M&M showcases its green tech

The 9th Auto Expo showcased a number of new technologies. Mahindra & Mahindra’s theme was ‘Sustainability Mobility’ and the company had a number of concepts which highlighted this approach, with a view to look at the future of sustainable personal mobility, given the infrastructure constraints, as also the environmental impact, which is crucial for the future viability of the automobile.

In this vein, M&M has developed a number of concepts which include micro-hybrids on the Bolero and Scorpio platforms, a biodiesel variant of the Scorpio, and a full diesel-electric hybrid based on the recently-launched mHawk Scorpio.

The micro-hybrid or stop-start hybrid is actually a running concept, which was used to ferry guests and dignitaries around Pragati Maidan. Based on the Bolero, it uses an alternator which also functions as a motor in stop-and-go conditions. A deep cycle battery, with 75 ampere-hours charge cycle instead of 60 AH as is the norm, is used. Dr Arun Jaura, who heads R&D at M&M, claims the micro-hybrid provides an improvement of five to seven percent in fuel economy, while emitting concurrently lower emissions. “We wanted to keep the technology simple. Serviceability is crucial, and with this micro-hybrid we’ve given customers a vehicle that is very convenient to drive and maintain. The nominal cost increase will be offset in just a few months of running,” added Dr Jaura. The Bolero and Scorpio micro-hybrids should be on the market in 3-4 months time.

More exciting from a tech standpoint is the full hybrid Scorpio. This uses a 15kW permanent magnet electric motor which is sandwiched between the engine and transmission. A battery which provides over 200 volts is placed under the third row of seats. These add to the Scorpio’s weight by about 180kg.

A continuously-variable transmission or CVT has been utilised, and has six pre-selected ratios. When the motor is not required, it functions as a flywheel, and this helps in the packaging. The car can run under exclusively diesel or electric propulsion also, with both working in conjunction only under hard acceleration or under heavy load. The trick of a diesel-electric hybrid is to switch off and restart the engine when required, and this is key to the successful implementation of this technology.

If M&M succeeds in getting the full hybrid Scorpio on to the road in 18 months as planned, it will be the first manufacturer in the world to productionise a diesel hybrid.