Category covering all posts referring to automotive engine technology. Introductions of new engines, technical look at components, news of future upcoming engines.
This is interesting - I have been tracking several "green" developments on this site and in this blog with a special interest in future performance applications of electrically-powered cars (remember that an electric motor makes tremendous torque - and delivers all of it instantaneously).
The future is electric and hydrogen... probably in that order. And the sooner we get a performance variation of these vehicles the sooner the general population of driving enthusiasts will embrace this powerful technology. Look for for us to start a "Green Performance" section on the DrivingEnthusiast.netnetwork in the near future.
Porsche Research and Development Center in Weissach, Germany built this special test rig to simulate cornering forces at the Nurburgring. It helped develop a new sump system for the latest 911s. Via courtesy of Porsche via Edmunds.
We don't see see the point of using bio fuel as an alternative source of fuel for combustion engines. It's become clear that ethanol production, for example, is taking resources away from food production and is in fact driving food costs up. Given serious over-population issues and increasing birth rates worldwide driven by ignorance and oppressive religions and/or politics, the last thing the world needs is increased food costs. "Sustainable" is the wrong word to use when it competes with food production.
We also can't see this as having any viable production point for Lotus, especially given their production of the chassis for the all-electric Tesla. Cars like the Tesla are the future, along with hydrogen - and of course clean nuclear energy to support them. Instead, clearly Lotus Engineering is taking contract dollars to support their engineering business.
Lotus Press Release follows:
Lotus to develop OMNIVORE Research Engine
Lotus conduct research study into engine efficiency when utilising sustainable second and third generation bio fuels Lotus Engineering, the world renowned automotive consultancy division of Lotus announces a collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast and Jaguar Cars Ltd to develop an engine which maximises fuel efficiency when running on renewable fuels. The OMNIVORE concept will employ novel engine architecture to achieve a high thermal efficiency when fuelled on any alcohols or gasoline.
The project is sponsored by Defra (Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs) and the DOE NI (Department of the Environment Northern Ireland) through the Renewable Materials LINK Programme. Lotus Engineering is currently undertaking a design study and the build of a single cylinder research engine for completion in January 2009. Vehicle modelling will validate the reduction in vehicle CO2 emissions. Queen’s University of Belfast’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering will be adding its world leading expertise in engine simulation, with Jaguar Cars Ltd a consultative partner at all stages of development.
This engine design is expected to significantly increase fuel efficiency for sustainable bio alcohol fuels. The architecture features an innovative variable compression ratio system and uses a two-stroke operating cycle with direct fuel injection. The OMNIVORE engine will be ideally suited to flex-fuel operation with a higher degree of optimisation than is possible with existing architectures.
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus Plc said: “The automotive industry is now focusing on its environmental obligations to reduce CO2 emissions and improve efficiencies and we are seeing the high technology capabilities of Lotus Engineering being in strong demand. Not only does our brand value of ‘performance through light weight’ fit perfectly with the necessary direction of the industry to produce lighter, more efficient vehicles, we are also working on all aspects of future fuels, investigating alternative powertrains to accommodate alcohol fuels as they enter the market.”
Kimberley continues: “Alcohols possess superior combustion characteristics to gasoline which allow greater optimisation. Taking full advantage of the benefits of sustainable bio alcohols will ensure a greater percentage of vehicle miles will be travelled using renewable fuels. We are delighted with the investment from DEFRA which will assist this partnership in taking forward research development and the demonstration of this environmentally conscious transport solution.”
The OMNIVORE programme complements the recently unveiled Lotus Exige 270E Tri-fuel as part of Lotus’ research to understand the complex combustion process involved in running on mixtures of alcohol fuels and gasoline, which will be important for a successful transition from today’s fuels to the sustainable, synthetic fuels of the future.
Geraint Castleton-White, Head of Powertrain at Lotus Engineering said: “The requirement to operate on gasoline in today’s flex-fuel engines limits their thermal efficiency when operating on alcohol fuels. However, the physical and chemical properties of alcohols, when compared to gasoline, provide the potential for higher thermal efficiency operation to be achieved. This single cylinder research engine will investigate a highly thermal efficient combustion system that optimises engine performance to fully exploit the properties of both gasoline and alcohol fuels and maximise efficiency.”
NOTES
About Group Lotus plc:
The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd, which has two operating divisions - Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Global facilities include those in Michigan (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), China and offices in Germany and Japan, with rapid expansion in new territories such as South East Asia and the Gulf States.
Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and customers to full production. This includes third party 'niche vehicle' engineering and manufacture worldwide.
Lotus Cars builds world class, prestige, high performance sports cars for sale in 37 countries. These include the iconic Lotus Elise, and the Exige and Europa. Lotus is a global high-tech company, expanding rapidly and committed to driving forward technology for both Lotus Cars and its Engineering clients, spearheading research into such areas as hybrids, electric vehicles and renewable fuels.
WARRENDALE, Pa., May 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The LS9 engine in General Motor's (GM) 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 holds the distinction of being the 100th engine certified through SAE International's Engine Power Test Code - Engine Power and Torque Certification (J1349).
The 2009 Corvette ZR1 engine is certified at 638 hp at 6,500 rpm, with 604 lb-ft torque at 3,800 rpm.
Engine certification is based on a series of self-certification tests conducted by the manufacturer that are witnessed and verified by an SAE-qualified observer. The procedure for certification is outlined in SAE's standard J2723; the actual horsepower testing procedure is described in J1349.
Although engine manufacturers are free to cite power and torque figures derived from testing conducted outside the scope of the SAE standards, only those that strictly follow all of the SAE procedures can claim to be "SAE J1349 Certified Power."
In addition to GM's Corvette ZR1, other GM engines as well as those from Ford and Chrysler make up the first 100 to have been certified.
Another GM engine - the LS7 used in the 2006 Corvette Z06 - was the first engine to be certified under this SAE program.
It has begun - the era of performance electric cars. No gas engines here, ultra-high torque guarantees fast acceleration. How about a Mustang with 1000 ft/lbs of torque and a 0-60 time of 3.9 seconds? And then there is the even lighter Cobra replica...
Read the press release below and follow the link in the title above to the site of HST International for more information. Note the downloadable brochures.Press release follows.
HST International - Tjaarda Design Alliance Changes Face of Electric Cars
'Electric Muscle(TM)' on display at Long Beach 'Green Power Prix-View' SAN DIEGO, APRIL 16 /PRNewswire/ --
HST International has announced a partnership with Tjaarda Design that will change the face of electric cars. The designs that will define the next generation of "Electric Muscle(TM)", the Tjaarda EVX Mustang and HST Shelby Cobra EVX, will premiere at the 34th Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach's "Green Power Prix-View" on April 18-20. The Mustang EVX and HST Shelby Cobra EVX prove that electric cars can be environmentally friendly as well as winners on the track and in the looks department. While designed for different purposes, both cars are true zero emission vehicles and feature 300-horsepower electric motors using lithium iron phosphate battery packs developed by K2 Energy Solutions. With 1000 ft/lbs of torque @ 0 rpm, they have the capability to do 0-60 in less than four seconds and a range of over 100 miles. "We're excited to be bringing these vehicles to market because they're head turners and so much fun to drive," says Tod Boretto, president of HST International.
"But more than that, this is a long-term initiative and a unique opportunity on several levels. We do not believe any other manufacturer is bringing together this level of design, performance and green technology today." The Tjaarda EVX Mustang is designed to be driven daily -- which, with its ability to do 0-60 in 3.9 seconds is no hardship. With a top speed of 120 mph and a range of 110 miles between charges, its estimated operating cost is 3 cents/mile. The exterior is a modern version of a muscle car era classic Mustang, but under the hood it's a green dream.
The HST Shelby Cobra EVX has the capability to run 0-60 in 3.2 seconds, a top speed of 150 mph and a range of 120 miles, depending on driving habits. With on-board recharging, it requires 3 1/2 hours/220V and 8 hours/110V. Estimated operational cost is 3 cents/mile.
"Tom Tjaarda's place in automotive design history -- from the Ferrari 365 GT California Spider to the Fiat 124 Spyder -- will ensure that these cars continue to drop jaws for their looks as well as their performance," adds Boretto.
The Tjaarda EVX Mustang starts at $80,000 and the Cobra at $125,000, with a range of options available for both vehicles.
They will be on display in booth #2104 at the Green Power Prix-View from April 18-20, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Tjaarda EVX Mustang and HST Shelby Cobra EVX will next be featured at NBC's World Series of Golf in May.
San Diego-based HST International uses high-technology engineering and manufacturing to address specialized needs in the automotive industry. Through its alliance partnerships with K2 Energy, Torino International and Tjaarda Design, HST International develops products that achieve the highest levels of quality, innovation and performance.
In the last 30 years, Ford has had several experimental engine developments - many of which were ultimately abandoned. Most of these have never been seen, much less detailed technically. "T-Drive" is one of them; another was the stratified charge V-8 engine of the 70s. I've finally found some information on T-Drive, a unique and truly innovative system. I'm still looking for information on the stratified-charge V-8, and while some information was published 30 years ago about it I haven't yet been able to find anything definitive in my personal library.
Ford's experimental T-drive is a system consisting of a transversally located (both for front or rear engine drive) inline engine, a transmission, and associated packaging. It was designed by Ford in approximately the 1990 timeframe and shown in several auto shows and to magazines. Ultimately, it was abandoned due to several reasons. Ford went ahead with the "modular" V-6, V-8, VB-10, and V-12 engine families instead.
The T-Drive engine was literally T-shaped - the transmission was located in the middle of the engine instead of at one end. This allows easy and compact placement in small spaces. Due to the tight spacing of the cylinder bores, engines were possible from 4 to 8 cylinders. And T-Drive was designed form the start as a DOHC engine, state-of-the-art at that time. Because the technology was entirely consistent across the board, any new technology such as cylinder head advancements could be applied to the entire range of engines quickly.
Engine output was disclosed. However, there are no reasons why it wouldn't be exactly the same as a conventional engine. Displacement was apparently 2, 3.2, and 4 liters (4, 6, and 8 cylinders).
Ford Engineers:
Don Carriere, Principal Research Engineer
Ansel Flanery, Senior Research Engineer.
Advantages:
Family approach to a range of engines
Because of the size of the engine, and placement ahead of the axle centerline, front-, all-, or rear-wheel drive configurations could be engineered
Rear-wheel drive could have used variations of existing off-the-shelf transmissions (saving money).
Packaging advantages for "cab-forward" design.
Problems:
Packaging, NVH, durability.
Harmonics, torque pulse and gear rattle.
Limited bore size (torque, breathing, valve area) and displacement.
Engine weight over front axle-line, creating weigh-balance issues as in a front-wheel drive car
Front- or all-wheel drive would have required engineering variations on existing transmissions.
Bulky transmission placement behind the engine - requiring specific design changes on existing front-wheel drive-based platforms.
This is the most outrageous example of T-Drive: an 8 cylinder Tempo.
Note the DOHC inline-8.
The test car didn't have room for a conventional braking assist system - note the two reservoirs hung off the strut brace.
It's not known if this is a front or wear wheel drive car.
You'll note that on both of these engines, there is a gap in the middle of the engine where the drivetrain take-off was engineered.
This is a FOX-chassis T-Bird, with a 6-cylinder T-drive engine.
The engine is transverse, leading to an questionable weight balance.
The rest of the driveline is conventional rear wheel drive. This car was probably built to demonstrate use of the near-off-the-shelf driveline.
Note that the engine takes up the full engine bay - not the radiator placement (normally very far-forward in a FOX T-Bird).
And note the uneven length intake paths!
The T-Drive engine joins pictures, descriptions, and specs of many of Ford's modern engine families on my site. There are currently >590 JPEGS of images in the Ford engine area: http://drivingenthusiast.net/sec-ford/FMC-engines/! I am adding to them as further images become available, and often add high-res images as well. You'll also find more engine images in the new Mazda section, as well as in several other non-Ford sections.
There are also several blog categories on my site which are specific to engines, including:
Engine - Technology
Ford - Engine - EcoBoost Family
Ford - Engine, Experimental
Ford - Engine - Modular Family
Ford - Engine - Duratec Family
Ford - Engine - Diesel
Ford - Engine - BOSS Family
MAZDA - Rotary Engines
All blog categories can be suscribed to with RSS. The latest versions of popular browsers will highlight the RSS feed when available.
