BITS AND PIECES - JDC Kent · Maidstone & Ashford. Meetings frequently fea-ture guest speakers...
Transcript of BITS AND PIECES - JDC Kent · Maidstone & Ashford. Meetings frequently fea-ture guest speakers...
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The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the
Editor or the Kent Area Committee – no liability will be accepted in any case of dispute.
BITS AND PIECES
Lotus Engineering has developed a new
engine especially for hybrid cars, and will be dis-
playing it at the Frankfurt Show in September.
The Range Extender, as it's called, is a 1.2-litre
petrol (or ethanol or methanol) unit which devel-
ops a maximum of 47bhp. That's only about two-
thirds of what a conventional engine of that size
would normally be expected to produce, but
there's a good reason for that. The Range Ex-
tender does not rev beyond 3500rpm - which is
about as far as most drivers will go in everyday
driving - and other 1.2s have to go a long way past that to achieve the normal 70bhp or so.
It's also important to point out that 47bhp is what the engine can achieve on its own. The total out-
put would be considerably higher, enhanced by the power of an electric motor. Power-to-weight ratio
is also crucial here, and this has been a key consideration in the design of the Range Extender. At
just 56kg it is remarkably light, and Lotus has achieved this figure by making the engine block, cylin-der head and exhaust manifold out of a single aluminium casting.
Apart from the weight advantage, this method of construction also reduces the size of the unit and
its cost of assembly, while improving durability and emissions. Servicing it may be another matter,
though since more than 30 parts required in a conventional engine are no longer required in this one
there will at least be less to service.
"Most series hybrid vehicles that are currently being developed will use adaptations of existing, con-
ventional engines which are therefore compromised in the efficiency that they can achieve, designed
as they are for a wide range of operating conditions," says Simon Wood, Technical Director of Lotus
Engineering. "Designing the Lotus Range Extender purely for use in series hybrids has allowed us
instead to develop an optimised engine that has high thermal efficiency, low fuel consumption, multi-fuel capability and a 47bhp peak output from a 1.2-litre, low-cost architecture over the precise oper-
ating range required by a series hybrid drivetrain."
Lotus intends to make this light, cheap, hybrid-specific engine available to any manufacturer which
wants to buy it, but the first name on the list is Jaguar. The Range Extender has been created as
part of a project known as "Limo-Green", a collaboration involving Lotus, Jaguar, MIRA and Caparo
Vehicle Technologies and funded by the UK Technology Strategy Board.
Through this project, the first application of the Range Extender will be in, of all things, a super-
lightweight, low-drag Jaguar XJ saloon. A prototype vehicle is expected to be up and running by the
end of this year, and however ludicrous the idea of a 1.2-litre XJ may seem, preliminary figures from
Lotus suggest that it will have a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds, which is only 1.5 seconds less than
that of a current XJ 3.0 diesel.
Lotus believes that the car will have a relatively low top speed of 112mph, since no matter how light
or sleek the car is there comes a point when such a small engine will be devoting all its energy to
overcoming the aerodynamic drag of an XJ. On the positive side, the car is expected to have a CO2
rating of under 120g/km, which in turn suggests combined fuel economy of well over 50mpg
(compared with 40.1mpg for the current diesel) and a range of more than 600 miles.
Lotus Hybrid Engine for Jaguar
Jaguar Drivers’ Club - Kent Area 4 - Regional Magazine
KENT POSING FOR THE LOCAL PRESS - WHAT A STAR!
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Jeff’s Spot
Once again I have to apologise to readers as it now appears that, despite my an-
nouncement last month, David Render will not be giving us his postponed talk
about “competition cars he has owned” at the October club night due to his con-
tinuing ill health. We have decided to move the quiz to the October club night and
then combine David Render’s talk with the mince pie evening on November 16th.
I am now taking bookings for our Christmas dinner which as usual will combine the
December club night & pub night and will be held earlier in the month on Monday
7th December. Details of the menu and costs will be found in this issue. Whilst on
the subject of club nights, if anyone has ideas for speakers next year please let me
know.
We have only one main event left this year and that is the weekend away at War-
ner’s Sinah Warren Hotel organized by Penny Booth, & I hope that all those who
have booked have a great time and that the weather is kind. Brenda & I will not be
going as we are away on holiday.
The treasure hunt planned for the 6th September didn’t happen as nobody volun-
teered to organize it but instead we met at the Minnis Bar & Restaurant for a lunch
time get together. Ten people turned up on a sunny but windy day.
The last car event in the program was the “Windsor Classic Car Show” organized
by Ray Tyler and an interesting article appears later in this issue.
This time of year the committee start to think about the program for next year and
we really do need feedback regarding the events we attended this year, whether you
want to return next year or if there are any other events you would like to see put in
for 2010. Whilst talking about the committee may I take this opportunity to thank
them for their input over the last year, and add my personal thanks to David for
taking up the editorship of this publication as without him it would have certainly
crumbled into oblivion.
The AGM is in January and we do have vacancies on the committee. If you think
you may be able to help us, please contact me.
Until next month,
Jeff Webb Area Representative/Chairman.
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Annual Christmas Dinner At
THE DOG & BEAR
On Monday 7th December
MENU
Parsnip & Orange Soup
Roast Turkey with all the trimmings
Christmas Pudding
Tea or Coffee
Price £15-00p per person
Book early with Jeff as numbers are limited by space available
Can I say a big thank you to Robbie for her excellent report on the Windsor Classic
Car Show.
She has a refreshingly different style and she homed in on subjects that the male of
the species simply wouldn’t have considered and which will hopefully appeal to all
club members. A bit of variety helps to make this kind of newsletter much more inter-
esting and I do hope that I can prevail upon other members - including JWAGS - to
send in articles and reports for inclusion.
I have had pics. and articles from others in the past and it has not always been possi-
ble to use the material but please don’t be offended, it’s just availability of space.
Ed.
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KENT AREA COMMITTEE 2008-9
Chairman & Area Representative - Jeff Webb, 01732 822607
Treasurer - Vacancy!
Secretary – Brenda Webb
Kentishman Editor – David Barnes, 01233 712350
Committee Members – Alan Mobbs, 020 8337 8077
Ray Tyler, 01276 63114
It would be appreciated if members do not telephone com-mittee members before 10:00 am or after 9:30 pm
October 2nd A weekend away at Warner’s Sinah Warren Hotel on Hayling Island for those who have already booked. December 7th Annual Christmas Dinner at the Dog & Bear
MAIN EVENTS
FOR HIRE
CLUB MARQUEE
FREE TO AREA 4 MEMBERS -
JUST A SMALL DONATION TO
AREA FUNDS
KENTISHMAN magazine is available by post only
and for an annual subscription of £10. New subscribers
wishing to receive a regular postal copy please provide details
for our database including name, address, contact telephone number and details of classic cars owned and send a cheque
for £10.00p payable to J.D.C. Kent Area 4 Kentishman to:-
J.D.C. KENT, c/o ‘Ramornie’, Warren Street Road,
Charing,
KENT
TN27 0HL
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On the 3rd Monday of each month, members meet in a comfortable air-conditioned private function-room with it’s own bar at The Dog & Bear Hotel in Lenham (just off the A20 between Maidstone & Ashford. Meetings frequently fea-ture guest speakers covering a wide range of subjects.
October 19th Quiz
November 16th Presentation by David Render. “50 yrs of competition cars I’ve owned”. This is now combined with the mince pies evening. December 7th Christmas dinner at the Dog & Bear.
On the 1st Tuesday of each month, members get together at a different Kentish Hostelry for a bar meal or just a social evening out. Further details from Trevor Lang Tel:01622-757816
Oct 6th THE LEATHER BOTTLE at 54-56, The Street, Cobham, KENT, DA12 3BZ Tel 01474 814327 Nov 3rd THE PLOUGH at Taylors Lane, Trottiscliffe, West Malling, KENT, ME19 5DR Tel 01732 822233
CLUB NIGHTS
PUB NIGHTS
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Personally, speaking as one of the JWAGs (Jaguar Wives and Girlfriends), I
think it’s fair to say that the regular faces, with the exception of one or two
who were unable to attend, had another enjoyable day at the Windsor Classic
Car Show and National Horse Carriage Trials.
The day started with the Kent Club’s version of The Krypton Factor. The first
task for the early arrivals was “Build a Gazebo”. Unfortunately, our leader was
unable to attend to supervise but, have no fear, the gazebo was erected first
time with just a few hic-ups and then slowly, more cars started to arrive. We
had 12 cars from our club and about 300 other classic cars on the fields. It
was another good display. There was auto-jumble and car-stuff stands, as well
as the other horsepower stands. (The type with four legs and a tail).
The horse carriage trials, were entertaining and there were some really hand-
some horses. I think the majority of people spent a good time watching. You
could buy whole body massager for your horse, as well as for yourself. Just
what you need at the end of a hard day……mmmm…………… or you can just relax
in an ultra modern and luxurious horse box/motor home, complete with soft
and spongy floor and shower area, and that’s for your horse!................for you,
a lovely furnished kitchen/dining area complete with cooker, microwave, sink,
dishwasher. Cream leather dining area with satelite T.V, DVD & CD player and
beds above, plus a luxurious toilet and shower room…. It really had to be seen
to be believed and it will only set you back a cool £1/4 million. So if you know
anyone that wants to buy a white E-type and Grey XJ40, I might be able to
throw in a chauffer/valet as well; please let me know.
The weather was a little overcast but that didn’t deter everyone from having a
good time, especially Shirley’s dad - affectionately known as “Pop” - who cele-
brated his 84th birthday with tea and home-made birthday fruit cake; his fa-
vourite.
Sadly, that’s the end of our “Sundays out” calendar for this year, but let’s
hope we’ll have just as much fun, if not more next year.
Signing off now,
Roberta (Robbie.)
P.S. H.R.H. Sends her regards to all those she missed.
Windsor Classic Car Show
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OUR KRYPTON FACTOR RESULT IN THE DISTANCE
Windsor Pics.