OK, so this is weird... (hybrid kei car content)

"bhtooefr" (bhtooefr) 01/11/2018 at 06:55 • Filed to: keicar, kei, suzuki, hybrid, smug alert

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Suzuki’s been making kei cars with hybrid systems for a few years now (I believe they’re the only manufacturer that’s ever sold hybrid keis, although Daihatsu’s shown concepts), and 15 years ago made the first hybrid kei car, the Twin Hybrid.

As far as I can tell, all of Suzuki’s kei car hybrid systems have been classified as mild hybrids - as I discussed in part 1 of my !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , this means that the engine must be running to provide propulsion.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The Twin used a sandwich hybrid attached to the engine (sometimes also called a P1 hybrid), which would be a form of mild configuration.

Far more recently, Suzuki decided to attempt to sell hybrid kei cars again - their eNe-CHARGE idle stop/regenerative alternator system (which some manufacturers would have called a micro hybrid, but to their credit, Suzuki didn’t) proved successful, so they extended it into the S-ENE CHARGE mild hybrid system, using a belt starter/generator (sometimes also called a P0 hybrid) producing 1.6 kW, or 2.1 hp at what’s essentially idle. Not much, but that can help a kei a lot with low-end torque, keeping engine RPMs down, and keeping things more efficient.

For 2017, though, they !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! the S-ENE CHARGE system, increasing battery capacity and motor power. The motor now produces 2.3 kW, or 3.1 hp at essentially idle... but they added the ability for creeping without engine power. Note that it’s still a belt starter/generator system, and Suzuki calls it a mild hybrid still.

All I can figure is that they decided it was worth spinning the engine without fuel delivery for creep mode, but that’s just weird.

pip bip - choose Corrour > bhtooefr 01/11/2018 at 07:04

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but it’s a good form of weird.

random001 > bhtooefr 01/11/2018 at 07:07

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The US needs these!

punkgoose17 > bhtooefr 01/11/2018 at 08:48

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I did not know they did this on their kei cars. They have introduced the SHVS mild hybrid on their new small cars such as the Swift and Ignis. I do not know what the power output is. I wonder if it is is the same 3hp?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > random001 01/11/2018 at 08:54

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If I could buy a funky tall wagon that got 60mog for less than 10,000 new I’d be all over that.

bhtooefr > punkgoose17 01/11/2018 at 10:34

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Looks like they basically just applied the SHVS motor to the keis too, so yes.

winterlegacy, here 'till the end > random001 01/11/2018 at 10:35

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We need more xBs and less Souls.