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The Mitsubishi ESR (Ecological Science Research) is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) concept exhibited by Mitsubishi Motors at the 30th Tokyo Motor Show in 1993. It was designed to demonstrate its technological developments in alternative energy and used a 70 kW AC induction motor to drive the front wheels. Twenty-eight alkaline batteries under the passenger compartment and a rear-mounted 1.5 L gasoline engine powered an onboard electrical generator system. It also recycled its kinetic energy and absorbed solar power through roof-mounted cells.
The car was estimated to have a range of 620 miles on hybrid power at a constant 25 miles per hour, or 310 miles using only the batteries. A Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver could automatically switch the vehicle from hybrid to battery-only operation when entering urban areas. Mitsubishi claimed a maximum speed of 200 kilometers per hour, thanks in part to a drag coefficient of 0.25.
Source: Wikipedia
Images: Mario Buonocunto; www.shorey.net; Alden Jewell Collection
