DCX gets DoD before GM.

Z284ever
01-06-2004, 01:12 AM
Here's the Chrysler press release:

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan 05, 2004 -The 2005 Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum RT will be the first high-volume, modern production vehicles in North America to feature fully-functioning cylinder deactivation when they go on sale in the spring of 2004. The Multi-Displacement System (MDS) will be standard equipment on the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum RT.

“The Chrysler Group MDS seamlessly alternates between smooth, high fuel economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and V-8 mode when more power from the 5.7L HEMI® engine is in demand,” said Eric Ridenour, Executive Vice President Product Development, Chrysler Group. “This optimizes fuel economy when V-8 power is not needed, without sacrificing vehicle performance—2005 Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum RT owners will get the maximum benefit without any compromises.”

Owners of the Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum RT will receive the powerful benefit of the HEMI engine with the fuel economy that they would only expect from a smaller, less powerful engine.

“The MDS was part of the engine’s original design,” said Bob Lee, Vice President Powertrain Product Team, Chrysler Group. “This resulted in a cylinder-deactivation system that is elegantly simple and completely integrated into the engine design. The benefits are fewer parts, maximum reliability and lower cost.”

Some of the significant technologies enabling the Chrysler Group MDS are the speed of electronic controls, the sophistication of the algorithms controlling the systems and the use of Electronic Throttle Control. The HEMI will be able to transition from eight cylinders to four in 40 milliseconds (0.040 seconds).

The HEMI engine with MDS has completed over 6.5 million customer-equivalent miles through Chrysler Group’s development and durability testing. It is covered by the 7-Year/70,000-mile Limited Powertrain warranty.

The system deactivates the valve lifters. This keeps the valves in four cylinders closed, and there is no combustion. In addition to stopping combustion, energy is not lost by pumping air through these cylinders.

Customers will experience estimated fuel economy gains of up to 20 percent under various driving conditions, and a projected 10 percent aggregate improvement. Improved fuel economy is realized without any change in customer experience—drivers will receive the benefit without changing their driving habits and without compromising style, comfort or convenience.

IZ28
01-06-2004, 01:32 AM
Woah Z284, you have really become the guy with all the breaking information around here. Giving GuionM a run?! :D

RiceEating5.0
01-06-2004, 02:02 AM
Wow, where did this come from? i didn't even know they were working on it.

Z28Wilson
01-06-2004, 06:20 AM
Originally posted by RiceEating5.0
Wow, where did this come from? i didn't even know they were working on it.

Yeah really. I've heard nothing of this. So GM is trumped again huh....

Ted 99 TA WS6 Conv
01-06-2004, 07:52 AM
Originally posted by IZ28
Woah Z284, you have really become the guy with all the breaking information around here. Giving GuionM a run?! :D

GuionM must be slipping :D

Darth Xed
01-06-2004, 08:16 AM
Originally posted by RiceEating5.0
Wow, where did this come from? i didn't even know they were working on it.

Ya, we pretty much don't get blind sided by much new stuff... this is very surprising!

PGR
01-07-2004, 03:01 AM
GM's progress on DOD was one of the main reasons DCX did the Hemi. It was originally planned as a larger displacement version of the 4.7 OHC motor. It would have been costly to add DOD to the OHC, so they went with the pushrod Hemi design.

GM has a black eye from their Caddillac V8-6-4 fiasco, so they need to thoroughly wring out the DOD design before ;etting it loose on consumers. DCX has no bad history with this, so can release it ASAP.

I would bet GM will produce more DOD vehicles than DCX in the next 3 years, as thier basic system fits most of the V8 displacements they offer. DCX sofar has the 5.7 offering.

Either way, it's comforting to know that GM isn't alone in this technology offering.

morb|d
01-07-2004, 03:30 AM
I don't get it. we've been hearing about GM going DoD for eons now and allofasudden DC drops the bomb. :confused:

Oh, hey GM, thanks for all the PR work, we'll take it from here...

NICE GOING GM!! way to drag your ass on this... :rolleyes:

BigDarknFast
01-07-2004, 04:00 AM
morbid - What's the big deal? DOD is coming - very soon - from GM too. So DCX is a few months earlier.... whoop de doo. Sounds like someone is desparately seeking a mountain among mole hills....

morb|d
01-07-2004, 05:37 AM
Originally posted by BigDarknFast
morbid - What's the big deal? DOD is coming - very soon - from GM too. So DCX is a few months earlier.... whoop de doo. Sounds like someone is desparately seeking a mountain among mole hills....
i'm just surprised and dismayed that Chrysler, having heard nothing from them on DoD is putting an engine into production sooner than GM. and this is not a few months either. isn't the soonest GM engine with DoD coming out for 2005 model year?

Z284ever
01-07-2004, 10:33 AM
Afew years ago, I was reading an interview with a senior GM Powertrain engineer.

He said that within 2-3 years, if no one copies your innovations - then your ideas are not successful.

Also, I believe Mercedes Benz has had a successful cylinder deactivation system for several years now.

Pandamonkey
01-07-2004, 10:45 AM
I wonder if in 10 or 15 years, if most cars will have this technology.............

I wonder if it will eventually be available for diesel applications also?
Imagine the fuel economy of diesel/electric hybrid with DOD on a full size truck...........

Meccadeth
01-07-2004, 11:38 AM
Where the hell did that come from? Great news! I didn't even know any other manufacturers were working on it. We've only heard of GM working on this system. With the Bush administration tightening up on truck fuel economy soon, this is really great news for the American truck manufacturers.

1990 Turbo Grand Prix
01-07-2004, 12:25 PM
Originally posted by Z284ever
Also, I believe Mercedes Benz has had a successful cylinder deactivation system for several years now. I believe you're correct. I remember hearing that Europe had had this for some time now. Though I can't really remember, I want to say it was DaimlerChrysler doing it.

PGR
01-07-2004, 03:50 PM
True, Daimler has offered DOD for a few years on some of thier high-end cars. Too expensive, and too small of production numbers to have any noticable impact on CAFE, or the typical buyer.

With GM and Chrysler offering this technology at a relativey low price, on huge production volumes (pickup, SUV, sedans), it's a significant step forward.

Anyone can offer radical new technology. The trick is offering it in a reliable, effective, low cost package suitable for the masses.

Most good ideas are not new ideas. They are just well executed ideas. Putting DOD on high volume, low fuel economy trucks/SUV's is a well executed idea, and will have the biggest impact.

94patriotredZ
01-07-2004, 04:29 PM
Actually, in the mid eighties, cadillac offered a v-8 with the ability to shut off cylinders to improve economy. they called it the five litre 4-6-8. I had one. And got to replace the computer 3 times in the six months I owned the car. It was a big failure. GM may be a little hesitant to offer such a feature again, even though the technology is a lot better now.

SCNGENNFTHGEN
01-08-2004, 04:33 PM
That blows. To the regular people that are not car people, when GM comes out with the DoD it will look like they copied the technology from DCX. Even though we have known for some time now that they were working on it, and would be putting it into production soon. :mad:

R377
01-08-2004, 08:54 PM
Originally posted by Pandamonkey
I wonder if it will eventually be available for diesel applications also?
Imagine the fuel economy of diesel/electric hybrid with DOD on a full size truck...........

Probably not worthwhile on Diesels. DOD's benefit is at light engine loads where a normal gasoline engine is notoriously inefficient. Diesel engines are already amazingly efficient at light loads so there's virtually nothing to gain.

PGR
01-08-2004, 09:26 PM
DOD improves effeciency by operating fewer cylinders at wider throttle settling - less pumping loses.

Diesels have no throttle blade - the amount of fuel injected determines power output. They have virtually no throttle-related pumping loss, so DOD wouldn't be as effective.

WERM
01-08-2004, 10:30 PM
Looks like HONDA is also in the running to beat GM (when's GM due?)

From the car connection:

Also, beginning this fall, Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) will debut on some of Honda's V-6 engines, improving overall fuel economy by allowing models so equipped to operate on three cylinders in light load and cruising conditions.

TurboDropTop
01-14-2004, 03:07 AM
well nobody will really be impressed by Honda having it prolly. It if anything is probly expected from its consumers. "My v6 Accord get 34mpg instead of 31 now!" they won't care.