S-Cross, and XL6. All these four cars are a smart hybrid.

S Cross

With the 1248 cc engine gives the power of 89 Ps @ 4000 rpm and maximum torque of 200/1750 rpm. There are four cylinders and valves. The starting price of the car is 45,99,000 NRS.

 

Ciaz

With the 1462 cc engine gives the 104 Ps @ 6000 RPM power and 138 Nm @ 4400 rpm, the car has 4 cylinders and valves. The car provides a mileage of 21.56 KMPL. The starting price of the car is 39,59,000 NRS.

 

Ertiga

With the 1462cc engine, this seven-seater SUV provides the maximum power of 104 Ps @ 6000 rpm, the car has 4 cylinders and valves. The SUV provides a mileage of 19.01 KMPL. The starting price of the SUV is 42,29,000 NRS.

 

Smart Hybrid is a cutting edge innovation that enables increased fuel efficiency and upgrades driving performance. The engine consequently stops when inert and quietly begins when the ideal conditions are met in manual and automatic transmissions. It accompanies a dual battery arrangement including a Lithium-Ion Battery.

“What is the significance of hybrid cars in a world hyped with electric cars?” When our team imposed this question, Karun Shakya, the Head of Marketing of CG Moto Corps stated that even though electric cars have arrived in the market, there are still infrastructures that need to be developed such as charging stations. The environment is deteriorating day by day and such delays will hamper it more. We have to come up with something new and waiting for the services of EVs is not the ultimate solution. Meanwhile, smart hybrids are filling the gap.

The perks of having a smart hybrid are economy and low premium on maintenance. All the four smart hybrid models that are premium in nature, loaded with features and has economical pricing.

Since NADA is the gateway to Dashain and the festivals following it, the brand is providing 2 lakhs of maximum discount. Also, 1 lakh additional discount through scratch cards. The customers willing to exchange in this season will get a bonus of 1 lakh NRS.

 

 

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A report in AFP states that car manufacturers Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors announced Wednesday that they are now targeting profitability as a priority and ending the race for volumes, breaking with the strategy of the ousted former boss Carlos Ghosn.

"The alliance is the keystone of our resilience (...). Today, (it) is refocusing on efficiency and competitiveness rather than volumes," said the president of the Franco-Japanese partnership. , Jean-Dominique Senard, at a press conference.

Since the arrest of Mr. Ghosn in Japan in November 2018 for alleged embezzlement, this unique alliance in the automotive industry has experienced a descent into hell, after having reached the first world place in car sales by selling more than 10.6 million units.

These record volumes, which were the pride of Mr. Ghosn now a refugee in Lebanon, will not have been of much help for the three partners in crisis. Their profitability had sunk even before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"In recent years we have focused too much on the expansion strategy that has caused a massive increase in fixed costs," said Osamu Masuko, boss of Mitsubishi Motors, referring to the overcapacity of the factories of the alliance.

The new strategy presented on Wednesday plans to jointly develop and produce "almost 50%" of the three manufacturers' models by 2025. It strengthens the ties of partners bound to come together to get out of the crisis.

This pooling "should make it possible to reduce costs and investment expenditure by model up to 40% for vehicles designed under this new scheme".

These announcements come at a time when Nissan and Renault are due to unveil severe savings plans on Thursday and Friday, respectively, including site closings and job cuts.

They were very well received on the Paris Stock Exchange, where the Renault share soared 15% around 12 noon.

The plan evokes a "leader-follower" scheme, with a referent company by model, by geographical area and by technology, the two other partners benefiting from the know-how and industrial capacities of the leader.

The objective is to strengthen "standardization (...), from the platform to the complete vehicle". The production of jointly designed vehicles will be grouped together in a single plant "when (it) is deemed relevant".

For example, the renewal of mid-size SUVs (urban 4x4s) (Renault Kadjar, Nissan Qashqai) will be led by Nissan, and that of small SUVs (Renault Captur, Nissan Juke) by Renault.

Regarding the geographic distribution, Nissan will become the benchmark in China, North America and Japan. Renault will be for Europe, Russia, South America and North Africa. Mitsubishi Motors will be the leader for the countries of Southeast Asia and Oceania.

In terms of technology, Nissan will take orders for autonomous driving and for the engines of future electric models developed on dedicated platforms.

Renault will be responsible for connectivity technologies (except in China where it will be Nissan) and for the electrical-electronic architecture of vehicles. The diamond group will also be responsible for the powertrains of electric vehicles derived from thermal platforms.

Finally, Mitsubishi will be the benchmark in plug-in hybrid technologies (gasoline-electric) for medium and large vehicles.

The French newspaper Le Figaro claims that Renault plans to cut more than 10% of its French workforce by 2024. Nissan could cut 15% of its jobs worldwide by 2023.

Renault unveiled its first losses in ten years at the start of the year and was forced to apply for a state-guaranteed loan of 5 billion euros. Nissan will announce Thursday expected results also in red. Mitsubishi is to announce an economic plan in late July or early August.

The renewal of leaders at Renault and Nissan, driven by Mr. Senard, seems in any case to have turned the page on a year of crisis between French and Japanese in the wake of the Ghosn affair.

But the partnership, which is based on cross-shareholdings (Renault owns 43% of Nissan, which itself owns 15% of the diamond group and 34% of Mistubishi), is not intended to be transformed into an integrated group like Volkswagen or Toyota. "We have no plans for a merger (...) or need for a merger to be effective," said Senard.

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Force Motor’s lineup at the Auto Expo 2020 got us our first look at the new Gurkha. Since then, it has stayed out of the spotlight, until now. The next-gen Force Gurkha is likely to hit the market as soon as October during the festive season.

Set for a July launch earlier, plans to launch the off-roader were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now with things settling down and the world adjusting to a new normal, Force Motors will execute those plans despite the delay. 

Gurkha exterior

New Gurkha gets some cosmetic changes, which include new optional LED headlights, redesigned front grille and updated bumper upfront as well as the rear. The Force Gurkha’s boxy body stands on 245/70 R16-inch alloy wheels. That’s smaller than rival Thar’s massive 255/65 R18. 

Gurkha specifications

Gurkha will be powered by a 2.6-litre diesel engine that puts out 90PS. The 4-seater’s engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission with a low-range transfer case. It offers an independent suspension setup upfront with a rigid-axle rear arrangement.

Gurkha expected price

It is expected to be priced from INR 9.5 lakh to INR 13.3 lakh and expected to launch by Tihar. One of its rivals will be the upcoming 2020 Mahindra Thar which is set for an October 2 launch.

 

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