Tuesday 12th December 2006

Westfield plots hybrid kit car

Hybrid tech to get governmental approval

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MX-5-based Westfield SEi

Westfield is shaping up to build a hybrid version of its Lotus 7-style kit cars.

Malcolm Fendick, head of clean fuels and technology at the Department for Transport is to announce the start of a new sports car technology partnership between Westfield Sportscars and the University of Warwick's manufacturing group, with the aim of exploring the potential for hybrid versions of Westfield cars. It kicks off at a special conference on hybrid vehicle technology at the university tomorrow.

Westfield boss Julian Turner said: "It's an exciting time for the business, and we are firmly committed to the development and introduction of performance enhancing technology, both in terms of the vehicle dynamics and the environment. The University of Warwick is the ideal partner with which to explore the commercial viability of hybrid technology."

Adrian Vinsome, project manager of the hybrid work at the University of Warwick said: "With Westfield we will be looking at both improvements in performance and environmental impact. Our in-house developed tools allow us to rapidly assess a wide range of scenarios to establish the best compromises, and understand the business case that these options present to the company."

The announcement will be made as part of a two-day conference and exhibition on hybrid vehicles at the university on 12-13 December. It will bring together leaders in the field of hybrid vehicles including experts from industry, academia and government. The conference is looking at hybrid development from all perspectives -- technical, commercial and political -- with the aim of removing barriers, increasing activity in the field and stimulating the region’s economy. It'll be addressed by the Minister for Transport Stephen Ladyman and Chairman of Advantage West Midlands Nick Paul. A range of hybrid vehicles will be on display.

Conference chair and Warwick researcher Adrian Vinsome said: “Some people consider that hybrids are a 'bridge technology' until something better comes along. However, all evidence points to the fact that it'll be some years until any technology is mature enough to totally replace the internal combustion engine, and hybrid technology will still be vital”. He echoed Toyota USA boss Jim Press, who said: “I think everything will be a hybrid, eventually.  It will either be a petrol hybrid, a diesel hybrid or a fuel-cell hybrid.”

[ninjaboy]

feck an hybrid westy, hydrogen powererd would be good

[markelvin]

What is the problem with hybris, as long as it's done well.

[Davi]

agree, can't see a reason for the thumbs down at all. If it's done right - e.g. ends up a high performance sports car and not a milk float with an impractical body - how can it be bad? It'll stick one right up greenies and lentlists, it'll piss of Brown with the lack of revenue created by it (worth it on that front alone) and it might even introduce some of them to the joys of fast cars.

Edited by Davi on Tuesday 12th December 11:50

[kevin ritson]

Well done to Westfield for tackling the problem head-on. Lightweight cars are already fuel-efficient but good for them for not resting on their laurels. This is good publicity for them and, taken seriously enough, will help secure the future of the sports car. At least a hybrid could still sound good on track (provided they don't choose diesel )

Edited by kevin ritson on Tuesday 12th December 12:01

[alfanatic]

I'm just wondering where they will find the room for the battery pack..

[markelvin]

The pack in my insight would EASILY fit in the boot of a Westie.

[fury1630]

They might gain more fuel efficiency if they used some slightly less radical technology - aerodynamics.

Add in the full life cycle pollution - including manufacture & disposal of the battery pack & I struggle to see a hybrid's advantage - but still, thumbs up to Westfield, they might come up with a drive I can use in my Fury.

I still think electric drive with a small battery pack & a small gas turbine to re-charge it would be best. But I'm willing to be proved wrong.

[markelvin]

Regenerative breaking should be amble to charge it, no need for secondary systems, that defeats the object.

[havoc]

If they've any sense they'll take the opportunity to clothe it in a larger, slightly more practical body - no-one will choose it for a track-weapon as it'll be 100kg heavier than everything else, so why not make it into a slightly more practical car?

[ploz]

This all seems to make sense with the Chairman of Potenza (new owners) also being a visiting profrssor at Warwick. If only all investors would leverage their connections like that for the good of the company.

[VladD]

So 5% of Westfield clients will buy/build a hybrid. I can already hear the planet healing itself due to the massive C02 reduction this will cause. Pointless PR exercise anyone?

[Lord-Flasheart]

I'm guessing the idea is to minimize the amount of carbon emissions emitted by people having fun out on the roads?

Remember watching a tv program about a battery powered car in Monaco, the battery's produce instant torque so acceleration is insane.

Edited by Lord-Flasheart on Tuesday 12th December 12:48

[markelvin]

Lord-Flasheart said:

I'm guessing the idea is to minimize the amount of carbon emissions emitted by people having fun out on the roads?

Remember watching a tv program about a battery powered car in Monaco, the battery's produce instant torque so acceleration is insane.

Edited by Lord-Flasheart on Tuesday 12th December 12:48

Would that be the Fetish?

[Chris71]

Westfield already have half the problem sorted - litterally.

They weigh half what a modern fiesta does. They'd only need to sort out the aerodynamics and engine for engine, you'd have not only a much quicker car, but a far more fuel efficient one too.

Quite why you'd develope a hybrid system for a car that has the drag properties of a large housebrick is a bit confusing though. I'm sure sticking a fury-esq all enveloping body on would be a good start for an eco version!

[Lord-Flasheart]

markelvin said:

Lord-Flasheart said:

I'm guessing the idea is to minimize the amount of carbon emissions emitted by people having fun out on the roads?

Remember watching a tv program about a battery powered car in Monaco, the battery's produce instant torque so acceleration is insane.

Edited by Lord-Flasheart on Tuesday 12th December 12:48

Would that be the Fetish?

Yea thats the one, cost like £300,000 I think though

[Kiwi XTR2]

Chris71 said:

. . . Quite why you'd develope a hybrid system for a car that has the drag properties of a large housebrick is a bit confusing though. I'm sure sticking a fury-esq all enveloping body on would be a good start for an eco version!

A XTR2 would have more room, packaging options and better aerodynamics . . .





Excuse me while I take myself out back and thrash myself to within an inch of my life for suggesting such heresy

Edited by Kiwi XTR2 on Tuesday 12th December 13:35

[markelvin]

Lord-Flasheart said:

markelvin said:

Lord-Flasheart said:

I'm guessing the idea is to minimize the amount of carbon emissions emitted by people having fun out on the roads?

Remember watching a tv program about a battery powered car in Monaco, the battery's produce instant torque so acceleration is insane.

Edited by Lord-Flasheart on Tuesday 12th December 12:48

Would that be the Fetish?

Yea thats the one, cost like £300,000 I think though

£150,000 from Venturi, they had one at Goodwood last year, bloody quick.

[Drgp]

£150K for an electric 'elise'. Mmm. could buy a normal one and a lot of petrol and track time.

[sook]

A Dutch company called Haselier Racing has just electrified a MK Indy. Result is 0-60 in about 3 seconds, and a top speed comparable to other sevens and all in eerie silence. Range is only 20 miles at the moment though, but there should be some longer lasting batteries appearing soon. There's an article on it in Total Kit Car this month if anyone fancies a look.

[fuoriserie]

It's good to hear that someone is looking ahead at new technology, and if I'm not mistaken Morgan is working on something , I'm not sure if fuel cell,...... but Hybrid technology is comming.

I guess it all depends on price and availability, but also think that the kit industry being a niche, could start first by, working with alternative fuels and the existing technology, bioethanol, methanol and a few other fuels.

Using modern and available engines, modified to accept these fuels, would get us on these new cars, faster than hybrids....

Just like the earlier post, I agree with the fact, that very a small gas turbine that recharges batteries for an all electric car, could have a potential future.

I like the concept..

Edited by fuoriserie on Tuesday 12th December 14:05