ZEO Electric Car Concept: The Next Dodge Charger

The muscle cars that fueled automotive passion in the 1960s were wildly popular because high performance is both fun and addicting. What if a car company could capture those same emotions and sensations in a package that makes no excuses for its environmental impact ... a vehicle that doesn't sacrifice performance for green credentials that literally screams, "drive me?" Meet Chrysler's latest concept vehicle, the Dodge ZEO.

ZEO stands for Zero Emissions Operation. Where premium gasoline once flowed, electrons now deliver ample power. That's right, ZEO is a pure electric car, or more accurately an electric performance car. ZEO delivers clean electric performance on par with the venerable Chrysler HEMI V-8. Acceleration is well within the realm of a true muscle car: 0-60 mph from a standing start happens in less than six seconds.

This is possible because the ZEO is propelled by a 200 kilowatt electric motor that supplies 268 horsepower to the rear wheels. The advanced propulsion system is fed by a 64 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack that Chrysler says will offer a range in excess of 250 miles. The batteries are located very low in the chassis and below the cabin floor for a low center of gravity. Although the battery pack is large, ZEO manages to weigh in at just 2,650 pounds, thus enhancing overall performance and handling.

"The Dodge ZEO concept is designed to break the paradigm of what an electric car should look like," says Bill Zheng, Dodge ZEO principal exterior designer. "An electric car can be as expressive as any gasoline powered vehicle. The Dodge ZEO concept proves that point ... and then some."

Dodge is calling the ZEO a 2+2 sport wagon. The key word here is "sport" because very little about ZEO evokes the image of a traditional station wagon. Yes, the cabin extends back to the rear bumper with cargo space behind two rear buckets, but there is certainly nothing stodgy about this wagon. Its stance is pure muscle car, with huge 23 inch alloy wheels filling the exaggerated wheel arches and wide, rounded fender lines. ZEO is a very "fast" shape. The windshield, for example, arches up at an extreme rake from the long and expressive hood, extending all the way back over the passenger compartment to the "C" pillar. The cabin tucks inward from the widest portion at the front door line to form a sculpted teardrop form at the ZEO's tail.

Fortunately, while the ZEO is very expressive, it hasn't lost the Dodge brand character. Cues like the Dodge ram head badges and crosshair grille treatment, which is illuminated from behind, make it easily recognizable as a Mopar. Both front and rear lamps are treated as separate sculptural forms that add ,to the futuristic look of the car.

Zheng and his team took an unconventional approach with the door configuration. Rather than hinging from the front or rear, the ZEO's doors swing up out of the way in a "scissor" fashion to provide unobstructed access to the interior. Once these scissor doors are open, the interior quickly becomes the center of attention. Lou Gasevski, principal interior designer of the Dodge ZEO concept, describes the interior as "an example of designing for people who are used to a dynamic lifestyle and who are surrounded with information and virtual friends at all times." Interior lines are bold, yet minimal. Trimmed in Super White leather with dark gray accents, the ZEO's interior hints at a European flair. The designers were after an integrated look and treated the interior as a single piece of sculpture, accomplished by blending individual components into a unified whole.

To create the character of a true 2+2, a dramatic center console slopes downward at an angle that extends all the way past the rear bucket seats. The ZEO's steering wheel, column, and instrument panel are a single freestanding design element that adjusts as one unit. The wheel is open, with two closely spaced spokes allowing 80 percent of the rim uncluttered. A thin blue acrylic viewing screen, which is positioned directly in the driver's line of sight through the open steering wheel, supplies critical driving information.

Clearly, Chrysler designer's had the Sixties muscle car playbook in mind when they concocted the ZEO. A lightweight platform with an oversized motor driving the rear wheels is a sure recipe for fun. Only this time around, it's good clean fun.

Want to know more about electric cars? Be sure to check out these 

How can I learn more about hybrid vehicles?

Learn everything you want to know about fuel-efficient hybrid cars with All About Hybrid Cars: Maximum Performance Minimum Impact, the eBook with all the answers. Learn what hybrid cars are, how they work and how hybrid cars can save you money while decreasing our nations dependency on foreign oil. View sample chapters.

Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to obtain different objectives, such as improved fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools.

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Some of the advanced technologies typically used by hybrids include

Regenerative Braking. The electric motor applies resistance to the drivetrain causing the wheels to slow down. In return, the energy from the wheels turns the motor, which functions as a generator, converting energy normally wasted during coasting and braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor.
Electric Motor Drive/Assist. The electric motor provides additional power to assist the engine in accelerating, passing, or hill climbing. This allows a smaller, more efficient engine to be used. In some vehicles, the motor alone provides power for low-speed driving conditions where internal combustion engines are least efficient.
Automatic Start/Shutoff. Automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restarts it when the accelerator is pressed. This prevents wasted energy from idling.

For fuel economy information on these vehicles, please visit the Compare Side-by-Side section.

What are some of the other alternative fuel vehicles?

Although research is continually progressing, there are no other alternative fuel vehicles available yet for mass consumption. A lot of research is being conducted into fuel cells, an electrochemical powerplant fueled by hydrogen that creates electricity for driving a vehicle's electric drive motors. Its great advantage is that it's more than twice as efficient as an internal combustion engine in transforming energy into power and it does this without combustion. Its sole emissions are heat and water vapor, with no greenhouse gases produced. An array of fuel cell vehicles from the major automakers are now in field trials in the U.S. and Japan. Most of this activity is centered in Sacramento, California, through the California Fuel Cell Partnership, although fuel cell consortia in other states, as well as in Japan, are now promoting highway demonstrations of fuel cell vehicles. Fuel cells, however, still face significant developmental issues that include durability and, especially, cost. Operation in extremely cold temperatures is also a hurdle, although Honda has recently made breakthroughs in this area with its latest fuel cell.

In recent years, some automakers have been examining hydrogen as a fuel for their internal combustion engine vehicles, beside being used in fuel cells. BMW, Ford, and Mazda are at the forefront of this effort with concept and demonstration vehicles running on either gaseous or liquefied hydrogen. Hydrogen vehicles have a long developmental road ahead of them. Perhaps the greatest challenge for them is the infrastructure. Simply, there are only a handful of places in the country where hydrogen vehicles can be fueled. A hydrogen refueling station is extremely expensive at a half-million dollars or more, making the creation of a widespread refueling infrastructure a daunting and expensive task. Still, it may come, and innovations like the home hydrogen refueling system being developed by Honda R&D and its developmental partner Plug Power could shorten the timeline considerably if they come to pass. Other alternative fuels in development are batteries powered by solar, and engines powered by ethanol, natural gas and propane.

What are the environmental pros of hybrid cars?

The United States is the world's largest producer of CO2. U.S. motor vehicles use over eight million barrels of oil per day, costing roughly $200,000 per minute to import. More than 50% of U.S. oil is imported-25% from Persian Gulf countries. Petroleum products supply more than 95% of America's transportation energy requirements. Besides air quality, the process of extracting oil creates other harmful effects-oil spills, underground fuel storage tank leaks and tropical forest destruction In addition, the U.S. dependence on foreign oil poses economic and security hazards. The quantity of CO2 released by a vehicle is basically proportional to the amount of fuel consumed, therefore fuel-efficient cars can definitely contribute to stopping global warming. HEVs have the potential to decrease CO2 gas emissions by one-third to one-half and at the same time cut U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Compared to a conventional car, the hybrids burn far less gas per mile and produce much less pollution, especially greenhouse gases. The Toyota Prius, for example, reduces normalized tailpipe emissions by up to 90% and greenhouse gas emissions by around 50%. In December of 1997, many world nations met in Kyoto, Japan to establish a treaty to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol, ratified by all the leading industrial nations except the U.S., required the more prosperous nations to show the way in reduction of emissions by the years 2008-2012.

What are some economic pros of hybrid cars?

President Bush signed an energy bill in late 2005 that provides generous tax credits to people who buy new hybrid automobiles and other fuel-efficient vehicles starting Jan 1, 2006. Credits will decline after a car manufacturer has sold 60,000 hybrids under the new program, so buyers might have to act quickly to get the benefit. The credits vary by model and will be based on two things: how much more fuel efficient the car is compared with an average 2002 car of the same weight class and how much gasoline the car will save over its lifetime compared with a baseline car in the same weight class. The latter provision will let some hybrid SUVs qualify for a tax credit, even though they guzzle more gas than smaller conventional cars that get no tax credit.

The credits expire after 2010 for most vehicles. Some of the credits are $600 for a Honda Accord Hybrid and $3,150 for a Toyota Prius. For most people, the credit, which reduces taxes dollar for dollar, will be more valuable than the existing $2,000 deduction, which reduces income before taxes. A $2,000 deduction reduces most people's tax bill by $500 to $700. A $2,000 tax credit will cut a tax bill by $2,000. The credits will apply to HEVs, vehicles powered by fuel cells, advanced "lean burn" diesel and other alternative power sources. Both diesels and hybrids must meet certain emissions standards to qualify for the credit. Additional economic advantages of some of the hybrid vehicles include use of carpool and HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes and parking free at downtown meters and in city lots.

How does a hybrid automobile work?

Hybrid automobiles blend two or more technologies, and in the case of HEVs, it's the merging of gasoline power with electric power. Today's hybrid cars pair an internal combustion (IC) engines or gas-powered with an electric motor powered by a nickel hydride battery. The electric motor assists the gas engine in starting up and accelerating. Up to 15 mpg and when idling, your car is on electric power alone. This decreases the use of gas and reduces toxic emissions from the IC engine. What makes this technology successful over previous attempts is the development of a braking system that recharges the battery every time you hit the brakes so you never need to recharge the battery.

What is the history of hybrid automobiles?

In the 18^th century, France had a steam-powered motor carriage that traveled 6 mph. In the 19th century, an Englishman assembled a car with an electric motor, and a blacksmith in Vermont produced an electric motor powered carriage in the 1830s. By the end of the 1800s, a Connecticut manufacturer had produced hundreds of electric cars and a German named Porsche manufactured a front wheel drive electric car and later a hybrid using an internal combustion engine pared with an electric motor. This is probably the first hybrid vehicle on record. In 1904, when Henry Ford developed the first assembly line manufacturing plant for gas-powered vehicles, the decline of electric powered vehicles for mass consumption was imminent.

After the U.S. Congress in the late 1960s, launched bills suggesting that producing electric vehicles would help cut air pollution, renewed interest in alternative transportation was revived. General Motors tested an experimental hybrid car that used electricity up to 13 mpg, then switched to a gas engine, although it only reached 40 mpg. After the 1973 Arab oil embargo, gas prices mounted, and concern for developing an effective alternative was revived. By the late 1970s, General Motors was spending more than $20 million on electric vehicle research and promised to have effective cars by the mid-80s. In 1993, the Dept. of Energy initiated the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) program as a partnership with the three largest U.S. car manufacturers: GM, Ford and Chrysler. Their joint goal was to have realistic models by 2000 and usable vehicles by 2003-keeping costs, safety and operation in line with conventional cars, but with double the mileage. Over the next few years, several automakers offered electric vehicles for sale starting in California, such as the Toyota RAV4, Ford's Ranger pickup and Honda's EV Plus. The disadvantages of electric cars showed up in unenthusiastic sales, so the manufacturers went back to the HEV concept. Toyota put out the first bona fide mass produced hybrid car in Japan in 1997-the four-door Toyota Prius. It appeared in the U.S. in 2000. Honda was right behind with the two-door Insight released in 1999 and in 2002, they released the Civic Hybrid which offered almost double the mpg of the non-hybrid Civic and all the performance quality. Since then, most of the other car manufacturers have jumped on board.

What SUV hybrids are coming out?

Over the next two years-2006 through 2007-several SUV hybrids will be released. Among those are the Saturn VUE SUV, the Chevy Equinox SUV, the Chevy Tahoe SUV, the Chevy Trailblazer SUV, the GMC Yukon SUV and the Honda Pilot SUV. Although no one is expecting the SUV hybrids to compare in mileage to the hybrid sedans, the fuel economy will be considerable. As an example compare the Ford Escape at an EPA rating of 20/25 MPG (city/highway) to the Ford Escape Hybrid at 36/31 MPG (city/highway). With the hybrid you could save several hundred dollars a year on fuel costs. And you'll be doing the environment a big favor!

What 2005 hybrids were released?

Several 2005 hybrids were released during the year. These include the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV, the Lexus RX 400h Hybrid SUV, the Toyota Highlander SUV, the Dodge Ram, the Mercury Mariner SUV, the Chevy Silverado pickup, the Sierra pickup, and the Dodge Ram pickup. By 2008, a total of 28 hybrid models-18 truck and 10 car models-are expected to be on the market.

What other fuel sources may be used in the future?

Hydrogen-powered fuel cells hold the promise as a clean source of power for electric motors, without the limitations of batteries. In a fuel cell, hydrogen is burned in a pollution-free chemical reaction where the fuel cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, water and waste heat. Since hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, it seems like the best replacement for more limited resources like oil. However, due to production costs and refueling limitations, manufacturers estimate that road-ready hydrogen-powered vehicles are at least a decade away. In addition to hydrogen fuel cells, engineers continue to experiment with alternative fuels such as biodiesel, natural gas, ethanol, methanol and propane-as well as fuel made from corn, soybeans, grass and sugar beets. Concept vehicles are being tested and some are even being used in commercial situations, like buses and other commercial vehicles that run on diesel. These fuels may represent a new breed of hybrid beyond the still gas-polluting engines of the current crop of HEVs.
Read more on alternative fuel vehicles

How much money can I save on fuel costs by buying a hybrid automobile?

How much you will save on fuel costs by driving a hybrid car instead of a non-hybrid depends on several factors including how much you drive, the cost of gas and how long you plan to keep your car. If you compare the Honda Civic Hybrid to the Civic non-hybrid, for example, at $2/gallon you'd save $100/year for every 10,000 miles. This is based on a difference of 10 MPG between the two cars. If your new hybrid got 20 MPG over your conventional car, all other factors remaining the same, you'd save $250/year. Whether or not you will save as much on fuel costs as the additional cost of a hybrid automobile will be based on the previous factors mentioned as well as which hybrid automobile you buy. For a comparison to the current models, take the Fuel Cost Savings Test.

Toyota Vitz

The Toyota Vitz a 3 and 5-door hatchback (sold in different markets as the Toyota Yarisand formerly as the Toyota Echo) is a line of subcompact cars first launched by Toyota in 1999, designed by Sotiris Kovos. In Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand andSouth Africa, the Vitz is sold as the Yaris Liftback (or simply Yaris).

The first generation Vitz was known as the Echo Hatchback in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and in the United States. In its second generation, the Vitz and Belta are marketed in US/Canada as the Yaris Hatchback and Yaris, respectively.

First generation (1999-2005)

Europe/Israel :-

                               The Toyota Yaris went on sale in Europe and Israel early in 1999. After the launch of the European Yaris hatchback in May 1999, a slightly modified version went on sale in Canada for the 2004 model year as the Echo hatchback, but not in the United States, where theToyota Echo sedan and coupe were the lone models. The Toyota Yaris was votedEuropean Car of the Year in 2000, defeating the innovative Fiat Multipla and Opel/Vauxhall Zafira by a narrow and large margin. The Yaris was also awarded the 2000 Semperit Irish Car of the Year.

Instead of conventional instruments, the Yaris and Echo hatchbacks utilized digital instruments which were mounted in a "pod" in the center of the dashboard. The Canadian Echo hatchback (and the Yaris T Sport) had a conventional speedometer but it was still mounted in the center of the dashboard.

The European Yaris was initially available withpetrol-powered 4-cylinder 1.0 L or 1.3 L engines with Toyota's VVT-i technology, with the warm hatch 1.5 L T Sport following in 2001. After the 2003 facelift, a 1.4 L D4-D diesel engine offering 75 hp (56 kW) was also included in the lineup. This diesel engine is also licensed to BMWfor use in their MINI One D model. The use of sophisticated engine management systems was said to give the equivalent of 1.4 litre performance from a 1.0 litre engine while maintaining low fuel consumption and emissions.

On most European and Israeli markets, the Yaris was a stronger seller than the Starlet that it replaced.

Japan

The Japanese Vitz RS (European Yaris T-Sport) was introduced in 2001 and was powered by a 1.5 L (108 hp) engine, shared with the Echo, Vios, as well as the Scion xA. The 1.5 L T Sport was more fun to drive than the base models because of a sportier suspension and extra power compared to the 1.3 L (90 hp) and 1.0 L (67 hp) models. Later, the Vitz RS was modified by TRD (Toyota Racing Developments), and was fitted with a turbo-charger. A limited run was produced with a power output of around 120 kW (163 PS; 161 bhp) and a 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of just 7 seconds. Note that there is also a 1.3L JDM Vitz RS with the 2NZ-FE engine 7–10 km/litre in city 12–13 km/litre which shares brakes, body kit, headlights, suspension and interior with the 1.5 L Vitz RS 5.5-9.5 km/litre in city 10-12.8 km/litre on highway.

North America

                                The Echo sold in very high volumes in Canada, where smaller cars are much more popular than in the US. Sales were so high that Toyota introduced the 3 and 5-door hatchback models to the Canadian Toyota lineup for the 2004 model year. They were sold as the 'Echo hatchback' and look almost identical to the European Yaris, but with minor changes (e.g. larger bumpers) to meet Canadian safety requirements.

Australia

                       The Echo was also very popular in Australia. First introduced in late 1999 to replace the aging Starlet, the Echo was available as a 3 or 5-door hatchback, fitted only with the 1.3l VVT-i engine. An Echo Sportivo variant, fitted with the 1.5l VVT-i engine, was made available for a limited time in Australia. The Sportivo was very similar to the European Yaris T-Sport.

Yaris Verso

                          An unusual addition to the Yaris range came in late 1999 with the Yaris Verso, or Echo Verso in some markets, a small MPV which used the same running gear as the conventional hatchback, but was designed to have an even more practical interior.

In Japan, the model bore the name of 'Funcargo'. The model was replaced by the Ractis in 2004, but this is a Japan-only model due to the disappointing sales of the Yaris Verso in Europe.

Second generation (2005-present)
                                                            Toyota redesigned the Vitz in early 2005, going on sale in Japan that February. The Toyota Belta sedan, shares underpinnings with the Vitz. However, while the Vitz was designed at Toyota's European ED2 design studios, the Belta was designed at their Japanese design studios. While the outgoing Vitz hatchback and Platz sedan look and feel virtually alike, the redesigned Vitz and Belta are more subtly related. The two cars share a frame and the drivetrain components however the sheet metal is different.

The European, Australian, Canadian, Mexican, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican markets saw the second generation Vitz near the end of 2005. In the Australian and North American markets, the car was sold as the "Yaris" for the first time. The production Yaris for the US market was unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.

The new Yaris is built in Japan, France, and Thailand.

The previous 4-cylinder 1.0 VVT-i engine was replaced by the 3-cylinder engine also found in the Toyota Aygo. The 1.3 liter engine was revised to offer slightly more power, and the 1.4 D-4D got a 15 PS (11 kW; 15 hp) boost to 90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp), the former engine allowing it to achieve exceptional fuel economy. The Yaris became the first car in its class to offer nine airbags.

For model year 2007 on Japanese models only, G-BOOK, a subscription telematicsservice, is offered as an option.

I

t has continued to prove popular in Europe, particularly in Britain, where it competes with models such as the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Citroen C2 and the Peugeot 207. It also has been very popular in Pakistan.

In January 2009, Toyota recalled 1.28 million vehicles worldwide based on the Yaris platform, such as the Vitz, Belta and the Ractis. The recall is based on a seat belt defect that, in severe front-end collisions, could cause a foam pad in the vehicle to ignite.

North America

                            

The Canadian Yaris hatchback is available in 3 and 5-door models, running on the Toyota NZ engine, a 1.5 L 4-cylinder VVT-i engine rated 106 bhp (79 kW) and 103 lb·ft (140 N·m). The 2006 Yaris with the 1.5 liter engine can achieve fuel economy ratings of 40 miles per US gallon (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg-imp) during highway driving and 34 mpg-US (6.9 L/100 km; 41 mpg-imp) during city driving. 3-door CE and 5-door LE versions come with 14 in (355.6 mm) wheels, while RS models are equipped with 15 in (381 mm) alloys with standard anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD). In addition, 2008 RS models include new front and back skirts.

The US Yaris is similar to the Canadian variant, and is the successor to the previous North American Toyota Echo. In the US, the 3-door Vitz shares the Yaris name with the Toyota Belta sedan. The 3-door model is called the 'Yaris Liftback', while the 5-door model will be sold starting with the 2009 model year in the United States and competes with the similarly-equipped Scion xD. The 2008 model year US Yaris comes standard with the 1.5 liter VVT-i engine producing 106 hp and 103 lb·ft and five-speed manual transmission C54, the four-speedautomatic U340E being optional. Fuel economy is rated at 29 mpg 7-9.5 km/lite in the city and 36 mpg 11-12.8 km/lite on the highway with the manual transmission. While front airbags are standard, as mandated by the law, ABS and side airbags are available only as an option.

In Canada, the CE, LE, and RS packages are replaced by the more modular convenience, power, and all-weather guard packages.

For the 2009 year, the Yaris 5-door liftbacks join the lineup of the existing 4-door sedans and 3-door liftbacks because of the increased demand for fuel efficient subcompact cars. In addition to the new 5-door liftback, all 2009 Yaris models come standard with anti-lock brakes (ABS), front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear curtain side airbags. For 2009, Toyota also added cruise control as an option on liftback models, and has added a few more colour choices.

The Yaris has been praised by the automotive press for its extremely high fuel economy, but criticized for its excessive body roll (due to a soft suspension and high ride height) and the initial lack of a manual transmission on 5-door models.

The 2010 model has a 5-speed manual option for the 5-door. It also has the Star Safety System - Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) + Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

Safety

2005 EuroNCAP crash test (5-door)
Adult: , 35 points
Child: , 34 points
Pedestrian: , 18 points

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test (5-door)
Frontal driver:
Frontal passenger:
Side driver (side airbags):
Side rear passenger (side airbags):
Rollover:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash test (3-door)
Frontal driver:
Frontal passenger:
Side driver: (no side airbags)
Side driver: (side airbags):[13]
Side rear passenger (with or without side airbag):
Rollover: 

Malaysia

The Yaris is also available in Malaysia, powered by the 1NZ-FE engine with 4-cylinder DOHC with VVT-i. It comes in 2 trim levels: 1.5 G and 1.5 S, both with 4-speed automatic transmission with Super ECT and Gate Shifter, featuring an output of 80 kW@6000 rpm, and a torque of 141 N·m (104 lb·ft)@4200 rpm.

The 1.5S variant comes with 15” solid disc brakes for the front wheels, front and rear bumper spoilers, side skirt and rear spoiler, amber Optitron meter, a black center cluster, with a steering wheel, gearshift and knob in leather.

Indonesia

The Yaris was launched in Indonesia in 2006. It is powered by the 1.5 liter 1NZ-FE engine matched to 4-speed super ECT automatic or 5-speed Manual transmission. Initially, the Yaris was offered in E, S, and S Limited trim levels. The manual only S and automatic only S Limited came with front, side and rear spoilers. The Yaris received minor changes for 2009 model year with new bumpers, grille, tail lights, and revised interior. The new base model J was added into the line up. The mid-level E got aero-style mudguards and roof spoiler, while full body kits are remained on the S and S Limited. The S Limited TRD Sportivo with extreme body kits and lowered springs was offered in the small numbers. Prepared by Toyota Team Indonesia, the slightly modified Yaris is raced in the Indonesian Touring Car Championship, and often achieved good results.

RS

The Toyota Yaris RS was launched in 2007. It was first seen at the Geneva Motor Show and is powered by the new 130 bhp (97 kW) 1.8 2ZR-FE DOHC L dual VVT-i I4 gasoline engine, which can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 10 seconds. The RS features 17 in (431.8 mm) alloy wheels, a mesh grille, a redesigned rear bumper, deep side skirts and a tail spoiler. It also features redesigned headlights and taillights. As in the previous T-Sport, there are extra rear lights on the bumper. Essentially, it is a JDM Vitz RS fitted with a 2ZR-FE engine.

Hydraulic brake

The hydraulic brake is an arrangement of braking mechanism which uses brake fluid, typically containing ethylene glycol, to transfer pressure from the controlling unit, which is usually near the operator of the vehicle, to the actual brake mechanism, which is usually at or near the wheel of the vehicle.

Construction:- 

                                     The most common arrangement of hydraulic brakes for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds, consists of the following:
Brake pedal or lever
A pushrod (also called an actuating rod)
A master cylinder assembly containing a piston assembly (made up of either one or two pistons, a return spring, a series of gaskets/ O-rings and a fluid reservoir)
Reinforced hydraulic lines
Brake caliper assembly usually consisting of one or two hollow aluminum or chrome-plated steel pistons (called caliper pistons), a set of thermally conductive brake pads and a rotor (also called a brake disc) or drum attached to a axle.

The system is usually filled with a glycol-ether based brake fluid (other fluids may also be used).

At one time, passenger vehicles commonly employed disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear wheels. However, because disc brakes have been shown a better stopping performance and are therefore generally safer and more effective than drum brakes, four-wheel disc brakes have become increasingly popular, replacing drums on all but the most basic vehicles. Many two-wheel vehicles designs, however, continue to employ a drum brake for the rear wheel.

For simplicity, the braking system described hereafter uses the terminology and configuration for a simple disc brake.

System Operation :-

                                                 Within a hydraulic brake system, as the brake pedal is pressed/ brake lever is squeezed, a pushrod exerts force on the piston(s) in the master cylinder causing fluid from the brake fluid reservoir to flow into a pressure chamber through a compensating port which results in an increase in the pressure of the entire hydraulic system. This forces fluid through the hydraulic lines toward one or more calipers where it acts upon one or two additional caliper pistons secured by one or more seated O-rings which prevent the escape of any fluid from around the piston.

The brake caliper piston(s) then apply force to the brake pads. This causes them to be pushed against the spinning rotor, and the friction between the pads and the rotor causes a braking torque to be generated, slowing the vehicle. Heat generated from this friction is often dissipated through vents and channels in the rotor and through the pads themselves which are made of specialized heat-tolerant materials (kevlar, sintered glass, et al.).

Subsequent release of the brake pedal/ lever allows the spring(s) within the master cylinder assembly to return that assembly's piston(s) back into position. This relieves the hydraulic pressure on the caliper allowing the brake piston in the caliper assembly to slide back into its housing and the brake pads to release the rotor. Unless there is a leak somewhere in the system, at no point does any of the brake fluid enter or leave.

Component specifics :-

                                        (For typical light duty automotive braking systems)

The brake pedal is a simple lever. One end is attached to the framework of the vehicle, a pushrod extends from a point along its length, and the foot pad is at the other end of the lever. The rod either extends to the master cylinder (manual brakes) or to the vacuum booster (power brakes).

In a four-wheel car, the master cylinder is divided internally into two sections, each of which pressurizes a separate hydraulic circuit. Each section supplies pressure to one circuit. Passenger vehicles typically have either a front/rear split brake system or a diagonal split brake system (the master cylinder in a motorcycle or scooter may only pressurize a single unit, which will be the front brake).

A front/rear split system uses one master cylinder section to pressurize the front caliper pistons and the other section to pressurize the rear caliper pistons. A split circuit braking system is now required by law in most countries for safety reasons; if one circuit fails, the other circuit can stop the vehicle.

Diagonal split systems were used initially on American Motors automobiles in the 1967 production year. The right front and left rear are served by one actuating piston while the left front and the right rear are served, exclusively, by a second actuating piston (both pistons pressurize their respective coupled lines from a single foot pedal). If either circuit fails, the other, with at least one front wheel braking (the front brakes provide most of the speed reduction) remains intact to stop the mechanically-damaged vehicle. Just before 1970, diagonally split systems had become universal for automobiles sold in the United States.

The diameter and length of the master cylinder has a significant effect on the performance of the brake system. A larger diameter master cylinder delivers more hydraulic fluid to the caliper pistons, yet requires more brake pedal force and less brake pedal stroke to achieve a given deceleration. A smaller diameter master cylinder has the opposite effect.

A master cylinder may also use differing diameters between the two sections to allow for increased fluid volume to one set of caliper pistons or the other.

Power brakes:-
                                        The vacuum booster or vacuum servo is used in most modern hydraulic brake systems which contain four wheels. The vacuum booster is attached between the master cylinder and the brake pedal and multiplies the braking force applied by the driver. These units consist of a hollow housing with a movable rubber diaphragm across the center, creating two chambers. When attached to the low-pressure portion of the throttle body or intake manifold of the engine, the pressure in both chambers of the unit is lowered. The equilibrium created by the low pressure in both chambers keeps the diaphragm from moving until the brake pedal is depressed. A return spring keeps the diaphragm in the starting position until the brake pedal is applied. When the brake pedal is applied, the movement opens an air valve which lets in atmospheric pressure air to one chamber of the booster. Since the pressure becomes higher in one chamber, the diaphragm moves toward the lower pressure chamber with a force created by the area of the diaphragm and the differential pressure. This force, in addition to the driver's foot force, pushes on the master cylinder piston. A relatively small diameter booster unit is required; for a very conservative 50% manifold vacuum, an assisting force of about 1500 N (200n) is produced by a 20 cm diaphragm with an area of 0.03 square meters. The diaphragm will stop moving when the forces on both sides of the chamber reach equilibrium. This can be caused by either the air valve closing (due to the pedal apply stopping) or if "run out" is reached. Run out occurs when the pressure in one chamber reaches atmospheric pressure and no additional force can be generated by the now stagnant differential pressure. After the run out point is reached, only the driver's foot force can be used to further apply the master cylinder piston.

The fluid pressure from the master cylinder travels through a pair of steel brake tubes to a pressure differential valve, sometimes referred to as a "brake failure valve", which performs two functions: it equalizes pressure between the two systems, and it provides a warning if one system loses pressure. The pressure differential valve has two chambers (to which the hydraulic lines attach) with a piston between them. When the pressure in either line is balanced, the piston does not move. If the pressure on one side is lost, the pressure from the other side moves the piston. When the piston makes contact with a simple electrical probe in the center of the unit, a circuit is completed, and the operator is warned of a failure in the brake system.

From the pressure differential valve, brake tubing carries the pressure to the brake units at the wheels. Since the wheels do not maintain a fixed relation to the automobile, it is necessary to use hydraulic brake hose from the end of the steel line at the vehicle frame to the caliper at the wheel. Allowing steel brake tubing to flex invites metal fatigue and, ultimately, brake failure. A common upgrade is to replace the standard rubber hoses with a set which are externally reinforced with braided stainless-steel wires; these have negligible expansion under pressure and can give a firmer feel to the brake pedal with less pedal travel for a given braking effort.

HYDRAULIC BRAKES:-                                                                                            The hydraulic brake system used in the automobile is a multiple piston system. A multiple piston system allows forces to be transmitted totwo or more pistons in the manner indicated in figure 2-21. Note that the pressure set up by the force applied to the input piston (1) is transmitted undiminished to both output pistons (2 and 3), and that the resultant force on each piston is proportional to its area. The multiplication of forces from the input piston to each output piston is the same as that explained earlier.
The hydraulic brake system from the master cylinders to the wheel cylinders on most automobiles operates in a way similar to the system illustrated in figure 2-22.

Figure 2-21.—Multiple piston system.When the brake pedal is depressed, the pressure on the brake pedal moves the piston within the master cylinder, forcing the brake fluidfrom the master cylinder through the tubing and flexible hose to the wheel cylinders. The wheel cylinders contain two opposed output pistons, each of which is attached to a brake shoe fitted inside the brake drum. Each output piston pushes the attached brake shoe against the wall of the brake drum, thus retarding the rotation of the wheel. When pressure on the pedal is released, the springs on the brake shoes return the wheel cylinder pistons to their released positions. This action forces the displaced brake fluid back through the flexible hose and tubing to the master cylinder.
The force applied to the brake pedal produces a proportional force on each of the output pistons, which in turn apply the brake shoesfrictionally to the turning wheels to retard rotation.
As previously mentioned, the hydraulic brake system on most automobiles operates in a similar way, as shown in figure 2-22. It is beyond the scope of this manual to discuss the various brake systems.

Brake Pedal The brake pedal is directly attached to the master cylinder. Pedal pulsation, excessive pedal travel, a "soft" or "hard" pedal can be indicators of serious problems, including a leak in the hydraulic system, low fluid levels, or unevenly worn shoes or pads.

1. 

Master Cylinder

The master cylinder acts as a holding tank for brake fluid until it is needed. When the brake pedal is depressed, the master cylinder forces fluid to each of the vehicle's wheels.

Wear on the master cylinder's moving parts may allow brake fluid to leak, causing unreliable stopping or possible system failure.

Combination Valve

A vehicle's wheel can lock up if the front and rear brake systems are not working together properly. Comprised of a metering valve, proportioning valve, and brake warning light, the combination valve helps regulate the amount of pressure on each set of wheels -- making sure both front and rear brakes are applied at the same time.

Wheel Cylinder

The wheel cylinder is a critical element in the drum brake assembly. It contains fluid-activated pistons that push the shoes against the drums to slow the wheels.

The wheel cylinder is also the source of many brake problems. If brake fluid leaks from the wheel cylinder, the vehicle could experience unreliable stopping, damage to new brake shoes, or partial brake system failure. A sticking wheel cylinder may cause brake drag, excessive pedal effort, and reduced braking efficiency.

Drum Brake Assembly

A drum brake assembly is used to bring the rear wheels of most vehicles to a stop. Fluid pressure from the master cylinder causes the wheel cylinder to push the brake shoes against the brake drums which are attached to the vehicle's rear wheels. The friction between the stationary shoes and the revolving drums causes the drums to slow and stop the rear wheels.

Worn drums and shoes, however, can cause unreliable stopping, excessive pedal effort, or brake pedal pulsation.

Disc Brake Assembly

Because a disc brake assembly can absorb more heat than a drum brake assembly, most cars use disc brakes for their front brake systems. When the brake pedal is pushed, brake fluid from the master cylinder compresses the brake pads against the rotors attached to the vehicle's front wheels. The friction between the stationary pads and the revolving rotors causes the rotors and wheel to slow and stop.  In day-to-day driving, these rotors and pads are subject to much abuse, and should be checked periodically for wear. Faulty disc brakes can cause excessive pedal travel, pumping or fighting pedal, vibration during braking action, and brake failure.

HINO Trucks and Buses

History of Hino Trucks

The Hino Motors that we know of today is a subsidiary of the Toyota Motor Corporation and a leading manufacturer of buses, trucks, and engines. To understand the steps that Hino took to reach the company that we know, we are going to look at the history of Hino trucks and commercial vehicles.

The Road to Hino

The origins of the Hino Motor Company begin with the Tokyo Gas Industry Company, which started in 1910. As a leader in its industry, the company was able to expand its line of products and eventually built the model TGE A type Truck in 1917. By 1937, this company decided to merge itself with several other Japanese companies to form the Tokyo Automobile Industry Company, which was later renamed the Diesel Motor Industry Company.

Interestingly enough these are the same founding companies that went on to create Isuzu motors, but in 1942 a portion of the company was spun off to create Hino Heavy Industry Company Limited, which marked the beginning of the company as we know it. Its name derived from the company headquarters location of Hino City within Tokyo.

The Growth of Hino

From its beginning, Hino focused on diesel engines, heavy duty trucks, and buses. There is a brief period where they attempt to enter the private car industry through a partnership with Renault, but that is quickly put aside around 1967 when Hino first partners with the Toyota group. By 1984 Hino trucks enters the US market with a medium duty truck designed with the cab over engine. Their first attempt at a practical use for a hybrid vehicle occurs in 1991 with a hybrid diesel and electric engine system to power a bus in Japan.

Today’s Hino Trucks

In 2003 Hino officially becomes a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Company, and its medium duty and heavy duty trucks are re-introduced into the US. That same year Toyota and Hino jointly develop the first hydrogen fuel cell bus service in Japan. Over the next two years Hino introduces hybrid light duty and medium duty trucks to Japan.

This commitment to hybrid and electric technologies places Hino on a path to develop some of the most cutting edge commercial vehicles in the world. Currently, the company is testing a method of hybrid electric bus that does not require a plug for charging. Instead, a wireless system is built into the road to charge the batteries of the bus, so that it can continue to operate without the need for additional fuel.

Today, Hino is 3rd when it comes to the largest truck manufacturers in the world. As the fastest growing medium duty and heavy duty truck manufacturer in the US, and a leader in both diesel and hybrid technologies the Hino brand has a bright future ahead of it.

FY	Management/Production	Products	Environmental Events and Activities
1990	December ■Hino Plant introduced cogeneration equipment
1991	July □Establishment of the Hino Green Fund Foundation	April Release of Hybrid Inverter controlled Motor & Retarder (HIMR) vehicles equipped with hybrid diesel electric engine systems
1992	April ■Establishment of the Hamura Clean Center May ■Total elimination of specified chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant (CFC113) used as a mold release agent for forged parts		◆Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit ◇Establishment of medium-term brake regulations
1993	March □Formulation of the Hino Global Environment Charter □Formulation of the Hino Global Environment Action Plan □Establishment of the Hino Environment Committee ■Establishment of the Production Environment Working Group	March Establishment of the Environment Technology Working Group May Issuance of advance assessment implementation guidelines based on the Recycling Law; completion of switch from specified CFCs for air conditioning to CFC substitutes	◇Enactment of the Basic Environment Law ◇Enforcement of the Law Concerning Special Measures for Total Emission Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides from Automobiles in Specified Areas
1994	June ■Total elimination of trichloroethane used in cleaning parts December ■Hamura Plant introduced cogeneration equipment #2		◇Emission regulations for 1994
1995		February Release of vehicles equipped with common rail fuel injection systems
1996	March □Hino Global Environment Action Plan, 1st revision
1997	March ■Nitta Plant introduced casting sand recycling equipment		◇The Third Conference of the Parties (COP3) held in Kyoto
1998	November ■Elimination of small-size incinerators as a dioxin countermeasure	February Announcement of the voluntary action plan, an end-of-life vehicle recycling initiative
1999	March ○Hamura Plant acquired ISO 14001 certification		◇Emission regulations for 1999
2000	March ○Nitta Plant acquired ISO 14001 certification September □Issuance of an environmental report	February Release of vehicles equipped with Pulse Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) systems
2001	February □Hino Global Environment Charter, 1st revision □Formulation of Hino Motors Environmental Voluntary Plan March ■Achievement of zero emissions at all three plants ○Headquarters and Hino Plant acquired ISO 14001 certification	December Release of first vehicles in Japan equipped with five-cylinder turbo intercooler engine	◇Noise regulations for 2001
2002	January ○Oume Parts Center and Hidaka Delivery Center acquired ISO 14001 certification □Establishment of the Recycling Working Group  □Establishment of the Dealer Environment Working Group  July □Issuance of Dealer Environmental Guidelines September □Issuance of Environmental Procurement Guidelines	February Receipt of the Director-General's Award, the Natural Resources and Energy Agency, the Energy Conservation Award for new model HIMR system route buses	◇Enforcement of the revised Law Concerning Special Measures for Total Emission Reduction of Nitrogen Oxides and Particulate Matters from Automobiles in Specified Areas ◆Johannesburg Earth Summit
2003	April ○Tamachi Office acquired ISO 14001 certification January	August Release of ultra-low PM certified four-star medium- and heavy-duty trucks  October Release of ultra-low PM certified four-star light-duty trucks	◇Emission regulations for 2003
2004	August ■Hino Plant introduced frame deodorizing equipment September ■Nitta Plant introduced cogeneration equipment	April Release of newly developed medium-duty hybrid trucks August Release of ultra-low PM certified four-star small size buses	◇Emission regulations for 2004
2005	April ■Nitta Plant reinforced waste water treatment facilities	May Release of medium-duty trucks compatible with 2005 emission regulations August Release of large-size touring coaches compatible with 2005 emission regulations	◇Enforcement of Law for the Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicles ◇Validation of the Kyoto Protocol ◇Emission regulations for 2005 ◇Exposition of Global Harmony
2006	September ■Shutdown of the Hamura Clean Center ■Issuance of the Hino Green Purchasing Guidelines	February Release of heavy-duty trucks compatible with 2005 emission regulations September Release of light-duty trucks compatible with 2005 emission regulations November Release of medium-duty trucks compatible with low-emission heavy-duty vehicle standards	◇Enactment of the revised Energy Conservation Law
2007	March ■Hino Plant renovated cogeneration equipment August ■Hamura Plant completed new painting facility construction September ■Commencement of demonstration runs along city-operated routes using latest model hybrid buses fueled by second generation bio diesel November ■Recipient at the 4th Eco-Products Awards (Committee Chairperson's Award in the Eco-Products Category) for its "External Power Supply Type Idling-Stop Air-Conditioning System"	January Release of large-sized touring coaches compatible with low-emission heavy-duty vehicle standards February Practical application of second-generation biodiesel; implementation of collaborative projects Release of large-sized route buses compatible with 2005 emission regulations December Addition of the medium-duty truck "Hino Ranger" to the list of heavy-duty trucks compliant with fuel economy standards; Implementation of on-road fleet trial using synthetic liquid Fischer-Tropsch Diesel (FTD) fuel; Addition of the light-duty truck "Hino Dutro" to the list of heavy-duty trucks compliant with fuel economy standards January 2008 Release of the medium-duty truck "Hino Ranger Hybrid" compatible with New Long-Term Emission Regulations	◇Eco Car World 2007 held ◆Issuance of the fourth assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) ◆Agreement to the COP13 "the Bali Road Map"  ◆Commencement of the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol  ◆G20 meeting held, a gathering of cabinet ministers from 20 leading nations to discuss the issue of global warming
2008	April ■Established a truck sales joint-venture company as a part of efforts to enter the Russian market ■Newly introduced a light-duty truck to the Vietnamese market August ■Groundbreaking ceremony held by the Company's local Mexican subsidiary commemorating the planned construction of a new plant ■Established a truck sales joint-venture company as a part of efforts to enter the Indian market December  ■Line-off ceremony held by the Company's local Columbian subsidiary to mark the start of production ○Shanghai Hino Engine Co., Ltd. acquires ISO 14001 certification January 2009 □Hino Motors participates in the Dakar Rally for the 18th successive year February 2009 □Hamura Plant receives an award from Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in recognition of its efforts to promote energy conservation activities	May Release of the large Hino Selega Hybrid tour bus following a full model change September Introduced in the line of "Hino Ranger" medium-duty trucks a model equipped with "Pro Shift 6"  December  Steps completed to reinforce the fuel efficiency capabilities offered by Hino Compass	◆The Great Sichuan Earthquake ◇The Hokkaido Toyako Summit established a CO2 reduction target of 50% for 2050 ◇Enforcement of the Basic Act on Biological Diversity 2009 ◆Inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States

HINO BUSES

Hino Motors, Ltd. to provide shuttle buses for the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit

Hino Motors, Ltd. (“Hino”) will provide the following vehicles as shuttle buses for the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit that will be held in July 2008: two different versions of a large-sized hybrid touring coach called the “Hino S’elega Hybrid” and a single hybrid bus equipped with Inductive Power Transfer¹.

The G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit has been dubbed the “Environment Summit” and environmental concerns are planned to be a major focus. Hino recognizes the importance of such an intention so has decided to provide shuttle buses for the summit. 
Hino will continue to work to actively prevent global warming and provide trucks and buses that are useful for our customers.

Outline of the new “Hino S’elega Hybrid”

The “Hino S’elega Hybrid” is a large-sized high-output hybrid touring coach that is designed to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. The new model introduces an “A09C-1M” type power unit with a total piston displacement of 8.9 L. This is a combination of a new lightweight, high-output engine and Hino’s special hybrid system². With this power unit, the new model has succeeded in reducing emission gases and improving fuel efficiency.
This has enabled the Hino S’elega Hybrid to meet the 2005 (new long-term) emission regulations and earn it “NOx & PM 10% Reduction Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle” certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
With regard to PM emissions, the new model has succeeded in a 50% reduction beyond the values stipulated by regulations and has achieved the fuel efficiency standards for FY2015.

Fig.1: Exterior of the “Hino S’elega Hybrid” (artist’s impression)

 

About the inductive power transfer hybrid bus

This hybrid bus runs on electricity normally to reduce emission gas and CO2 as much as possible while it’s running. It is environmentally-friendly and has succeeded in suppressing internal noise for passengers. In areas where there are no electrical power feeding centers, this model can also run as a normal hybrid bus.

Fig.2: Structure of a hybrid bus equipped with inductive power transfer

Notes:
1: A low-floor hybrid large-sized route bus developed under the “Initiative for the Promotion of Development and Practical Application of Next-generation Low-pollution Vehicles.” Since 2002, this initiative has been promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as an Industry-Government-Academia Collaboration Group whose research body is the National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory.
In this model, a great amount of electricity is quickly fed from a primary coil built into the road to a secondary coil equipped beneath the floor. The electricity is then stored in batteries built into its roof. The bus can then run on electricity stored in these rooftop batteries.
In areas where there are no electrical power feeding centers, this model can also run as a hybrid bus. The touring coach was demonstrated in an operational service at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) in February 2008.

2: Introducing Hino’s own parallel hybrid system, which is powered by a normal engine in combination with an electric motor. During normal operation, the Hino S’elega Hybrid is powered only by the engine. When starting to move or accelerating, the electric motor assists the engine. This enables the Hino S’elega Hybrid to improve fuel efficiency and to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions.

BUSES IN PAKISTAN

The largest Manufacturer of Buses in Pakistan, Hinopak is fully-equipped to design and manufacture a wide range of Bus Chassis and all types of Bus Bodies. Hinopak’s Bus Line Up includes the Roadliner Supreme Luxury Bus for long journeys, Citiliner Intercity Buses, Citiliner Urban Buses and the luxury Senator Coach and Rapidliner Deluxe Coaches.

Hinopak delivers only the safest most reliable products and remains the Pioneer in supplying the largest number of Urban Buses those are successfully facilitating the commuters of Punjab and Sindh.Hinopak is fully-equipped to design and manufacture a wide range of Bus Chassis and all types of Bus Bodies.

Hinopak’s Bus Line Up includes the Roadliner Supreme air-condition Super Luxury Bus, Citiliner Intercity Buses, Citiliner Urban Buses, Senator Pride, air-condition luxury coach and Rapidliner Deluxe Coach.