Six New Technologies Will Help Manufacturers Reach the 35 MPG Goal (Without Hybrids)
As the automakers scramble to make plans for achieving 35 MPG by 2020, it seems that our suspicions that the task is entirely possible without fancy hybrids or hydrogen cars has been confirmed. The manufacturers been achieving high mileage in Europe and Japan for years now, so I expect to see it in the US eventually. Luckily, there are six exciting new technologies that are going to make it possible in the US.
These technologies are interesting because they come without the paradigm shift that seems to accompany buying a hybrid or a small economy car. Cars equipped with this green tech will be just like any other car, just more efficient.
More on the six new engine technologies after the break.
- Multistage oil pump: Oil pumps usually only pump oil out through one port, meaning that under every circumstance the pump ends up doing about the same amount of work. Multistage oil pumps, like those that are beginning to be released with some Toyotas, use two oil ports, one small and one larger, to make sure that the amount of oil being pump is optimized based on the operating conditions of the engine. During low-stress operation, only the smallest pump will be used. As the engine is put through its paces, it will switch to the large port, and finally, if you’re really going all out, both ports will open up to allow maximum flow.
- Shortened cylinder head: In the past, cylinder heads have remained a certain height in order to keep the valves aligned in operation. While this presents and issue for shorter cylinder heads (which save weight), guides on the top of the valve springs can be used in conjunction with standard valve guides to ensure smooth operation. The weight difference might not be that dramatic, but at the very least, it will cut down on some materials usage.
- Variable compression ratio: Engines are more efficient at higher compression ratios, but that doesn’t mean it’s always best to be running at the highest compression ratio you can. With that in mind, several manufacturers have begun exploring variable compression ratio engines, where the connecting rod length can be changed using an actuator so that during low-load operation (like driving on the freeway) compression ratio is reduced and fuel economy improves dramatically.
- Guided-spray turbo: The most important thing here is not the turbo, but the method of creating the air-fuel mix in the combustion chamber. The injectors and chamber have been redesigned so that spark plugs are positioned to more efficiently ignite the fuel-air mix and pistons have also been redesigned to create a swirling in the chamber (something that’s been used since Honda since 1992 in fuel economy-conscious engines). Together, all these designs make for incredibly efficient combustion, resulting in impressive power output and comparably good fuel economy numbers.
- Electromagnetic valve actuators: In my opinion, this is probably one of the neatest new technologies out there. By using electromagnets to control the valve train, the camshaft and all its friction losses and rotating mass would be replaced with a system of almost no moving parts that can also precisely control valve timing and adjust it to run the most efficiently in any condition. While expensive, this change could bring up to a 19% improvement in fuel efficiency, and might very well be implemented down the road.
- Hydraulic power electrification: Car makers have already begun this switch-over, as it is one of the most common-sense, and easiest things to do. Beginning with the move from belted radiator fans to electric, car makers have started trying to reduce parasitic loads on the engine. Because electric versions of things like power steering and A/C are more efficient (and run when the engine isn’t on, which is necessary for full hybrids), we’re already starting to see these things popping up on Honda and Toyota hybrid models. Soon manufacturers will be moving even to electric water pumps, which are more efficient and precise.
So, do we at Gas 2.0 anticipate seeing these technologies any time soon, or are they just more pie in the sky stuff that the automakers like to trot out to “prove” they’re “doing something.” Well, several of these we have seen already, and with the automakers scrambling to make 35 MPG in a very unfriendly market, it seems like the cheapest way to do so will be to use some of these tricks rather than trying to upgrade everyone to hybrids. Hopefully we’ll begin seeing these technologies in run-of-the-mill engines sooner, rather than later.
Source: PopMech
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Um, new relative to the States.
My 2003 Volvo S60 AWD 2.5T averages 25-30 MPG in the city while in manual can reach 30-40 at 5-10 over the limit here in Colorado. At sea level I have no problem keeping my MPG averages above 35.
However, when I feel like cutting lose I’m lucky to keep 20 MPG.
In auto: (~)
60 MPH : 40 MPG
75 MPH : 35 MPG
80 MPH : 25-30 MPG
+90 MPH : 20 - 25 MPG
My advice is don’t buy american cars which haven’t delivered on their promises since the 1970s and learn how to milk your auto or keep it in Manual.
If you want a truck, buy american, if you want a car do your homework and save some $$.
Milage is the easy part, getting the emissions in check is the hard part. If it where not for all the emission add-ons to reduce toxic emissions MPG ratings would be higher.
In short you produce nearly the same exhaust output. You either burn more fuel to produce cleaner emissions or you burn less fuel for dirtier emissions. Either way the MPG to emission ratio is the same!
We Americans like our safety more than our fuel economy. There have been some safety advantages that have been made that cause our cars to be heavier air bags, crumple zones, safer materials, etc…
There was an article on digg a while ago that talked about this and an ‘85 civic that got 70+ MPG or something rediculous, but every accident was basically fatal.
That said there are a lot of choices made by the automobile industry balancing power with safety and efficiency. They consider the cost of new technologies and the litigious nature of the American people.
/shrug
wow, it’s not like my 1998 Mazda 626 regularly hits 36 miles a gallon. . . . .Chalk this up to stupidity; people driving their cars like they’re on their way to the hospital. If we were really concerned with gas shortages (ha, yeah right), then we would’ve already mandated the closure of NASCAR.
I think that we have let big business, led by the “FED” run this country for 95 years and they are destroying us in every way. From the middle 60’s to the middle 80’s I drove Renault Dauphines and R-10’s at 37 to 45 mpg. They were very comfortable and relatively crashworthy, if that is one’s thing (low on my priority list). Too many people are making too much money from oil and interest on the national debt to let common sense rule. Businessmen have no business in the government.., or shouldn’t have, anyway.
in the u.s. we are not allowed to buy diesel vehicles. i drive a 97 mazda mpv because it is 4wd and i need it to get my family around in the winter in northern washington. there is a diesel option in other countries that gets about 10 mpg better but we were not allowed that option by the smog nazis in washington oregon and california. my dream vehicle would be the mitsubishi delica, a 4wd van with diesel enging that get s around 30 mpg. sadly we are not the home of the brave and the land of the free, more like the land of the fee and home of the slave.
It is incredible to, that all these things are FAR from new, and could have been done, in the decency, if nothing else. I am so disgusted with where Capitalism is headed, I can barely stand it. I know we are better off than most countries, but I’ll be damned if I can see where Business is ever gonna help the average to poor people…..
It’s gotten Sick…..
Michael Sartor Sr
35 mpg is doable now, but that goal is for the average of all cars large and small. Automakers could just sell more 4 cylinder engines to meet the goal with existing technology.
I’d like to see more development of generating electricity from wasted heat instead of useful torque.
What makes me sick is that of all this new truth, about what can be done to the ICE.(motor), nobody ever bothered to do any of it…. In some cases we are talking about making the cars cheaper to build!!!!!!! Thats how far awry our capitalism has gone.. But I can’t get anyone to say so, with me, even when I can see that they believe me…
Pretty sad statement for humanity in general. No wonder the Vulcans won’t stop here….
Mike SArtor Sr
Keith THANK YOU!! Finally someone put some sense in the nonsense.
If you follow this link…
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/bestworst.shtml
It’s great that most of the top cars are Japaneese and the bottom are euro cars (there are some exceptions).
If you look at the trucks there are several American’s on the list.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworstEPAtrucks.htm
The Euro cars that really do what I would consider significantly better in the fuel mileage category are usually diesel, we don’t have diesel everywhere here as in other places so it hasn’t been so well received, also emissions on diesels are tough to get passed.
All and all I do get tired of the American bashing, sheesh I’d drive a VW, BMW, etc it doesn’t bother me but I hate all of the bashing.