Suzuki Motor Corp. plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid version of its Swift compact car using Sanyo lithium-ion battery packs.
Japan’s second- largest minicar maker said its dealers will begin test driving of 60 Swift plug-in hybrids on Japanese roads from this autumn.
Suzuki displayed the Swift plug-in hybrid at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.
The Swift plug-in hybrid features a series hybrid system that incorporates a small 600cc internal combustion engine, mated to an electric motor. Like Chevy Volt, the Swift plug-In hybrid uses the electric motor to move the car, and the engine acts as a generator to help produce power.
The engine will generate 54-horsepower and the electric motor will produce 74-horsepower. The Swift plug-in hybrid offers an electric range of about 12 miles (20 km).
Suzuki didn’t said when or where the car may go on sale.
Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, agreed in December to buy a 19.9 percent stake in Suzuki for 222.5 billion yen ($2.4 billion). The two companies plan to develop hybrids and electric vehicles together under both car brands, Suzuki said in December.
Sanyo currently supplies nickel-metal hydride batteries to Honda and Ford for vehicles sold in the North American market and reportedly plans to supply Toyota as well.
Sanyo will also provide its nickel-metal hydride cells for Peugeot 3008 crossover and the Citroen DS5 models which the French carmaker plans to launch in 2011.
Sanyo has also agreed on joint lithium-ion battery development with German’s Volkswagen AG.
[source: Kyodo News via Pure Green Cars]
