Sunil Konjaril’s Hybrid SUV concept runs on sunlight, Nitrogen

Hybrid concepts may the be all the rage in environmentally friendly vehicles circles at the moment but most of them still are very ‘out there’ proposals that look to promote eco driving with very advanced futuristic features. The fact of the matter, however, is that the gap between such proposals and the current level of technological innovation is so vast that we honestly cannot entertain the thought of most of these ideas ever seeing the light of the day. This is where this new concept from Pune, India-based designer Sunil Konjaril comes as a refreshing breath of air. The hybrid SUV concept that Konjaril proposes draws from technologies that have already been tried, tested and proven on the road by the likes of established eco friendly carmakers, such as Tesla Motors.

Hybrid SUV

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Hybrid SUV

Solar, Nitrogen Power SUV Concept by Sunil Konjaril

Th stylish and innovative concept vehicle features different technologies rather than relying on one single form of alternative propulsion. The hybrid uses a combination of internal and external combustion engines with the heat generated from the internal combustion engine, the exhaust, the brakes as well as the overall environment of the vehicle in motion, being harnessed by a stirling (external combustion) engine to charge the Li-ion batteries that are used to propel the vehicle initially.

Heat harnessed from regenerative braking, solar power and internal engine is used to warm tubes with molten salt inside to power the external combustion engine while the liquid nitrogen charges the batteries on board. The hybrid is designed to utilize the power from the batteries when it is running on slower speeds with the IC engine kicking in when extra propulsion is required.

The highly stylish vehicle draws inspiration for its frame from the lines of the SUVs in vogue which gives it the necessary stylish edge in an already competitive market. The shorter cabin allows the vehicle to be slightly leaner and the lower curb weight further contributes towards the overall efficient energy consumption of the vehicle.