One of Russia's richest men plans to produce his own hybrid cars, in the next few years. Mikhail Prokhorov says he wants to "break the stereotype that Russia can't produce good cars." The mining mogul — who also owns the New Jersey Nets basketball team — unveiled a prototype of the car in Moscow Monday.
Looking somewhat like large toy cars, the three prototypes shown—a two-door car, a minivan and a small cargo van—are touted as being the world’s first natural gas hybrid electric vehicles. The Yo’s drivetrain is a series hybrid design that operates with two small electric motors, a bank of capacitors and a small engine that can burn either gasoline or natural gas. The engine operates almost continuously, generating electricity that powers the motors directly or charges the capacitors that discharge energy for start-and-stop city driving.
The ë-mobile (pronounced "Yo-mobile") two-door vehicle, which sources all of its parts from Russia and former Soviet Union nations, will cost approximately $10,000 when it is released in 2012. That's ultra-cheap for a hybrid, even if Prokhorov's prototype is more akin to a Pinto than a Tesla Roadster--and it has a loud engine, to boot. The car also has a top speed of 81 miles an hour (again, no Tesla) and a fuel efficiency of 67 miles per gallon.
The new car is in line with President Dmitry Medvedev’s call on business to innovate and help the country economy wean itself of a reliance on hydrocarbons for energy and transport.
Press Release
ë-AUTO Presents ë-Mobile and ë-Philosophy.
Last month, we announced a new brand of automobile. The word "ë-mobile" has since found its place in the rich Russian lexicon.
As promised, we are today displaying three prototypes of three new classes:
ë - microvan
ë - cross coupe
ë - fourgon
We are also presenting the components and cutting-edge technology behind the ë-mobile design.
We believe they represent the best of Russia's intellectual potential.
As a holiday present to the people of Moscow and to visiting guests, ë-AUTO will open its doors for public viewing of the ë-mobile prototypes. From January 2-12 between the hours of 10:00 and 20.00, we will be happy to welcome anyone who wishes to see the prototypes, learn about the technical aspects and take pictures. Entrance is free. All are welcome!
ë-mikroven
Dimensions:
Length 3892 mm, width 1815 mm, height 1611 mm
Curb weight: 700 kg
Gross weight: 1000 kg
The wheel formula: 4x4 (4x2)
Maximum speed: 130 km / h
Acceleration from standstill to 100 km / h: 10 sec
Fuel consumption: 3.5 liters per 100 km
ë-cross-coupe
Dimensions:
Length 4065 width 1832 mm, height 1495 mm
Curb weight: 700 kg
Gross weight: 1000 kg
The wheel formula: 4x4 (4x2)
Maximum speed: 130 km / h
Acceleration from standstill to 100 km / h: 8 seconds
Fuel consumption: 3.5 liters per 100 km
ë-van
Dimensions:
Length 4200 width 1880 mm, height 1870 mm
Curb weight: 750 kg
Payload: 500 kg
Volume of cargo compartment: 4 m3
Gross weight: 1000 kg
The wheel formula: 4x4 (4x2)
Maximum speed: 130 km / h
Acceleration from standstill to 100 km / h: 15 sec
Fuel consumption: 4 l / 100 km