Lincoln Town Car Gets A Second Wind With A Hybrid

[William Maley]

Lincoln Town Car Gets A Second Wind With A Aftermarket Hybrid System

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

March 15, 2011

A company in Somerville, Massachusetts is changing the Town Car into something more environmental friendly. XL Hybrids has engineered a mild hybrid system that includes a small electric motor powered by a battery. The system provides an extra 20 HP and reduces fuel consumption by 15 to 30%. Justin Ashton, co-founder of XL Hybrids says the system was built with fleets in mind,

“Before settling on an architecture, we got real-world data from fleets. Due to the extreme nature of their driving, their fuel bills are astronomical.”

And how do you sell a hybrid system to fleets? You bring up the savings,

“We want to reduce fuel consumption, but we know the only way to do that is by saving people money,” Ashton said

The hybrid system takes about six hours to install and can be done in shops that service fleet vehicles. A small lithium-ion battery is installed onto the trunk's parcel shelf while the electric motor and belt drive are bolted at the differential. The engine management system is reprogrammed with new software.

XL Hybrids hope to convert 10,000 vehicles annually, with the bulk of them being limousines and vans.

Source: Autopia

[Satty]

Wonder what the pricetag is

[William Maley]

Wonder what the pricetag is

I don't know.. The article and the company's website doesn't list a price tag.

[Satty]

I could see taxi and limo services being interested. I assume the battery will eat too much room for police to consider this instead of replacing Crown Vics.

[A Horse With No Name]

An interesting Idea...

[vonVeezelsnider]

Holy Crap, making BOF RWD V8 sedans with bench seats more powerful and efficient.

Give me one plz.

[daves87rs]

An interesting Idea...

+1

[Paolino]

I think this is a great idea, but truthfully, the Town Car needs some cosmetic updates to go along with it. I don't think it'd be terribly difficult to at least update the Radio/HVAC/gauges and provide a slight update to the style of the interior. As for the exterior, alter the nose/tail a little and call it a day.

[Intrepidation]

This could be great for taxi companies.

[Robert Hall]

Interesting, but the upgrade I'd like to see for a TC is the new 5.0 V8 w/ a 6 speed automatic and modern cabin tech (SYNC, etc).

[William Maley]

Interesting, but the upgrade I'd like to see for a TC is the new 5.0 V8 w/ a 6 speed automatic and modern cabin tech (SYNC, etc).

I like your idea of slipping in the 5.0 V8 and 6-Speed Automatic.. (Goes online to see price of 5.0 V8 and Town Cars)

[smk4565]

It's a good idea, with the amount some fleets drive these cars they'll save a lot of gas. Interesting fact about the Town Car is it can do 63 mph in reverse. The Town Car is a legend, but it's time has come.