A new, high-powered hybrid-drive V8 engine system, developed jointly by GM and DaimlerChrysler, may revolutionize how cars' drivetrains transfer power to the pavement, according to one MIT engineer. Kind of a shame, then, that it only adds four miles to a gallon of gas.
In a market where the 60-mpg Toyota Prius sets our expectations for hybrid-drive fuel efficency, the GM-Daimler system, which can eke out 20mpg (just slightly more than a traditional V8) looks almost like a waste of pointy-headed resources. But a closer look uncovers a set of advanced control systems that make the engine one of the most efficient around. The systems not only provide for on-demand displacement — only the cylinders needed are used, the rest wait for a call to action — but also manipulate an extra set of gears to transfer as much available torque directly to the road. Even with just moderate gains in fuel efficiency, as an article in MIT's Technology Review points out, its advancements could influence the efficency of high-output engines of the future.
Gas-Guzzling Hybrids [Technology Review]
Related:
Mercedes F 500 Mind Diesel Hybrid: Your Mileage May Vary [internal]
Toyota s Hybrid Concepts: More Than a Prius [internal]