Mazda Takeri and a new class of mini hybrids
No electric motor, but still a hybrid?
Making the most of hybrid technology, even in non-hybrids
Start/stop. Regenerative braking. It’s a hybrid, right? Nope.
In recent years many technologies typically found only in hybrid cars have become more common in conventional cars, such as start/stop, and the new Mazda Takeri concept is taking these hybrid-like non-hybrids to a new level.
Technically, the Takeria really isn’t a hybrid, or a car that uses two fuel sources to power itself, such as a gasoline engine and an electric motor in the case of conventional gasoline electric hybrids like the Toyota Prius. However, indirectly, the Takeria does use two different fuel sources thanks to some capacitors that store kinetic energy as electricity captured during deceleration. This electricity is then used to help power the AC, lights, stereo, etc., while reducing fuel consumption by reducing the need for the gasoline engine to create the electricity for such systems.
Why capacitors instead of batteries? According to Mazda, capacitors are cheaper than batteries and they offer a longer lifespan, at least for this purpose.
That makes me wonder, could Mazda add more capacitors and an electric motor to create a more conventional hybrid? Or is a greater amount of electricity — enough to power a car for a 1 mile — more cost-effectively stored in a NiMH or a lithium battery? With a Mazda 6 hybrid supposedly coming in 2013, we should soon find out.
Anyway, start/stop, regenerative braking plus Mazda’s new Skyactiv technology should result in a pretty fuel efficient package — one that seems worthy of mild, or mini, hybrid designation. Regardless, it’s great to see automakers raising the fuel efficient bar in unique and cost-effective packages.
Source: AutoWeek
