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CAFE, a sea of changes

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:

CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #1
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124197

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







CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #2
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/




CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #3
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080101/AUTO01/801010317/1148/rss25

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.

CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #4
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59260

Caddy V-8 is endangered species


Jamie LaReau
and Richard Truett

Automotive News | January 7, 2008 - 12:01 am EST


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.

CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #5
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124186

Ford Dubs New Engine Family "EcoBoost"

Date posted: 01-07-2008

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.



CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #6
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124185


Revealed: Porsche Panamera Hybrid

Date posted: 01-07-2008

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



CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #7
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124210


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.

CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #8
http://seriouswheels.com/cars/2008/top-2008-Aptera-Typ-1.htm

2008 Aptera Typ-1 230 MPG Plug-in Hybrid

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.



CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #9
Quote from: oldraven;196660
http://seriouswheels.com/cars/2008/top-2008-Aptera-Typ-1.htm

2008 Aptera Typ-1 230 MPG Plug-in Hybrid

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.

CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #10
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.

CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #11
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
 The Corvette has been a performance flagship for GM (GM, Fortune 500) 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.
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #12
Lighter is better. Now if only they'd put that kind of thinking into other models.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080105/AUTO03/801050301/1149/AUTO03

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.

CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #13
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124313


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



CAFE, a sea of changes

Reply #14
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124305


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