Bravo Concept Car was Presented in Detroit

U.S. Army Base DETROIT ARSENAL, WARREN, Mich. (April 26, 2012) - This week, the army presented its latest concept car, designed not only to significantly improve fuel economy, but also be able to generate and provide electricity for the soldiers in harsh environment such as Afghanistan.

After the inauguration of the laboratory-based high-tech weapons DETROIT ARSENAL last week, the public was presented efficient car technology demonstrator (version Bravo, or FED-Fuel Efficient Demonstrator Bravo). This presentation was held April 24-26 at the World Congress of the Society of Automotive Engineers 2012 (Society of Automotive Engineers 2012 World Congress). Alpha version of the conceptual economy car was introduced to the public last fall, but she did not have the ability to provide electricity to external users as a version of Bravo.

According to the officials connected with the economical vehicle technology demonstrator to the network, it is able to provide electricity forward operating bases and other military outposts are not large, which significantly reduces the required power bases and helps soldiers to be more effective.

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Army has worked with college students in Detroit to develop a concept car under a joint program for the College of Creative Schooling (College for Creative Studies - CCS). This program is a successful and highly evaluated by the triple auto giants Ford, General Motors and Chrysler. Thus efficient car technology demonstrator Bravo was developed by a group of 18 students on the technical task of the army and is designed to meet the specific needs of the army in fuel economy, performance characteristics, protection, payload and internal layout.

Efficient car technology demonstrator Bravo was funded by the Ministry of Defence and in its development engineers involved armored Research Center in Warren, Mich., and their industrial partners World Technical Services Inc.


Research Center armored TARDEC has been widely presented at the Auto Show World Congress. In addition to presenting to the public demonstrator Bravo this year, he also showed a small system TM3 Microgrid, which will supply electricity to the vehicle.

The demonstrator is based on the Bravo sports car with a Ford 4.4-liter turbo-diesel V8 engine capable of producing 268 hp Other features include the following: 


• Road-related parallel hybrid drive system. The front axle is driven by an electric motor, while the rear wheels are connected to a hybrid fuel and electric system. 


• Integrated starter-generator, which turns off the engine during stops and starts it when the driver presses the accelerator, which improves fuel efficiency and reduces exhaust emissions.


 • Six-speed automatic transmission, combined with an advanced lithium-ion battery with high energy and power density. 


• Powerful hydraulic anti-lock brakes in conjunction with a steering system with hydraulic amplification. • Ceramic brake discs with advanced coating to improve wear resistance. 


• Tubular frame chassis for better rigidity with minimal weight, combined with an armored cab and a V-shaped hull to protect against explosions.