Focus EV to use Liquid Cooled Battery

Ford announced September 2 its Focus Electric, due out next year in the U.S., will contain a lithium ion battery pack with a liquid-based thermal management system.

Ford will use for the Focus a lithium-ion battery pack which will use heated and cooled liquid to handle one of the most dreaded things in an EV: overheating batteries. The liquid will be used by the car to keep the heat level to a minimum, hence increasing both the range and life span of the pack.

Ford is still developing the car, but the prototype we drove had a 23 kilowatt-hour lithium ion pack, which makes it about the size of the air-cooled pack in the Nissan Leaf. By using active thermal management, Ford says it will maximize battery life and range and optimize charging by heating, or cooling, the pack to the best temperature before pulling juice from the grid.

The introduction of this type of electronic cooling, will extend the batteries lifespan and also help to gain the maximum performance. By keeping the cells cool the active thermal management will be able to prevent the likelihood of cracks in the electrodes. These cracks can start to effect the batteries power and reduce the charge capabilities. On initial plug-in the management system will run a precondition of the batteries before it allows charging to begin.

The Focus Electric, which will be released in the U.S. late this year and in 2012 in Europe, is one of five electrified vehicles Ford will release over the next three years. The Ford Transit Connect Electric small commercial van arrives in late 2010, followed by two next-generation hybrid electric vehicles, as well as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013.

Source: Ford




Press Release

FORD USES INNOVATIVE LIQUID-COOLED BATTERY SYSTEM TO HELP FOCUS ELECTRIC OWNERS MAXIMIZE RANGE

• The all-new Ford Focus Electric, which debuts in late 2011 in the U.S. and 2012 in Europe, will be powered by a lithium-ion battery system that utilizes cooled and heated liquid to regulate battery temperature, extend battery life and maximize driving range
  
• The innovative thermal management technology helps the Focus Electric operate efficiently in a range of ambient temperatures
  
• Focus Electric is one of five new electrified vehicles Ford will deliver over the next three years in North America and Europe. The Focus Electric will be built at Ford's retooled Michigan Assembly Plant
  

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 2, 2010 – The all-new Ford Focus Electric, which debuts in the U.S. late next year and in Europe in 2012, will be powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery that utilizes heated and cooled liquid to help maximize battery life and gas-free driving range.

Thermal management of lithium-ion battery systems is critical to the success of all-electric vehicles because extreme temperatures can affect performance, reliability, safety and durability. Ford has chosen an advanced active liquid-cooling and heating system to regulate the temperature of its lithium-ion battery packs, which are designed to operate under a range of ambient conditions.

"All-electric vehicles do not have a conventional engine on board, so it is critical we maximize the performance of the battery under various operating temperatures," said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Electrification Program and Engineering. "Active liquid systems are more effective than air systems at regulating lithium-ion battery temperature. As a result, the active liquid system on Focus Electric will play a key role in providing our customers with the best performance possible."

The active liquid cooling and heating system also enables the Focus Electric to automatically precondition the battery pack temperature during daily recharging. When the vehicle is plugged in to the power grid, the vehicle system will be able to warm up the battery on cold days and cool it down on hot days.

The Focus Electric will be built at Ford's retooled Michigan Assembly Plant and will be available in late 2011. The vehicle will have an expected range of up to 100 miles and use no gasoline at all.

Battery thermal management in action
While air-cooling methods work well for many of today's smaller car battery systems, the larger, more complex lithium-ion battery technology powering Ford's all-electric vehicles calls for an aggressive thermal management system.

An active liquid system heats or chills a coolant before pumping it through the battery cooling system. This loop regulates temperature throughout the system against external conditions.

On hot days, chilled water absorbs heat from the batteries, dispersing it through a radiator before pumping it through the chiller again. On cold days, heated water warms the batteries, gradually bringing the system's temperature to a level that allows it to efficiently accept charge energy and provide enough discharge power for expected vehicle performance.

"Extreme temperatures impact a battery's life and performance, making it crucial to have an effective cooling and heating system to regulate temperature for these demanding applications," said Anand Sankaran, Ford executive technical leader, Energy Storage and HV Systems.

The liquid cooling system also plays a role in charging the vehicle. When the all-electric Focus is plugged in to recharge, the vehicle control system will automatically precondition the battery, if needed, to the optimal temperature before accepting charge. If the battery is already at the optimal temperature, the system will automatically accept charge and maintain an optimal temperature.

"We are working closely with our technology partners to accelerate the development of our lithium-ion battery systems to help our future EV customers get the most out of their vehicles," Marakby said. "Our goal is to build an electric vehicle that delivers on the quality and performance customers have come to expect from Ford."

Focus Electric is one of five electrified vehicles Ford will release over the next three years. In addition to the Focus Electric, the Ford Transit Connect Electric small commercial van arrives in late 2010, followed by two next-generation hybrid electric vehicles, as well as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013.

Electrified vehicles are one part of Ford's broader strategy to offer a wide range of environmentally friendly, advanced technology solutions to improve fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions affordably for customers around the world.

Porsche Panamera Personalization Program

The North American division of The German carmaker has announced today it will begin offering a new personalization program starting this fall, including a Panamera Turbo Powerkit, a Sport Design Package and 20-inch Panamera Sport Wheels.

The top-rung Panamera Turbo can now be had with a Powerkit package that uses two new turbochargers and revised engine mapping to offer 40 more horsepower and 37 more pound-feet of torque over the standard Turbo, totaling 540 and 553, respectively. What's more, the Powerkit treatment includes Porsche's Sport Chrono Turbo Package, and if the car is driven in Sport Plus mode, torque output is further increased to 590 lb-ft. That's a whole lot of twist. This Holy Grail of Panameras will sprint to 62 miles per hour in just 3.9 seconds on its way to a top speed of 190 mph, yet it still manages to keep the Turbo's EPA-rated city/highway fuel economy of 15/23 miles per gallon.

The Porsche Panamera Personalization program also includes the Sport Design Package which features widened black air intake grilles, separate side skirts and an exterior color painted front end. The Sport Design Package price is 4,581.50 EUR and the new side skirts can be installed for an additional 969.85 EUR.

The new 20-inch light alloy multi-spoke wheels for the Panamera are 9.5 inches wide on the front axle and 11.5 inches on the rear axle. They are available from Porsche Exclusive in GT silver metallic, black, or in the exterior car color. They also will be available from Porsche Tequipment in GT silver metallic and black.




Press Release

Porsche Announces New Panamera Personalization Program

Available Porsche upgrades include a Panamera Turbo Powerkit, a Sport Design Package and 20-inch Panamera Sport Wheels

ATLANTA – Aug. 17, 2010 – In September Porsche will begin offering a Panamera Turbo Powerkit that increases engine output to 540 horsepower (standard is 500 horsepower). Other personalization upgrades include a Sport Design Package and the new 20-inch Panamera Sport wheels for the Panamera Turbo and the other Porsche V6- and V8-powered Panamera models.

The Panamera Turbo Powerkit features two new turbochargers with titanium aluminum turbines, and engine management has been adapted to provide a further improvement in engine response. Maximum torque rises to 750 Nm (compared to 700 Nm in the standard production Panamera Turbo). If in Sport Plus mode, which is included in the Sport Chrono Turbo Package that is part of the Panamera Turbo Powerkit, torque rises to 800 Nm. This is an increase of 30 Nm over the standard Panamera Turbo fitted with the optional Sport Chrono Turbo Package and in Sport Plus mode.

In Sport Plus mode, the Panamera Turbo accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.9 sec – 0.1 sec faster than the production car. Top test track speed is 305 km/h compared with 303 km/h (188 mph) in the standard Panamera Turbo. In line with Porsche Intelligent Performance – more power with less fuel and less emissions – a Panamera Turbo with the Powerkit consumes no more fuel than the 500-horsepower production model. The official EPA fuel economy figures for the Panamera Turbo are 15 mpg city and 23 highway, and like its Panamera siblings the Panamera Turbo is not subject to the gas guzzler tax.

As a Porsche Exclusive option, the Powerkit is available next month for $21,730. Porsche Tequipment will offer the Powerkit as a retrofit upgrade beginning in November 2010.

Porsche also offers its Panamera customers its new Sport Design Package that includes a unique, exterior color painted front fascia with widened black air intake grilles. Other components include separate side skirts and the standard, exterior color rear underbody apron with diffuser and fins. Available in October 2010 as a Porsche Exclusive option or a Porsche Tequipment retrofit upgrade, the Sport Design Package is $4,590. On request, side skirts are available separately for $1,390.

Porsche also now offers the new 20-inch Panamera Sport wheels. The light alloy multi-spoke wheel is 9.5 inches wide on the front axle and 11.5 inches on the rear axle. They are available from Porsche Exclusive in GT silver metallic, black, or in the exterior car color. They also will be available from Porsche Tequipment in GT silver metallic and black.

The Panamera Turbo Powerkit is only available on the Panamera Turbo. The Sport Design Package and the Panamera Sport Wheels are available on all Porsche Panamera models (Panamera, Panamera 4, Panamera S, Panamera 4S and Panamera Turbo). Pricing varies by model.

Since its U.S. introduction in October 2009, the Panamera has received numerous awards and recognition. The Panamera Turbo was named Playboy Magazine's 2010 Car of the Year. Others include an Edmunds Inside Line Editors' Most Wanted Award, inclusion in Edmunds.com's Top Recommended Vehicles list, two Car and Driver Editors Choice Awards (Sports Sedans and Luxury Sedans), inclusion in kbb.com's list of 2010 Top 10 Road Trip Cars, Bloomberg Car of the Year, the Most Inspired Design award in Ward's Auto Interior of the Year competition, About.com Cars Best New Cars of 2010, and NADAguides.com's Car of the Month for January 2010.

2010 Suzuki Bonneville Kizashi

The North American division of Suzuki has just Releases details on a special edition Kizashi model,

Suzuki’s North American division revealed that the Bonneville Kizashi started with a pre-production Kizashi prototype. Last May, construction of the Kizashi racer started with the Holdener/Habrzyk team installing the SCTA-approved roll cage, an aluminum bulkhead in the rear, racing seat, seat harnesses and window net. When it comes to performance, the Bonneville Kizashi is equipped with a new intake manifold, a tuned ‘long tube’ header and forged rods and pistons.

The car is powered by a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine that delivers 500 wheel hp at 7000 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. It also gets a new intake manifold, a tuned ’long tube’ header, forged rods and pistons, a Turbonetics turbocharger, a new 3.5-inch exhaust, and full synthetic 5W-20 racing oil from Lucas Oil. It’s main target will be to hit a top speed of 200 mph.

The Bonneville Suzuki Kizashi is currently undergoing testing and will hit the salt flats on August 14.


Press Release

BONNEVILLE KIZASHI – SOMETHING GREAT IS RUNNING

• Bonneville Kizashi builds on Suzuki’s winning tradition.

• Boosted powertrain moves sport sedan into new segment – Over 200 mph.

• Modifications void America’s #1 Warranty.

BREA, Calif. (August 9, 2010) – Since its introduction to the press in July of 2009, Suzuki’s Kizashi has been recognized as a midsize sedan with a difference – or two. Boasting a rigid structure, composed platform, suspension tuned on the famed Nurburgring and available all-wheel drive, the Kizashi has enjoyed accolades from both media and consumers; most notably, the Kizashi ranked first in AutoPacific’s 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction survey. And with 185 horsepower from its 2.4 liter DOHC four, the 2010 Kizashi boasts class-leading power in the four-cylinder segment.

Fast forward to August 2010, and Suzuki moves the Kizashi into a category typically reserved for Bonneville streamliners. With extensive modifications supplied by Richard Holdener and Tom Habrzyk of Advanced Product Engineering and with Road & Track’s Sam Mitani behind the wheel, American Suzuki’s first-ever automotive assault on the salt begins on August 14 in Wendover, Utah. There, the Bonneville Kizashi – competing in the Blown Gas Coupe category – will rocket its way toward the 200 mph benchmark and, if successful, into Suzuki’s already remarkable motorsport history.

The Bonneville Kizashi began with a pre-production Kizashi prototype. In May 2010, construction of the Bonneville racer began with interior disassembly, underscoring Kizashi’s initial design premise. “Premium without the premium” is, suddenly, completely without the premium, reflecting a bare metal working environment intended for but one mission. Its upscale appointments removed, the Holdener/Habrzyk team installed the SCTA-approved roll cage, an aluminum bulkhead in the rear, racing seat, seat harnesses and window net.

With the cockpit modifications made, it was time to take a look under the hood and build on, with this Kizashi, the performance tradition rooted in Suzuki’s first win on Mt. Fuji some 55 years ago. The spare motor was disassembled to confirm the stock measurements, while the cylinder head was flowed and ported. The Bonneville Kizashi benefits from a new intake manifold, a tuned ‘long tube’ header and – for high rpm durability – forged rods and pistons. With up to 20 pounds of boost from the Turbonetics turbocharger, the Kizashi’s increased horsepower required air-to-water intercooling (and Snow water/methanol injection) – while its output demands a new ACT Clutch and Pressure Plate. A scattershield is added, the oil pan is welded for a new drain fitting and a new 3.5-inch exhaust is fabricated aft of the turbocharger. Additional protection for the high-boost, high-rpm turbo motor is provided by full synthetic 5W-20 racing oil from Lucas Oil.

The Kizashi platform – and its Nurburgring heritage – is morphed into a salt-specific recipe with new coilovers, steel wheels seam welded, and speed-specific 15x7-inch Goodyear Front Runner® rubber. An air dam keeps the Kizashi’s nose planted, window straps and hood pins ensure the hood and glass stay in place, and a parachute can bring the high speed show to an emergency stop. Finally, a dual fire system provides the extra assurance so important for Mitani, with some 900 boosted horses but only a few feet in front of his now high-speed capsule.

With the build completed at the end of July, the first week of August provides a narrow window for the chassis dyno tune and over-the-road (closed course, professional driver) testing. Then it’s on to Bonneville and the week of speed, beginning Saturday, August 14 and ending on Friday, August 20. If the week goes as planned, and the Kizashi performs as designed, the SCTA will have two new members among its 200 mph ranks: Road & Track’s Sam Mitani and the 2010 Suzuki Bonneville Kizashi .

Technical Specifications – 2010 Bonneville Kizashi

Wheelbase:	106.3 inches
Overall Length:	183.1 inches
Overall Width:	71.7 inches
Engine:	2.4-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine
Horsepower:	500 wheel hp @ 7000 rpm
Torque:	420 lb.-ft. @ 5100 rpm
Transmission, Manual:	Six-speed manual transmission
Brakes:	Front ventilated disc brakes/Rear disc brakes
EPA Fuel Economy Estimates:	EPA test cycle does not include 200 mile-per-hour evaluation