Yo-Mobile
Yo-mobil | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Yo-auto |
Production | From 2013[1] |
Body and chassis | |
Body style | Crossover, hatchback, truck |
Powertrain | |
Engine | Gasoline or natural gas hybrid |
The Yo-mobil (Russian: ё-мобиль, IPA: [jɵ mɐˈbʲilʲ]) is a planned hybrid electric car that will be produced by Yo-auto, a Russian company that is a joint venture between SKD truck maker Yarovit and the Onexim investment group.[2][3][4]
Background
The car was introduced on 13 December 2010 in Moscow, a product of a joint venture between Yarovit, owner of a small assembly plant in St. Petersburg, Russia and the Onexim investment group, headed by Mikhail Prokhorov, who is the leader and financier of the project.[2][4] Prokhorov planned to invest around €150 million (US$200 million) in a the venture, dubbed Yo-auto.[2] According to Prokhorov, he intended for the vehicle to "break the stereotype saying Russia can't produce good cars."[4]
Design
The car will be powered by an engine that can burn both gasoline and natural gas and is connected to a pair of electric motors.[2] Unlike other hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius, the internal-combustion engine directly powers the motors rather than a battery.[2] It was planned to install a rotary vane type engine, with the pistons moving in a circle, rather than linearly.[2] However, the inventor of the engine Mikhail Virgiyanov in an open letter to the company refused to continue work on the engine and accused the company of copyright infringement.[5]
Fuel economy of the car is expected to be around 67 mpg‑US (3.5 L/100 km; 80 mpg‑imp), with a range of 680 miles (1,090 km) and a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h).[2] However, no tests were conducted due to the lack of working examples.
Production and sales
Yo-auto initially planned to begin producing the car during the second half of 2012,[6] and had aims to sell 10,000 during the first year of production.[2][4] However, these plans were revised in 2012, with the estimated start of production now moved to early 2015.[7] While it will be initially sold in Russia, Yo-auto plans to sell the vehicle in Europe subject to compliance with European Union regulations.[4] The cars will be manufactured in a factory near St. Petersburg that will have an estimated annual capacity of 45,000 units. A second factory, to be opened later, is expected to double the annual production rate.[6]
In late 2011, Vietnamese company TMT and Yo-auto announced plans to develop a line of 2-8 seat cars for the Vietnam market, developed from the Yo-mobil platform.[8]
2011 concept car
At the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, yo-Auto presented a concept yo-mobil with sliding doors. Instead of mirrors, the concept utilized a pair of video cameras for rear view vision.[9]
Criticism
The Project was criticized for by some journalists for:
- Designing a vehicle around high-tech components which didnt existed before.[5]
- That the company had no past experiences in the automobile sector.[10]
References
- ^ http://www.gazeta.ru/interview/nm/s3678413.shtml?answers
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Russian Billionaire Backs New Hybrid Car". The New York Times. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
- ^ "Yo! Russian Magnate Starts Hybrid Car Company". NPR. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "Russian Billionaire Ventures Into Hybrid Cars". The Wall Street Journal. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
- ^ a b http://www.professor-butakov.ru/history/view_history.php?id=1
- ^ a b "Russian ë-mobile hybrid car orders 10-years ahead - Prokhorov". RIA Novosti. 27 June 2011.
- ^ "Yo Mobile, Russia's first hybrid, delayed until 2015". Autoblog.com. 5 September 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2012.
- ^ "TMT sẽ sản xuất lắp ráp xe hybrid sử dụng nhiên liệu sạch". TinTheThao.com. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ^ On, Sgh. "New yo-Auto Concept Car at Frankfurt". mdautomobile. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ http://trv-science.ru/2011/07/05/yo-mobil-innovacii-na-marshe/
External links
- Yo-Auto.com, Manufacturer's homepage
- yo-motor presentation on YouTube
- Yo! for Yo: New hybrid car by Russian magnate in drive for eco future (Russia Today) on YouTube, (Yo! New eco-friendly car could re-energize Russia’s motor market)
- Putin test-drives Russian Yo-mobil hybrid car (Russia Today) on YouTube, (Putin takes Russian hybrid car for a test drive)
- Yo-mobil will take part in Dakar Rally on YouTube
- Onexim Group