General => Lounge => Topic started by: oldraven on January 09, 2008, 07:45:38 AM
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: oldraven on January 09, 2008, 07:45:38 AM
I decided to make this thread as our own collective observations of the changes CAFE is making to the auto industry. Let's not get too political, and try to actually find news items that show the effects of CAFE's adjustments.
If this works, it could make a pretty cool sticky someday. Anyway, it's time to go hunting. :hick:
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: oldraven on January 09, 2008, 07:52:09 AM
Cadillac Provoq Concept Offers Provocative Look at the Future
LAS VEGAS — The longstanding mantra about luxury buyers in the auto industry is that they want it all with no compromises. So when Cadillac unveiled its Provoq concept at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show here on Tuesday, it showed off a luxury crossover that uses an environmentally friendly alternative-propulsion system — but doesn't make you feel as if you're in a Buck Rogers movie populated by little green men.
"We're not talking about a vehicle that makes you give up things," said Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell. "We're trying to show a vision of how all of that is preserved."
Cadillac's vision for the luxury crossover of the future expands on General Motors' E-flex technology. The Chevrolet Volt is the first variant of E-flex, which is a family of propulsion systems that fit into a common chassis and use electric drive. The Volt's large battery and small turbo gas engine produce enough electricity to go up to 640 miles and provide triple-digit fuel economy, according to GM. The five-passenger Provoq has a 300-mile driving range, of which 280 are provided via the hydrogen power through the electric battery. Caldwell said Cadillac is not estimating the horsepower of the Provoq. The new concept sprints from zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds.
Power is sent to all four wheels via individual 40-kilowatt wheel-hub motors. Perhaps the most intriguing design cue is a grille that opens and closes via louvers based on the airflow needs of the E-flex technology, Caldwell explained. The Provoq is equipped with 21-inch wheels with an unusual spoked design with a graphite cover behind the spokes. The roof is a glass solar panel that provides power for the car's onboard electrical system.
The ample cabin has such touches as reconfigurable LCD displays that show fuel cell information, as opposed to a traditional gauge cluster. Other interior features include an integrated hard drive for media storage, a prominent center stack and a USB connection in the armrest. Cabin materials are environmentally friendly and include a headliner made out of a soy-based material and carpet composed of recycled polyester and jute.
Caldwell would not specify when such a vehicle might show up on dealer lots. He said the idea was to show the "essential capabilities" of such a futuristic alt-fuel vehicle while at the same time reassuring consumers that they "need not step backwards to enter this era."
What this means to you: Your future "green" Cadillac may not look and feel all that different from the luxury crossovers you are used to today — and fuel economy will no longer be an issue. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: oldraven on January 09, 2008, 07:59:29 AM
Saab 9-4x BioPower
Saab has been a major proponent of ethanol, particularly in its home base of Sweden where two thirds of all sales are now flex-fuel engines. It makes sense for Saab to promote ethanol since it can help enhance the performance of its predominantly turbocharged engines. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine in this new CUV is optimized for use with E85 and gets 300 hp from it's 2.0L displacement along with 295 lb-ft of torque from 2,600-5,100 rpm. Truly impressive numbers for such a small motor. The aluminum block engine also has direct injection and variable valve timing, all helping it get the most out of every drop of alcohol.
more here http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/officially-official-saab-9-4x-biopower-concept-for-real-this-ti/
Big 3 go after diesel market Eric Morath / The Detroit News
Recently passed energy legislation that mandates 40 percent fuel efficiency increases on automakers has them looking toward a technology that's existed for years -- diesel.
General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC have committed to a diesel option in the next generation of their light-duty pickups, which are the best-selling vehicles in each of their lineups. If all goes well and more consumers accept diesels as an option, the technology could expand beyond trucks.
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: oldraven on January 09, 2008, 08:05:34 AM
DETROIT — The big, powerful V-8 engines that have been a mainstay of Cadillac's big sedans since the late 1930s are fading away, victims of the move to fuel efficiency.
Cadillac's trademark V-8 engine will give way to smaller high-tech V-6s — and possibly some diesel engines — in Cadillac's cars.
In an interview with Automotive News, Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor said last week that Cadillac is considering a 2.9-liter turbocharged V-6 diesel for its mainstream U.S. sedans.
Taylor's revelation came in the wake of General Motors' announcement last week that it has dropped plans to replace the Northstar V-8, which goes out of production in 2010. The Northstar has powered Cadillacs since 1993.
It's all part of the new world of high fuel prices, rising fuel economy standards and pressure to reduce emissions.
"On Dec. 19, the world changed," Taylor said. That's when President Bush signed a law mandating a 40 percent fuel-economy improvement by 2020.
In the future, Cadillac's mainstream sedans probably won't offer V-8 engines, Taylor said. Instead, the CTS and the successor to the STS and DTS will be powered by the 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 that went on sale in 2007.
In 2009, the new 2.9-liter diesel goes into production for Cadillac's CTS to be sold in Europe. Cadillac also could use that engine in U.S. models, Taylor said.
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: oldraven on January 09, 2008, 08:09:47 AM
DEARBORN, Mich. — The Ford Motor Company said it plans to install a new family of turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engines on half a million vehicles over the next five years, including the 2009 Lincoln MKS and Ford Flex.
Called EcoBoost, the engine family will include four- and six-cylinder variants. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, earmarked for the Explorer America Concept and other products, will deliver 275 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6, which will be used in the all-wheel-drive MKS, will make 340 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque.
STUTTGART, Germany — Porsche said Monday that its all-new Panamera four-door eventually will share a hybrid powertrain with its previously announced Cayenne Hybrid.
The standard Panamera will make its debut in 2009 as a 2010 model, and the Cayenne Hybrid is slated to arrive "at the end of the decade," according to Porsche. The Panamera Hybrid, the company said, "will follow later, depending on market requirements."
The parallel hybrid system, which permits the vehicle to operate with an electric motor, a gasoline engine or a combination of both, will deliver an estimated 31 mpg in the Cayenne Hybrid.
In the Panamera Hybrid, the battery pack will be located in the luggage compartment. The hybrid module — which bundles the electric motor and an additional clutch — will be positioned between the engine and gearbox.
What this means to you: By the time it reaches Porsche dealerships sometime after 2010, the Panamera Hybrid could still be the world's only gasoline/electric four-door sports car. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
2008 Detroit Auto Show Preview: Audi R8 TDI Concept
Date posted: 01-08-2008
DETROIT — Audi will unveil a new concept version of its midengine R8 supercar, powered by a 6.0-liter V12 TDI, next week at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, according to several European press reports.
A spokesman for Audi of America confirmed to Inside Line that the company will display three significant new models at the Detroit show, including the North American debut of the 2009 A4, as well as the world debuts of "a new production car and a concept." The production car is the TTS, a performance edition of the TT coupe.
A report in Automotive News Europe quoted an unnamed Audi insider as saying the R8 TDI concept is intended to raise the profile of the brand in North America. The source told the publication that Audi expects more than 15 percent of its North American sales by 2015 will be diesels.
The current R8 is available only with a 4.2-liter V8, but Audi is planning to offer a new V10 displacing around 5.2 liters and delivering more than 500 horsepower.
What this means to you: The TDI engine, if approved for production, would provide R8 buyers with a third option. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
This one is a bit of a stretch, being that it has a 6.0L V12 and made primarily for the European market, but it is still showing change, as we have never seen a diesel powered supercar before.
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: oldraven on January 09, 2008, 08:36:44 AM
Based on our wheel layout and our weight, the Aptera Typ-1 is registered as a motorcyle.
In fact, Aptera is a motorcycle manufacturer registered with DOT and CA DMV. This means, among other things, that we are able to issue VIN's. Our 'world identifier number' is '5WT', so all of our VIN's begin with '5WT'. Knowing the public perception of motorcycle safety, we made the decision to make safety a fundamental part of the design of our vehicles. For example, the Typ-1 roof is designed to EXCEED rollover strength requirements spelled out in FMVSS 216 for passenger vehicles. The doors EXCEED the strength requirement spelled out in FMVSS 214. We decided not just to meet many of the specs for passenger vehicles, which are set above and beyond the requirements for motorcycles, but we chose to exceed them whenever possible. Just a few of the many parts of the safety systems on the Typ-1 are airbag-in seatbelt technology, a front subframe and a firewall that redirect energy around the occupants.
Electric & Gasoline Hybrid
The Typ-1 uses a commoditized, 'ruggedized' 3-phase motor controller designed for vehicular applications, and a 3-phase motor made for us by a company here in Southern California. The rear drive suspension, and the drive reduction, are all designed and made by Aptera. Since the Typ-1e (electric) and the Typ-1h (series plug in hybrid) have different battery needs, this may result in different battery manufacturers for the two models. The Typ-1e is designed to use a 10 KWh pack, while the Typ-1h uses a smaller pack. The cycles and DOD are different for both applications. We will announce further information regarding the battery lifespan and warranty policy well before we begin manufacturing the Typ-1 next October.
Diesel or Gasoline? Our first prototype, the Mk-0, was a parallel hybrid Diesel and achieved an average of 230 MPG at a steady state of 55 MPH. This was pure Diesel/mechanical drive with no electric assist. Diesel is attractive for its Carnot efficiency and the increased enthalpy of Diesel fuel vs gasoline. However, diesel contains lots of unburned hydrocarbons and NOX compounds, and it's impossible to get a small Diesel engine certified for emissions in California. Therefore, the typ-h uses a small, water-cooled EFI Gasoline engine with closed loop oxygen feedback and catalytic converter. This engine is coupled to a lightweight 12KW starter/generator. It's very clean and quiet.
Based on our wheel layout and our weight, the Aptera Typ-1 is registered as a motorcyle.
In fact, Aptera is a motorcycle manufacturer registered with DOT and CA DMV. This means, among other things, that we are able to issue VIN's. Our 'world identifier number' is '5WT', so all of our VIN's begin with '5WT'. Knowing the public perception of motorcycle safety, we made the decision to make safety a fundamental part of the design of our vehicles. For example, the Typ-1 roof is designed to EXCEED rollover strength requirements spelled out in FMVSS 216 for passenger vehicles. The doors EXCEED the strength requirement spelled out in FMVSS 214. We decided not just to meet many of the specs for passenger vehicles, which are set above and beyond the requirements for motorcycles, but we chose to exceed them whenever possible. Just a few of the many parts of the safety systems on the Typ-1 are airbag-in seatbelt technology, a front subframe and a firewall that redirect energy around the occupants.
Electric & Gasoline Hybrid
The Typ-1 uses a commoditized, 'ruggedized' 3-phase motor controller designed for vehicular applications, and a 3-phase motor made for us by a company here in Southern California. The rear drive suspension, and the drive reduction, are all designed and made by Aptera. Since the Typ-1e (electric) and the Typ-1h (series plug in hybrid) have different battery needs, this may result in different battery manufacturers for the two models. The Typ-1e is designed to use a 10 KWh pack, while the Typ-1h uses a smaller pack. The cycles and DOD are different for both applications. We will announce further information regarding the battery lifespan and warranty policy well before we begin manufacturing the Typ-1 next October.
Diesel or Gasoline? Our first prototype, the Mk-0, was a parallel hybrid Diesel and achieved an average of 230 MPG at a steady state of 55 MPH. This was pure Diesel/mechanical drive with no electric assist. Diesel is attractive for its Carnot efficiency and the increased enthalpy of Diesel fuel vs gasoline. However, diesel contains lots of unburned hydrocarbons and NOX compounds, and it's impossible to get a small Diesel engine certified for emissions in California. Therefore, the typ-h uses a small, water-cooled EFI Gasoline engine with closed loop oxygen feedback and catalytic converter. This engine is coupled to a lightweight 12KW starter/generator. It's very clean and quiet.
You'll survive an accident with an SUV like a motorcycle.
Seriously that thing should fly. It looks like George Jetson's car.
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: oldraven on January 09, 2008, 08:57:25 AM
So, you're saying motorcycles should be banned? The looks are the least important feature of this car. Ugly is ugly, but 230mpg is revolutionary.
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: Thunder Chicken on January 09, 2008, 09:07:48 AM
One I read yesterday:
Quote
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Tadge Juechter, General Motors' chief engineer for the Chevrolet Corvette, wants to set one thing straight: the Corvette is here to stay. Last month, Chevy introduced the Corvette ZR1, an ultra-high-performance Corvette with an expected power output of 620 horsepower. Juechter made statements that he said were taken out of context in some media reports. The news stories, he said, made it sound as if the Corvette itself might be forced to extinction by new fuel economy regulations. "It's my job to make sure that Corvettes do not go away," he told CNNMoney.com in an interview recently. New legislation requires a nationwide new car fuel economy average of 35 miles per gallon by 2010. That means the Corvette will have to change, Juechter said. It won't have to get 35 miles per gallon, of course, but it will have to do its part to raise the average. The challenge will be to make sure needed changes don't damage the image of a car that's important to its legions of fans and to GM's corporate image. Revealed: Corvette ZR1 (http://"http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/autos/0712/gallery.corvette_zr1/index.html") The Corvette has been a performance flagship for GM (GM (http://"http://money.cnn.com/quote/quote.html?symb=GM&source=story_quote_link"), Fortune 500 (http://"http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2007/snapshots/563.html?source=story_f500_link")) since its introduction in 1953. It's also been a value flagship for the Chevrolet brand with performance that matches European sports cars costing twice as much. Juechter's task will be maintain both sides of the Corvette's brand promise - high performance and low price - while also dealing with the increased fuel economy requirements. It won't be easy because the Corvette is already a closet fuel-efficiency freak. A high-performance sports car that puts out 430 horsepower from a 6.2 liter V8 engine, the 'Vette's estimated highway fuel economy of 26 mpg is actually better than some 4-cylinder sports cars including the Pontiac Solstice and Honda S2000. Corvette engineers could simply cut back on all that engine power. Packing 430 horsepower - a number bumped up from 400 in just the last model year - the 'Vette would seem to have some to spare. But a horsepower cutback would be an absolute last resort, Juechter said, something he would accept "kicking and screaming." If power had to be cut back, engineers would find ways to lighten the car even more, he said, preserving the all-important power-to-weight ratio. "We expect that we will be able to continue to improve performance," Juechter said. Reducing weight could mean increased use of lighter materials like aluminum, special alloys and composites and even carbon fiber, which has a large role in the ZR1 super 'Vette. Those materials are expensive, though, which threatens to undermine that other key Corvette appeal - its price. "How do you do that at a reasonable cost that our customers will understand?" Juechter asked. The new ZR1 also uses supercharging, a system that pumps air into the engine's cylinders to create higher pressure. That will allow the it to get nearly 200 more horsepower out of the same-sized engine used in the base Corvette. You might think a similar solution could be used on a smaller, more fuel efficient engine to match the, or even beat, the power output of the current base Corvette's V8. Perhaps a future Corvette could pack a V6 under the hood. Not so fast, said Juechter. First of all, superchargers are heavy and use significant engine power to run. Turbochargers, which use turbines spun by exhaust gases, are lighter and sap less power, but they're still complex and costly. Plus, turbochargers take a moment to respond to a push on the gas pedal - a phenomenon known as "turbo lag" - and that's not something drivers want on a race track, Juechter said, where many Corvette owners like to run their cars. Besides, the Corvette's big V8 engine makes sense for cost reasons, according to Juechter, since its basic design is shared with many GM trucks. And Corvette owners simply expect a V8 so, while he won't rule out eventually using a V6 engine, that decision would require some very serious economic and performance justification. It would not go down easily with the Corvette faithful. In the end, the solution to the Corvette fuel economy puzzle may have to involve trade-offs between performance and price to meet the needs of greater efficiency. In the end, Corvette buyers may have to accept that a more fuel-efficient sports car will cost a little more. One thing you probably won't see for a long time, said Juechter, will be another beast as extreme as the ZR1. GM engineers will be occupied with more mundane tasks, like how to squeeze more mileage out of family cars and crossover SUVs. "I doubt many manufacturers are scratching their heads trying to think up ways to do more 600 horsepower cars" he said. In the meanwhile, Juechter says he'll make sure the Corvette itself doesn't become too tame.
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: oldraven on January 10, 2008, 07:44:28 AM
Lighter is better. Now if only they'd put that kind of thinking into other models.
Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid: Just right, yet wrong Dan Neil / Los Angeles Times
By way of a fantastic exertion of technology and human capital -- which I hereby honor and praise even as I question them as mis-allocated -- GM has managed to give one of its behemoth SUVs marginally better fuel economy. Here are the relevant data points: The two-mode hybrid Tahoe returns an EPA estimated fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon in the city, 22 mpg highway; the 4x4 version rates an even 20/20, city/highway. The company and its various choristers -- such as the Green Car Journal, which recently named the Tahoe Hybrid "Green Car of the Year" -- are pleased to point out that represents up to a 50 percent improvement of in-city fuel economy over the non-hybrid Tahoe.
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: oldraven on January 15, 2008, 08:09:46 AM
2008 Detroit Auto Show: Saturn May Produce Vue Green Line Plug-in Hybrid in 2010
DETROIT — Saturn on Monday joined a growing list of global automakers contending that they will be first to market with a commercially viable plug-in hybrid. The GM brand announced at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show that production "may begin as soon as 2010 on a plug-in hybrid electric version of the Saturn Vue Green Line."
It's a horse race that seems completely up in the air right now. Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe grabbed national headlines on Monday — including the front page of the New York Times business section — with the proclamation that Toyota will launch its first plug-in hybrid by 2010, with a lithium-ion battery pack replacing today's nickel metal hydride batteries.
China's BYD Auto is displaying a plug-in hybrid in Detroit and says it begins to sell a version in China in late 2008.
"We announced late in 2006 that a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle was a top priority, and the fact that we're now announcing production timing to bring the industry's first plug-in to market, while tackling many technology hurdles along the way, demonstrates our commitment to diversifying from petroleum and reducing emissions," Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak said in a statement.
What this means to you: Time to get that plug-in hybrid pool going in your office. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
2008 Detroit Auto Show: New Plug-in Hybrids From puppiesan, China
DETROIT — General Motors could face some stiff competition in the race to put plug-in hybrid vehicles on the street from two challengers: puppiesan's Toyota Motor and China's BYD Auto.
Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe, in outlining the automaker's sweeping plan to upgrade its alt-fuel product portfolio, said Toyota will launch its first plug-in hybrid by 2010, with a lithium-ion battery pack replacing today's nickel metal hydride batteries.
Toyota also said it will unveil new hybrid-only models for the Lexus and Toyota brands at next year's Detroit show. In addition, a clean-diesel V8 will be introduced in the full-size Tundra pickup and Sequoia SUV in model-year 2010. Watanabe said Toyota plans to be selling at least a million hybrids a year before 2012.
Tucked away in the lower level of Cobo Center, tiny BYD Auto is already displaying a plug-in hybrid, the F6DM (for dual-mode). The midsize sedan, which was unveiled in November at the Guangzhou auto show in China, is powered by a new low-cost battery developed by BYD.
BYD's parent company is one of the world's largest makers of cell-phone batteries.
The F6DM reportedly can be driven about 60 miles in electric mode and nearly 270 miles by using the gasoline engine as a generator to charge the battery pack. Top speed is 100 mph. BYD said the batteries can be recharged to 70 percent of capacity in just 10 minutes.
The company plans to begin building and selling a version of the F6DM in China in late 2008. It has no plans to market the plug-in hybrids in North America until after 2010.
What this means to you: BYD could beat both GM and Toyota to market — the China market, that is — with a plug-in hybrid. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
DETROIT — These days, General Motors' Saturn brand shares nearly everything with the automaker's Opel subsidiary in Germany, including concept vehicles. That's why the Opel Flextreme concept from Frankfurt has made its way across the Atlantic, morphing at the Detroit show into the Saturn Flextreme.
The concept is the latest to showcase GM's evolving plug-in hybrid technology, which the company intends to market under the E-Flex brand. The hybrid system incorporates a 1.3-liter turbodiesel engine and a lithium-ion battery pack that can power the Flextreme's electric motor for up to 34 miles.
Among the features on this compact crossover are sideview cameras, LED headlamps, polycarbonate windows, a panoramic windshield and butterfly-style rear doors.
As on the original Opel concept, the Saturn Flextreme bundles a pair of Segway personal transporters in its cargo bay.
What this means to you: Apparently, what's sauce for the Opel goose is sauce for the Saturn gander. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
DETROIT — Ford's North American marketing department can thank Martin Smith, executive director of design for Ford of Europe, for creating a breath of fresh air that could help sweep a few cobwebs from the Blue Oval's musty U.S. portfolio. Case in point: the Ford Verve.
The Verve — for all intents and purposes, the next-generation Fiesta that arrives later this year in Europe and China — is the embodiment of an emerging family styling theme that Smith has dubbed "kinetic design." It is far more graceful, elegant and appealing than the blunt, ham-fisted three-bar grilles that Ford has pasted on most of its U.S. products in recent years.
The good news for Americans is that at least one version of the Verve — unfortunately, with that three-bar grille tacked on — will arrive stateside in 2010. That would be the four-door, which was first unveiled several months ago at the Guangzhou auto show. Detroit visitors will also get a look at the shagy Verve three-door that made its maiden voyage in September at the Frankfurt show; Ford hints that it, too, may see duty in the U.S. market.
Apart from the grille, the U.S. edition of the Verve doesn't swerve much from the original. The car still features a panoramic glass roof, pillarless side glass, projector-beam headlamps and LED taillamps. The latest version of the concept rides on 18-inch, 12-spoke alloy wheels.
Ford isn't furnishing a lot of details on the hardware, but the production-bound Verve/Fiesta will offer a selection of four-cylinder gas and diesel engines in Europe, from fuel sippers to tire lighters.
What this means to you: Possibly Ford's shagiest new model in years. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Three green vehicles show Chrysler's future designs
Greg Piatt
Instead of horsepower-pumping Hemi engines, Chrysler LLC is going green with the unveiling Monday of three eco-friendly concepts that showcase the automaker's first push into electric drive systems.
The vehicles - a Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep - were developed by ENVI, a team of Chrysler engineers charged with developing alternatives to gasoline-powered engines. ENVI is derived from the word environment.
Chrysler plans to market gasoline-electric hybrid versions of its largest SUVs - the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen - and is under pressure like other automakers to meet tough new, federal fuel economy standards by 2020.
The electric Dodge sport wagon, a fuel-cell powered Chrysler sedan and a small electric Jeep with a diesel range extender hint at what is in the minds of designers and engineers at the Auburn Hills automaker.
All of the vehicles are powered by batteries and have electric motors. Two of them use a range extender to recharge the batteries.
The fuel cell-equipped Chrysler ecoVoyager, with its rounded shape, boat-shaped tail and doors that open at 90 degrees to the vehicle, seemed to draw most of the oohs and aahs.
The minimal appearance of the ecoVoyager's interior makes the vehicle look more elegant, Chrysler President and Vice Chairman Jim Press said.
The ecoVoyager gives passengers the feeling of riding in a private jet, Chrysler Design Chief Trevor Creed said.
The subcompact, two-seater Jeep with 4x4 capabilities has a diesel engine and electric propulsion system that allows for fuel economy of 110 miles per gallon. The one-piece body is also eco-friendly using material produced from corn, Press said.
The Dodge ZEO is a muscle, plug-in electric vehicle that can go 0-60 miles per hour in less than six seconds. The 2+2 sport wagon with a swooping front end has a range of 250 miles. ZEO stands for zero emissions operation.
Title: CAFE, a sea of changes
Post by: oldraven on January 15, 2008, 08:35:14 AM
What's special about it? It's no longer possible to describe a concept car with a lithium-ion battery pack and a fuel-cell stack as something radical and futuristic, but the Chrysler ecoVoyager has significance beyond its name-droppable bits of technology. For the first time in years, Chrysler has taken a hard look at vehicle packaging.
Instead of cramming the ecoVoyager with cute minivan features like the Chill Zone, MyGIG and Swivel 'n Go, Chrysler has designed it around your family's typical driving habits. Or, rather, its perception of what your habits might be 10-20 years from now.
A 268-horsepower electric motor drives the ecoVoyager's front wheels, and Chrysler says 60 mph comes up in "less than 9 seconds." Since the company has determined that most people commute less than 40 miles a day, this is exactly the amount of range that the 16-kilowatt-hour battery pack provides on a single charge. Regenerative brakes are capable of recapturing small amounts of energy to prolong battery life.
For the occasional road trip, the ecoVoyager draws upon a small fuel-cell stack to recharge its batteries and extend total range to "greater than 300 miles." Because the fuel cells are meant to be only a secondary power source, they provide just 45 kW of electricity — less than half the juice of the stack in the Honda FCX Clarity. Hydrogen is stored at 10,000 psi in a pair of onboard tanks mounted under the ecoVoyager's cargo bay.
We doubt the "Voyager" in Chrysler ecoVoyager is a chance cameo. Although it only seats four, this one-box concept car with quad captain's chairs and reverse-opening rear doors is undoubtedly a minivan. And by packing the drivetrain bits into the floor, Chrysler has maximized interior volume — something you can never get enough of in a family vehicle.
Given its interior with leather upholstery and cherrywood accents, this particular minivan is aimed at well-to-do families. Curiously, Chrysler envisions these hypothetical buyers as iconoclasts, noting that the ecoVoyager concept has been "developed for customers wanting a travel experience on par with a private jet, but without a lot of fancy gadgetry."
To that end, ergonomic correctness rather than retro styling cues has driven the interior design. Chrysler says the reconfigurable instrumentation and controls are carefully located to reduce head and eye movement. A console running the length of the cabin puts no fewer than six 20-ounce beverages within comfortable reach.
Large skylights ensure everyone in the Chrysler ecoVoyager gets enough Vitamin D, while a "Direct Sound" audio system evidently eliminates the hassle of wireless headphones and bickering siblings alike. According to Chrysler, "the musical entertainment choice of each individual occupant can be directed to him or her without the use of headphones, and without disturbing others in the car."
What's Edmunds' take? If the basic design of the Chrysler ecoVoyager sounds familiar, that's because Ford did it last year with the Airstream concept. It's a significant step in packaging nevertheless. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor
What's special about it? We get the feeling that Dodge might be a little uncomfortable about putting an electric motor into one of its concept cars. Instead of reveling in all the technology that went into creating the ZEO (it stands for "Zero Emissions Operation"), the company merely says that the ZEO's 268-horsepower, rear-drive motor will get you to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, "which rivals Chrysler's famed Hemi power plant."
True enough, as this would make the Dodge ZEO quicker than a Dodge Charger R/T, though slower than an SRT8. A 64-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack powers the electric motor, but Dodge doesn't get into trivialities — you know, like how to recharge it. Presumably, you'd plug in the ZEO.
In reality, the ZEO is a design study for a four-place, coupe-type vehicle that Dodge would market to younger buyers. It reminds us a bit of the Scion Fuse concept shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show. It even has scissor doors.
With the exception of its blue-lit crossbar grille, nothing about the Dodge ZEO's appearance indicates that it's gone all-electric and environmentally friendly underneath. For example, it takes the exaggerated wheel arches that are so fashionable right now to a new extreme. In fact, while Dodge's concept is about the same length and width as a Honda Civic coupe, it rides on a 5-inch-wider track — 64 inches in front and nearly 66 in back. Stuffed under these shoulder pads are 23-inch wheels wrapped in 225/40R23 Goodyear rubber up front and 255/40R23s in back.
Inside, the Dodge ZEO looks like most concept cars in that it has dramatically flowing surfaces and controls that are simplified to the point of being complex to use. It's, of course, loaded with all the connectivity options that drivers in their 20s are thought to require.
"The Dodge ZEO concept is an example of designing for people who are used to a dynamic lifestyle and who are surrounded with information and virtual friends at all times," Lou Gasevski, prinl interior designer of the Dodge ZEO concept, notes.
Should those friends manifest in material form, each of the ZEO's orange-belted seats is tailored for comfort. The front seatbacks have LCD monitors, so your passengers can catch up on Dexter during the 5-minute drive to Starbucks.
What's Edmunds' take? The longer we wait for the Tesla roadster, the less feasible an all-electric performance car seems. At least we know someone will be looking out for Dodge's hyper-masculine image when CAFE standards toughen up. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor
What's special about it? The Renegade name calls to mind a crusty CJ with tacky decals and maybe a Liberty with a gratuitous rack of driving lights. But the Jeep Renegade concept shown here in Detroit has little in common with either of those vehicles.
It has about the same footprint as a standard-wheelbase Jeep Wrangler, and it's a roadster since it doesn't have a convertible top and not even a vinyl-covered hardtop. Whereas the Wrangler is engineered to conquer the natural world, Jeep says the Renegade is designed to be "at one with nature," albeit in a science-nerd kind of way.
Like Land Rover's Land_e concept, the Jeep Renegade is on a quest to harmonize environmentally friendly technology with off-road capability. To that end, it has a pair of electric motors, each good for 268 horsepower. Since one's mounted in front and the other in back, the Renegade is effectively a four-wheel-drive platform. Jeep even claims it has a low-range mode and lockable differentials, but offers no further details on how this is possible.
Since the 16-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack only provides 40 miles of range, the Renegade has a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder diesel engine as an auxiliary power source located under the hood. You wouldn't think an engine this small would provide useful motivation, but Jeep's concept only weighs 3,150 pounds thanks to an aluminum frame and composite body panels. Total cruising range is 400 miles, and the Renegade should hit 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, Jeep says.
Although the cabin is largely a styling exercise, it's clear the designers focused on using recyclable materials to ensure feel-good disposal at the end of the Jeep Renegade's service life. The seats, for instance, incorporate composite frames and soy-based foam provides the cushions. As in the Honda Element, they're waterproof.
In addition, the Renegade represents probably the most extensive use of wireless technology we've seen in a concept vehicle. All the electronics are sealed plug-and-play units. This setup permits you to swap out the audio and navigation head units with ease, and also makes it possible for Jeep to easily reconfigure the interior for left- and right-hand-drive applications. And because there are no wires, the interior can be hosed down as often as necessary, Jeep tells us. There's a drain plug in the floor.
What's Edmunds' take? Let's see: an aluminum frame, two electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack. This should add up to a six-figure price tag. Until costs come down a bit, we'll take those waterproof seats in our Wrangler, thank you. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor
What's special about it? Although the current Mitsubishi Eclipse is more attractive and entertaining to drive than it has been since the late 1990s, it will never be accepted by hard-core enthusiasts. It's too big and heavy to be a real sport coupe, and a front-wheel-drive layout seals its fate. Mitsubishi knows this, and with the two-seat Concept-RA coupe, the company is taking a first step toward doing something about it.
If you look at the Concept-RA's basic measurements, it doesn't appear to be a terribly lightweight car. Sure, it's 5 inches shorter than a Mitsubishi Lancer, but its track has been pushed out an additional 3 inches, and exaggerated wheel arches house 21-inch wheels wrapped in 285/30R21 rubber. Then you stumble across the description "aluminum space frame," and it's obvious how Mitsubishi achieved a useful weight loss that suits this car's sporting intentions. In addition, the Concept-RA's body panels are made of recyclable plastic resin.
More interesting to old-school Eclipse fans, though, will be the return to turbocharged motivation, even if this coupe is just a concept for now.
This time the turbocharger is bolted onto a 2.2-liter inline-4 with four valves per cylinder. The engine incorporates variable intake valve lift, while the variable-geometry turbo can alter exhaust gas flow to improve boost response. The result is 201 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque — healthy numbers for a diesel of this displacement. Mitsubishi says the engine would meet U.S. emissions standards with the help of a NOx catalyst and a particulate filter.
Since the Concept-RA has more torque than the current Eclipse GT or even an Evolution X, Mitsubishi's six-speed, dual-clutch sequential gearbox drives all four wheels through a next-generation version of the company's all-wheel-drive system.
In addition to the adjustable center differential (ACD) and active yaw control (AYC) rear differential previously seen on the Evo, the Concept-RA's setup adds active steering and suspension control to the mix. We have yet to experience an active steering system we actually like, but given how natural and intuitive the Evo X feels with active yaw control, maybe Mitsubishi can change our minds.
What's Edmunds' take? We really do hope Mitsubishi can find a less costly way to save weight than an aluminum space frame. That said, the thought of a Mitsu coupe with a turbocharged engine — even a diesel — and all-wheel drive makes us happy. — Erin Riches, Senior Editor