Originally Posted By: Win
A commentary in the current (June 2009) Ward's Autoworld, "Piston Engines Not Done Yet" opined that massive gains are still to be had in fuel efficiency from piston engines, maybe as much as 70% in the next decade.
The author lamented that there was so much emphasis on hybrid technology when piston engine technology is so much less costly.
Easily. Just incrementally adding direct injection pushes up fuel efficiency by 10-15%. Turbochargers are good for another 10-15%. Throw in a direct shifting transaxle, electric power steering pump, and downsize the engine appropriately, and you're already in 50mpg territory for a mid-sized sedan (ie: Honda Accord, Pontiac G6, etc.) that currently get 32-35mpg.
And there are further opportunities available in heat recovery as well, as well as active suspensions that can recover energy instead of dissipating it as heat in damper elements (aka 'shock absorbers').
Plus there's likely very good operational gains to be made with air-free tyres. Improper tyre inflation, or severe temperature gradients cause substantial losses in overall fleet efficiency.
ie:
http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/gallery/3603_31080614917.jpg
Quote:
The lead editorial, "Yes We Can, Maybe" opined that the fearless leaders fuel economy mandates will add as much as $5-12K USD to the cost of an automobile, not the $1300 number that everyone is being scammed with.
The investment up-front will be higher, but the rate of return will be great on some of the technology. I expect, in the next 10-20 years, that night vision systems and radar will also be mandated in cars driven at night, as a safety feature, similar to how airbags and seatbelts were mandated. The up-front cost of these will be significant, but the payoff, over time, will be great. Bottom line: expect to pay a lot more for a car in the future, but expect it to come with a lot more functionality. Steering wheels and foot pedals could also dissappear as well in new models.