Connaught Introduces Retrofit Mild Hybrid System
19 September 2007
Connaught Engineering has introduced a retrofit mild hybrid system for application in light commercial vehicles. The Hybrid+ system uses supercapacitors and a compact CVT drive between the engine and the 48V motor/alternator. The system can potentially deliver fuel savings of between 15-25%, depending upon driving cycle and traffic conditions.
The CVT drive functions as a torque multiplier. The motor is rated at 23 Nm of torque, but with the CVT gear ratio—2.5 to 4.1 depending upon the power train—the effective assistance can be up to 80 Nm, according to Tony Martindale, CEO of Connaught Engineering.
We classify this as a rapid transient hybrid system. It demands everything all at once, and has extremely rapid regen. On regen, we can overspeed the motor using the CVT with a different ratio and get a lot of amps out it. That's one reason for the supercaps.
—Tony Martindale
Tesco.com is the first customer for the Hybrid+ systems. The company will initially equip seven Ford Transits within their home delivery fleet with the system and run them in a trial over the next six months. Should the trial be successful, Tesco will progressively fit the balance of the Transit fleet with its technology.
The Hybrid+ system originated with the development of the hybrid powertrain for the Connaught Type-D h sports coupe, the company’s original primary focus. (Earlier post.)
The Connaught Motor founders, Martindale and Tim Bishop, secured the Connaught brand and formed the company in 2002, targeting the sports coupe market because of increasing demand in the sector across Europe. To secure a niche within that niche market, they decided to craft a car that would balance performance, economy and interior space. After evaluation, they opted for a 2.0-liter V10 hybrid powertrain.
As they were working on the design of the Connaught mild hybrid system on a Ford 2.0-liter engine last year, Martindale said, they had a “Eureka moment—why the hell aren’t we doing this on everything?” That was the inspiration for commercializing the Hybrid+ retrofit system, and for the spin-off of Connaught Engineering into a company separate from Connaught Motor. Connaught Engineering will focus on the Hybrid+ system and on R&D; Connaught Motor will focus on the vehicle.
Commercial vehicles are an attractive target for retrofits because there is more package space available.
Connaught is not implementing stop/start on the initial batch of retrofit diesel systems without OEM approval due to concerns over the potential impact on emissions. And Connaught is just doing diesel at the moment. The company is considering using two different supercap systems depending upon vehicle use.
Sounds like the name Connaught will be back in F1 racing per Mosely's proposals for use of power regeneration in F1 cars.
Posted by: gary | 19 September 2007 at 05:36 PM
Sounds like the name Connaught will be back in F1 racing per Mosely's proposals for the use of power regeneration in F1 cars.
Posted by: gary | 19 September 2007 at 05:37 PM
Sweet! Let's hope they can do this for everything.
Posted by: Elliot | 19 September 2007 at 06:23 PM
I'd like a retrofit for my Corolla. Even if it's just a start-stop system.
Posted by: Cervus | 19 September 2007 at 07:04 PM
2.0 Litre V-10 (200 cc/cyl.)? Does anyone here know if that is accurate? Thankx.
Posted by: | 19 September 2007 at 09:52 PM
Connaught has indeed developed a supercharged 2.0L narrow V10. It's a very unusual design delivering 300bhp @ 7000RPM.
http://www.connaughtmotorco.com/performance_gt.html
Mind you, new gasoline engine designs featuring sequential turbos or a single pressure wave supercharger deliver more bang per cubic inch. Connaught's claim of best-in-class power density won't last very long, unless you limit the class definition to small-displacement V10s.
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | 20 September 2007 at 03:12 AM
Looks nice. Makes me skeptical anyway about the underhood packaging of the motor/CVT and the 48V batteries. How much does it cost ?
Posted by: Ken Lamio | 20 September 2007 at 09:35 AM
Possible marine applications?
Posted by: middleoroad | 22 September 2007 at 07:15 AM
definition brooklyn Cyclone
Posted by: like Cyclone definition | 06 May 2008 at 07:41 AM
This is really classy piece of adaption of a fairly recent development in transmissions the CVT.
We hear the praises of this device in many applications.
The link to Connaught Engineering shows in image the down sides. I see the extra belt drives, o'sized pulleys, space hogging (mechanics know what that usually means)and I'm guessing a severe weight penalty. We see outrigger weights as hard to restrain on bumpy dirt roads or vibrating engines and simply don't want to see more of it.
I believe the appropriate term for these devices is 'Heath Robinson'
The final punch is the quoted price. 2750 pounds sterling
I have consistently critisised these add on systems from the ideal perspective. While this is innovative and achieves its intent, I can not say I'm a convert.
Posted by: arnold | 27 October 2008 at 05:17 PM