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Originally Posted by torqdork
Not disagreeing with your premise, but as always the question is "at what cost and weight penalty?"
Instead of alternatively fueled engines, I'm more interested in what manufacturers are doing with drivetrain improvements. Exhibit A is the upcoming sensational Corvette Z06 that will have a lightweight, full auto 8-speed that shifts more quickly than a DCT and will achieve an estimated 30 mpg highway. Impressive for a car with it's capabilities and price point.
http://articles.sae.org/12782/ |
30mpg highway is nothing. They run a tall top gear and cruise at 1100 rpm on the freeway. Flog it out even the slightest bit and you'll see single digit values. It's only really "30mpg" on certain specific occasions, and at all other times, it's in the low teens. And even then, it could be getting 40, 50, or more if it had ~200hp coming from an electric motor. That could be used around town (like a prius) and charge as necessary from the gas engine. Or it could be used as a sports model like the P1 or 918, offering different blending modes of "torque fill," all electric, hybrid throttle position, or full sport mode combined. Two road car companies have already shown it can be done, all we need to do is scale it back to the "normal" cars.