2010 is shaping up to be an extremely busy year for Ford's powertrain engineering and manufacturing teams. By the end of this year, the folks in Dearborn will have launched nine engines and six transmissions that are all-new or substantially redesigned. Several of these combinations have already been revealed over the past month and more will be revealed at tomorrow's Detroit Auto Show.
On Friday morning, Barb Samardzich, VP of powertrain engineering, ran down the list at a pre-show preview. Three years ago, Ford set about the process of completely revamping its powertrain lineup, and between 2008 and 2013, a total of 60 powertrain combinations will have been introduced globally, with half of those coming by the end of this year. We already knew about the new 1.6-liter inline-four and the six-speed Powershift dual clutch automatic for the Fiesta. The Mustang is getting new V6 and V8 engines that crank up output significantly while reducing fuel consumption.
Samardzich confirmed on Friday that the 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 will land in the F-150 truck later this year. The list presented also includes the previously-announced 2.0-liter inline-four Ecoboost and a new six-speed automatic transmission for transverse applications.
As we reported earlier today, while no one would get specific about exactly which vehicles these would go into, there were smiles and the usual "not ready to announce anything" when we brought up the new unibody Explorer. When the Explorer America concept debuted at the 2008 Detroit show, there was discussion of 2.0-liter and 3.5-liter Ecoboost engines, and it appears that's exactly what it will get.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Ford launch nine engines and six transmissions by 2010
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Nissan developing wireless battery charging technology
Nissan is reportedly developing a new wireless battery charging technology, which aims to make recharging electric vehicles faster and more convenient.
Although details are limited, the process apparently features inductive charging which is used on things like electric toothbrushes and the Palm Pre smartphone (with the optional wireless "Touchstone" charging base). The technology will likely debut, in some form, on the company's new global electric vehicle which is scheduled to be unveiled in concept form at Nissan's new headquarters in Yokohama, Japan on August 2.
Eventually, Nissan envisions the technology could be embedded in roads for wireless recharging while traveling.
As we have previously reported, Nissan's new electric vehicle will be a mid-size five door hatchback with unique styling. Powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery, the EV will feature twice the energy of a traditional "li-lo" battery while providing unparalleled performance and reliability. This should enable it to have a range of up to 100 miles and a top speed of 90 mph.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Honda Ecological Drive Assist System
Recently, Honda has release their new second generation Insight hybrid will feature the Honda Ecological Drive Assist System, a driver’s assist system that helps the driver drive fuel efficiently. Few indicators on the dashboard helps on archiving this. There is a scoring system on the multi-info display which gives the driver feedback via graphic “leaves”, which grow over time as the driver becomes more able at fuel efficient driving.
Honda EcoThe second indicator is the background colour of the digital speedometer display, which is located on the top deck of the multi-tiered dashboard. How the fuel system works? The system will turn the background to green while during fuel efficient driving and this changes to blue-green during relatively fuel-efficient driving and back to fuel when the driving pattern is not efficient.
Another feature of the Honda Ecological Drive Assist System is the ECON Mode button which activates an energy-saving feature in the air conditioning unit, extends idle stop time, and increases regenerative recharging during deceleration.
Friday, September 19, 2008
New i-SRS Airbag System and Bird's Eye camera from Honda
Recently Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that it has developed the world's first driver-side i-SRS airbag system that continuously stages the volume of airbag-inflating gas, thereby combining enhanced occupant protection with reduced occupant impact. Honda plans to implement the new continuously staged inflation i-SRS airbag system on the driver's side of the Life minicar to be released in Japan in November 2008.
A Honda innovation, the new i-SRS airbag system features a spiral-shaped seam structure and gas release control valve to control airbag deployment and pressure for faster deployment, reduced occupant impact and a longer period of inflation and occupant protection. As a result, the new system accommodates a broad range of occupant positions and potential collision situations.
Honda first began fundamental airbag research in 1971, and in 1987 became the first to introduce a driver-side SRS airbag system in an automobile manufactured in Japan. In 1990, Honda was the first automaker to introduce a passenger-side SRS airbag system in a vehicle manufactured in Japan. In 1998, Honda introduced the world's first inflator with a two-stage deployment system, as well as an i-side airbag system with an occupant position detection sensor. Continuing its tradition of innovation, Honda continues to be a world leader in researching, developing and introducing new automobile safety technologies.
Three features of deployment mechanism
Faster deployment
Since the system can pressurize the airbag faster, it can begin to protect the driver sooner. The spiral structure of the airbag allows the protective surface to be formed at a lower overall airbag volume, thereby providing protection faster than was previously possible.
Longer period of inflation and protection
The new system maintains a constant pressure within the airbag, thereby allowing for a longer period of inflation and protection. The seams within the spiral structure of the airbag are designed to expand from the inside of the spiral outward, thereby maintaining a constant pressure while continuously staging airbag inflation. From the moment of deployment until the preset moment of deflation, the airbag is designed not to release gas, thereby maintaining a constant pressure and occupant protection.
Reduced impact
By minimizing the degree of protrusion into occupant space and lowering the gas output of the inflator, the new system reduces impact on the driver. Unique spiral seams within the airbag help reduce the degree of airbag protrusion and impact on driver. From the moment of deployment until the preset moment of deflation, the gas control valve prevents the release of gas. This efficient use of gas allows for reduced inflator output and reduced occupant impact.
Friday, September 5, 2008
New Honda Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering
Honda has added a new safety feature to its Vehicle Stability Assist system called Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (Motion Adaptive EPS). This new feature only available for the new Honda Legend and the next generation Honda Odyssey.
Motion Adaptive EPS provides steering wheel feedback to the driver during an unstable slippery corner to prompt the driver’s action in steering the wheel the right way as sometimes drivers tend to over-correct the steering angle. It can also correct steering input when braking on a surface which causes uneven traction between the left and right side wheels of the car.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Ford new EcoBoost engine by using ethanol
Recently, Ford has yet to release its first EcoBoost engines. The codename for this new engine technology is Bobcat and uses small amounts of ethanol injection to improve power and reduce emissions. Ethanol carries a very high octane rating, which allows an engine to be tuned for more power. An engine with ethanol injection can run a much higher compression ratio along with a small turbocharger. Ethanol would be injected directly into the engine's combustion chamber, so that this can help to reduce precompression and can be extremely hazardous to your engine's health.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Accelerator pedal to warn of danger for Continental
Recently, Nissan had designed a force-feedback ECO Pedal accelerator pedal where it pushes back against the driver’s foot when accelerating too briskly, is actually a derivative of a new pedal system developed by Continental. The new designed is called the Accelerator Force Feedback Pedal, or AFFP, by its developer, the pedal is capable of much more than just letting the driver know when they’re burning too much fuel (as in the case of the Nissan Eco Pedal) - it can also warn of impending danger and even help smooth traffic flow.
The AFFP can warn the driver of road hazards by vibrating the pedal when is tied with other vehicle systems. Which mean that cruise control system is on, the AFFP can warn the driver if the car is too close to the vehicle ahead. Besides that, it can sense poor road conditions and resist being depressed, thereby helping to prevent loss of traction. Continental thinks the direct feedback through the pedal is superior to alternative solutions, such as buzzers or lights. The driver can overcome or deactivate the force-feedback response if they wish.
The next benefit for this new technology, is the environmental or emissions saving made possible by alerting the driver to improper use of the accelerator. Taking the concept a step further, however, Continental envisions the system in helping to keep vehicles at optimum distances from each other and moving at constant speeds, eliminating the accordion-effect that creates traffic jams.
Other future implementations include integration with car-to-car communications systems, alerting the driver of another vehicle stopped in the roadway ahead or where visibility is restricted.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
BMW Highbeam Assist based on Gentex SmartBeam technology
BMW Highbeam AssistGentex says even at speeds of up to 56km/h, a car’s low beams will not allow you to see far enough head to detect and react to a potential hazard.
BMW has put in its cars and called High-Beam Assist and it named the Gentex SmartBeam. The High-Beam Assist system uses a tiny camera-on-a-chip combined with computer algorithms to automatically determine when to turn on and off the vehicle’s high beams depending on traffic conditions.
The rear view mirror is where the camera located. The camera is facing forward so that it able to detects that it is dark and no other vehicles are present, the high beams are automatically turned on. When traffic in front is detected, they are automatically turned off. A manual override for the driver is also provided.
The BMW High-Beam Assist system is available in the BMW 5, 6, 7, and X6 models. It is also available in Malaysia on various models including the BMW 523i SE.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Lotus Eigne Electric Sports Car
The Lotus Eigne is a design study on an electric sportscar with a 3+1 seating arrangement that was created by David Fearnley, a graduate from the Transportation Design Course at Northumbria University. Four in wheel electric motros that offer the sports car rear biased four wheel drive will be the powertrain of this Eigne. The electric motors are powered by a set of batteries that are sandwiched in the floor pan.
This solution not only keeps the batteries cool and lowers center of gravity for better handling, but it also eliminates any obstacles on the floor pan allowing a 3+1 seat layout. In the Eigne, the driver sits in the centre of the cabin having two passenger seats on each side and a baby-seat positioned directly behind him. Due to the central driving position, the doors designed is incorporate a section of the roof in order to allow a larger access point to step in the interior.
SMS Limited new super charger system
SMS Limited has announced their very first product not long time ago. It is a 296 Supercharger system for the 5.7L and 6.1L HEMI V8. The system features a massive 2955 cc of displacement as well as an internal intercooler, eight-rib pulley, by-pass valve, high-volume heat exchanger and more. The kit can increase horsepower by as much as 45%, all while fitting neatly underneath the stock hood.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Hydrogen power for the Mazda RX-9
The rotary engine is world-renowned for performance. However fuel-efficiency for rotary engine is not good. Mazda wants to make Wankel's masterpiece the poster child for its hydrogen-powered endeavors, so it's considering offering a dual-fuel version of the engine in its next RX-badged offering.
Mazda's RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle will evolve into a new model, dubbed the RX-9, and is rumored to be motivated by a hydrogen-gasoline powertrain that will offer 20 percent better fuel economy and emissions over a traditional gasoline-powered Rotary. Styling for the car will be based on Taiki concept and there is a switch mounted on the dash to toggle between gasoline and hydrogen fuel systems. The hydrogen will be employed when city driving to reduce fuel consumption but power will drop around 20 percent. While the user will for more power they can always switch to fuel system.
Mazda's goal is to make the rotary engine's performance, fuel economy and emissions up the level of gasoline-electric hybrids, and if AE's sources are to be believed, the hydrogen-powered RX-9 should arrive in 2012.
Friday, August 1, 2008
List of Most Toxic Car Interiors 2008
Recently, HealthCar.org had selected out the harmful and toxic car interiors. Let's have a look at the table for this year 2008.
The worse this time around is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider GT convertible. There are quite a few familiar names up there, and the Suzuki Forenza is the Chevrolet Optra while the Suzuki Reno which is the second worst is the Chevrolet Optra5. However note that these scores may not apply to our local cars at all as the dashboard and interior materials will most likely come from different suppliers.
What makes a car interior toxic is the chemicals that are given off by the materials such as the dash, seats and carpet. These chemicals will be slowly released into the air over time. There are a few chemicals typically found in car interiors that cause concern, and HealthyCar tests for all of them:
* Bromine - used to make plastics fire resistant. Associated with thyroid problems, memory impairment, learning disability, fertility problems, behavioural changes. It could be one reason why your wife started having mood swings ever since you bought her that Proton Savvy instead of the Honda Jazz she wanted.
* Phthalates - found in PVC. Associated with fertility problems, pre-term deliveries, liver problems, testicle problems, thyroid problems, ovary problems, kidney problems and can also pass from mother to baby through placenta and breast milk.
* Lead - additive in plastics. Exposure can lead to brain damage, kidney problems, blood problems, nerve problems, leaning and behavioural problems and damage to reproductive system.
* Other harmful substances, allergens and carcinogens like antimony, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, mercury, nickel and tin.
What’s quite interesting is also the fact that the BMW 125i is listed as having one of the most toxic car interiors, but the BMW M5 has one of the most healthy interiors. I guess BMW uses better materials in their more expensive cars.
Direct Injection for Porsche RS Spyder
Recently, Porsche has already introduced direct injection on the Cayenne and 911 Carrera, and the Turbo, GT2 and GT3 all stand to benefit from the technology next year.
The 3.4-liter V8 in the Porsche RS Spyder campaigning in the ALMS LMP2 class will be fitted with direct injection, bringing power levels up while reducing fuel consumption. The old engine is capable to produce 476 hp at 10,000 RPM and 273 lb.-ft. of torque beginning at 7,500 RPM. However, the new engine gets a 27 hp bump, to bring levels up to 503 hp at 10k RPM and 284 lb.-ft. of twist at 8,500 rpm. That, combined with the decreased in fuel consumption should make the Spyder even more competitive in a class it's continuing to dominate.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Audi system detects stop lights, tells drivers to floor it
Recently, Audi is looking to change that with a new stop light detection technology that communicates with specially equipped vehicles to tell the driver exactly how fast to drive to avoid getting caught at a red. Audi installed special devices at 50 traffic lights in Ingolstadt, Germany with sensors that calculate your current speed and the distance to the light to determine what adjustments are needed to lay off the brake pedal. The result is improved fuel economy and CO2 emissions, optimal use of time spent on the road and less wear and tear on the brakes. The system can also adapt to traffic patterns to minimize the amount of red lights you'll have to encounter on your daily drive.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
SSC Ultimate Aero EV Official
Recently, SSC officially released the SSC Ultimate Aero EV. They clim that the car will be ready by late next year and will feature a 500bhp electric engine which will hold its charge for years according to SSC. There are plans to create a dual engined 1000bhp version after this engine is completed. The lack of clear details also hints that the project is not far into the
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Volvo cars aims for zero accidents
At the Volvo Car Corporation, the vision is to design cars that should not crash. In the shorter perspective the aim is that by 2020 no-one should be killed or injured in a Volvo.
They look into the driver's whole journey, from everyday driving to after a collision. The car's safety functions can be divided into five phases:
Phase 1: Normal driving - Driver kept informed on driving status and driver concentration.
Phase 2: Conflict - Driver involved in a potentially hazardous situation, but able to cope with it.
Phase 3: Avoidance - Driver less capable of coping with the situation.
Phase 4: Damage reduction - Driver and car not capable of avoiding collision. Preparation for collision, reduction of crash forces.
Phase 5: After collision - Driver offered assistance and rescue.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Opel electric cars to be built in U.S
The new cars will be based on GM’s E-Flex hybrid system, which will first appear in the U.S. market Chevrolet Volt in late 2010. GM could add the Volt to its European Chevrolet lineup prior to the launch of the Opel models.
Eventually, GM will start production of the Opel E-Flex models in Germany. The cars will ride on the same Delta II platform that will underpin the Chevrolet Volt as well as the next-generation Opel Astra and new Chevrolet Cruze compact car.
