article thumbnail

SAIC-GM-Wuling breaks ground for new R&D center and proving ground

Green Car Congress

Phase III will feature testing facilities for engines, emission systems, safety systems and new energy vehicles. The Wuling Rong Guang created China’s large-size minivan segment. In the first quarter of 2014, it was the world’s fourth-best-selling vehicle. The R&D center is scheduled to open in December 2018. Click to enlarge.

GM 210
article thumbnail

ORNL study quantifies fuel economy costs of common driver practices and vehicle alterations

Green Car Congress

They presented their results in a paper at SAE 2014 World Congress in Detroit. In addition, two minivans were subjected to coastdowns to examine the similarity in derived coefficients for two duplicate vehicles of the same model. The SUV, a 2009 Ford Explorer with a 4-liter V6 engine, was also tested while towing an enclosed trailer.

article thumbnail

EPA annual trends report finds new vehicle fuel economy at record 24.1 mpg; new powertrain technologies rapidly gaining share

Green Car Congress

The Trends report has been published annually since 1975 and covers all passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans, and all but the largest pickup trucks and vans. Preliminary MY 2014 adjusted values are 367 g/mi CO 2 emissions and 24.2 Both these technologies are projected to be used on nearly all MY 2014 vehicles.

article thumbnail

Chrysler Group withdraws test PHEV fleet to upgrade battery packs after overheating issues; to use a different chemistry

Green Car Congress

No similar issues have occurred with 23 plug-in hybrid minivans deployed as part of a parallel project (also with Electrovaya batteries, ( earlier post ). The company said that the complexity of the engineering solution will determine how many vehicles return to service. mpg, while the minivans delivered 55.0

Chrysler 268
article thumbnail

Chrysler Disbands ENVI Electric Vehicle Group; Function Absorbed into Traditional Line Organization

Green Car Congress

In April 2009, Chrysler unveiled four all-electric Chrysler Town & Country minivan concepts to the US Postal Service (USPS) in Washington, DC. In August, Chrysler took $70 million in grants from the US Department of Energy to develop a test fleet of 220 hybrid pickup trucks and minivans. Earlier post.). Earlier post.).

Chrysler 210
article thumbnail

Chrysler Readying Roll-out of Pentastar V-6 Engine Across 13 Models; Average 7% Fuel Efficiency Improvement

Green Car Congress

Chrysler has provided additional details on its Pentastar V-6 ( earlier post ), which is slated to be the workhorse engine across 13 models and will eventually replace seven different V-6 engines over the next three years. By 2014, the new V-6 is expected to account for more than a third of the powertrains in the vehicle line-up.

Chrysler 225
article thumbnail

Chrysler Group files S-1 for IPO; snapshot of R&D priorities; exploring a light-duty hydraulic hybrid

Green Car Congress

“We are focused on delivering improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions through smaller and optimized engines. Our engine mix is intentionally moving toward smaller, 4-cylinder engines.” Our engine mix is intentionally moving toward smaller, 4-cylinder engines. —Chrysler S-1. —Chrysler S-1.

Chrysler 268