Beta ETK800 Hybrid 8.1.0

Note: this mod requires the Arcanox Core mod in order to work

It's the car every BeamNG driver has been waiting for! The ETK800 hatchback, now available in several new Hybrid models. That's right, a real hybrid vehicle in BeamNG! That means instant electric torque, engine auto-start-stop technology, and regenerative braking in your favorite driving sim.



This new configuration of the ETK800 is built on the same Hybrid powertrain system as my "Hybrid Citybus" mod. It uses the same exact code and parts, simply configured for a sporty hatchback instead of a huge bulky transit bus. As with most hybrid cars, it features pure electric driving below a certain speed, with the engine stopping completely when it's not needed. There are three hybrid models available for the ETK800: the 854eh "Eco Hybrid", 856sh "Sport Hybrid", and 856rh "Race Hybrid".



The hybrid variants of the ETK800 also include a custom hybrid dashboard! The tachometer needle will move from "Off" to "Ready" when powering up the vehicle, and will remain at "Ready" whenever the engine is stopped but the vehicle is still powered on. The efficiency gauge under the tachometer is replaced by a power/regen gauge showing power used or gained from acceleration or regenerative braking. There is also an "EV" icon that lights up whenever the vehicle is on but the engine is off, and a battery gauge between the speedo and tacho that shows the current state-of-charge of the hybrid battery.



All models are also capable of driving at higher speeds (for short distances) in "pure electric" mode similar to the city bus. This "EV" mode can be toggled by pressing "E" on the keyboard. Also like the city bus, the vehicle includes a "battery charge" mode activated with Shift + E that will use the engine to charge the hybrid battery more aggressively while the vehicle is stopped or driving.

For the best performance during a drag race, it is recommended that you charge up the battery a fair amount and engage manual Launch Control by holding both the gas and brake pedals at the same time. The engine will start and rev up a fair amount, also putting a bit more charge into the battery while doing so. Launch the vehicle when ready by releasing the brake pedal. The engine will rev up more shortly after you launch to assist the electric motors in achieving maximum acceleration power.

If you're one of those people who is mindful of their carbon impact (who would want to pollute the gorgeous maps of BeamNG?), you'll be delighted to find that the standard 854eh Eco-Hybrid will get upwards of 40 MPG driving around town! The 856sh Sport-Hybrid will get around 30 MPG if you're mindful of your acceleration and braking, and the 856rh Race-Hybrid will even get a decent 12-15 MPG on the track, but then again, who's counting MPGs while racing