Porsche hybrid?

[Decolliber]

JAPAN: Porsche asks for Toyota hybrid technology
23 Nov 2004
Source: just-auto.com editorial team

Porsche has asked Japan's Toyota, the world's second-largest automaker, to share the hybrid technology used in its popular Prius model, a Japanese newspaper said, according to Reuters.

Toyota is taking a positive view of the proposed deal and expects to start negotiations soon, the Asahi Shimbun reportedly said without citing sources.

In Stuttgart, a Porsche spokesman reiterated to Reuters that the company was still studying the use of hybrid technology.

"We are investigating the technical feasibility of this kind of powertrain. This is an extremely interesting alternative to diesel engines," he reportedly said.

According to Reuters, the paper said Porsche is likely to want to use the technology in its Cayenne SUV, rather than in smaller sports models - developing its own hybrid technology would be difficult for a relatively small company.

Reuters noted that Germany's Automobilwoche paper reported last month that Porsche was eyeing the 270 horsepower petrol-electric powertrain to be used in the RX 400h SUV made by Toyota's premium Lexus division.

The news agency added that hybrid technology could help Porsche meet tougher environmental standards in Europe and the United States, where rule changes are beginning to take effect.

[island911]

smells phishy.

"hybrid technology" is no new technology. . . it is just as the lable describes; hybridizing(combining) of (existing) technologies.

I can't imagine Porsche engineers asking for toyo's info. on this . . . let alone the idea that they will put it in a big heavy Cayenne.


edit; did dan rather have anything to do w/ this article?

[kach22i]

Is anyone else squirming from the irony?

http://www.supercars.net/cars/1901@$Lohner-Porsche@$Phaetonx.html
Ferdinand Porsche landed his first techincal job working for Jacob Lohner in 1900. Thier first car, the System Lohner-Porsche, used wheel mounted electric motors. Later cars used Daimler derived motors to power the electric engines. These systems were very elegant solutions as they did not use drive shafts, transmissions gears, chains, or clutches................Around 300 Lohner-Porsche's were completed until the patents were sold to Emil Jellinek of Mercedes.

The Tiger II - Electric Transmission:
http://www.tiger-tank.com/secure/history2.htm
The nature of the suspension may be seen in the diagram. The transmission was altogether more complicated. It comprised a pair of Porsche Type 101/1 engines of V10 configuration, each rated at 320hp. These engines each drove an independent generator which, in turn supplied current to an electric motor. The electric motors, in their turn, produced power to drive the tank and steering was achieved by varying the speed of each motor through a rheostat........................................In theory the concept of petrol, or diesel/electric transmission is ideal, since it gives infinitely variable speed options for each track, without the need to change gear, but it also comes with a severe weight penalty.

[}{arlequin]

Well, Porsche has collaborated w/ Toyota before. Remember the "Camry" door handles on the 996? You can't be too sure that nothing is going on these days.....

[952]

And the Mitsi balance shafts...

[island911]

"Remember the "Camry" door handles on the 996? "

No, I don't.

Was it (is it) posted anywhere here?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Ah, Porsche leading the way again, just like they did in the SUV market. Oh, wait....

[952]

Yeah I dont recall them either... mind you the 996 is not my most favourite 911 by any means... the new 997 looks much better.

[Serge914]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Ah, Porsche leading the way again,

They would be if they would have develop a hybrid or electric sport car instead of the Pepper.

[Overpaid Slacker]

I can't fault Porsche (known for its innovation) for at least looking into this technology, and getting it from another source is a LOT cheaper than starting from scratch.

I remember reading about Dr. Porsche's electric wheels and brakes. Neat stuff.

JP

[}{arlequin]

I think the 996 door handles look *a lot* like the ones on a Camry. Yes, they are not the exact same shape, 996's handles have more curve on the bottom surface, but the basic ugliness is there.

All I see is that the handles did not follow the traditional 911 pattern, which was thankfully restored in the 997.

I dunno but to me they looked Camry-ish.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Originally posted by }{arlequin
All I see is that the handles did not follow the traditional 911 pattern

Probably for liability reasons. I mean, a carjacker could get his hand caught in there as you drove off! Think of the lawsuits!

[952]

carjacker?

[}{arlequin]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Probably for liability reasons. I mean, a carjacker could get his hand caught in there as you drove off! Think of the lawsuits!

This is where South Africa is ahead of us.