LincVolt
LincVolt is a 1959 Lincoln Continental, owned by musician Neil Young, that was converted into a more fuel-efficient, hybrid demonstrator vehicle.
| LincVolt | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Production | 1959 |
| Assembly | Wixom, Michigan, U.S. (Wixom Assembly Plant) |
| Designer | John Najjar |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | large car (EPA) |
| Body style | 2-door convertible |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Plug-in hybrid 150 kW (200 hp)electric motor/generator units[1] Capstone Microturbine 30 kilowatts (40 hp) range extender/internal combustion engine biodiesel[2] |
| Transmission | none |
| Range | Over 500 miles (800 km) total electricity/gasoline range according to lincvolt |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 131.0 in (3,327 mm) |
| Length | 1959: 227.1 in (5,768 mm) |
| Width | 1959: 80.1 in (2,035 mm) |
| Height | 1959: 56.7 in (1,440 mm) |
| Curb weight | 5,000–5,700 lb (2,300–2,600 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Lincoln Continental |
LincVolt participated in the Xprize Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize. The LincVolt team had to withdraw from the X Prize competition as they were making a car whereas the purpose of the competition was to produce a commercial business plan.[3]
A documentary film was being produced by Larry Johnson before his death on January 21, 2010.[4]
On the morning of November 9, 2010, a fire started in LincVolt's charging system while it was recharging at a warehouse belonging to Young. The car was damaged, but it has been restored.[5][6] The last version of the LincVolt's hybrid engine uses Domestic-Green Carbon-Neutral Cellulosic Ethanol from Biomass.[7]
Versions
Version 1: Prototype
- Prime builder: Johnathan Goodwin of H-Line Conversions, Wichita, Kansas[8]
- Generator: Mazda Wankel engine
- Prime mover electric motor: UQM 15 kW prime mover
- Batteries: ?
Version 2010
In 2010 Neil Young gave a speech at the Specialty Equipment Market Association convention.[9]
- Prime builder: Roy Brizio Street Rods, San Francisco; Perrone Robotics; and Johnathan Goodwin
- Generator: Capstone Microturbine 30 kW
- Prime mover electric motor: UQM 150 kW prime mover
- Batteries: Thunder Sky lithium iron phosphate battery pack made in China, #110 of 110 Amp-Hour
Version 2011: After the fire
- Prime builder: Roy Brizio Street Rods, San Francisco; and Perrone Robotics
- Generator: Capstone Microturbine 30 kW
- Prime mover electric motor: UQM 150 kW prime mover
- Batteries: A123 Systems lithium-ion battery pack[10]
References
- ^ . uqm. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2010-11-20.
- ^ "Products Capstone Microturbine". capstoneturbine. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
- ^ Neil Young (2009-07-22). "Lincvolt withdraws from X-Prize, will focus on "main goal"". green.autoblog.com. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
- ^ "LincVolt Team Member Larry Johnson Remembered". green.autoblog.com. 2010-01-22. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
- ^ "Official Statement by Neil Young on Yesterday's Fire(of Lincvolt)". Neil Young. 2010-11-10. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
- ^ "Video of Lincvolt after the fire being restored". shakeypictures. 2010-12-21. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
- ^ "Lincvolt technology".
- ^ . H-Line Conversions. 2011-02-10. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
- ^ "Neil Young & Lincvolt at SEMA 2010- Part 1". YouTube. 2011-02-10. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
- ^ "Lincvolt - Repowering the American Dream - Blog".
External links
- Official website
- LincVolt's channel on YouTube
Articles
- Young, Neil (2008-10-30). "Neil Young Vies For X-Prize". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
- Young, Neil (2008-11-13). "How To Save A Major Automobile Company". The Huffington Post. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
- Young, Neil (2008-01-31) Update on Neil Young's Lincvolt: UQM is working on the propulsion system
- Young, Neil (2007-11-18) NPR Weekend Edition Sunday, Making SUVs Run Cleaner, Farther on Biodiesel
- Young, Neil (2008) Neil Young Visits Sun With His Linc Volt Car
- Young, Neil (2007-11-20) CNN Gas guzzlers get new lives -- as tire-smoking hybrids
- Young, Neil (2009-03-09), Dailynews.net