Up for showing at the upcoming Detroit auto show in January is the Jeep concept, "Renegade" with a bluetec diesel powering a lithium-ion battery pack that powers two electric motors. A article in December 3, 2007 AutoWeek says.....

"The small, sporty concept combines the Lithium-ion battery pack, electric motors and a bluetec diesel engine. The result is fuel economy of about 110 mpg." (a 110 mpg number????) The article goes on to say. "The Renegade has an aluminum body structure for less weight and duel electric motors for four-wheel-drive capability. Chrysler says the output of the electric motors totals 85 kilowatts. Styling features include a cut-down windshield, a roll bar, openings in the door panels and a hose out interior."

I wonder how an electric will do on the trail? If the torque of a diesel works well off road. A anti-stall motor combined with a torque curve that is instantaneous from the start......interesting.

 

hey that's cool to hear! do you have a link or pictures?

 

You knew it was coming.

 

Here are some back of the envelope caluations based on the electric vectix scooter

The vectrix electic scooter 20 kw (24 hp) motor gets motor gets 85 nm (50 Ft-lb),
so if you scale it up by 4 ish
113 Hp and about 250 Ft-lb of torq plus what the diesel adds

 

Might be a great vehicle - for your KIDS. There's no way that'll see production in the near-future, due to cost.

 

Yea I think you are right, it will be a long wait. The thing I read into it, however, is that Chrysler is thinking of bluetec diesels in the American Jeep line. I would think that you would see the Bluetec Diesel in something before you would see the Hybrid. Of course the diesel that would be in the hybrid might be on the small side. I could be totally wrong... Other than the water wading thing I think an Hybrid electric might be fun off road. The instantaneous torque of the electric motor would be fun. Beside just think you couldn't stall it.