Why Not a 40-MPG SUV?

[dcdomain]

http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/fischetti1102.asp?p=1

Interesting article on auto technology...

 

[Zenmervolt]

The only problem I see with this is that a part the size of your fingernail could render the vehicle completely useless and would probably cost $500-$1000 to replace. I do like the idea of the more efficient engine though, and I support all the ways of improving the IC engine. I've seen the mechanical valve idea a couple years ago in R&T, I like it. The same goes for the idea of a beltless engine.

ZV

 

[WinkOsmosis]

But then Enron makes less money! Hooray for public misinformation and government corruption.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
The only problem I see with this is that a part the size of your fingernail could render the vehicle completely useless and would probably cost $500-$1000 to replace. I do like the idea of the more efficient engine though, and I support all the ways of improving the IC engine. I've seen the mechanical valve idea a couple years ago in R&T, I like it. The same goes for the idea of a beltless engine.

ZV

I agree.. It would certainly make the vehicles more complex... but I guess it would be worth it..

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
But then Enron makes less money! Hooray for public misinformation and government corruption.

Yeah, that's not a groundless conspiracy theory or anything.

ZV

EDIT: And besides, Enron couldn't possibly be making any less money.

 

[AdamK47]

I like my Miabatsu Monstrosity thank you very much. So what if it only gets a few miles to the gallon. I'm a parent not a conservationalist. Mine is bigger!

 

[Zebo]

The three basic elements which effect gas mileage Mass, wind resistance, and rolling resistance won't allowed for it. Unless you put Sentra type tires, Sentra type mass and sentra type hight and profile on a Yukon it aint gonna happen, usinng the internal combustion engine. Then, though, you don't have an SUV anymore, right?

 

[klah]

Originally posted by: AdamK47 - 3DS
I like my Miabatsu Monstrosity thank you very much. So what if it only gets a few miles to the gallon. I'm a parent not a conservationalist. Mine is bigger!

Did this advertisement win you over: SUV.mp3

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
But then Enron makes less money! Hooray for public misinformation and government corruption.

What misinformation and corruption are mentioned or even hinted at?

 

[RU482]

canyonaero!!!

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer
But then Enron makes less money! Hooray for public misinformation and government corruption.

If the cars magically got 2x the gas milage overnight, gas would magically cost 2x as much. Energy companies would still make the same.

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
The three basic elements which effect gas mileage Mass, wind resistance, and rolling resistance won't allowed for it. Unless you put Sentra type tires, Sentra type mass and sentra type hight and profile on a Yukon it aint gonna happen, usinng the internal combustion engine. Then, though, you don't have an SUV anymore, right?

That doesn't mean that modern engines are at the height of efficiency...

 

[KMurphy]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
The three basic elements which effect gas mileage Mass, wind resistance, and rolling resistance won't allowed for it. Unless you put Sentra type tires, Sentra type mass and sentra type hight and profile on a Yukon it aint gonna happen, usinng the internal combustion engine. Then, though, you don't have an SUV anymore, right?

That doesn't mean that modern engines are at the height of efficiency...

It does until you can figure out how to capture all that wasted thermal energy and put back into making horsepower and torque. The heat in your radiator doesn't come free you know.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Jellomancer

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
The three basic elements which effect gas mileage Mass, wind resistance, and rolling resistance won't allowed for it. Unless you put Sentra type tires, Sentra type mass and sentra type hight and profile on a Yukon it aint gonna happen, usinng the internal combustion engine. Then, though, you don't have an SUV anymore, right?

That doesn't mean that modern engines are at the height of efficiency...

Thatb does't mean that they are either. It means, on a Yukon or smiliar vechile, the power needed to make it go, is at least twice that of a Sentra or like vehicle. So no matter what you try short of no longer making the SUV an SUV they will always be about half as effecient as small econo cars since the technology wll be applied accross the board on all vechiles. Now should they make Lithium powered cars we plug into our solar power generators to charge the battery, you will still have a larger battery needed with the SUV more solar panels need to charge that battery and more enviromental disposal issues with the SUV power plant and battery.

So poeple , the same ones who complain now, will still be fussing. Then I ask myself whats the real modivator?

 

[Zebo]

Not to worry though Jello, SUV are a novelty which, in time, will pass. I mean whats the use on having a vechile which performs teribly on the road, is work to drive and can't park easily when the only reason you really bought it (most folks) was to be bigger and badder then your fellow motorist and now they all have then too. Sorta defetes the purpose of buying an SUV

 

[silent tone]

Thatb does't mean that they are either. It means, on a Yukon or smiliar vechile, the power needed to make it go, is at least twice that of a Sentra or like vehicle. So no matter what you try short of no longer making the SUV an SUV they will always be about half as effecient as small econo cars since the technology wll be applied accross the board on all vechiles. Now should they make Lithium powered cars we plug into our solar power generators to charge the battery, you will still have a larger battery needed with the SUV more solar panels need to charge that battery and more enviromental disposal issues with the SUV power plant and battery.

It seems to me that those developments aren't widely deployed though. They article said they are only in research labs. I don't read motor trend cover to cover, but I do like to catch the new technology articles. I'm inclined to agree with the article. I know there's no free lunch when you double the mass, but there is room for improvement. I'm also inclined to believe that the customers who buy SUVs aren't particularly interested in these improvements unless they are free or less expensive than current models.

 

[charrison]

This past week, GM(I think) announced they were going to spend about a billion dollars developing a new 6 speed automatic transmission. I assume this cost is for design, software,tooling and testing. They anticipate a 10+% increase in fuel economy.

 

[VTrider]

Why don't they make tires that last 2x, 3x longer?

There are thousands upon thousands of items that we use and consume in this country that could last longer. Bottom line, esp. in America - it's about money. We live in a disposable society. That article stated it perfectly...."The industry doesn?t lack the technology, it lacks the priority,? DeCicco says. There's just too much money to be made. I doubt the powers that be and the oil industry would like to see automobiles, esp. SUVs right now get better gas mileage - the reason is plain as daylight.

I agree with Charrison though, if corporate industry ever caved into consumer demand for better mileage, we would all just get screwed another way (higher gas prices)


-VTrider

 

[RU482]

Originally posted by: charrison
This past week, GM(I think) announced they were going to spend about a billion dollars developing a new 6 speed automatic transmission. I assume this cost is for design, software,tooling and testing. They anticipate a 10+% increase in fuel economy.

Well, almost that transmission is for FWD cars and light SUV's

link to a link

 

[dcdomain]

I once read an article about how this guy's invention (light bulb that never burns out) was bought by GE and destroyed or buried... any truth in that?

 

[WinkOsmosis]

Originally posted by: dcdomain
I once read an article about how this guy's invention (light bulb that never burns out) was bought by GE and destroyed or buried... any truth in that?

I'd believe it.. end of an industry.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: dcdomain
I once read an article about how this guy's invention (light bulb that never burns out) was bought by GE and destroyed or buried... any truth in that?

Can you buy long life bulbs now?

 

[Zebo]

There are some tungsten lightbulbs the military uses which do last many years. Problem is brightness suffers when you increase the filament diameter giving you longevity. I think,

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
There are some tungsten lightbulbs the military uses which do last many years. Problem is brightness suffers when you increase the filament diameter giving you longevity. I think,

Design tradeoffs really take the fun out of conspiracy theorys

 

[SSP]

Originally posted by: klah

Originally posted by: AdamK47 - 3DS
I like my Miabatsu Monstrosity thank you very much. So what if it only gets a few miles to the gallon. I'm a parent not a conservationalist. Mine is bigger!

Did this advertisement win you over: SUV.mp3

hahaha!