GM tests technology that could raise fuel economy by 15%
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From: Edgerton/St Germain, WI
GM tests technology that could raise fuel economy by 15%
http://www.nyse.com/interface/jsp/NH...sdowjones=true
Ive never been much of a GM guy, but you've gotta give them credit for new technology.
I wish Ford were as aggressive with new products as GM has been lately.
General Motors Corp. (GM) says it is testing a new combustion process that could increase fuel economy in conventional engines by up to 15%.
The announcement comes as fuel economy has become an increasingly important issue as gasoline prices have risen. Foreign auto makers have captured a bigger share of the U.S. market in part by emphasizing fuel efficiency.
The process GM is testing, called homogeneous charge compression ignition, approaches the fuel efficiency of a diesel engine without the need for advanced pollution controls, the company said in a statement.
It is being tested in two drivable concept vehicles, a Saturn Aura and an Opel Vectra, and was to be shown to reporters Friday at GM's proving ground in Milford.
The process ignites an air-fuel mixture in the cylinders by compressing it, producing a low-temperature, flameless energy release in the combustion chamber, the company said. Since all the fuel in the combustion chamber is burned at the same time, the engine uses less fuel to produce power that is similar to conventional engines.
The company gave no estimate of when the technology might come to market but said it still needs to work on controlling the combustion process.
"Additional development costs, including research and testing programs, are required to make the technology ready for the great variety of driving conditions that customers experience," Uwe Grebe, executive director for GM's powertrain advanced engineering, said in a statement.
The announcement comes as fuel economy has become an increasingly important issue as gasoline prices have risen. Foreign auto makers have captured a bigger share of the U.S. market in part by emphasizing fuel efficiency.
The process GM is testing, called homogeneous charge compression ignition, approaches the fuel efficiency of a diesel engine without the need for advanced pollution controls, the company said in a statement.
It is being tested in two drivable concept vehicles, a Saturn Aura and an Opel Vectra, and was to be shown to reporters Friday at GM's proving ground in Milford.
The process ignites an air-fuel mixture in the cylinders by compressing it, producing a low-temperature, flameless energy release in the combustion chamber, the company said. Since all the fuel in the combustion chamber is burned at the same time, the engine uses less fuel to produce power that is similar to conventional engines.
The company gave no estimate of when the technology might come to market but said it still needs to work on controlling the combustion process.
"Additional development costs, including research and testing programs, are required to make the technology ready for the great variety of driving conditions that customers experience," Uwe Grebe, executive director for GM's powertrain advanced engineering, said in a statement.
I wish Ford were as aggressive with new products as GM has been lately.
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Originally Posted by Octane36
http://www.nyse.com/interface/jsp/NH...sdowjones=true
Ive never been much of a GM guy, but you've gotta give them credit for new technology.
I wish Ford were as aggressive with new products as GM has been lately.
Ive never been much of a GM guy, but you've gotta give them credit for new technology.
I wish Ford were as aggressive with new products as GM has been lately.
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From: Edgerton/St Germain, WI
The hyrogen Ford that did 200 mph is cool, but think about it. This technology causes a low-temperature, flameless release of energy.
That could result in much simpler, easier to maintain, cheaper to manufacture engines (potentially no need for a liquid-cooling system).
Id prefer if Ford had come up with this, but these days any bit of positive news for the domestics is a very, very good thing.
That could result in much simpler, easier to maintain, cheaper to manufacture engines (potentially no need for a liquid-cooling system).
Id prefer if Ford had come up with this, but these days any bit of positive news for the domestics is a very, very good thing.
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From: Houston
Originally Posted by Octane36
The hyrogen Ford that did 200 mph is cool, but think about it. This technology causes a low-temperature, flameless release of energy.
That could result in much simpler, easier to maintain, cheaper to manufacture engines (potentially no need for a liquid-cooling system).
Id prefer if Ford had come up with this, but these days any bit of positive news for the domestics is a very, very good thing.
That could result in much simpler, easier to maintain, cheaper to manufacture engines (potentially no need for a liquid-cooling system).
Id prefer if Ford had come up with this, but these days any bit of positive news for the domestics is a very, very good thing.
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From: Edgerton/St Germain, WI
Originally Posted by scott1981
This is true, looking at your other post GM has made quite a few changes for 08. At this time they have deeper pockets than Ford and are able to put more into releasing new technology. I hope it works for them, although truth be told I could never bring myself to own a GM product
Hopefully Ford will be successful in becoming profitable and they will start being more aggressive with new product.
Ford needs to do something though, because if they keep losing money they might not be around too much longer.
I could see myself switching to a GM product before I bought a Toyota though!
Who knows, perhaps in the future there will be a Ford/GM merger.
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From: Houston
Originally Posted by Octane36
I could see myself switching to a GM product before I bought a Toyota though!
Who knows, perhaps in the future there will be a Ford/GM merger.
Who knows, perhaps in the future there will be a Ford/GM merger.