Coches HÍBRIDOS en SERIE: ¿La mejor opción?

Did you think the history of hybrid cars began with the Toyota Prius? Or that the gasoline engine always has to power your car's wheels for it to work? If so, get ready to change your perspective on mechanics. In this video, we take an in-depth look at the "series hybrid," a system that works completely in reverse to what we're used to and which, for many experts, is the best current mobility option. #cars #automobiles #hybridcars Become a member of this channel to enjoy exclusive benefits:    / @garajehermético   The concept: A hybrid designed "in reverse" When we think of a hybrid, we usually imagine the classic system (parallel or combined). In this system, an Atkinson cycle combustion engine works in conjunction with an electric motor through a complex planetary gear system. The series hybrid takes a radically different approach: here, the combustion engine has no mechanical connection to the wheels whatsoever. Zero. Its sole function is to act as a stationary generator. When you refuel, you fill up with gasoline as usual; the combustion engine burns it efficiently, exclusively to produce electricity. This energy powers a battery or goes directly to the electric motor, which is solely responsible for moving the vehicle. The result is that you enjoy the smoothness, silence, and immediacy of a 100% electric car, but with the ease of refueling and the peace of mind of gasoline. An innovation with over a century of history Although it may seem like cutting-edge 21st-century technology, the series hybrid was born at the 1900 Paris Universal Exposition. In streets dominated by coal and horses, a young and brilliant engineer named Ferdinand Porsche astonished the world. A Refuge at Sea and on the Railways Despite this promising start, the invention of the electric starter motor in 1912 and the mass production of the Ford Model T made pure gasoline engines cheaper, and the series hybrid car disappeared from the streets. However, it didn't disappear from the world; it survived in applications where maximum torque from zero revolutions and extreme reliability were needed. During the two World Wars, the enormous diesel engines of submarines didn't power the propellers when on the surface, but instead drove generators to charge tons of batteries; underwater, electric motors took over. Shortly afterward, this same system conquered the railways. Chronology of a Foretold Return Over time, the automotive industry rediscovered the potential of the series hybrid: -1900: Lohner-Porsche Semper Vivus, the absolute origin of the system. -1969: General Motors XP-883, a pioneering prototype that emerged in response to early fears about urban pollution. -2010: Opel Ampera and Chevrolet Volt, which revived the modern concept, selling under the "extended-range electric" label. 2013: BMW i3 REx, a carbon fiber city car that concealed a small two-cylinder engine in the trunk dedicated solely to maintaining the battery charge. -2016: Nissan Note e-Power, a massive success in Japan by democratizing electric driving without the need for enormous batteries. -2023: Mazda MX-30 e-Skyactiv R-EV, which brought back the Wankel rotary engine, using it as a compact, lightweight, and vibration-free generator. Physics: Pros and Cons The great advantage of this system is the tremendous efficiency of the stationary engine. By not having to constantly rev up and down to adapt to traffic, the combustion engine starts and stays in its "sweet spot" of maximum efficiency. Thanks to this, systems like Nissan's e-Power achieve an astonishing 50% thermal efficiency, a truly remarkable figure compared to the 40% that a traditional road engine rarely surpasses. The undisputed king of the city However, the picture changes dramatically in urban and suburban environments. In our daily routine of traffic jams, supermarkets, schools, traffic lights, and roundabouts, the series hybrid reigns supreme. Because the electric motor delivers all its enormous power from zero revolutions, the response is instantaneous and vigorous, without the lag of a turbocharger or the jerkiness of a gearbox downshifting. You have in your hands the premium experience of a 100% electric, high-end vehicle, but with the immeasurable peace of mind of being able to fill up the gas tank at any service station in just two minutes. In conclusion, the series hybrid is a resounding triumph of technology and human ingenuity. A century-old solution, masterfully reinvented, demonstrates that the old and beloved internal combustion engine, even though it now plays a supporting role, still has a great deal to contribute to automotive history.