Mitsubishi ESR
Overview
ManufacturerMitsubishi Motors
Body and chassis
ClassConcept car
Dimensions
Length4,530 mm (178.3 in)
Width1,720 mm (67.7 in)
Height1,580 mm (62.2 in)

The Mitsubishi ESR (Ecological Science Research) is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) concept exhibited by Mitsubishi Motors at the 30th Tokyo Motor Show in 1993.[1] It was designed to demonstrate the company's technological developments in alternative energy,[2] and used a 70 kW AC induction motor to drive the front wheels. 28 alkaline batteries housed under the passenger compartment, and a rear-mounted 1.5-litre gasoline engine powered an onboard electrical generator system.[1] It also recycled its own kinetic energy, and absorbed solar power through roof-mounted cells.[2]

The car was estimated to have a range of 620 miles (1,000 km) on hybrid power at a constant 25 miles per hour (40 km/h), or 310 miles (500 km) using only the batteries. A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver could automatically switch the vehicle from hybrid to battery-only operation when entering an urban area.[3] Mitsubishi claimed a maximum speed of 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph), thanks in part to a drag coefficient of 0.25.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Japanese makers show off practical vehicles", Kevin Clemens, Ward's AutoWorld, November 1993
  2. ^ a b "Leaning green vehicles" Archived 2007-05-28 at the Wayback Machine, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd official website
  3. ^ "AOSC News", EVAOSC, Volume 14, no.2, February 1994
  4. ^ "1993 Mitsubishi ESR", ConceptCars.it


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