General Motors developing second-generation mild hybrid system
Click the Corsa Hybrid for a high res gallery
General Motors announced plans a few days ago to show off a concept version of an Opel Corsa hybrid at the Frankfurt Motor Show. We now know a bit more about will be shown, or at least advertised as being on the car. The belt-alternator system was developed by GM as a low-cost way of bringing hybrid technology to the masses at a significantly lower cost than the strong hybrids produced by Toyota and Ford.
The second generation BAS system will evolve to provide significantly more power assist and recapture a lot more kinetic energy. To that end, the current nickel metal hydride battery will be supplanted by a lithium ion battery to provide significantly more energy capacity in an even smaller package. The alternator-starter will be able to provide more power which will allow the use of a smaller, more efficient engine while maintaining performance. The smaller battery will also allow the system to be packaged in far more vehicles where it can be offered as an option. GM isn't saying when the next-gen system will hit the streets because it depends on those lithium batteries. Most likely we'll probably see it hot on the heels of the Volt.
Gallery: Opel Corsa Hybrid Concept
[Source: General Motors]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
why not the LS2LS7? 12:49PM (8/26/2007)
It pretty much has to come sooner than the Volt.
GM's current hybrid system is only qualified to tier 2, bin 5 (LEV II) standards. It's actually dirtier on trace emissions than the 6-cylinder alternative in the Aura.
I have to imagine that GM won't leave their hybrid solution in this predicament until 2010, if anything because it hurts their fleet average, which matters under CARB regulations.
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dean 7:55AM (8/28/2007)
This is needed, b/c from what I hear, the current BAS system hardly works as they claimed. But at least they are still trying to improve it.
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MikeW 6:20PM (8/28/2007)
If only GM could use the new 6 speed automatic with the BAS hybrid-lite system.
The 4 speed auto stinks, and not just because it is very tall geared.
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dean 8:24PM (9/03/2007)
Mike W- tall gearing generally helps fuel-efficiency (unless you mash the pedal all the time). However, a 6 spd. auto is even better. But good luck finding that in a compact anytime soon. GM is still trying to supply their mid-size sedans with them (only on the 6 cyl. on the Malibu, hopefully on the 4 cyl. soon).
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