BRABUS Hybrid Sedan Powered by Protean in-Wheel Motors Debuts in Detroit
DETROIT- Protean Electric, the global leader in electric in-wheel motors, will showcase its award-winning Protean Drive(TM) system in a BRABUS Hybrid at the SAE 2012 World Congress April 24-26 at Cobo Center. The event will mark the BRABUS Hybrid's premier North American appearance.
In addition, Protean will host a press conference at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Booth#801. Protean Electric Chairman and CEO Bob Purcell will unveil the BRABUS Hybrid and announce several new global partners that will accelerate its in-wheel electric drive systems to market in high-volume production.
BRABUS, the highly acclaimed independent automobile tuner, chose Protean's electric in-wheel motors to power its "Technology Project Hybrid" based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The BRABUS Hybrid vehicle is equipped with two Protean Drive(TM) wheel motors, which power the rear wheels, along with the vehicle's clean diesel engine.
Protean Drive(TM) is the most advanced in-wheel electric drive system for hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles. Going well beyond performance, Protean Drive(TM) can improve fuel economy by up to 30 percent in a plug-in hybrid application.
Each Protean motor adds 80 kW (110 hp) and 800 Nm (590 ft-lbs) of peak torque, which, when combined with the 2.2-liter common-rail turbo-diesel engine, give the BRABUS Hybrid an acceleration of 0-100 km/hr (0-62 mph) in 7.4 seconds and 60-120 km/hr (37-75 mph) of 5.6 seconds.
BRABUS is known throughout the automotive sector for its discerning use of the finest technology to perfect the performance of its exclusive vehicles. The BRABUS Hybrid and Protean Drive(TM) offer elite automotive customers a practical, environmentally respectful solution without sacrificing performance and power.
"We're pleased to work with BRABUS to demonstrate what Protean's in-wheel electric drive can deliver to the world," Protean CEO Bob Purcell said. "Our in-wheel motors not only provide significant performance improvement, but do so in a very responsible way."
Protean Electric will present its findings, Paper Number 2012-01-1037, "Integrating In-Wheel Motors into Vehicles - Real World Experiences" at 8 a.m. April 25, in room 02-33 at Cobo Center.
For more information on Protean Electric, visit www.proteanelectric.com. For further details on BRABUS, go to www.brabus.com. For more information on SAE, visit www.sae.org.
About Protean: Protean Electric (www.proteanelectric.com) is a leading clean technology company that designs, develops and manufactures the Protean Drive(TM), a fully integrated, in-wheel motor, direct-drive solution. Protean Electric is strategically positioned to play a major role in the hybrid and electric vehicle market by offering a combination of packaging advantages, new vehicle design opportunities, performance benefits and cost savings. Protean is funded by Oak Investment Partners, a multistage venture capital firm and a lead investor in the next generation of enduring growth companies.
SOURCE Protean Electric
CONTACT: Debbie Frakes, +1-248-444-0746, debbie.frakes@iconicweb.com
Web Site: www.proteanelectric.com
