10 fuel efficient vehicles on the horizon

[televascular]

Would that even be cost effective? It's already got a small displacement engine getting great mileage, I don't think the target market would appreciate a sharp increase in cost and the added complexity of a hybrid system for relatively little benefit.

Instead of spending money on hybrid engines to boost efficiency in small cars, automakers should spend their money on lightening them (high-tensile steel, dry carbon) for better gas mileage. Say, a 20% reduction in curb weight. Without the complication of a new propulsion system.

 

[saaber1]

Originally Posted By: televascular

Instead of spending money on hybrid engines to boost efficiency in small cars, automakers should spend their money on lightening them (high-tensile steel, dry carbon) for better gas mileage. Say, a 20% reduction in curb weight. Without the complication of a new propulsion system.


Darn straight! I had a 88' CRX HF that weighed 1819 lbs. It was high geared and got 56 mpg (hwy) when new. That was 20 years ago! No hybrid needed.

I know the increased safety requirements add weight but I think big gains could come from weight reduction such as plastic panels and also glass. Glass is cheap so they used to use (still?) a lot of it. But it is also very heavy. What about a polycarbonate or something instead?

 

[wapacz]

Well i would thing a large part of glass is that when it is tempered it has some very nice properties when it is broken. aka nice small non sharp pieces. Also UV light doesn't really affect glass.

 

[SD26]

Originally Posted By: saaber1

I know the increased safety requirements add weight but I think big gains could come from weight reduction such as plastic panels and also glass. Glass is cheap so they used to use (still?) a lot of it. But it is also very heavy. What about a polycarbonate or something instead?

Don't more plastics and polycarbonates defeat the idea of less reliance on petroleum?

We need the oil currently available in the US, yesterday. Write your governors, representatives, and so on as soon as one can.

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: mjoekingz28
#3 is appealing. Nothing but crude diesel power, roll up windows, 5spd, decent style with a happening hatch for your system and even a backseat for whoever gets lucky.

No gizmo gadgetry, maybe it will hold a DIN style radio since they probably won't equip a suitable system for under $20k. No biggie, 14 inch wheels. The only thing that would be confusing for me is, Turbo or NA?

A turbo would be nice for smooth torque and spirited driving, but besides being 'another thing to break' and something to maintain, when I got my hands full now. Could it possibly increase mileage putting around? I doubt a turbo could ever lower consumption on a gas rig, but with a diesel just maybe.

You will never see a normally-aspirated diesel engine offered in the US. It would never get past the EPA.

And in ten years, there might not be many NA gas engines either.

I upgraded the turbo in my Golf TDI at 260k miles, but the old one was still in good shape. Not all turbos are as reliable as Garrett, but not all turbos are unreliable.

 

[BrianWC]

As reliable as Garrett????

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: Tornado Red

I upgraded the turbo in my Golf TDI at 260k miles, but the old one was still in good shape. Not all turbos are as reliable as Garrett, but not all turbos are unreliable.



Sounds like you got some good mileage out of your turbo. How did you treat it? Did you always let the car idle for a bit before shutting it off, or did you just treat the TDI like any N/A engine?

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: rationull
Originally Posted By: Tornado Red

I upgraded the turbo in my Golf TDI at 260k miles, but the old one was still in good shape. Not all turbos are as reliable as Garrett, but not all turbos are unreliable.



Sounds like you got some good mileage out of your turbo. How did you treat it? Did you always let the car idle for a bit before shutting it off, or did you just treat the TDI like any N/A engine?

I didn't shut if off right after a hard run, but a few blocks of city driving usually cools everything down satisfactorily.

One thing: I tried never to lug the engine, or to try to accelerate briskly when at low rpm. So I guess I worked the engine hard, but babied the turbo.

I think Garrett turbos are pretty reliable. Am I wrong about this?

 

[BrianWC]

Nah, I personally think they are reliable, too. But I know in the case of SAABs the little GT17 was much more prone to an early failure than the Mitsu TD-04 on the Aeros, Viggens, and SE HOTs. My previous SAAB, a 1997 900, was still on it's original Garrett at 191 k miles and my current GT17 in my 9-5 has about 134k miles under its belt and is still boosting fine.

As far as proper turbo car, on a water-cooler turbo, as long as you aren't driving like a maniac just prior to turning off the engine, you should be fine. If the turbo is only oil-cooled, it's a different story. But few if any OEM turbos are oil-cooled only anymore.

Speaking of turbos and efficiency, I can't wait to see this twin-turbo 6 that Ford is going to replace the 4.6l with... Anyone have any info???

 

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted By: BrianWC
Nah, I personally think they are reliable, too. But I know in the case of SAABs the little GT17 was much more prone to an early failure than the Mitsu TD-04 on the Aeros, Viggens, and SE HOTs. My previous SAAB, a 1997 900, was still on it's original Garrett at 191 k miles and my current GT17 in my 9-5 has about 134k miles under its belt and is still boosting fine.

As far as proper turbo car, on a water-cooler turbo, as long as you aren't driving like a maniac just prior to turning off the engine, you should be fine. If the turbo is only oil-cooled, it's a different story. But few if any OEM turbos are oil-cooled only anymore.

Speaking of turbos and efficiency, I can't wait to see this twin-turbo 6 that Ford is going to replace the 4.6l with... Anyone have any info???

I have no idea what kind of turbo my 1984 900T had, but it was trouble-free for the 240k miles I put on it. Oh, maybe a little smoking toward the end, but not worth bothering with. (It was little things like electric windows and poor fuel mileage that led me to get rid of it at 292k miles.)

The turbo in my Golf TDI is oil-cooled.