Nissan to abandon Toyota HSD - LiIon plug-in hybrid by 2010 instead

I don't know if "abandon" is the correct word, it makes it sound defective somehow. I would hope that in 4 more years the technology has evolved significantly, and no one is using the EXACT HSD system we have today. B)

 

I'm not sure, reading the post I still wonder if Nissan ain't pulling out of the hybrid race. Selling an Altima using Prius technology seem like a loosing proposition. Anyone that finds out will buy a Prius instead. It's a more efficient car (and I doubt they can undercut the Prius by much through a license).
I've yet to see any proof that they are serious.
I think they and GM are simply doing lip service to the green movement. They say "sure we'll have a green cars in a few years. We might even have an almost working prototype in a coupld of years" while hoping the issue will go away.

So I guess I'm in the "I believe it when I see it" crowd. And until then I will keep maintianing my Prius longing for the day I want ANY other mass produced car on the market

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Sep 25 2006, 03:12 PM) [snapback]324798[/snapback]</div>

I think Edmunds said it best when they said (and I'm paraphrasing) GM's hybrid program is like an exocet missile. It's on the horizon and coming fast, and it's going to blindside everybody. From what I've read and what GM has said, this is how it's shaping up:

Vue (mild) - On Sale now
Aura (mild) - 1Q 07
Malibu (mild) -1Q 07

Vue (full AND mild) - Summer 07
Tahoe (full)- Summer 07
Escalade(full) - Fall/Winter 07
Equinox (mild) - Summer 07

Saab 93 (full) - Winter 07?

I'm really excited about the redesigned Vue (next year) being offered in Full and Mild. That's really going to be interesting to see which consumers choose...

 

A full hybrid (what ever that means) version of a Saab 93 would get my attention. Saab's used to be know for small engines with turbo's that got terrific gas milage. that was before GM bought them and killed the brand with rebadged gas guzzler (A v6 in a Saab? come on).

Hybrid's seem like they could work for both Saab and Volvo and it would be fun to see a none performance hybrid in a (somewhat) upscale badge

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Sep 28 2006, 09:17 AM) [snapback]325009[/snapback]</div>

If you don't know, you could be easily mislead. Some people already have been, believing all hybrids operate the same way when that most definitely is not true.

A "full" hybrid is a design that delivers the ability to utilize electricity in wide variety of ways, most notably being able to create & consume at the same time. The reason is simple, having more than one motor. That ability contributes to another, being able to drive using only electricity. Persistent recharging along with a power-split-device are the key elements.

Hybrids with one motor provide assistance only. They provide just passive recharging and have no way for the motor operate independently from the engine.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Sep 28 2006, 10:17 AM) [snapback]325009[/snapback]</div>

Well, the Full Hybrid Saab(pay no attention to the 1071aFUD machine) is based on the two mode system that is going to be used in the SUVs.

It seems that it's also going to be popping up in some BMWs and MBs (as they're part of the consortium designing the system).

But a Saab 4 Cylinder turbo + hybrid would be... pretty freakin sweet.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 28 2006, 05:19 PM) [snapback]325326[/snapback]</div>

Is this how GM is going to ruin the "Hybrid" name like they did with diesel not too far back?

 

Okay, jonnycat, I am officially labeling you a GM fanboi. 1701 delivers facts and you call it FUD. Do you even own a Prius?

I have driven just about every hybrid on the road and the only ones that are truly impressive are from Toyota, and for the reasons 1701 has described.

Nate

 

longtime saab enthusiasts know that the day GM bought into saab was the beginning of the end for one of the scrappiest and most innovative car companies around. a short list of notable advances include:

1) aerodynamic testing - saab, being an aircraft company before moving into cars understood the value of reducing drag to improve efficiency. the 1950 saab 92 had a Cd of .30 - better than a ferrari f40

2) crash testing - early models were driven off the 2 story roof of the saab factory to check for crashworthiness. they were also early adopters of safety glass and safety belts. saab also did independent crash testing of its automobiles and later european versions would even have a "black box" to record crash data for study

3) technology firsts:
1971 first car with standard heated seats
1972 first car with headlamp washers & wipers & side-impact protection bars
1978 first car with pasenger compartment air filter
1983 asbestos free brake pads
1986 the saab 9000 was the first front wheel drive car with ABS
1991 CFC free A/C

on the whole saabs were safe, comfortable, efficient and reliable. to see rebadged subarus and chevys with the saab badge stuck on is a real affront to everything the company once stood for.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(konakahuna @ Oct 4 2006, 08:13 PM) [snapback]328187[/snapback]</div>

Let's not go nuts... Saab was never above some rebadging on their own. The 9000 was a shared platform with Alfa Romeo and Fiat (much like the 93 and 95 are today), and their I4 was Ford derived.

And I have to hand it to GM... if they build the Saab AeroX, people will buy. That thing is possibly hotter than the Solstice and Sky combined.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 26 2006, 06:01 AM) [snapback]324901[/snapback]</div>

The HSD and the THS-II are same meaning.
The Altima comes with the HSD 650V boost convertor same as Camry Hybrid.

Ken@Japan