[dfiore]

http://www.daihatsu.com/motorshow/tokyo ... index.html

This already looks like the IMAS. Although I suspect that eventually most vehicles will end up looking similiar if they are going to "compete" for fuel efficiency.

 

[Insightful Trekker]

Impressive :!: :shock:

If I did my math right the MPG translates to 180+.

They specify a Japanese DMV drive cycle standard. And I'd suspect its a "hyper" MPG drive cycle. So it should be around 2x of what's readily achieveable in an Insight.

A 3 seater too :!:

To nit pick; needs rear hatch access for utility purposes though.

WoW :!:

 

[gomarlins3]

It says three seater, but there is only one seat in that car.

 

[Guillermo]

It says three seater, but there is only one seat in that car.

I see 3 seats when I look at the photo at the bottom of the page.

 

[Rick Reece]

I'm ready to order. The body looks tapered like the Insight but 2 seats in the back and 1 forward would argue otherwise. Have fun, Rick

 

[james]

Couple more nits: First, they need to get rid of the glass canopy. Around here, that would be called a solar oven

Second, forget the steer-by-wire. You're headed down a winding mountain road, and have an electric failure? Or even want to move it when the battery is dead?

 

[kapps]

Agreed. Cut the glass acreage down and put a simple non-assisted rack and pinion steering unit in there. Don't make it too complicated.

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

The other interesting aspect is the Prius type CVT with 2 Motor generators and planetary power split system, so a pure EV mode will be possible.

 

[Dougie]

Isn't that how all Prius systems work? I thought the only thing preventing full electric mode on the Prius was battery capacity (and associated charge management).

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Dougie
Yes it is. My point was that the lighter UFE could play games with the ratios and battery capacity so the electric mode could be extended to higher speeds and longer EV run time.

 

[clett]

Or just make it fully electric.

The great thing about having a very high miles per kilowatt-hour vehicle is that the battery can be smaller.

Based on its fossil fuel economy, I reckon it should be capable of 15 miles per kWh if converted to electric only (normal vehicles only manage 4-5 miles per kWh).

That means for a 300 mile range, you'd only need 20 kWh of batteries, or 100 kg of today's 18650s. A small battery also means fast-charging is a real possibility - an existing 60 kW charger would fill it to max charge and range in just 20 minutes (given an A123 or Altair style battery).

By the way Mike, how's the electric-assist mileage these days?

 

[Mike Dabrowski 2000]

Clett
I can still get over 100MPG easily up to 60 MPH, for 45 minutes. If I had a boost supply that put out 25A instead of the 16.5, I figure that I could sustain 100+ MPG at 70+ MPH.
I have been fortunate to have had a Prius that I was able to use for 3 weeks, and now I have a stock Insight for another week, so the Batmobile has been sitting in the garage.
Getting busy, so I don't know when I will get back to the modifications. [mod edit, please take it to PM or off this site guys]

 

[clett]

I figure that I could sustain 100+ MPG at 70+ MPH.

That is way cool! 8)

 

[jenpetosa]

want this car

Just makes me depressed that after the release of the Insight in 1999, more cool cars like this one haven't been sold here.

I so badly want to move forward and not backwards...

 

[Fred]

Nice!

Somehow it reminds me of an updated Insight.

Seats three? Two adults and perhaps a small child?

If something like that's available in ten years or so, I for one would have a real good look at it.

Fred / Proud Owner of "The Silver Bullet"

 

[b1shmu63]

More like one adult and two midgets, or two big suitcases. It is hard to tell without seeing it personally for scale.

 

[dfiore]

Any new news?

Anyone new news or pics on the Insight replacement? As I understand it, it is supposed to be either this fall or next fall, but I haven't heard or seen anything new.