Meet Azaris, an innovative SUV with four hydraulic motors

Australia-based car manufacturer Ferox Advanced Vehicles Corporation has taken the wraps off Azaris, a unique concept SUV based on hydraulic-oil engines.

The prototype car packs four engines weighing in at 11.3 kg (25 lb) each, mounted on the rear suspension. They connect to an oil pump, which, in turn, connects to a gasoline-powered BMW bike engine.

The operating principle is actually simple. Each of the hydraulic oil engines contains pressurized liquid which revs up the main engine. The main engine then transmits the torque to the wheels.

According to Ferox, the efficiency of the hydraulic assembly could be as high as 98%, with each motor contributing an impressive 680 Nm (500 lb×ft) of torque. The torque is then distributed among the wheels based on the same principle of pressurized liquid circulation.

The company had to design most of the suspension parts from scratch, reportedly resulting in an ultra-smooth driving experience without shocks and bumps.

While all of the above might sound impressive, the arrangement is actually experimental and will be replaced with an all-electric powertrain when the car enters production priced at approximately 500,000 AUD.

Photo: feroxcorp.com