Jalopnik: 2008 sae

2009 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 Six Speed Caught On Cobo Roof

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT

Amusing, it's taken a little over two years but the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 has gone from a concept revealed on the show floor of the 2006 Detroit Auto Show to parking on the roof of Cobo during the 2008 SAE World Congress. This shiny red one was parked staring straight at the GM RenCen buildings almost like some bruiser looking for a fight with a Camaro. This one even has a little battle scar on the front passenger side fender to prove it can hang with the tough kids.

Students Show Off SAE Collegiate Design Series Racers

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:20:00 EDT

Back in the way off yonder, at least two of us on the Jalopnik staff spent time turning wrenches on an SAE car during college. These cars are nice reminder that the best engineers are the ones who wake up at one in the afternoon and still smell like Jager bombs. The SAE Collegiate Design Series is an effort to put classroom learning into practice by providing engineering competitions for students to work on. There are a range automotive groups to choose from including the Formula SAE, BAJA Challenge, and the now defunct Formula Lighting Series. Here at the 2008 SAE World Congress, the colleges are showing off their wares and proving that the heart of racing is still alive and well.

FEV Shows Off Mahindra Scorpio Diesel Electric Hybrid Battery Pack, Talks Appalachian

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Well, there you have it folks, batteries in the boot, basically all the proof you get this is a hybrid SUV because everything else hybridy is in the transmission. We also gathered the Scorpio diesel hybrid is intended for production, but dates and the possibility of US import were left up to the Mahindra folks. Aside from that bit of boring, we talked to the FEV folks a bit and got some information in conflict with our earlier reporting. We were wandering around Cobo at the 2008 SAE World Congress and trying to figure out where the heck the Mahindra Appalachian sporting a diesel electric hybrid powertrain was.

There isn't even a regular old Appalachian out here. Turns out, somewhere in the reporting of the hybrid diesel powertrain and the import of the Appalachian, the two were put together in an internet version of the phone game. From what FEV tells us, there were actually no plans for that variant of the truck and it will not be at SAE. The regular diesel truck is still intended for US import, but if you're a curry-flavored diesel electric truck lover, there is no joy in Detroit for you today.

Indian Mahindra Scorpio Diesel-Electric Hybrid SUV: First Pictures Of First Indian Hybrid

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:22:54 EDT

We just snapped off a couple of shots of the Mahindra Scorpio, the diesel-electric hybrid SUV we told you would be unveiled here at the 2008 SAE World Congress. Yes, it's before everything has opened to the engineering public. Yes, we may not have been officially allowed out on the floor. Yes, we probably broke a city statute or two in doing it, but no, rumors of any cash exchanging hands in the process are very much untrue. What is true is the hybrid diesel SUV from the sub-continent is the first of its kind for Mahindra and is being displayed in the stand of their development partner FEV.

The diesel-electric is fitted with a parallel hybrid system integrated into the transmission and provides drive power at start, additional power on command, stop/start functionality and regenerative braking capabilities. For the time being, enjoy that sweet teal train-like goodness seemingly following the GM methodology of making sure everyone knows you're driving a hybrid via large stenciled letters on the side. Also, there's a hood scoop. We're not entirely sure why that's important, but yeah, there it is. We'll be getting more details for you when things open up officially. For now, we have to work on outrunning the Detroit police.

Indian Mahindra Scorpio Diesel-Electric Hybrid SUV To Be Revealed At SAE

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:39:24 EDT

Mahindra has just jointly announced with FEV that they'll be displaying their sub-continent-styled Mahindra Scorpio with a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain at the SAE World Congress this weekend here in Detroit. The system includes a 40 HP E-motor that works in stop/start, electric acceleration, and regenerative braking capacities — developing peak torque in the range of 200 lb-ft. The diesel engine is a 2.2-liter inline four with common rail injection, developing 113 HP mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Although no word on what this has to do with the Mahindra Appalachian we'd been told to look for this week at the SAE World Congress, or whether we'll be seeing this curry-flavored Indian import stateside, it at least looks like the hybrid SUV market is set to get mighty interesting. Press release below the fold and in case you're interested, the shot up top is a camino-ized version of the Scorpio they'll be showing off. So you probably shouldn't expect a truck bed.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 10 — Mahindra & Mahindra (Mahindra), one of the leading auto manufacturers in the Indian market, and FEV, a leading developer of advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies, announced today that FEV will exhibit a diesel-electric hybrid version of the Scorpio SUV at the 2008 SAE World Congress. The Congress takes place April 14 - 17 at Cobo Center, in Detroit, Michigan. The diesel hybrid version of the vehicle was developed by Mahindra with support from FEV. The announcement was made jointly by Mahindra's Dr. Arun Jaura, Chief Technology officer, Mahindra Group, and Gary Rogers, president and CEO of FEV, Inc.

"The Scorpio vehicle is a clear indicator of the enormous implications of globalization on the changing paradigm in vehicle development," said Rogers. "A rapid advancement of technology is occurring on a global scale, and our OEM customers are increasingly leveraging FEV's global presence to ensure around- the-clock development of new powertrain and vehicle concepts. The FEV Group has successfully expanded its capabilities and international reach to accomplish shorter development times and to support these types of global initiatives for its OEM partners."

FEV contributed its expertise in hybrid powertrain systems development and integration, as well as software development to support Mahindra in the hybridization of the vehicle, the first of its kind to be marketed in the Asian market.

"FEV has been a very receptive and experienced partner in the program and is known for their HEV work across the globe. With their support, we were able to meet our aggressive targets. They have made a valuable contribution to the development of the Scorpio Hybrid Diesel SUV," said Dr. Arun Jaura, Chief Technology officer, Mahindra Group.

The Mahindra Scorpio hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) features the following characteristics:

— Diesel-electric parallel hybrid vehicle with four major functions:
- Start-stop
- Electric launch
- Torque augmentation
- Regenerative braking
- Seamless but enhanced driving experience
— 2.2 Liter, I-4, second generation diesel common rail engine with 85 kW
and 270 Nm ratings
— 6-speed automatic transmission
— 30 kW (peak) motor with max torque of 270 Nm (peak) and a max speed
8500 rpm
— 288V, 8.4 Ah NiMH battery
— Quick cold start with e-motor assist

The Mahindra and Mahindra diesel-electric hybrid is representative of the type of advanced vehicle technologies under development by FEV. Further examples of this technology will be on display at the FEV exhibit.