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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

Green Car Congress

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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Report: Japan carmakers downsizing in Europe as market shrinks

Green Car Congress

’s decision to cut stop producing the Colt subcompact there highlight the a downsizing trend in Europe for Japanese carmakers as the new-vehicle market there shrinks. The European Union will tighten carbon dioxide emission rules from 2012, with a goal of curbing exhaust on new vehicles to an average 130 grams per kilometer by 2015.

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Volvo to concentrate on hybrids and downsized engines for US

Green Car Congress

Volvo Car Corporation will rely on a powertrain strategy based on its new downsized 4-cylinder VEA (Volvo Environmental Architecture) engine platform ( earlier post ) and hybrids for the US market, said John Maloney, recently appointed President of Volvo Cars, US, in an interview at the Detroit Auto Show. Click to enlarge.

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Toyotas Yaris hybrid concept anticipates B-segment hybrid strategy with first downsizing of HSD; Prius +

Green Car Congress

This marks Toyota’s first downsizing of its HSD technology. Prius+ will be on sale in the first half of 2012. As in the standard Prius, the Prius+ features three on-demand drive modes to increase the capabilities of the full hybrid powertrain, including the EV mode for zero emissions, zero fuel consumption, all-electric driving.

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BorgWarner suggests Valve-Event Modulated Boost system can offer 6-17% fuel economy benefit over already downsized and turbocharged engines

Green Car Congress

Christopher Thomas, BorgWarner VP, Advanced Engineering, Engine Group and VP, Advanced Engineering, Drivetrain Group presented the basic concepts of VEMB and current BorgWarner test results at the recent SAE 2012 High Efficiency IC Engine Symposium. and Sisson, J. and Becker, M.,

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2012 Lexus CT 200h Vs 2012 Ford Focus Titanium: Compact Comparo

Green Car Reports

As carmakers work to satiate consumers' desire to downsize, it's becoming easier than ever to buy a quality car in the subcompact and compact classes. The 2012 Lexus CT 200h illustrates this perfectly.

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