Autoblog

Eaton developing hydraulic hybrid systems

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:33:00 EST

Eaton, a company primarily known for making superchargers that make your vehicle go like stink, but guzzle even more gas, is also in the series hydraulic hybrid (SHH) business. The drive system in a hydraulic hybrid replaces the conventional drivetrain; the engine is effectively rendered a "pump" for the hydraulics, and energy is stored in two different accumulators that then power the wheels. Fuel savings of 50-70% are achieved by the system being much lighter than a traditional drivetrain, along with regenerative braking and the fact that the engine can be turned off when stopped and when decelerating.

The first real-world application of Eaton's SHH will be in a number of UPS delivery trucks next year. No auto manufacturer has any plans to create an SHH -- because of the lack of batteries, when the engine is cut off, electrical systems like the radio and climate control are also shut down. Eaten has a cooperative working agreement with the EPA to develop its hydraulic hybrid system, and has selected IBM to develop software to refine the system. Thanks for the tip, Gavin!

[Source: Eaton]

Eaton developing hydraulic hybrid systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

High gas prices mean more superchargers. We're okay with that

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Green, I.C.E., Technology

Click above for more shots of the GM LSA V8 and its Eaton supercharger

The ongoing debate between the supercharger camp and the turbo boys isn't likely to die along with large, fuel-thirsty performance engines. In fact, Eaton believes that the market for both power-boosters will continue to grow at an extremely fast pace along with the rising price of gas. Because manufacturers are looking to downsize their engines, power-adders like the supercharger are becoming increasingly necessary in order to deliver the kind of performance new car buyers have come to expect along with the low fuel consumption that is becoming increasingly necessary.

Unlike the high RPM power generally associated with heavily-boost turbocharged engines, superchargers produce added power at all engine speeds. The downside is that engine power is used to drive the compressor, which reduces the available power gains somewhat. In order to make up some of that lost power, Eaton is developing variable-speed superchargers, which will allow for good power from idle through redline with a reduced strain on the engine. For our part, we fully support the use of both turbochargers and superchargers on any and all new cars. Solely in the name of fuel economy, of course.

Gallery: Detroit 2008: GM LSA V-8

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

High gas prices mean more superchargers. We're okay with that originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: First Corvette ZR1 delivered to proud papa

Chris Shunk — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Supercars, Chevrolet, GM

Click above for high-res gallery of the Corvette ZR1 at Barrett-Jackson

The very first Corvette ZR1 has rolled off the assembly line at General Motors' assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and the proud owner of the 638-horsepower hellraiser was there in person to claim his prize. Chevy dealer and Corvette aficionado Dave Ressler won his supercharged Vette at the Barrett Jackson auction back in January for the astronomical sum of $1 million dollars, which equals about 10 times the ZR1's base price of $103,300. Ressler was allowed to sit behind the wheel of his rarified Vette as it completed its assembly run and exited the factory, and let his granddaughter, Ayden Lynn, ride along shotgun. The special ZR1 is set apart from other Blue Devlis with a unique VIN number and a LeMans Blue paint job that will appear on no other car.

After being performance tested, the ZR1 was put in a trailer and carted back to Montana where it will be put in a museum with Ressler's 45 other Vettes, including his #003 1953 Corvette. We know, that's no way to treat a thoroughbred like the ZR1, but at least Ressler's million bucks went to a good cause.

Check out a local news report of the occasion after the jump.

Gallery: Barrett-Jackson 2008: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 #1

[Source: Corvette Blogger]

Continue reading VIDEO: First Corvette ZR1 delivered to proud papa

VIDEO: First Corvette ZR1 delivered to proud papa originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Australia: TRD Aurion engine exceeds performance targets

Alex Nunez — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:34:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Etc., Toyota

Click for gallery of the TRD Aurion

It's no secret that in Australia, the cars seem to, well, rock. You've got the Holden Commodores, the Ford Falcons, the rodded-up stuff from HSV and FPV, a dizzying selection of Utes, and a fair amount of imported goodies from Europe and Japan. While we make do with the utterly blandtacular Toyota Camry, our Aussie friends get not only the Camry, but the locally-built Aurion. We reviewed an Aurion Sportivo SX6 back in April, and determined it to be a "great Camry" with demonstrably better looks at the end of the day. Something better's on the way, however.

TRD unveiled its forthcoming version of the car at the Melbourne show back in March, and this week announced that the performance of the engine it's developed for the TRD Aurion has exceeded the targets set for it. The 3.5L V6 gets force-fed via Eaton's new twin-vortices supercharger, which makes its production vehicle debut in this application. TRD's Australian arm hasn't released hard numbers yet, but indicates that the engine's planned output of 235 kW / 320 HP is among the specs that have been exceeded. Acceleration times are also likely to be better than expected, and it's all wrapped in the sweet-looking package shown above. Naturally, we'll never see it here. Sigh...

[Source: Toyota Australia]

Gallery: TRD Aurion

Continue reading Australia: TRD Aurion engine exceeds performance targets

Australia: TRD Aurion engine exceeds performance targets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EPA unveils hydraulic hybrid UPS delivery truck

Alex Nunez — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Green, Work

This week in Washington, the EPA pulled the wraps off of the hydraulic hybrid vehicle we reported it was developing back in December of 2005.

The result of the cooperative effort between the EPA, UPS, Eaton, and International Truck is a familiar-looking brown UPS delivery van. The only clue that this is no standard UPS truck is the fairly subtle "Low Emission Hydraulic Hybrid" label it sports on its side panels. The Hydraulic Hybrid eschews batteries and electric motors, instead mating the truck's diesel engine to a hydraulic propulsion system, made up of a series of hydraulic storage tanks and pumps. This system replaces the conventional drivetrain completely, and offers similar benefits to gas/diesel-electric hybrids such as regenerative braking. The hydraulic system's ability to store and deliver larger amounts of power also can be used to provide launch assistance to the tune of 100 horsepower for 20 seconds.

The benefits of using a hydraulic hybrid system, according to EPA claims, are a 60%-70% increase in fuel economy (based on lab tests), a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions, and a lower "hybrid penalty" costwise, which can be recovered in as little as three years due to fuel savings (1,000 gallons of diesel/year) and reduction in brake maintenance costs.

The UPS demonstrator truck displayed will begin working daily routes in the Detroit area this summer. Presumably, data will be collected and analyzed based on this real-world application of the technology.

The system is currently seen as potentially being a boon to urban commercial/industrial vehicle applications such as delivery vehicles, school buses, and garbage trucks, all of which operate in a mostly stop-and-go environment that would optimze the use of the hybrid system. The Army is also testing a truck equipped with a similar powertrain.

Update: AutoblogGreen did an informative post on Hydraulic Hybrid technology earlier this month. Check it out for more background info.

(Joint press release, EPA info and links after the jump.)

[Source: New York Times]

Continue reading EPA unveils hydraulic hybrid UPS delivery truck

EPA unveils hydraulic hybrid UPS delivery truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Your next utility emergency could be handled by a hybrid truck

Eric Bryant — Fri, 12 May 2006 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Work

A variety of segments in the heavy-truck industry could be well suited to hybrid drivetrains, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is showing off a couple different types at its Hybrid Vehicle expo.

TXU was showing off its recently purchased hybrid-electric utility bucket trucks, developed by International and Eaton. The hybrid version is said to add approximately $30,000 to the $140K base price of the truck, and we're not sufficiently familiar with the economics of operating such a vehicle to say whether or not that investment will pay off (International has claimed a 30% improvement in fuel economy). Given the 20-year average service life of such a truck, though, there is plenty of opportunity for hybrids to demonstrate an economic advantage.

Peterbilt also teamed up with Eaton to show off a hydraulically-boosted garbage hauler. In this case, ignore the potential fuel savings for just a moment - we'd be happy if the truck could silently move from house to house at 5AM, instead of waking us with a roaring engine and shrieking brakes. In all seriousness, it's hard to imagine an application that's better suited to a hybrid drivetrain, and we're excited to see such a vehicle getting some attention.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Your next utility emergency could be handled by a hybrid truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 May 2006 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Big boost, no waiting! Antonov debuts two-speed supercharger

Chris Paukert — Fri, 05 May 2006 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, Technology

Racers and backyard mechanics alike have been searching for years for a forced-induction system that generates boost from idle to redline for years. Pricy sequential turbo systems and their ilk have done the job to this point, but Atonov is proposing an altogether different system: a two-speed supercharger!

The system basically matches a bog-standard, high-capacity centrifugal supercharger unit with a diminutive automatic gearbox. The result is a claimed 85 percent efficiency, versus perhaps 50 percent of a traditional unit.

Of course, innovation usually has a price, and according to FastCar UK, that price figures to be between £3,000 and £4,000 (that's around $5,500-$7,400 clams, Yankee).

[Source: FastCar UK]

(Great tip, Chuck!)

Big boost, no waiting! Antonov debuts two-speed supercharger originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 May 2006 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments