Can Oaktec's Self-Supercharging Engine Be the Next Big Thing in the (Hybrid) Bike Industry?

The limited range and battery capacity are definitely the arch-enemies which still prevent the electric motorcycle industry from really soaring. However, a new engine from the British Oaktec engineers, might offer a solution. The self-supercharging engine created by Paul Andrews could become an interesting addition to boost the range of electric bikes… even though that would turn them into hybrid ones.

Andrews’ engine is a small one, with a 400cc displacement, but it already produces 20% more power than the Yamada diesel lump it was derived from, with fuel efficiency following the same trend. Applications are countless, Andrews says, especially as the engine manufacturing process does not involve using exotic materials or state-of-the-art sealing processes, while using only conventional components. The principle behind the “magic” self-supercharging effect is getting gases to flow and react in a different way, Andrews adds.

This new paradigm simulates the induction force of externally-powered superchargers, but it in fact allows the engine to “breathe” better thanks to the new combustion architecture. What’s even more interesting about the Oaktec self-supercharging engine is that it will run a variety of fuels, adding incredible versatility. Users can fuel it with petrol, diesel, bio-ethanol and even bio-methane, without any of the risks traditional engines come with.

The project is still under development, as Oaktec has just been awarded a £40,000 ($67,000/€49,000) prize in a Shell-backed low-carbon competition, and Andrews claims that the technology can be even extended to engines with more cylinders. Further development and component optimization could provide around 10% extra efficiency and power, he adds.

Oaktec’s self-supercharging engines could be used as range-extenders in electric motorcycles, but it could also power small bikes and tuk-tuks, as well as light aircraft. Can you imagine being able to recharge the batteries of your adventure electric bike in the middle of nowhere without caring too much which kind of fuel you’ll be using?

Via autocar

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Is the Hybrid Hypercar Hype Over?

While the choice is simple for certain people, some may find themselves trapped when asked to choose between one of the hypercars in the image above. Which brings the question - hybrid or no hybrid?

Sure, the McLaren P1 takes the notion of fast to a new planet, but the Huayra beats the Brit in the race of emotions. In the end, the two do not actually share too many fans, as each appeals to a different kind of automotive aficionado. Still, like we said, the electric propulsion that sits as the greatest difference between the two is our topic here.

With the McLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder and Ferrari LaFerrari having played their part, it is now time to see whether hybrid propulsion has an immediate future with the supercar / hypercar genre.

Well, it depends on whom you ask. McLaren hasn’t said anything about using hybrid propulsion for its upcoming models, such as the entry-level P1. Ferrari and Porsche on the other hand, have talked about this and their conclusions sort of contradict each other.

We shall start with the Prancing Horse, who recently explained that it aims to build other hybrids, but not until serious advances will be made in terms of batter technology. Ferrari aims to reduce its line-up emissions by around 20 percent every four years, but, for now, it has a different plan. What the Italians are doing instead of hybridizing their vehicles is a return to their turbo era. We’ve already seen the California T and we are now expecting a twin-turbo successor for the 458.

As for Porsche, a recent report by Car and Driver shows the Germans are planning to make full use of what they’ve learned with the 918 Spyder. Thus, we should expect to see the carmaker’s current bad boys, the Panamera Turbo S and 911 Turbo S taken to about 700 hp via electric assistance. By the way, 2017 is the expected year of the big Porsche change, so the future is pretty close.

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BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Plug-In Hybrid Spotted Testing Alongside i3

A while back we were telling you that BMW is testing a plug-in hybrid version of the new 2 Series Active Tourer. Back then we spotted the new car alongside two i8s, somewhere in France.

Well, today we caught a glimpse of the prototype next to another i car, the i3. Apparently BMW is testing the two side by side, to see how the 2 Series handles the hybrid powertrain.

However, we’re expecting the new model to be using a layout closer to what the i8 is fitted with and not the i3 counterpart. That’s because, most hints point to an 1.5-liter 3-cylinder powerplant being used up front to power the wheels.

That would be an engine with less than 150 HP at its disposal, to carry the new MPV around. That would be joined by an electric motor fitted in the back of the car that would be fed by a set of batteries installed inside the center stack as there would be no need for a driveshaft in there, to power the rear axle.

The back wheels would be powered by the electric unit directly, in a similar way as on the i8, only oriented the other way around (in the plug-in sportscar, the internal combustion engine feeds the rear wheels and vice-versa).

The total output could be somewhere over 200 HP, with an electric range of around 20 miles (32 km), a similar offering to the one found on the X5 eDrive concept.

Of course, in this case, the power needed to drive the car would be smaller thanks to the lighter weight of the vehicle. At the same time, the battery pack would have a smaller size, therefore further reducing the overall weight of the 2 Series Active Tourer plug-in hybrid.

The ‘regular’ 2SAT will go on sale in November, at first in Europe. The US might not get it at first, especially in FWD guise. Plans are to introduce the new model in xDrive versions alone across the pond.

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2016 BMW 7 Series Plug-In Hybrid Breaks Down Testing

The upcoming BMW G11 7 Series model is currently being tested, with a plug-in hybrid version in the works. We’ve seen it before but up until now, not broken down, on the side of the road. Well, that time has come, as you’re about to see.

Our dedicated spy photographers just caught up with what looks like the hybrid, on a public highway, hazard lights on and stuff, waiting for a tow truck to come and get it.

What we could notice, apart from the “Hybrid Test Vehicle” sticker on the back, was that there were two exhaust pipes round the back. That could mean that the car is using a 3-liter turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet for the conventional power source, unlike the current eDrive concepts that point to a 2-liter unit.

If that’s true, we could see a car making over 400 HP and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque in the shape of a 740e model starting with 2016. Coupled with a lighter body, the performance figures and fuel consumption for the new 7er would be off the charts, at least in its segment.

Zoom in on the photo and you’ll also notice the cap for the plug-in socket, exposed, just under the right-side mirror, just like it was seen on the 3 Series hybrid model, not too long ago.

The upcoming 7 Series will mark a series of premieres, both for BMW and the automotive world. Laser lights, Organic LEDs and CFRP construction will all chip in to make the new version the leader of the pack, once again.

Furthermore, on the engine front, if the weight reduction will be big enough, we could also see a 2-liter turbocharged engine used on a 7er for the first time in its history.

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Almost 700K Ford Escape and C-Max Hybrid Vehicles Recalled Over Separate Issues

Even though it's been launched just two years ago, the Escape CUV has been subjected to an alarming number of recalls concerning overheating, engine compartment fire, as well as a sticky brake pedal. This time around, circa 692,700 vehicles may be affected by faulty door handles, which could open on their own while the car is on the move.

Specifically, the Blue Oval declared that the exterior door handles could open while the Escape is in motion, failing to latch properly to the locking mechanism. This issue may prove problematic even when the vehicle is standing still, making it difficult to properly close the door.

By good luck, Ford hasn't been informed as of yet about any crashes or injuries attributed to this fault. However, an undisclosed number of the aforementioned 692k Escapes are included in a second call-back operation, along with the C-Max Hybrid hatchback.

The Dearborn, Michigan automaker announced that no less than 692,500 2013-2014 Escapes and C-Max Hybrid vehicles could suffer from a software glitch that could delay or even refuse the deployment of airbags in the case of rollover crashes.

According to Ford, affected C-Max Hybrids were manufactured at the Michigan Assembly Plant between January 2012 and February 2012, while the Escapes were built at the Louisville Assembly Plant between October 2011 and February 2014.

The Blue Oval advises affected owners to contact the nearest Ford dealership for reprogramming the glitchy restraint control module and the careful inspection of all four door handles.

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