Mazda says yes to ICE

[JOD]

This is a pretty funny thread considering that Mazda plans on introducing a hybrid version of the Sky engine by 2013:

http://www.mazda.com/publicity/release/2010/201003/100329b.pdf

They obviously aren't making a big deal about it now since they want to push the new SKY technology on its own, but they've already licensed the technology (over a year ago)from Toyota.

 

[JOD]

Originally Posted By: 91344George
The PRACTICAL electric car is probably a century from being realized if not longer.


That's ridiculous. 100 years? 30 years ago the computing power in a cell phone would have take the size of a large office building. Technology moves a lot faster than that. Hybrid technology is already here. 10 years in and hybrid cars are by all accounts (except yours) as or more reliable then the alternatives. I don't see it taking 100 years to realize big advancements in battery technology.

 

[bustednutz]

All I know is that I have been extremely with both my Mazda's.

 

[chevrofreak]

Originally Posted By: rcy
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
There was a puff piece on the Volt on AOL a while back and a snarky
(claiming to be female) poster was extolling the wonders thereof. When I mentioned that the AC doesn't work unless the engine is on, snarky said "I just roll down the windows" to which I suggested "she" (probably a white shoe plaid pants GM salesman "pretending") try THAT in Miami traffic in August. Now I see GM is buying them back because of a little "burning" issue. Wish I could add some more to that thread. That AOL "Automotive" section is a trip.


The A/C compressor is electric and runs quite fine with the engine off. A little research might be in order before you start slamming hybrids.

Most hybrids (first generation Prius excepted) have electric A/C compressors that run off the main hybrid batteries, so the engine need not be running. They also have electric power steering and there is no vacuum brake booster, so the brakes still have power hyrdraulic assist with the engine off. The hydraulic pressure is created by electric motors.


There is a LOT of ignorance in this thread about hybrids. Most people posting negative things have never driven one.

By the way, Mazda has already had a hybrid; the Mazda Tribute Hybrid. It is a twin to my Mercury Mariner hybrid. If you had asked me 5 years ago if I would ever buy a hybrid, the answer would have been [censored] no. I'm glad I overcame my ignorance. A 4x4 SUV that comfortably seats 4 adults and gets tank averages of 27-35mpg depending on driving habits is pretty awesome.

 

[HerrStig]

Incorrect. The cooling is done by the AC system which is powered by an electric motor. When the engine is OFF, the battery runs the compressor motor. Easy enough to Google. SO the question of how far the Volt volts along when the battery power is being used to cool the battery itself as well as the lucky passengers remains unanswered.

 

[SteveSRT8]

The answer is very simple: Not very far at all.

 

[rcy]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
BTW you have to AIR CONDITION the BATTERY in a Volt to keep it from overheating, whether the passenger compartment AC is on or not, using battery power if the engine is off. What does THAT do to the range?


It's liquid cooled. It's the leaking coolant that sparked the fire I think.

Under normal conditions, the liquid cooling takes care of keeping the battery at the optimum temperature. When battery temps really climb, then the A/C somehow helps..

"Three different systems are used to regulate the temperature of the coolant,” said Wallace. “When the Volt is plugged in and charging in cold weather, an electric heater at the front of the battery pack is used to warm the coolant and pre-heat the battery. During normal operations, the coolant is passed through a heat exchanger at the front of the car, while a chiller in the air conditioning circuit can be used to dissipate heat from the battery when temperatures really climb."

"Bill Wallace, General Motors director of Global Battery Systems."

 

[rcy]

Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Incorrect. The cooling is done by the AC system which is powered by an electric motor. When the engine is OFF, the battery runs the compressor motor. Easy enough to Google. SO the question of how far the Volt volts along when the battery power is being used to cool the battery itself as well as the lucky passengers remains unanswered.


If it's easy enough to Google, why didn't you do that before posting that the engine needs to be running for the A/C to work?

 

[HerrStig]

"Cause I was reading what Herr Dieter from Audi said about Volt buyers...