ZF Says Production Ready Technology Can Cut Fuel-Consumption by 18%
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ZF Says Production Ready Technology Can Cut Fuel-Consumption by 18%
Auto parts maker and engineering firm ZF Friedrichshafen AG says that its new lineup of driveline modifications and transmissions, when combined, can deliver up to 18 percent better fuel-consumption on traditional gasoline powered cars. The results are even more impressive for hybrids, with total fuel-economy rising 30 percent.
Harald Naunheimer, VP of research at ZF delivered the news at the Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan, earlier this week. Naunheimer said all of his company’s new initiatives will make their way into production cars starting next year.
Included in the list of fuel-saving technologies are lighter transmissions with more gears, as well as electric, rather than mechanical, features. Electrical power steering can account for a savings of 2 to 3 percent, while electric active roll stabilizers add another 1 to 2 percent.
A start-stop function, which shuts off the engine at stop lights or when stuck in traffic, can save up to 5 percent while a new, lighter transfer case for all-wheel drive cars can add an additional 1 to 1.5 percent.
The single largest way to boost fuel-economy, however, is with a transmission with more gears. ZF says its new 8-speed box can deliver a 6 percent boost in fuel economy over a six-speed unit. Lexus already uses an 8-speed transmission and BMW recently launched a new 8-speed box in the flagship 760Li (pictured above). This, however, raises the issue of cost.
With an 8-speed in a six-figure BMW, we’re unlikely to see the same technology make it into a Toyota Corolla any time soon. Still, the race is on for improved fuel-consumption as the Obama Administration’s new CAFE regulations will see fleet averages for passenger cars rise to 35.5 mpg for 2016, up significantly from 27.3 mpg for 2011.
[Source: Automotive News]
Harald Naunheimer, VP of research at ZF delivered the news at the Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan, earlier this week. Naunheimer said all of his company’s new initiatives will make their way into production cars starting next year.
Included in the list of fuel-saving technologies are lighter transmissions with more gears, as well as electric, rather than mechanical, features. Electrical power steering can account for a savings of 2 to 3 percent, while electric active roll stabilizers add another 1 to 2 percent.
A start-stop function, which shuts off the engine at stop lights or when stuck in traffic, can save up to 5 percent while a new, lighter transfer case for all-wheel drive cars can add an additional 1 to 1.5 percent.
The single largest way to boost fuel-economy, however, is with a transmission with more gears. ZF says its new 8-speed box can deliver a 6 percent boost in fuel economy over a six-speed unit. Lexus already uses an 8-speed transmission and BMW recently launched a new 8-speed box in the flagship 760Li (pictured above). This, however, raises the issue of cost.
With an 8-speed in a six-figure BMW, we’re unlikely to see the same technology make it into a Toyota Corolla any time soon. Still, the race is on for improved fuel-consumption as the Obama Administration’s new CAFE regulations will see fleet averages for passenger cars rise to 35.5 mpg for 2016, up significantly from 27.3 mpg for 2011.
[Source: Automotive News]
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Honestly, considering how quickly people go through cars these days, most new car buyers don't come close to wearing out their engine. So they aren't very likely to care.
Used car buyers on the other hand...
Used car buyers on the other hand...
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From: Albany, NY
They say it is lighter, but that is also engineered in to save fuel.
We will find out soon enough. European cars are going to start showing up with this soon, even BMWs.
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07...odels-by-2010/
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t..._function.html
by 2012 they think half of all new cars will be sold with it.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10081298-48.html
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07...odels-by-2010/
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/t..._function.html
by 2012 they think half of all new cars will be sold with it.
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10081298-48.html
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From: The Golden State
Weight isn't an issue.
1. Fuel economy is greatly increased, and far more than offsets any fuel economy loss from weight gain.
2. The weight gain is small enough that it won't even come close to adversely affecting performance and handling.
That is a very good point.
I've never driven a car with it, so I'll be open enough to reserve judgement (I'm old enough to have had a hydralic power steering system go out on me).
This I agree with.
It still involves a wire, so why not a cable.
I'm sure he wasn't the only mechanic/sales guy who wreack a car on a dealership lot, and I can guarantee that scenario isn't limited to a Chrysler vehicle lot.
One internet story doesn't equal an issue since no one knows what really happened and anyone working at a dealer has a very high motive to blame the car and not themselves when wrecking a car at their dealership.
The "Throttle Stuck" excuse is as old as Audi's "sudden uncontroled acceleration panic from the 1970s that turned out being nothing more than people hitting the gas when the automatic was accidently put in gear.
That's why today you have to actually put your foot on the brake in order to shift out of drive.... true item.
There has been no issue of an electric throttle car being stuck open any more than a cable operated one.
In fact, it's far more likely a cable throttle gets stuck open than an electronic one.
Again, true item.
1. Fuel economy is greatly increased, and far more than offsets any fuel economy loss from weight gain.
2. The weight gain is small enough that it won't even come close to adversely affecting performance and handling.
I've never driven a car with it, so I'll be open enough to reserve judgement (I'm old enough to have had a hydralic power steering system go out on me).
This I agree with.
It still involves a wire, so why not a cable.
One internet story doesn't equal an issue since no one knows what really happened and anyone working at a dealer has a very high motive to blame the car and not themselves when wrecking a car at their dealership.
The "Throttle Stuck" excuse is as old as Audi's "sudden uncontroled acceleration panic from the 1970s that turned out being nothing more than people hitting the gas when the automatic was accidently put in gear.
That's why today you have to actually put your foot on the brake in order to shift out of drive.... true item.
There has been no issue of an electric throttle car being stuck open any more than a cable operated one.
In fact, it's far more likely a cable throttle gets stuck open than an electronic one.
Again, true item.
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From: Ontario
Having said that, I think most of the knocks against electric assist come from the artificial feel. I'm sure that over time, engineers will improve that along with the reliability.
Back to the article, I'm scratching my head trying to figure out how electric active roll stabilizers are going to improve fuel economy 1-2%
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This isn't new news. I think most of us have been aware of all of the above technologies. It's just that most of them add extra cost to the production of the vehicle as well as other downsides like more expensive repairs.
I didn't realize that active roll stabilization made a 1-2% improvement in fuel economy... I thought that was just a cool way to improve handling without compromising ride quality. Right now many of the technologies listed in there are only found in cars in the 50k+ range... and usually on cars where fuel economy is not a primary concern of the buyer.
In some cars it does, and in some cars it's great. I think it's more tuning-dependent than ever. I drove the most recent generation of Audi TT with EPS and the steering was very impressive actually... I don't just mean acceptable, I mean very good.
My Aura XR-4 has EPS and it's nothing great but I actually prefer it to the hydraulic steering in my friend's Aura 3.5 V6. I've read at least two reviews that specifically mentioned the EPS had a better feel to the hydraulic steering.
Also to whoever said electronic throttle control sucked.. honestly I can't even feel a difference between mechanical and electronic. The only time it becomes apparent is when the stability control system kicks on, but to me that's a benefit, not a detractor.
I didn't realize that active roll stabilization made a 1-2% improvement in fuel economy... I thought that was just a cool way to improve handling without compromising ride quality. Right now many of the technologies listed in there are only found in cars in the 50k+ range... and usually on cars where fuel economy is not a primary concern of the buyer.
In some cars it does, and in some cars it's great. I think it's more tuning-dependent than ever. I drove the most recent generation of Audi TT with EPS and the steering was very impressive actually... I don't just mean acceptable, I mean very good.
My Aura XR-4 has EPS and it's nothing great but I actually prefer it to the hydraulic steering in my friend's Aura 3.5 V6. I've read at least two reviews that specifically mentioned the EPS had a better feel to the hydraulic steering.
Also to whoever said electronic throttle control sucked.. honestly I can't even feel a difference between mechanical and electronic. The only time it becomes apparent is when the stability control system kicks on, but to me that's a benefit, not a detractor.
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From: Memphis
I am wondering now, though... what DOES happen if EPS fails? Well first of all, how common should an EPS failure be in theory? Is EPS generally thought of as a system that will last the life of the car and is quite a bit more reliable than hydraulic steering? If it does fail are there mechanical backups?
I know on every car I've owned with electronic throttle control they all have had mechanical backup systems as far as I know.
I know on every car I've owned with electronic throttle control they all have had mechanical backup systems as far as I know.
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Warm starts are no problem. The car should just have a control mechanism that ensures that it fires the engine up once every couple minutes to maintain ideal operating temperature and keep everything oiled up.
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WRT to the number of gears in transmissions today...aren't we kind of getting towards the point of diminishing returns? I think it was Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson, who was doing a comparison between the M3 and the Lexus IS-F?...maybe, and said that the 8-speed transmission in the Lexus was always looking for gears. I would think this would be more of a problem/nuisance for typical drivers.