Autoblog

Officially Official: The new direct injected, multi-spark V6 and V8 engines from Mercedes-Benz

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 07 May 2010 17:57:00 EST

Mercedes-Benz 4.7-liter twin-turbo V8 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz has officially released all the details on its new family of V6 and V8 engines due to launch this fall in the S-Class sedans and CL coupes. The new power-plants are adopting many of the same technologies increasingly being used by most automakers to reduce fuel consumption while maintaining or even improving output. Both the 3.5-liter V6 and the 4.7-liter V8 now feature direct fuel injection with the same type of piezo-electric injectors used on the latest diesel engines.

The combination allows more precise fuel delivery as well as a charge cooling effect. The cooling effect allows the use of higher compression and boost on the turbo V8 which significantly increases torque output. The V8 is rated at 429 horsepower with 516 pound-feet of torque between 1,800 rpm and 3,500 rpm.

The direct injection also allows the use of a variety of different combustion operating modes since multiple injection pulses per cycle can be executed. A new feature of this engine includes what Mercedes calls "multi-spark ignition" - new ignition coils that recharge much faster and putting out up to four sparks within one millisecond. Doing this can result in more controlled and complete combustion for lower emissions and consumption.

The ignition and injection systems also contribute to the direct-start auto stop-start system. Like Mazda's i-Stop system, the piston that is in the best position can be directly fired to help re-start the engine, while ancillary components, like variable displacement oil pump and multi-phase cooling, help reduce parasitic losses.

The new V6 goes from a 90 degree bank angle to a 60 degree angle which makes the engine naturally balanced. This has allowed Mercedes to eliminate the balance shaft, further cutting internal friction. The new V8 debuts this fall on CL-class in the U.S., however Mercedes-Benz hasn't announced when the V6 will arrive Stateside.

Update: Mercedes USA spokesman Rob Moran has confirmed that both the CL and S-class models in the U.S. will get the new twin turbo V8 in Q4 of this year with other models getting it in 2011. Models currently powered by a V6 engine will get the new V6 beginning in 2011.

Gallery: 2011 New Mercedes-Benz V6 and V8 Engines

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Officially Official: The new direct injected, multi-spark V6 and V8 engines from Mercedes-Benz

Officially Official: The new direct injected, multi-spark V6 and V8 engines from Mercedes-Benz originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 May 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Next-gen Mini Cooper to match diesel efficiency with turbo DI inline-three

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Mini

It's no secret that BMW, like many other automakers, is working on smaller three cylinder engines for its future products to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Some of those engines will go into the next generation of Mini products and the goal is to provide a significant improvement in fuel economy without sacrificing performance.

The new Mini engines will incorporate much of the same technology that exists today in the high performance John Cooper Works edition. The 208 horsepower JCW uses direct injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger to extra extra power from the 1.6-liter four-cylinder. The three-cylinder will likely have a 1.2-liters of displacement with 120 and 180 hp for the Cooper and Cooper S. The next-gen Cooper which will probably arrive in 2012 and will likely be rated around 50 mpg on the highway, similar to the current Mini Cooper D available in Europe.

[Source: Motoring File]

Report: Next-gen Mini Cooper to match diesel efficiency with turbo DI inline-three originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 May 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: GM struggling to market turbo technology

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, Pontiac, Saturn

In the automotive realm, marketing can sometimes prove just as important as the actual product. Take, for instance, Ford's well regarded EcoBoost technology, which couples turbocharging with direct injection to produce more horsepower and reduce fuel consumption. Would it surprise you to hear that General Motors has had similar technology on the market for over three years?

It's true. GM's first turbocharged, direct injected powerplants hit the market for the 2007 model. The 2.0-liter Ecotec mills put down an impressive 260 horsepower and a matching 260 pound-feet of torque, and they were lauded by the press in the engine bays of the Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Chevrolet Cobalt SS and Chevrolet HHR SS. But few people outside a core group of enthusiasts actually remember this fact.

Says Uwe Grebe, executive director of GM's global advanced engineering, "We didn't have a badge and say, 'This is the most important thing we will put on all our brochures.'" Ford, however, did just that, and it's EcoBoost engines are right at the tips of all our tongues when we discuss today's most advanced powerplants. So, how does The General fix its mistake?

Well, that's a tad complicated. "It would not be good to say, 'This is EcoBoost, only better,'" explains Grebe. "People need to know what it is," but "people don't want to know every detail of the technology."

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Report: GM struggling to market turbo technology originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus: Omnivore engine is 10% more efficient with more to come

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Lotus

Last March at the Geneva Motor Show, Lotus announced its new Omnivore research engine. The Omnivore is a two-stroke direct-injected engine designed to take advantage of the latest in electronic engine management and run on just about any liquid fuel (hence the name). In the time since the initial announcement, the boffins at Lotus Engineering have been exercising their creation on the dyno stand to evaluate its performance.

The single-cylinder engine uses an air-assisted direct injection system. A movable "puck" in the top of the cylinder head allows the compression ratio to be varied.

The engine has so far been run on gasoline in both spark ignition and homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) modes. The HCCI mode is of particular interest because it is capable of providing diesel engine-like efficiency without the particulate and NOx emissions that require expensive after-treatment systems in a standard diesel engine. Lotus is claiming the Omnivore can operate in HCCI mode in a wide variety of operating conditions and even from a cold start, something that has been problematic for previous HCCI engines.

According to the initial test results, the Omnivore is achieving up to a 10 percent improvement in efficiency (as measured by Indicated Specific Fuel Consumption) compared to existing spark ignition direct-injected engines.

There is clearly a lot of work yet to do, but the concept behind Omnivore shows significant promise.

Gallery: Lotus Omnivore engine

[Source: Lotus]

Continue reading Lotus: Omnivore engine is 10% more efficient with more to come

Lotus: Omnivore engine is 10% more efficient with more to come originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Hyundai 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder makes 200 hp in 2011 Sonata

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Hyundai

Hyundai 2.4L Theta-II GDI - Click above for high res image gallery

When Hyundai's all new Sonata goes on sale early in 2010, it will arrive in U.S. showrooms with only one available engine, a thoroughly revamped version of the 2.4-liter Theta-II four cylinder. The new engine is Hyundai's first production powerplant with gasoline direct injection, but John Juriga, director of powertrains at the Hyundai-Kia Technical Center (HATCI), promised it wouldn't be the last. Juriga told a media briefing at HATCI recently that Hyundai was planning to roll out GDI across its lineup in the coming years.

For now though we have to be content with the new Sonata engine, which is now more powerful than the engine it replaces with 200 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque. The basic internal dimensions are carried over from the 2010 port-injected edition, with bore and stroke of 88 mm x 97 mm for a total displacement of 2,359 cc. The new fuel delivery system has allowed the engineering team to bump the compression ratio from 10.5:1 up to 11.3:1. Like other direct injected engines, the charge cooling effect of injecting the fuel in into the high temperature compressed aid allows the elevated compression without the risk of knock. Read on to learn more about the first GDI Hyundai engine.

Gallery: Hyundai 2.4L Theta-II GDI

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading New Hyundai 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder makes 200 hp in 2011 Sonata

New Hyundai 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder makes 200 hp in 2011 Sonata originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai launches first direct-inject four-cylinder engine, replaces V6 in new Sonata

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Hyundai

testing Hyundai's Theta II DGI engine - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the swoopy new 2011 Sonata goes into production at Hyundai's plant in Alabama early next year, it won't offer a V6 engine anymore, but it will get the company's first ever direct-injected engine. This week in South Korea, Hyundai took the wraps off its 2.4-liter Theta II GDI four-cylinder. Like similar engines from other automakers, Hyundai's engineers have taken advantage of the charge cooling effect of direct injection by boosting the compression ratio to 11.3:1. As a result the engine produces 198 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm in Korean spec.

The direct injection system is setup to use a two-pulse strategy similar to modern common rail diesels. The initial smaller pulse is ignited by the spark plug and then followed by a second larger pulse as the piston begins its downward stroke. GM uses a similar strategy for its 2.4-liter DI Ecotec because it helps warm the engine faster, heating the catalytic converter and reducing emissions. The GDI Theta II produces from 7-12 percent more torque across its rev range than the port-injected version of the same engine. Efficiency should also improve by about 10 percent although the final certification figures aren't complete yet. The Theta II also gets continuously variable valve timing on both camshafts to round out its high tech upgrades. In addition to the regular Sonata sedan, this engine will likely also be used for the new Sonata hybrid when it debuts late in 2010.

Gallery: Hyundai 2.4L direct injected Theta II

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading Hyundai launches first direct-inject four-cylinder engine, replaces V6 in new Sonata

Hyundai launches first direct-inject four-cylinder engine, replaces V6 in new Sonata originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2009: Mazda previews next-gen SKY clean engines, transmission and Kiyora concept

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Technology, Tokyo Motor Show, Mazda, Electric, Diesel

Mazda Kiyora Concept set to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mazda has just dropped off a bunch of info about their next-generation clean engines that will be officially unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October, and we have two words for you: Direct and Diesel. Along with its next-gen 'Mazda SKY Drive' high-efficiency automatic transmissions, visitors to the at 41st Tokyo Motor Show will get to see the 'Mazda SKY-G' direct injection gas engine and the 'Mazda SKY-D' clean diesel engine. The house of Zoom-Zoom is hoping to use these advanced technologies to boost their corporate average fuel economy by a whopping 30% between 2008 and 2015.

In typical Mazda fashion, they want everyone to know that they haven't given up on driving excitement in their move to more eco-friendly fare - the Japanese automaker is out to prove that 'fun' and 'green' don't have to be mutually exclusive terms. The Mazda SKY display area will be broken into "Technologies for Today, Tomorrow and The Future." The Today area will show off things like i-stop, the idle start-stop feature that debuted on the 2010 Mazda3. The Future area will host the rotary-powered Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, among other things. But the one we're really waiting to see is the updated Mazda Kiyora concept.

The Kiyora is a lightweight concept first shown in Paris last year. For Tokyo it's powered by a new 1.3-liter direct injection engine. It will travel 32 kilometers per liter of fuel (under Japan's 10-15 mode test cycle) - that's 75 mpg - and promises lots of smiles per gallon as well. Besides that new SKY engine, the Kiyora will also feature the new Mazda SKY-Drive six-speed automatic transmission, i-stop, regenerative braking, and super-slick aerodynamics. It also weighs at least 100 kg less than any other car in the company's current lineup. Follow the jump for more details from the official press release and check out the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Mazda Kiyora and SKY Technologies

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Mazda previews next-gen SKY clean engines, transmission and Kiyora concept

Tokyo 2009: Mazda previews next-gen SKY clean engines, transmission and Kiyora concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If it's direct-injected and sold in America, it's on this list

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

Direct injection is exciting technology in that it allows car enthusiasts to have their cake and eat it too. How so? By both improving fuel efficiency and increasing horsepower. This being the case, it's not surprising that automakers from all ends of the world are embracing the tech and selling their resultant wares right here in the U.S. of A.

While Ford has made lots of noise as of late with its so-called EcoBoost power-adding system, the Blue Oval is hardly the first automaker to offer direct injection to the masses, even with forced induction. For a complete rundown of all current passenger cars sold in America with direct injection engines, our friends over at Winding Road have compiled what looks to be a pretty complete list in their latest issue. Expect this to be a rapidly expanding list as more and more engines are fitted with direct injection to yield greater fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and more power.

[Source: Winding Road - NOTE: Link launches magazine e-reader]

If it's direct-injected and sold in America, it's on this list originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, Sonata to get direct-inject four-cylinder engines

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Plants/Manufacturing, Hyundai

2010 Hyundai Sonata being evaluated on a Detroit area freeway

Hyundai's Montgomery, AL factory added production of four-cylinder engines last year, but recently the engine line has been getting some upgrades. Evidently, Hyundai is getting ready to add direct injection to its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Like other DI engines, the revised version gets increased power along with lower fuel consumption. The DI four cylinder will debut in the refreshed 2010 Santa Fe this fall. Next year, when the completely redesigned Sonata goes into production, it will also get the DI engine.

Power from the DI four cylinder gets bumped from 176 to 200 hp, and it will likely get around 5-10% better gas mileage. The all-new Sonata will be unveiled at the LA Auto Show in November. Next year a hybrid model will join the lineup, as well.

[Source: Montgomery Advertiser]

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, Sonata to get direct-inject four-cylinder engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini adding solar power to factory, vows to cut range CO₂ 35% by 2015

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:04:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Lamborghini

In the grand scheme of things, the facilities and products of Lamborghini don't really amount to a hill of beans. After all, the company only has one main factory that produces a few thousand cars a year. While those cars are high-powered and consume a lot of fuel per mile driven, Lamborghini owners tend to drive those cars far fewer miles than the mainstream autos the rest of us hop into on a daily basis. As such, the Lambos' total emissions don't add up to much.

Nonetheless, Lamborghini is still somewhat sensitive to both social and regulatory concerns and has an ambitious plan to reduce CO₂ emissions. The automaker is in the process of installing a 17,000 square meter solar array to its factory roof that, when completed later this year, will generate 1,582 MWh of electricity annually. In addition to that, changes are being made inside the plant to improve insulation, lighting, and climate control as part of a broader effort to lower factory-related CO₂ emissions 30 percent by 2010.

As for the products coming out of the factory, Lamborghini is pursuing several paths towards a goal of 35-percent CO₂ reduction by 2015. In addition to expanding the use of technology like the direct injection that debuted on the Gallardo LP560-4 last year, the engineers are working on improved combustion, weight reduction, auto start/stop systems, hybrid drive and biofuel use.

Gallery: Lamborghini CO₂ reductions

[Source: Lamborghini]

Continue reading Lamborghini adding solar power to factory, vows to cut range CO₂ 35% by 2015

Lamborghini adding solar power to factory, vows to cut range CO₂ 35% by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Direct-Injection Faceoff - Porsche 911 4S versus... BRP Ski-Doo?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Technology, Porsche

Click above to enlarge

On the surface, it would be difficult to find two machines that share less in common than the 2009 Porsche 911 and the latest Ski-Doo MX Z X snowmobile. But dig a little deeper (into their engine bays) and things start to show a few similarities, most notably the use of direct injection. After taking a little detour explaining how direct injection came about in Germany during World War II, the scribes at Winding Road put the two DI machines up against each other for some impromptu non-instrumented drag racing.

In one lane, we have the twin-cylinder, two-stroke engine in the Ski-Doo that displaces 600cc and sends 120 horsepower to the single studded rear track. Across the aisle sits a 3.8-liter flat-six engine from Porsche that puts out 385 raging ponies and sends power to all four wheels. Surprisingly, the two heavyweights proved to be evenly matched in straight-line acceleration when each was placed in its proper element. Read the whole story here.

[Source: Winding Road]

Direct-Injection Faceoff - Porsche 911 4S versus... BRP Ski-Doo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Preview: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox debuts with direct injection

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:01:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Crossover, Chevrolet

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Chevy Equinox

Now that General Motors will be getting a cash infusion to stay in business at least through January, the automaker plans to unveil some new products at next month's Detroit Auto Show. The first one we can show you is the second-generation 2010 Chevy Equinox. You might recognize the greenhouse from spy photos we published earlier this year in which which the CUV was misidentified as the Cadillac BRX. While the Equinox gets a complete re-skin for 2010, the new CUV's dimensions are within an inch of the current model in all directions.

The Equinox remains a unibody crossover with either front- or all-wheel drive and the same basic suspension layout as before. The platform is an evolution of the current Theta architecture shared with the Saturn Vue. The Equinox's new styling looks more contemporary with prominent wheel arches and the obligatory Chevy twin-port grille. Inside, a new dual cockpit setup looks very similar to the one in the larger Traverse. As expected of any new model these days, the full array of USB audio, Bluetooth and DVD entertainment systems are also now available. Read about the new engines powering the Equinox after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

Gallery: LIVE: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox

[Source: Chevrolet]

Continue reading Detroit Preview: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox debuts with direct injection

Detroit Preview: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox debuts with direct injection originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 21 Dec 2008 01:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2008: Hyundai approves HED-5 i-Mode for production

John Neff — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Crossover, Hyundai

Click above for high-res image gallery of Hyundai HED-5 i-Mode

We first saw Hyundai's rolling CUV shapeship, the HED-5 i-Mode, back in Geneva, but today at the LA Auto Show is the first time the Korean automaker has shown the car in the States. New to the crossover is a 2.0L gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine that Hyundai plans to roll out in production machines shortly. The new Theta Turbo GDI engine puts out 286 horsepower, which is very impressive for such a small powerplant. Hyundai puts its direct injection and turbo technology to good effect and combines these new features with its Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) to allow for a 15-20 percent fuel economy increase compared with a standard 2.0L four-banger. Expect to see this new engine make its way into a production car sometime in 2010.

According to Hyundai, the HED-5 has been approved for production and a new six-seat production CUV will hit the market in 2010 that's inspired by its design. Of course, don't expect to see its far-out future-spec interior make it to production, but the GDI engine and general look of the concept is a lock.

Gallery: Hyundai HED-5 i-Mode

Continue reading LA 2008: Hyundai approves HED-5 i-Mode for production

LA 2008: Hyundai approves HED-5 i-Mode for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog

Officially Official: The new direct injected, multi-spark V6 and V8 engines from Mercedes-Benz

Report: Next-gen Mini Cooper to match diesel efficiency with turbo DI inline-three

Report: GM struggling to market turbo technology

Lotus: Omnivore engine is 10% more efficient with more to come

New Hyundai 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder makes 200 hp in 2011 Sonata

Hyundai launches first direct-inject four-cylinder engine, replaces V6 in new Sonata

Tokyo 2009: Mazda previews next-gen SKY clean engines, transmission and Kiyora concept

If it's direct-injected and sold in America, it's on this list

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, Sonata to get direct-inject four-cylinder engines

Lamborghini adding solar power to factory, vows to cut range CO2 35% by 2015

Direct-Injection Faceoff - Porsche 911 4S versus... BRP Ski-Doo?

Detroit Preview: 2010 Chevrolet Equinox debuts with direct injection

LA 2008: Hyundai approves HED-5 i-Mode for production

Lamborghini adding solar power to factory, vows to cut range CO₂ 35% by 2015