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JD Power 2012 APEAL highlights ongoing downsizing trend for new car buyers in US; increasing satisfaction with smaller vehicles

Green Car Congress

The 2012 APEAL Study finds that 27% of new-vehicle buyers who replaced a vehicle downsized—i.e., The downsizing trend also has an impact on owner satisfaction with the fuel economy of their new vehicle. The Audi A8 achieves the highest APEAL Study score of any model in the industry in 2012. Power and Associates.

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Simulation study finds “Millerizing” the Scuderi split-cycle engine could enable 50% engine downsizing with retention of power and torque, along with reduced fuel consumption

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Simulation study finds Miller version of Scuderi engine can deliver twice the BMEP as naturally aspirated version, theoretically enabling 50% downsizing while maintaining performance. Applying the Miller cycle to the Scuderi engine (right) entails downsizing of the compression cylinder. Source: Scuderi. Click to enlarge.

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Industry survey finds aluminum use in autos at all-time high; average per vehicle use expected to more than double from 2012 by 2025

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The report expects aluminum to double its share of the light vehicle material mix by 2025 vs. the 2008 EPA baseline vehicle. The survey shows continued growth in automaker’s overall use of aluminum reaching a high of 343 lbs (156 kg) per vehicle in 2012—up 5% from 327 lbs (148 kg) in 2009. Ducker Worldwide.

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Pinnacle 4-stroke opposed-piston SI engine shows fuel economy improvements of between 30-60% at light loads, 12-30% at medium loads over conventional

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The results represent a light-load indicated efficiency improvement of 15-30% (up to 40.9%). The company presented these latest test results in a paper at the SAE 2012 World Congress in Detroit. 2012) Indicated Cycle Efficiency Improvements of a 4-Stroke, High Compression Ratio, S.I., SAE Paper 2012-01-0378 ([link].

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KPMG survey finds global auto execs expect ICE dominance for some time; ICE downsizing and PHEVs to receive greatest investment over next 5 years; mobility-as-a-service in cities

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Even in the BRICs, ICE downsizing has become a big deal. The survey found that most companies are hedging their bets and spreading funding across a wide range of areas, with ICE downsizing and plug-in hybrids expected to receive the greatest investment over the next 5 years. —“14 th Annual Global Automotive Executive Survey”.

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EPAs GHG Standards for Light-Duty Vehicles; Special Credits To Encourage PHEVs, BEVs and FCVs

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Yesterday, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National High Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly established increasingly stringent greenhouse gas emission standards under the Clean Air Act for 2012 through 2016 model-year vehicles and fuel economy standards under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy program, respectively.

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Peugeot Launches New Marque Plan with Downsizing, Hybrids and Plug-ins for Two-, Three- and Four-Wheeled Vehicles; Unveils SR1 Hybrid Concept

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To achieve its goals, Peugeot is relying on a new products strategy that includes electric propulsion (the i0n i-MiEV-derived electric car) and E-Vivacity scooter from 2010; diesel hybrid in the 3008 from 2011 ( earlier post) ; e-HDi (microhybrid) from 2011 on the entire diesel range; and a plug-in diesel hybrid in 2012. Earlier post.).