A round-up of the week's motoring news in brief
Scrappage ups European sales
INCREASED DEMAND in several European markets on the back of scrappage schemes means Mazda is to cancel a plan to idle its main plant for two days in June.
Ferrari's 4x4 hybrid patent application
AUTOCARIS reporting that Ferrari has made a patent application for a four-wheel- drive hybrid system that could be fitted to both front- and rear-engined models. Such a system would bring another significant milestone for Ferrari – a drivetrain that would supply power to all four wheels.
Ferrari has outlined six different configurations in its patent, all of which see the electric motors driving the front wheels independently of the engine, which drives the rear wheels exclusively.
The patent application says the hybrid system is designed to improve handling rather than reduce consumption. “The aim of the present invention is to provide a four-wheel-drive vehicle with hybrid propulsion.”
Ferrari says this kind of “part-time” 4x4 system is not only less complex, but lighter and less troubled by frictional losses.
It also means all-out performance is not blunted because the engine does not have to drive all four wheels all the time.
According to the application: “The four-wheel-drive that can be engaged enables the driver of to decide. . . the driver can use the rear drive in optimal conditions. . . and the four-wheel-drive in poor conditions of adherence.”
China's BYD signs EV deal with VW
BYD, THE Chinese car maker backed by billionaire Warren Buffett, has signed an electric vehicle pact with Volkswagen (VW).
VW and BYD will explore cooperation in areas including hybrid cars and lithium-battery powered electric vehicles, according to the German automaker.
BYD, maker of the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car, said previously that it expects to supply batteries to two European automakers and one in the US. China’s carmakers have invested in developing alternative energy vehicles as part of a government-led push to curb oil imports and create a globally competitive auto industry.
The government has also pledged subsidies to public agencies and transport companies to spur sales of alternative-energy vehicles.
“Particularly for the Chinese market, potential partners such as BYD could support us in quickly expanding our activities,” Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the board for Technical Development at Volkswagen. Volkswagen is the largest overseas carmaker in China.
Buffett’s investment firm agreed to buy 9.9 per cent of BYD in September last.
First look at next generation Touareg
THIS IS the closest we have come to spotting the next generation VW Touareg, due for launch late next year.
The car has been given a serious weight reduction of some 300kg, with the aim of improving fuel economy.
It will be sportier and less utilitarian. Significant changes will appear in the front fascia, grille, rear fascia, headlights and tail lights. A moderate update to the interior is likely as well.
The SUV will continue to share a chassis with the next generation Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. Powertrains should include updated versions of the 3.6-litre V6 and 4.2-litre V8 petrol engines, along with a couple of turbodiesels. VW has also hinted at a hybrid, which should sport a 3-litre V6 along with an electric motor between the transmission and the V6.