Filed under: Biodiesel, Diesel, Hybrid
2003's diesel-electric hybrid of the year: the L3 Enigma
I wrote a post back in July about the smart fortwo EV's drivetrain. In a comment to that post this week, AutoblogGreen reader Frank Falcone mentioned an early diesel-hybrid, L3 Research's Enigma prototype. With an electric motor by AC Propulsion and a 1998 1.2 liter TDi Volkswagen ICE, the Enigma could use diesel (or biodiesel, naturally) and electricity to achieve 80 mpg (European rating). According to L3 Research, the Enigma's parallel hybrid system had an all-electric range of 20 miles.
The L3 Research website has not been updated in three years, so the claims that they are "merging the future with today" is not as accurate as it once was. Perhaps Frank can clue us in where the people involved with the project are today. And where's that prototype?
[Source: L3 Research, thanks to reader Frank Falcone]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TDIMeister 3:44AM (12/22/2006)
I am somewhat confused as the 1.2L TDI destined for the 3L Lupo did not appear in 1998 but rather later.
And it should secondly be pointed out that that engine in its original application already achieved 3L/100km (78 US MPG) combined without all the hybrid hardware, although it is noted that car did not have the racy styling and sub-7-second 0-60 acceleration time...
Reply
Gilbert 5:05AM (12/23/2006)
This vehicle was built by San Diego State University students and is currently still housed in the mechanical engineering department at SDSU. Dr. James Burns is the person in charge of the development of this vehicle.
Reply
Friend 11:40PM (7/06/2008)
I know Dr. Burns personally, and know that he is working on the L3Enigma at this very moment. Narrow minds with a tight grip on the red tape have kept the car out of the public eye for too long. Hopefully that will change in the near future.