BMW and Peugeot Citroën hybrids: Was the dual mode hybrid a mistake?
A dual mode hybrid mistake?
The end of the BMW dual mode hybrid?
Back when GM, Chrysler and BMW decided to collaborate on a new hybrid drive to compete with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, the hype was huge. And reporters, such as Edmund’s Michelle Krebs, claimed that the new dual mode hybrid drive offered a more intelligent hybrid ‘tool box’ compared to the simpler HSD.
Even students in hybrid classes assured me the new dual mode hybrid drive would be the end of Toyota’s hybrid domination.
I asked only question, how much would a dual mode Prius-like hybrid cost compared to a Toyota Prius?
Sadly, the dual mode hybrid drive couldn’t even fit in a vehicle the size of a Prius – the greatest hybrid toolbox of its time was just too big. Even worse, it added an extra $1o,000 to the MSRP of the vehicles in which it did fit.
And today’s dual mode hybrid drive seems just as inflexible.
Thus, BMW and Peugeot Citroen will focus on a new front wheel drive hybrid architecture to expand their potential hybrid lineups, especially towards 4 cylinder vehicles, since the dual mode hybrid drivetrain is too cumbersome and expensive for such vehicles.
Certainly, the dual mode hybrid drive is more sophisticated than Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, but it’s also far more limited. Hence, was the dual mode hybrid drive a mistake?
While the dual mode hybrid might still offer a role in large vehicles, isn’t any successful new powertrain – hybrid or not – dependent upon scale and; therefore, relatively cost-effective flexibility? Consequently, shouldn’t any new powertrain theoretically fit in all types of vehicles if to be successful?
What kinds of fuel efficiency gains are you achieving?
Belloso Motor Company, a start-up dedicated to the development of fuel-efficient powertrains for motor vehicles, has been developing a dual engine system to be used instead of the hybrid electric system in motor vehicles. It uses a second internal combustion engine to add power for acceleration and uses a small engine to cruise economically just like the current hybrid cars. It will bypass all the problems associated with the batteries (cost, complexity, lack of power, and lack of range between charges, etc.), and cost significantly less. It promises improved acceleration performance to boot. Check the details in our website: bellosomotors.com.
the dual mode hybrid, noz?
Typical over-engineered German garbage.