Hybrid Spyder on the way? MUST READ!! Really Cool!

[bone crusher]

This is a must read....love the color of the bike too!!

http://www.gizmag.com/plug-in-hybrid...e-wheel/17446/

[Sopher]

I appluad them. Especially if they can figure out way to move 1100 pounds with an electric motor.

Maybe more plastic parts?

Maybe they can supersize the R/C Spyder sold at Wal-Mart.

[IWN2RYD]

Pretty cool. You will find it originally posted here... http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=24703

[tatt2r]

this one has video ...my french isn't all that good ...
http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/03...deo/#continued

[bone crusher]

Notice that it is a Hybrid not electric. All they need is a smaller engine with a bigger charging source and very efficient lightweight batteries. The weight shouldn't be a problem. You've already got full size SUV Hybrids and full electric cars that weight a lot more.

Yeah, but those batteries in the cars/SUVs weigh over 500 pounds? Also, the traction battery works almost like a supercharger...faster acceleration...very cool but still not perfected...a battery with enough power for us not to lose that great 0-60 time is certainly not perfected yet...yet...

I had a Lexus hybrid SUV....was 1.0 seconds faster to 60 than the internal combustion only (RX350)...pretty darn quick!

[Firefly]

I appluad them. Especially if they can figure out way to move 1100 pounds with an electric motor.

Maybe more plastic parts?

Maybe they can supersize the R/C Spyder sold at Wal-Mart.

Where do you come up with 1,100 pounds?

[bone crusher]

Where do you come up with 1,100 pounds?

Fire,

The 'traction' battery in a hybrid is VERY heavy...they're also not environmentally friendly when they have to be disposed of...

They will add to the weight significantly, unless the technology gets better and fast!

[Campverdefela]

this one has video ...my french isn't all that good ...
http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/03...deo/#continued

I don't speak French either but sort of got the gist of it. Pretty video but could have shown us a little more mechanics. Loved the high tech wind tunnel

[XLT]

This is a must read....love the color of the bike too!!

http://www.gizmag.com/plug-in-hybrid...e-wheel/17446/

Thanks very interesting.

[NewRider]

Interesting...but I have this funny feeling that somebody in Japan, such as Honda...may hit the market first.

[Firefly]

Fire,

The 'traction' battery in a hybrid is VERY heavy...they're also not environmentally friendly when they have to be disposed of...

They will add to the weight significantly, unless the technology gets better and fast!

But if done right it can have a much smaller gas engine.

[SilverSurfer]

Just looking at the video posted by tatt2r, I'd simply luv to get ahold of the front wheels, tires and fenders of the thing! A reasonably wider wheel/tire, with aero-efficient fenders that don't pocket the airflow and lessen drag. Wonder how those'd work on my RT-S?

On the other hand, I can't imagine what one of those would cost, especially an RT version, when I dumped out $30K (after tax and options) for my PE 0391. It wouldn't be worth it if the range is like most electric cars (about 160 miles on the most efficient). Guess we'll have to wait'n see on proposed specs. I really just hope that I can economically run my current RT-S to the end of its service life before the world runs out of oil.

~ Surfer

[mdr]

Just looking at the video posted by tatt2r, I'd simply luv to get ahold of the front wheels, tires and fenders of the thing! A reasonably wider wheel/tire, with aero-efficient fenders that don't pocket the airflow and lessen drag. Wonder how those'd work on my RT-S?

On the other hand, I can't imagine what one of those would cost, especially an RT version, when I dumped out $30K (after tax and options) for my PE 0391. It wouldn't be worth it if the range is like most electric cars (about 160 miles on the most efficient). Guess we'll have to wait'n see on proposed specs. I really just hope that I can economically run my current RT-S to the end of its service life before the world runs out of oil.

~ Surfer

From the article:

The team also aims to give the vehicle a total range of 600 km (375 miles) and a range of 30 km (20 miles) in electric mode.

[chillirider]

Tell you what I've had a Ford Fusion Hybrid for a year now and love it! 40 mile to the gallon for a midsize sedan. I applaud BRP for taking on this challenge!

[effgjamis]

375 miles on gas and 30 max on electric..
Gosh... I would like to see 200 miles on mine.as it is. That would save 50 percent of my fuel consumption.

[GloryRyders]

This sounds coolIt sure would cut down on the gas stops and with gas goin to maybe $5.00 a gsal (if you can believe the news) it would really save some money I just wonder how fast they would want to get back the $11 million investment. They will probably be pretty expensive

[LittleJohn]

This sounds coolIt sure would cut down on the gas stops and with gas goin to maybe $5.00 a gsal (if you can believe the news) it would really save some money I just wonder how fast they would want to get back the $11 million investment. They will probably be pretty expensive

Dont fall too far into the trap that hybrids are less expensive to operate. True, gas cost is lower, but you have to factor in electric to charge it if it needs supplemental charging, battery costs at replacement, and Im sure theres more, but I dont own a hybrid.
The main argument for a hybrid is its "green" characteristis, but even that is up for debate as the waste produced manufacturing the batteries is supposedly quite high.

All that said, this looks to be a cool vehicle. Lotsa torque can be oobtained from electric motors. Could be a lil rocket!!

[bone crusher]

But if done right it can have a much smaller gas engine.

Hmmmmm...the traction battery is really used to get the vehicle going or for super-fast bursts of acceleration...as soon as you hit a certain programmed limit, the engine will kick on...the battery is recharged by braking and when the engine is running...it's a neat system, but not totally efficient yet.

The added weight of the traction battery, likely in the bike to be more on the side of 200-250 pounds vs. 500-800 (whatever it is) in the SUVs/Prius will be have to made up somehow...if you make the engine smaller, you would really need a bigger battery and doing that might be counter-productive...I think NASCAR has a few auto makers that are looking into hybrid options for the vehicles...the cars are actually quicker in many cases, but you do need a good engine.

We have to remember that the Spyder is for fun and speed...if we want 0-60 in 8 seconds on the Spyder with better mileage, it could easily be done...however, if you want to retain fast acceleration and the 'wow' factor, more advanced engineering will have to take place...we simply need newer and more efficient battery technology. I think this is the barrier for the design of this vehicle at this time...

I have a minivan now...I miss my hybrid...they are really neat!

[Bob Denman]

This technology sounds very exciting... but what would a machine like this actually retail for? How many of us would be willing to pay for it at this time?
The actual operating costs were discussed in an earlier post... Is there enough excess electrical production capacity available in the power grid here in Norh America to power up all of these hybrids that are being either planned or actually produced?

[bone crusher]

This technology sounds very exciting... but what would a machine like this actually retail for? How many of us would be willing to pay for it at this time?
The actual operating costs were discussed in an earlier post... Is there enough excess electrical production capacity available in the power grid here in Norh America to power up all of these hybrids that are being either planned or actually produced?

Anything can be made...it'd be great for the U.S. to bring some industry back!

As far as cost, I'd compare to hybrids vs. standard...likely 10-20% more...then again, who knows at this time as it's likely a few years out....you'd likely gain about 20% in fuel efficiency...but if you ride it hard, that would be reduced...