TO ALL: Ref. What the BIG 3 have to offer for model year 2004.
Sorry for the length of this post but a lot of basic info. here.
Was unable to attend auto show due to last minute work conflicts.
Researched on web sites and found some interesting projections.All info derived from www.uscar.org or carpoint.msn.com .very nice sites if interested in cars. On to findings!
5 year engine projections from GM and Ford
GM EV1 (future generation) series hybrid engines.
1) combined battery power with "micro gas turbine"
60mpg with "reformulated gasoline" (no I don't know what it is)
40 miles with zero emissions (from battery power???)
Range of 350 miles with combined power plants.
Current EV1 with new nickle metal battery will have range of 160
miles, double the current range.
2) Parrallel hybrid Electric EV1
Electric power to front wheel drive, 1.3L 3 cylinder diesel for
rear wheel drive 0 - 60 in 7secs, available by 2001. No mpge stated
3) CNG EV1 1 liter, 3cylinder turbo, 2 CNG fuel tanks with 400 mile range, 60 mpge (miles per gallon gas equivalent)
4) Fuel cell electric EV1, only emission will be steam
Powered by methonal converted to steam. production ready in 2004
Range about 300 miles.
FORD: Goals;
Low Emission - Zero Emission by 2004, alternate fuel powered.
Presented concept car at '98 auto show. 1.2L, 4 cylinder in a body
that weighs about 40% less then current Ford Taurus. Engine,
DIATA (Direct Injection Aluminum, Through Bolt Assembly)????
Looking for 63 mpge in 2004.
In 400 million dollar investment with Daimler Benz for viable fuel cell tech.
Could not find any info on Chrysler, but have no reason to think
they would be ahead of the pack.
Part Two: The United States Council for Automotive Research
a.k.a. USCAR (www.uscar.org a nice site.). Formed by Ford,GM and
Chrysler. In 1993 on going government research aligned with USCAR
to form the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles. PNGV to
speed development of tech. for cleaner more fuel efficient cars.
Press release on web site fr. June 11, 1997 states 2 year Future
Car Challenge competition ends. 12 top engineering schools
competed. Goal of comp. was to push midsize family car to limit
of fuel efficiency by using advanced automotive tech.
Results: overall winner, U of Calif. at Davis, used a modified
1996 Ford Taurus with a 600cc Honda engine and 5 speed manual
Used 'reformulated gasoline" and electric powered hybrid engine.
49 mpge combined, 40 mpge city, 62 mpge highway.
2 nd place Virginia Tech.
1996 Lumina with propane engine, no mpge stated.
3rd. place, with highest mpge and lowest EPA emission.
U of Wisconsin, using 1996 Intrepid, with diesel hybrid.
56 mpge (and that was the highest mpg in comp.!!!)
1998 competition ends in June. Will be using the best tech.
they have i.e. fuel cells, light weight materials etc. PNGV
and schools hope to beat or at least equal 80 mpg. Yes they are
hoping to get to EIGHTY MILES PER GALLON, if their lucky.
Conculsions:
- Ford and GM are spending 100's of millions on alternative
and combination power plants, seeking zero emission and
increased mpge by 2004
- Best future mpge will be only in 60 to 70 mpg at this time
- Wants to combine battery power/ electric with hybrid diesels
and gas engines.
- Best academic minds are hopeing to see 80 mpge in June '98
with hybride engines and super light bodies.
- 1999 battery powered cars will get about 160 miles on charge.
Observations:
- BAAT is miles ahead of all reporting tech., both in mpg
and battery tech.
- Why wasn't Ford, GM and Chrysler at this test on 1/15?
Were they invited? Were they invited in time?
- Even if they were not interested in leaseing tech.I would
think with their limited offering in the future they would
at least want to know if it were for real.
- And if so way not at least bring them into the USCAR cover
or PNGV venture.
- If BAAT can deliver anything greater then 92 mpge and keep
emissions low the world will have to take notice soon.
- Baat, to my understanding, has not even tried to combine
their tech with any light bodies or secoundary power plants
in combination to stretch out mpge.
Hope this info has helped to at least clarify a little of what
BAAT is up against.
Best of Luck,
Jim
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