HYBRID-POWERED VEHICLE.

Tomorrow's car could be a ″parallel hybrid″ , a term meaning that either of two power sources - gasoline or electric - is capable of delivering power to the wheels. A vehicle of this type, based on a Honda 600 sedan and called Centaur, has been developed by Hybricon, Inc. , North Hollywood, Calif. During city commuting at speeds to 35 mph (55 km/h), the Centaur is electric-powered. On the open road a conventional gasoline engine can deliver power at speeds to 70 mph (110 km/h). Unlike most electric vehicles, this one recharges its batteries while driving on the gasoline engine. This feature not only contributes to its very low overall weight but also provides a 160-mi (260-km) range on electric and gasoline combined. Since it can recharge en route, the Centaur needs only seven 6-V golf cart batteries. The Centaur weighs only 2180 lb (990 kg), including 441 lb (200 kg) of batteries. The air-cooled, 32-hp (24 kW) Honda engine and front-wheel drive train remain stock. Two special General Electric generator-motors drive the rear wheels (or charge the batteries when Centaur is on gasoline power). These motors also act as regenerative brakes, charging the batteries when the vehicle is slowed. The batteries provide over 1 hr of steady electrical driving power. An hour of driving at 50 mph (80 km/h) with the gasoline engine will bring the batteries to 80 percent of full charge.