General Motors XP-883

The GM XP -883 was the prototype of a plug -in hybrid vehicle from General Motors ( GM) and one of the first modern hybrid vehicles. The project XP -883 was introduced in 1969 as a study for a commuter car ( " commuter car " ) with seating for two adults and two children.

Prehistory

Direct ancestor of the XP -883 was a stir- Lec 1 called test vehicle, additionally comprising a Stirling engine as a range extender had an electric motor and which was charging the batteries while driving. The gas tank for the engine was located above the rear axle, the 14 conventional lead-acid batteries, however the front. The Stir -Lec 1, the Opel Kadett B Coupe on a based, reached a maximum speed of 90 km / h GM introduced the vehicle in 1969 in an advertisement in the magazine Car Craft ago.

Specifications

The GM XP -883 features a serial hybrid drive, which has no mechanical connection between the engine and the front drive axle is. The coaxial longitudinally mounted DC electric motor drives the drive shaft through a planetary gear, a two-cylinder gasoline engine with OHV valve control is used to extend the range. The built- lying, water-cooled internal combustion engine ever, according to a capacity of 570 or 573 cm3 (35 cui ). The six lead-acid batteries are located above the rear axle. The vehicle can operate in hybrid or pure electric mode, the switching between the two is done electronically or manually by the driver. In both operating modes is at speeds below 10 mph (16 km / h), only the electric motor is used.

As the Stir -Lec the car based on the Opel Kadett B, where the body is made of fiberglass reinforced plastic. The front of the XP -883 is reminiscent of the Chevrolet Vega, who emerged from the related prototype XP -884, the hatchback body at the later Opel Kadett City. The XP -883 is a four-seater, but the seats are arranged back to back ( Dos -à- dos ), so look rearward facing rear seat passengers.