Series Plugin Hybrid : Nissan Gripz Concept Crossover IAA Frankfurt 2015

[evnow]

One more show car or a hint of PHEVs to come from Nissan ? Given their experience series hybrid would make the best sense for Nissan rather than develop parallel hybrids like others.

https://3d-car-shows.com/nissan-gripz-concept-crossover-iaa-frankfurt-2015/

The Nissan Gripz Concept is equipped with an EV technology based Series hybrid system ‘Pure Drive e-Power’. An efficient petrol engine is used to power the electric motor found in the Nissan LEAF.

The powertrain combines Nissan’s various control technologies from its years of experience developing EVs. This configuration delivers smooth, swift and linear acceleration in near-silence, with supreme efficiency. As a result, the Nissan Gripz Concept offers a smooth, refined and exhilarating driving experience with outstanding fuel efficiency.

Apparently it will actually go to production - replacing 370z.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-shows/frankfurt-auto-show/news/a26700/the-nissan-gripz-concept-will-be-the-cuv-that-killed-the-z-car/

The buzz of late is that the Gripz has already been greenlighted for production, so this is all a dog-and-pony show anyhow. Nissan also insists the Gripz won't directly replace the Juke or the Qashqui, so its position in the lineup remains a bit unclear. The bottom line is that the fastback sports coupe you hold in your mind as an archetype of the sports car genre has been surplanted by the crossover. This is the future—for now, at least.

 

[LKK]

There are pros and cons with a series hybrid. The biggest advantage I see is the propulsion is always all electric, which is far superior to the overflow from your typical (Prius) parallel hybrid. The ICE is also decoupled from the real-time overflow demands, so a smaller ICE designed to meet the average power demand could be used. The design of a series hybrid could also be simpler since all the ICE has to do is power the generator. The ICE efficiency could be maximized by designing it to only running it in regimes where it's specific fuel consumption is the lowest.

The biggest negative is the conversion losses incurred when converting mechanical power to electricity than converting that electricity back to mechanical torque to turn the wheels. GM say the Volt will go from a series hybrid in the first gen, to a parallel hybrid in the second generation. In doing so the power train will be 12% more efficient.

 

[evnow]

It depends on the battery size. If it is like 30 kWh - the pure efficiency of ICE doesn't matter much.