| Make
|
Mitsubishi
|
| Model |
ESR |
| Concept
year |
1993 |
| Production
year |
- |
| Engine |
hybrid,
petrol / electric |
The Mitsubishi ESR (Ecological Science Research) concept
was a drivetrain research vehicle first revealed at the
1993 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The slippery shape of the bodywork was designed to make
the ESR as aerodynamically efficient as possible. It wasn't
pretty but then it didn't need to be - it was never destined
for production.
Powering the Mitsubishi ESR was a hybrid drivetrain which
consisted of a 1.5 litre internal combustion engine mounted
in the rear, and a 70 Kw electric motor located up front.
The electric motor provided power to the front wheels
while the engine was used to keep the batteries charged.
Regenerative braking was also used to help keep the batteries
topped up.
Over short journeys the ESR could travel solely on electric
power, it was only for longer trips that the internal
combustion engine was required to keep the 28 onboard
batteries well charged.
Using hybrid power the ESR had an approximate range of
620 miles (1,000 km) when traveling at a constant 25 miles
per hour (40 km/h). When using battery power alone the
range was around 310 miles (500 km). Top speed of the
ESR was very respectable for a hybrid electric vehicle
at 120 mph (200km/h) - this was partly due to the low
drag coefficient of just 0.25 Cd.
The ESR was equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System)
which could automatically switch the car from hybrid to
battery-only operation when entering an urban areas.
Similar and related vehicles:
Mitsubishi EZ MIEV
Mitsubishi Concept-CT
Mitsubishi Roadster Konzept
Mitsubishi Eclipse Concept-E
Mitsubishi Se-Ro
Mitsubishi Sportback
Mitsubishi Prototype X
Mitsubishi Sport Truck
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