Mitsubishi engine swap: Ford Model T gets plug-in hybrid drivetrain
 

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=14952074051917 Mitsubishi Model A

Are hybridized antiques becoming a thing?

Mitsubishi is marking 100 years of auto production by recreating its first car, with a twist.

There aren't any 1917 Mitsu Model A's around anymore, so they're using a Model T as the basis for the reconstruction, into which they're sticking the plug-in drivetrain from the Outlander hybrid.

The project is being done in California, and will be televised:

Source: Mitsubishi Motors Partners with West Coast Customs to Re-Create the Car that Started It All 100 Years Ago - Mitsubishi Newsroom

Jalopnik is covering it too:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/attachmen...1&d=1495207732

Source: West Coast Customs And Mitsubishi Are Doing The Engine Swap Of The Century

Sounds like a fun project.

my inner purist is screaming.

But a cool idea :D

It's not even a Front-engined, RWD setup...

Does anyone make a hybrid drivetrain that is?

Yeah, I'm wondering whether they're going to just drop the T body on the modified Outlander chassis, or actually move the running gear into the T.

The donor SUV is AWD, by the way.

I think Toyota has a couple of RWD front engine hybrids. Their flagship Lexus sedan is, and I think there's a Lexus RWD hybrid coupe.

BMW & Merc also do PHEV RWD hybrids.

Since the Outlander has a transversely-oriented engine, it might be even more challenging to keep the proportions close to stock with that narrow cowl from the Model T.


Nowadays almost every Lexus has at least one hybrid version, and in some markets (mostly in Europe) it now follows a hybrid-only approach.


Though I've never seen a hybrid Mercedes-Benz, recently I've seen those BMW i hybrids quite frequently...

Exactly!

Coupling the hybrid driveline with a T-model pedal-operated "3-speeder":D

I've never driven a T, but it would be an interesting experience, from videos I've seen.

IIRC the Model T had only 2-speed.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...away_front.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mitsubishi_Outlander_PHEV_cutaway_front.jpg

Here's the nut West Coast Customs need to crack. A boxy package that fits between the Mapherson strut towers. No worse than an Ardun heads on a Ford V-8.

I suggest replacing the Macpherson struts with rocker arms.

The Outlander PHEV is a sibling to the i-MiEV, and the i-MiEV RWD drivetrain would almost certainly fit beneath that Mitsu Model A rear body all in one compact package. Of course, the PHEV has more panache and profit, so perhaps that's why they're taking the more challenging route.

I don't know why the choice for the PHEV, but maybe they wanted something that could be perceived as less compromising than going all-electric.

Not to get into a historical argument but the model T had 3 unique gear ratios, 2 forward and 1 reverse. Ford himself called it a 3 speed hence the confusion .

You needed all 3 ratios to make it up certain hills you had to drive up in reverse because both forward gears were too high and reverse was "low"

It's complicated:
https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Model_T:

Indeed, and it can be quite confusing. I have already seen many delivery trucks (presumably they would fall into Class 5 there) going uphill on reverse to climb some alleys in hilly neighborhoods, but anyway, since it became more usual to mention only the forward gears, it's not totally wrong to quote the Ford Model T as having a 2-speed transmission.

the 3-speeder is good if you have the additional "Muncie" Box, giving you 7 speeds :D one of them gears is having both gearboxes in reverse so you can creep up hills

I knew about a Ruckstell 2-speed rear axle that was sold as an accessory for the Ford Model T, but didn't know about auxiliary gearboxes.

oh, the T had and still has a lot of aftermarket :D

One of the reasons for backing up a steep hill in a Model T was fuel supply. They did not have a fuel pump and the tank was under the seat. By backing up a steep hill you still had fuel getting to the updraft carb. My best friend's dad had one when we were in high school, we drove it around every summer.

There were some versions with the tank in the firewall, less prone to starve while going uphill.
http://cdn.automovelbrasil.com/800/2...0c251df1ba.jpg