Good news for plug-in hybrid vehicle fans – Suzuki Motor Corporation has received type approval for its newly developed Swift Plug-in Hybrid.
The vehicle, which was unveiled as a concept at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2009, has received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Tourism and can now be registered and receive number plates without having to be physically presented to the ministry.
The Swift Plug-in Hybrid is a compact passenger car with a 0.66l engine used for electricity generation in a powertrain based on that of an electric vehicle.
It takes its power from a 55kW, 180Nm AC synchronous motor and a 2.66kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Its average fuel consumption, which is calculated by combining fuel consumption during electric operation with fuel consumption during hybrid operation after depletion of the battery pack, is set at 88.4mpg. It is capable of travelling around nine miles on battery power and has a grid charge time of approximately 1.5hours.
By using a small engine, the vehicle is less costly and heavy batteries are not necessary so the cost of the car is kept at an affordable level.
The plan is for Suzuki to ship the Swift Plug-in Hybrid to dealers throughout Japan this autumn and subject them to tests to collect performance data.
