Haval HB-02 Plug-in Hybrid Crossover Has 40 Mile Range

Today, ground zero for innovation in the electric and plug-in hybrid automotive market is China, where sales of electric cars are higher than in any other country in the world. And the hottest segment in the market is the crossover SUV. Within that sector, the BMW X5 xDrive40e has an all electric range of 19 miles. Volvo’s XC90 T8 Hybrid can go 25 miles on battery power alone. But a new concept crossover from Haval — the HB-02 — will be capable of driving 40 miles before the onboard gasoline engine is called into action.

Range is the holy grail of plug-in cars. The more the better, provided the price doesn’t get so high that buyers can’t afford to buy them. More range is easy. Just shove in a bigger battery. But with battery costs often representing as much as one third of the price of new car, manufacturers need to strike a careful balance between battery size and the bottom line.

The HB-02 was unveiled for the first time at the recent Beijing auto show. Although it is just a concept at the present time, production is expected to begin in 2017. The handsome SUV-like HB-02 combines a turbocharged 1.5 liter gas engine, a front mounted electric motor, and a 13 kWh rear mounted lithium ion battery. Total available torque is 332 lb-ft.

Like most hybrids, a central computer normally manages the gas engine and electric motor to maximize efficiency. But drivers can select Power mode, which extracts maximum power from both and propels the car to 62 mph in 9 seconds. Hardly world record performance, but adequate for normal driving.

In electric only mode, the gasoline engine is deactivated and all driving is done using the 127 horsepower electric motor, which cranks out 205 lb-ft of torque. The 13 kWh lithium ion battery can be charged in four hours using a standard home wall socket. Regenerative braking also harvests energy and sends it back to the battery during normal driving.

Fuel economy claims should always be taken with a grain of salt these days, but Haval says the HB-02 consumes just 2.1 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. That works out to 112 mpg. There are no plans to import the HB-02 to the US market at present, but China-only models do have an impact on how car companies look at the global market. BMW shoppers may not be all that impressed with the X5 Xdrive 40e if they know there is a Chinese equivalent that has more than twice the available range.

Source: Gizmag   Photo credit: Haval