2012, Downsizing, Fuel Economy and Gasoline

Volvo to concentrate on hybrids and downsized engines for US

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 13, 2012

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. Earlier post.) Earlier post.)

Downsizing

Downsizing Volvo Engine Hybrid

FEV’s two-stage VCR system; 5-7% increase in fuel economy using variable length conrods

Green Car Congress

APRIL 22, 2013

Use of a variable compression ratio (VCR) could be one technology approach to reducing fuel consumption in highly boosted (e.g., downsized, turbocharged) gasoline engine, as operating an engine with higher compression ratios at low load can increase fuel economy compared to operating an engine with fixed compression ratio.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy Economy Fuel Downsizing

Downspeeding and supercharging with transmission optimization can deliver fuel economy improvement over downspeeding and turbocharging

Green Car Congress

MAY 9, 2012

Researchers from Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and Eaton have demonstrated the application of downspeeding and supercharging a diesel vehicle, in conjunction with optimizing transmission gear ratios and the shift schedule, to deliver a greater improvement in fuel economy than a downsped and turbocharged configuration.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy Economy Fuel Eaton

Audi using supplementary port fuel injection to address particulates from gasoline direct injection

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 14, 2014

In part-load operation, the indirect injection supplements direct gasoline injection to improve fuel economy and to reduce the output of particulates from the engine. GDI technology provides fuel efficiency benefits from charge air cooling, more facile turbocharging, and the downsizing that these permit.

Gasoline

Gasoline Audi Fuel Engine

Ricardo HyBoost “Intelligent Electrification” project awarded automotive environmental prize by Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 11, 2013

The Automobile Division of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers has awarded its Prize for the Environment to Ricardo, Ford Motor Company, Controlled Power Technologies and Valeo engineers for their paper HyBoost—An Intelligently Electrified Optimized Downsized Gasoline Engine Concept. Earlier post.). Earlier post.)

Engine

Engine Downsizing Lead Acid Automobile

Center for Automotive Research calls long-run economic risk to auto industry of mandating permanent fuel economy standards very serious; recommends periodic reviews

Green Car Congress

JUNE 14, 2011

Based on the results of the study, CAR believes the economic risk to the auto industry connected to mandating permanent fuel economy standards in the long run is “ very serious ” The group recommends periodic review to assess the rate of technology development and cost reduction of advanced technologies leading up to 2025.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy Economy Auto Industry Standards

Opel presents new midsize gasoline engine at Aachen Colloquium; fuel consumption down 13%, torque and power up 33%

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 16, 2012

Opel revealed more details about its new mid-size gasoline engine family at the Aachen Colloquium in Germany. liter, four-cylinder, SIDI (spark ignition direct injection) ECOTEC Turbo engines, which begin Opel’s renewal of its powertrain portfolio, deliver improved fuel consumption, performance and refinement. SIDI engine.

Gasoline

Gasoline Engine Fuel Power

Mazdas new SKYACTIV gasoline and diesel engines are steps on the road to its Ideal Engine; focus on compression ratio

Green Car Congress

AUGUST 4, 2011

However, while Mazda plans to offer hybrid vehicles in the medium-term, its engineers are pushing hard to increase the efficiencies of both the gasoline and diesel platforms, moving toward what they call “the ideal Internal Combustion Engine.” Extreme compression ratio rather than downsizing. Although downsizing—i.e.,

Mazda

Mazda Engine Gasoline Diesel

IEA: carbon intensity of global energy supply has barely changed in last 20 years; “window of opportunity in transport”

Green Car Congress

APRIL 18, 2013

to hold warming to 2 °C as outlined in the IEA Energy Technology Perspectives 2012 (ETP) 2 °C Scenario (2DS). In 2012, sales of hybrid-electric vehicles passed the one million mark. Emerging economies are stepping up their efforts to promote and develop clean energy. EV sales more than doubled in 2012, passing 100,000.

Carbon

Carbon Supplies Global Transportation

Jaguar adds two new smaller forced induction gasoline engines to 2013 XF and XJ lineup; 8-speed automatic and start-stop

Green Car Congress

JUNE 29, 2012

For the 2013 XF and XJ lineup, Jaguar is adding two new downsized forced induction gasoline powerplants: 3.0-liter liter V8 gasoline units. Eight-speed ZF automatic transmissions are now fitted to all gasoline and diesel XJ and XF variants as standard for greater efficiency and performance. liter V6 Supercharged and 2.0-liter

Gasoline

Gasoline Engine 2013 MPH

New Honda Earth Dreams Technology 1.6L diesel in Civic to deliver CO2 emissions of 95 g/km

Green Car Congress

MARCH 7, 2012

It will be manufactured at Honda’s UK manufacturing facility in Swindon from the end of 2012. By downsizing from the outgoing 2.2L engine and extensively reducing mechanical friction in each section, a friction level equivalent to present gasoline engine models was achieved. By downsizing from the outgoing 2.2L

Honda

Honda Emissions Diesel CO2

GM to double models with 40 mpg highway or better by 2017; ongoing manufacturing efficiency improvements

Green Car Congress

JULY 12, 2013

Describing its product goals and tracking progress toward its 2020 manufacturing priorities in its 2012 Sustainability Report , General Motors reaffirmed its commitment to further reduce the energy used and the environmental impacts of building and operating an automobile. —2012 Sustainability Report. Earlier post.).

GM

GM MPG Manufacturer 2017

Simulation study suggests ORC waste heat recovery system could deliver potential 7% improvement in fuel consumption in a PHEV on highway

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 10, 2012

Their paper was presented at the ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division 2012 Fall Technical Conference by Marcello Canova, assistant professor at OSU; lead author was Philipp Skarke, from the University of Stuttgart Institute for Internal Combustion Engines and Automotive Engineering. The OSU EcoCAR PHEV powertrain. —Skarke et al.

Waste

Waste PHEV Fuel Exhaust

Update on Nissan’s new front-engine, front-wheel drive hybrid system

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 20, 2013

Previewed in the Green Program 2016 announcement in 2011 ( earlier post ) and outlined further in an advanced technology briefing in Oppama in October 2012, the FF-Hybrid system is intended to be adaptable to vehicles of any size, and support applications including all-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid configurations. —Owen Thunes.

Engine

Engine Hybrid Fuel Economy Li-ion

Nissan shows Hi-Cross Concept 7-passenger 4WD hybrid in Geneva; another implementation of “one-motor, two-clutch” system

Green Car Congress

MARCH 7, 2012

Nissan unveiled the Hi-Cross Concept hybrid at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, heralding a possible new design direction for the company as well as a possible expansion of the current Juke-Qashqai-Murano portfolio. liter gasoline direct injection engine to provide the performance potential of a 2.5-liter The Hi-Cross Concept hybrid.

Nissan

Nissan Concept Lithium Ion Motor

Bosch sees future requiring multiple powertrain technologies; the larger the vehicle, the more the electrification

Green Car Congress

JUNE 18, 2013

Bosch does not believe there is just one powertrain solution for the future; most of the cars on the world’s roads are still running on diesel and gasoline, and things will stay that way for the rest of the decade, Bohr noted. Only the diesel engine will achieve this in the compact class, but the gasoline engine will come close.

Future

Future Gasoline-Electric Vehicles Gasoline

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

Green Car Congress

APRIL 2, 2010

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.

EPA

EPA Standards Light PHEV

Ford introduces new Fusion midsize sedan with new hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid versions

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 9, 2012

Ford unveiled the new 2013 Ford Fusion midsize sedan, with conventional gasoline engine; hybrid featuring a next-generation of Ford’s hybrid system; and plug-in hybrid versions at the Detroit Auto Show—the first production sedan to offer that trio of options. 2013 Ford Fusion. Click to enlarge.

Fusion

Fusion Plug-in Hybrid Ford

SAE High Efficiency IC Engine Symposium opens with consideration of alternative engine designs

Green Car Congress

APRIL 23, 2012

SAE’s 2012 High Efficiency IC Engine Symposium in Detroit—the second as an immediate precursor to the SAE World Congress—opened on Sunday with a consideration of several alternative engine designs: opposed piston 2-stroke (Achates Power); variable compression ratio (MCE-5); split cycle (Scuderi); and advanced rotary (Liquid Piston).

Engine

Engine Design Congress Downsizing

CPT and Eminox to collaborate on development of retrofit electric supercharging and aftertreatment solutions for heavy-duty vehicles

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 8, 2015

The additional control of compressed air for transient performance provided by Cobra means that we can purge diesel particulate filters and other forms of exhaust after-treatment for NO x reduction and, most importantly, without compromising fuel economy. Phil Bush, technology manager at Eminox. Earlier post.)

Vehicles

Vehicles Exhaust Emissions Diesel

Ford Unveils Next-Generation Global Focus at NAIAS; Features New 2.0L DI Engine with Powershift Dual-Clutch Transmission for NA Market

Green Car Congress

JANUARY 11, 2010

The new Focus will be one of up to 10 unique models to be built from Ford’s new global C-car platform, which is expected to generate total sales in all regions of 2 million units annually by 2012—a doubling Ford’s 2008 C-car volumes. Duratec I-4 unit while contributing to projected fuel economy gains of more than 10%.

Ford

Ford Engine Global Market

DOT, EPA unveil joint proposal for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards: 49.6 mpg CAFE, 163 g/mile GHG in 2025; flexibilities and incentives

Green Car Congress

NOVEMBER 16, 2011

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Transportation (DOT) formally unveiled their joint proposal to set stronger fuel economy and greenhouse gas pollution standards for Model Year 2017-2025 passenger cars and light trucks. L/100km), if the vehicles were to meet this CO 2 level all through fuel economy.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy EPA Economy MPG

ICCT-led analysis of turbocharged, downsized engine tech finds lower costs and greater benefits than 2012 EPA/NHTSA analysis; 48V, e-boost, Miller

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 31, 2016

A new white paper published by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), in collaboration with Eaton, Ricardo, JCI, BorgWarner, Honeywell, and the ITB Group, analyzes current turbocharged, downsized gasoline engine technology developments and trends. Source: ICCT. Click to enlarge.

Downsizing

Downsizing EPA Engine Eaton

Renault 2010 Environment Workshop, Part 1: Combustion Engine Technology and Product Plans

Green Car Congress

JUNE 7, 2010

Renault’s ongoing downsizing strategy is aimed at reducing the cubic capacity of its engines in order to bring down fuel consumption and CO 2 emissions, without detracting from performance. The latest evolutions will become available in 2012 and will cut CO 2 emissions by approximately 20 g/km. New TCe gasoline engine family.

Environment

Environment Engine 2010 Parts

Ford Debuts Four-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine Family at Frankfurt; 1.6L and 2.0L I-4s to Start, Smaller Displacement Engine to Follow

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

Ford revealed further details of the upcoming four-cylinder versions of its turbocharged, gasoline direct-injected EcoBoost engine family (earlier post) at the Frankfurt Motor Show, prior to their first European production applications in 2010. By 2012, the Ford plans globally to produce 1.3 I-4 EcoBoost. Click to enlarge. liter and 2.0-liter

Engine

Engine Ford Downsizing United Kingdom

Promising Delphi 1st-gen Gasoline Direct Injection Compression Ignition engine meeting ultra fuel efficient program targets

Green Car Congress

APRIL 17, 2014

In a presentation at the SAE 2014 High Efficiency IC Engine Symposium and then in a paper given at SAE 2014 World Congress, Mark Sellnau, Engineering Manager, Delphi Advanced Powertrain, reported that Brake Specific Fuel Consumption for the 1.8L Very low fuel consumption, NO x , and PM emissions were measured. CNL (combustion noise).

Gasoline

Gasoline Engine Fuel Wisconsin

NRC report finds Federal analysis to set LD CAFE and GHG standards generally of high quality; some technologies and issues should be re-examined

Green Car Congress

JUNE 19, 2015

The analysis used by federal agencies to set standards for fuel economy (CAFE) and greenhouse gas emissions for new US light-duty vehicles from 2017 to 2025 was thorough and of high caliber overall, according to a new report from the National Research Council. UMTRI Survey: US drivers want better fuel economy, don’t care how.

Standards

Standards Fuel Economy Economy EPA

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

Green Car Congress

APRIL 24, 2012

The company presented these latest test results in a paper at the SAE 2012 World Congress in Detroit. Compression ratio was set at 15:1, and the fuel used was 87 octane gasoline. 2012) Indicated Cycle Efficiency Improvements of a 4-Stroke, High Compression Ratio, S.I., SAE Paper 2012-01-0378 ([link]. Willcox, M.,

Light

Light Fuel Economy Engine Fuel

Exploring gasoline-range naphtha as a low-soot, low-NOx alternative compression ignition fuel

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 8, 2013

Naphtha refers to the light fraction produced by distillation that is roughly in the gasoline boiling range of ~30 °C to ~200 °C. Naphta is characterized as light or heavy depending upon its distillation cut, and is used as a feedstock of high-octane gasoline. impact compared to diesel or gasoline. —Chang et al.

Gasoline

Gasoline Fuel Range Diesel

Hyundai introduces 3rd generation Tucson ix hydrogen fuel cell vehicle; significant increase in range and fuel efficiency

Green Car Congress

FEBRUARY 14, 2011

The Tucson ix FCEV can travel more than 400 miles (644 km) on a single fueling, a 76% improvement over its predecessor, and a range equal to a gasoline-powered car. It achieves gasoline equivalent fuel efficiency of more than 70 mpg US (3.36 Fuel Cell Stack. Gasoline equiv. fuel economy.

Tucson

Tucson Hyundai Hydrogen Fuel

Opel to launch 3 new engine families, 13 new engines by 2016

Green Car Congress

APRIL 10, 2013

Opel is launching three new engine families and 13 new engines between 2012 and 2016, renewing 80% of its engine portfolio. liter gasoline and diesel engines, together with next generation five- and six-speed gearboxes. They will be joined by the end of this year by a new small-displacement gasoline engine family. Architecture.

Engine

Engine 2016 Fuel Economy Fuel

NHTSA Modeling and Technology Projections Underlying the Proposed CAFE Target of 34.1 mpg by MY 2016

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 21, 2009

On 15 Sep, NHTSA and the US EPA proposed a joint rulemaking on fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions for light duty vehicles: an average new car 34.1 mpg if the automotive industry were to meet this CO 2 level just through fuel economy improvements.) ( Earlier post.). mpg and 250 g CO 2 /km for model year 2016.

2016

2016 MPG Fuel Economy EPA

Opel presents new 1.0 SIDI Turbo engine at Aachen Colloquium; below 100 gCO2/km and ~59 mpg in the Adam

Green Car Congress

OCTOBER 8, 2013

liter turbocharged gasoline direct injection engine ( earlier post ) at the 22 nd Aachen Colloquium in Germany. SIDI Turbo also delivers a 20% improvement in fuel economy compared to the 1.6-liter In the Opel Adam, it will give CO 2 emissions of well under 100 g/km, as well as combined cycle fuel consumption approaching 4.0

Engine

Engine MPG Exhaust Gasoline

Using the PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) to Transition Society Seamlessly and Profitably From Fossil Fuel to 100% Renewable Energy

Green Car Congress

JULY 17, 2015

Though the PHEV combines the two types of energy and power, it is not merely a temporary “transition” between gasoline and diesel cars to pure electric cars. Since it can refuel from a standard household outlet and from a gasoline station, it needs no new infrastructure. It is much more than that. Engineering Advantages of the PHEV.

PHEV

PHEV Plug-in Renewable Energy

Delphi Highlighting New Components and Systems for Improving Fuel Consumption in Spark Ignition Engines

Green Car Congress

SEPTEMBER 24, 2009

Delphi is highlighting new developments in the area of fuel injection systems, ignition, valve train and ancillary systems for improving fuel consumption and lowering CO 2 emissions from spark ignition engines without what it calls the cost and risk of different technologies. Delphi CNG injector. Click to enlarge.

Engine

Engine Fuel Gasoline-Electric Gasoline

Ford Making Aggressive Push With EcoBoost and Technologies Such as Ti-VCT for Improved Fuel Economy; Roadmap for Future Generations of EcoBoost Highlights Role as Company Strategy as Well as Product

Green Car Congress

DECEMBER 20, 2009

As part of an aggressive deployment strategy for improving fuel efficiency across its product line-up in the near-to medium-term, Ford will offer its first-generation turbocharged, gasoline direct-injection EcoBoost engines ( earlier post ) in 90% of its product lineup by 2013. Planning background. ” First-generation EcoBoost.

Fuel Economy

Fuel Economy Economy Ford Downsizing

How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

APRIL 21, 2009

Partnering with Alcoa, Duke Energy, Google.org, Johnson Controls Indiana startup plans to unveil vehicle May 2009 at EVS-24 in Norway; mass production in 2012. Ford Escape PHEV-40 around 2012. Company says its focusing on gasoline and hydrogen. 1,000 pre-orders for small production runs in 2009 and 2010starting 4th quarter 2009.

Plug-in

Plug-in Plug Hybrid PHEV

Perhaps not what you thought

Electric Auto Association

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021

The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, implemented under President Barack Obama in 2012, called for annual increases of 5% to the average fuel economy of new vehicles through the 2025 model year. In 2019, fuel economy actually worsened, dropping slightly from 25.1 billion barrels.

EPA

EPA Fleet Fuel Economy 2019

Perhaps not what you thought

Electric Auto Association

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021

The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program, implemented under President Barack Obama in 2012, called for annual increases of 5% to the average fuel economy of new vehicles through the 2025 model year. In 2019, fuel economy actually worsened, dropping slightly from 25.1 billion barrels.

EPA

EPA Fleet Fuel Economy 2019

Volvo to concentrate on hybrids and downsized engines for US

FEV’s two-stage VCR system; 5-7% increase in fuel economy using variable length conrods

Downspeeding and supercharging with transmission optimization can deliver fuel economy improvement over downspeeding and turbocharging

Audi using supplementary port fuel injection to address particulates from gasoline direct injection

Ricardo HyBoost “Intelligent Electrification” project awarded automotive environmental prize by Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Center for Automotive Research calls long-run economic risk to auto industry of mandating permanent fuel economy standards very serious; recommends periodic reviews

Opel presents new midsize gasoline engine at Aachen Colloquium; fuel consumption down 13%, torque and power up 33%

Mazdas new SKYACTIV gasoline and diesel engines are steps on the road to its Ideal Engine; focus on compression ratio

IEA: carbon intensity of global energy supply has barely changed in last 20 years; “window of opportunity in transport”

Jaguar adds two new smaller forced induction gasoline engines to 2013 XF and XJ lineup; 8-speed automatic and start-stop

New Honda Earth Dreams Technology 1.6L diesel in Civic to deliver CO2 emissions of 95 g/km

GM to double models with 40 mpg highway or better by 2017; ongoing manufacturing efficiency improvements

Simulation study suggests ORC waste heat recovery system could deliver potential 7% improvement in fuel consumption in a PHEV on highway

Update on Nissan’s new front-engine, front-wheel drive hybrid system

Nissan shows Hi-Cross Concept 7-passenger 4WD hybrid in Geneva; another implementation of “one-motor, two-clutch” system

Bosch sees future requiring multiple powertrain technologies; the larger the vehicle, the more the electrification

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

Ford introduces new Fusion midsize sedan with new hybrid and Energi plug-in hybrid versions

SAE High Efficiency IC Engine Symposium opens with consideration of alternative engine designs

CPT and Eminox to collaborate on development of retrofit electric supercharging and aftertreatment solutions for heavy-duty vehicles

Ford Unveils Next-Generation Global Focus at NAIAS; Features New 2.0L DI Engine with Powershift Dual-Clutch Transmission for NA Market

DOT, EPA unveil joint proposal for fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards: 49.6 mpg CAFE, 163 g/mile GHG in 2025; flexibilities and incentives

ICCT-led analysis of turbocharged, downsized engine tech finds lower costs and greater benefits than 2012 EPA/NHTSA analysis; 48V, e-boost, Miller

Renault 2010 Environment Workshop, Part 1: Combustion Engine Technology and Product Plans

Ford Debuts Four-Cylinder EcoBoost Engine Family at Frankfurt; 1.6L and 2.0L I-4s to Start, Smaller Displacement Engine to Follow

Promising Delphi 1st-gen Gasoline Direct Injection Compression Ignition engine meeting ultra fuel efficient program targets

NRC report finds Federal analysis to set LD CAFE and GHG standards generally of high quality; some technologies and issues should be re-examined

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

Exploring gasoline-range naphtha as a low-soot, low-NOx alternative compression ignition fuel

Hyundai introduces 3rd generation Tucson ix hydrogen fuel cell vehicle; significant increase in range and fuel efficiency

Opel to launch 3 new engine families, 13 new engines by 2016

NHTSA Modeling and Technology Projections Underlying the Proposed CAFE Target of 34.1 mpg by MY 2016

Opel presents new 1.0 SIDI Turbo engine at Aachen Colloquium; below 100 gCO2/km and ~59 mpg in the Adam

Using the PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) to Transition Society Seamlessly and Profitably From Fossil Fuel to 100% Renewable Energy

Delphi Highlighting New Components and Systems for Improving Fuel Consumption in Spark Ignition Engines

Ford Making Aggressive Push With EcoBoost and Technologies Such as Ti-VCT for Improved Fuel Economy; Roadmap for Future Generations of EcoBoost Highlights Role as Company Strategy as Well as Product

How Carmakers Are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity

Perhaps not what you thought

Perhaps not what you thought

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