article thumbnail

When They Electrified Christmas

Cars That Think

In much of the world, December is a month of twinkling lights. Whether for religious or secular celebrations, the variety and functionality of lights have exploded in recent years, abetted by cheap and colorful LEDs and compact electronics. But decorative lights aren't new. But decorative lights aren't new.

Light 143
article thumbnail

ORNL researchers quantify the effect of increasing highway speed on fuel economy

Green Car Congress

legal light-duty vehicles from 1984 to present. Data has been collected for 23 light-duty vehicles at ORNL’s vehicle research laboratory and a valuable data set for 51 vehicles was loaned to ORNL by Chrysler, LLC under a non-disclosure agreement. Analysis has focused on speeds of 50, 60, 70 and 80 mph. [ Footnotes. [ Thomas, H-L.

article thumbnail

DOE to Award $187M to 9 Projects to Improve Vehicle Efficiency for Heavy-Duty Trucks and Passenger Vehicles

Green Car Congress

Advanced Technology Powertrains for Light-Duty Vehicles (ATP-LD). Develop a flexible combustion system for their minivan platform based on a downsized, turbocharged engine that uses direct gasoline injection, recirculation of exhaust gases, and flexible intake air control to reduce emissions. 37,328,933. Grantee Project Award.

article thumbnail

Third-Generation VW Sharan Van Will Offer Fuel Consumption As Low As 5.5 L/100km (43 mpg US); Start-Stop and Battery Regeneration

Green Car Congress

Volkswagen will introduce its new third-generation Sharan MPV (minivan) this summer. at traffic lights). Both TDIs are fitted with an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) exhaust aftertreatment system. This substance is continuously sprayed into the exhaust gases upstream of the SCR catalytic converter. Click to enlarge.

MPG 210
article thumbnail

2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan EPA-rated at 28 mpg highway, 22 mpg combined; stop/start and PHEV still to come

Green Car Congress

The gasoline-powered version of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan has earned a highway-cycle fuel-economy rating of 28 mpg US (8.4 l/100km) from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—a benchmark unsurpassed by any minivan on the US market and 12% better than the vehicle Pacifica replaces. liter Pentastar V-6 engine.

Minivan 150
article thumbnail

Road Test: 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T Plus Plug-In Hybrid

Clean Fleet Report

The negative was the exhaust note (when in hybrid mode), which was too loud and quickly became tiresome. The LED tail lights, with an illuminated Dodge logo, run the full width of the hands-free power lift gate. The AWD torque vectoring acts as an electronic limited slip differential. The paddle shifters were unnecessarily large.

Dodge 67
article thumbnail

Achates Power building 2.7L opposed-piston light-duty engine; exceeding CAFE 2025, Tier 3 targets at lower cost

Green Car Congress

six-piston) light-duty version of its opposed piston engine (OPE) in both diesel- and gasoline-fueled versions. Achates will demonstrate the engine in 2018 in a driveable light-duty truck. The light-duty engine is a “basic” Achates opposed piston 2-stroke engine, said Redon—i.e., liter, 3-cylinder (i.e.,

Light 150