Skip advert
Advertisement

What is a mild-hybrid?

The hybrid performance car is no longer an oxymoron. Here’s how manufacturers are using this new tech to make them better, not just greener

Mild-hybrid is certainly a buzzword in 2020 automotive development, being quickly integrated into all levels of combustion powertrains to lower emissions relatively cheaply and without need of any major packaging redesign. Performance versions of normal saloons and estates, such as the Mercedes-AMG E53 and Audi S4 TDI, are two examples of manufacturers applying this technology to both petrol and diesel powertrains.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The hardware usually consists of a small electric motor, mounted directly on the combustion engine, that assists drive as well as takes the place of a traditional starter motor. This starter motor and generator is generally powered by a small battery pack via a supplementary 48V electrical system that works alongside the normal 12V circuit. The battery itself is recharged by regenerative braking, negating the need for any roadside charging.

Some cars, such as the E53 and S4, also feature small electrically powered compressors that work in conjunction with the gas-powered turbos, improving response by spinning up the turbines before the exhaust gases have the chance to reach them. These systems also power energy-heavy chassis hardware such as active anti-roll bars that a normal 12V system wouldn’t otherwise be able to support.

Mild-hybrid performance cars:

Pro: Lightweight, compatible with a big variety of IC powertrains

Con: Has only a subtle effect on reducing consumption and increasing performance

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Sustainable fuel v unleaded petrol: we dyno test the impact on car performance
Sustainable fuel v unleaded petrol dyno test
Features

Sustainable fuel v unleaded petrol: we dyno test the impact on car performance

Considering running your car on sustainable fuel? We’ve dyno tested the first publicly available option to see the effect on power, torque and emissio…
5 May 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The 500bhp Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a rally icon revived
Renault 5 Turbo 3E
News

The 500bhp Renault 5 Turbo 3E is a rally icon revived

The Renault 5 Turbo is one of the most iconic hot hatches ever built, and now it’s being revived in rear-drive, EV-form almost half a century on
13 Dec 2024
From 2025 your new performance car might cost over £5k to tax
Car tax 2025
News

From 2025 your new performance car might cost over £5k to tax

Audi's RS6, Lamborghini Revuelto, Mercedes-AMG GT... any car producing more than 255g/km of C02 will be hit by a rise in vehicle excise duty from Apri…
11 Dec 2024
The BMW M3 is going electric – here’s our first look
Electric BMW M3 test mules
News

The BMW M3 is going electric – here’s our first look

The next M3 supersaloon is receiving a pure-electric powertrain, and new images offer our very first glimpse…
12 Dec 2024