There was no shortage of news surrounding reduced energy consumption during the press conferences at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. Even Infiniti’s new 8-passenger QX56 SUV gets 20 mpg on the highway. Among the many product introductions and company announcements, Ford, Hyundai and Chevy stood out with notable strides in vehicle efficiency and forward thinking technology partnerships.
Ford
We sat down to a packed press conference thinking that FoMoCo was simply going to unveil their new Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, tell us how it’s not the same as Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids, and call it a day. Sure the new Lincoln promises to be the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America, with 41 mpg in the city (6 mpg more than 2010 Lexus HS 250h), but we knew bigger news was on deck when the turnaround king himself, Alan Mulally, walked out onto the stage. The former Boeing CEO and cost-cutter extraordinaire was there to announce Ford’s new tie-in with Microsoft's Hohm software application.
"Ford and Microsoft both share a strong commitment to contributing to a better world. Today, we begin the next major step in our working together and leading the way for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability," said Mulally. "For Ford, this is a needed step in the development of the infrastructure that will make electric vehicles viable."
Hohm is a free web-based service Mircosoft currently offers to consumers. It was designed to reduce energy costs and increase conservation by providing homeowners with insight into energy-use patterns. When Ford breaks cover on their Focus EV next year, an adapted version of Hohm will allow customers to connect with local utility providers to optimize vehicle charging.
They even piped Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer onto the big screen by satellite to chime in on the future impact of EVs. If you recall, Ford formally worked with Microsoft on SYNC, an in-car wireless connectivity platform that allows drivers to voice activate phone calls and MP3 tracks. It has been installed on more than 2 million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles since its launch in 2007. Just like SYNC, Ford was not able to secure exclusive rights to the technology.
Hyundai
On the heels of Hyundai's sixth generation Sonata mid-size sedan launch at last year’s L.A. Auto Show, the Korean automaker showed off new hybrid electric and turbocharged sport variants that add frugality, variety and performance to the Sonata family.
A palpable level of energy and eagerness emanated from the crowd as president and CEO of Hyundai America John Krafcik introduced the sleek new Toyota killers to flashing lights and high-energy music. As Krafcik pointed out, Hyundai and their Hybrid Blue Drive technology are a little late to the hybrid party (Toyota has been making hybrids for more than 10 years) but aren't without a laundry list of best in class specs and industry first technologies.
According to the EPA, Hyundai has led the in fuel economy for the last two years and is currently the only automaker with average fleet fuel economy of more than 30 MPG. Not bad considering that Sonata is the company’s first hybrid.
"The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the new kid on the block, but it’s not a follower,” says Krafcik. “Its full parallel hybrid configuration and breakthrough lithium polymer batteries offer a new take on traditional hybrid design, while its unique design sets it apart from the mid-size hybrid pack.”
As we have previously reported, Hyundai is breaking the mold by using lithium-polymer battery technology from LG Chem instead of the nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion applications used by competitors. Lithium polymer offers a whole bunch of advantages next to lithium-ion batteries -- higher energy density, lower manufacturing costs, higher resistance to physical damage and significant advantages in thermal robustness and safety. Compared with nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium polymer delivers the same power with 20 to 30 percent less weight, 40 percent less volume and 10 percent greater efficiency.
Lithium-polymer batteries also hold their charge 1.25 times longer and offer 1.7 times more energy density than nickel-metal, allowing engineers to devote less space and weight to the battery pack. The Sonata Hybrid's battery pack weighs just 95.9 pounds versus the Camry Hybrid’s 123.9 pounds. Not surprisingly, Sonata Hybrid is the lightest vehicle in the segment, weighing 263 pounds less than the Fusion Hybrid.
Sonata's full parallel hybrid-drive system uses regenerative braking and can run on the 30-kilowatt (151 pound-foot) electric motor, 2.4-L Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine, and a combination of the two, depending on driving conditions and driver demands. The electric and gas motors develop a total output of 209 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, besting all mid-size competitors.
Different from the power-split system used by competitors, Hyundai decided against a CVT in favor the company's new 6-speed auto stick, which has been modified with hybrid starter-generator, electric motor and low-friction oil pump that together allow the elimination of the traditional torque converter. Not only does the transmission utilize electric power more efficiently, it allows it to be operated at significantly higher EV-only speeds (62 mph) than the competition and is also a key enabler of Sonata Hybrid’s best-in-class highway fuel economy of 39 mpg. Hyundai also made a point of mentioning that it's more fun to shift, albeit automatically, than to drone along using a fixed gear CVT.
In the looks department, Sonata Hybrid is visually differentiated from other, less green Sonatas thanks to a heavily redesigned front end that more efficiently channels air around the body. Other exterior design elements that make the sleek Sonata even more slippery in the wind tunnel include an aerodynamically enhanced front/rear fascia, rocker panels and Eco-spoke wheels. These enhancements will help Sonata Hybrid achieve a best in class coefficient of drag (.25 Cd target) when it goes on sale.
And let's not forget about the Sonata 2.0T introduced alongside Sonata Hybrid that adds sportiness to the family without compromising fuel economy. In fact, Hyundai's first four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine manages to out-power all competitive V-6 engines while still achieving best in class highway fuel economy of 34 mpg, and a respectable 22 mpg in the city. Similar to BMW's twin scroll turbo engine, the Hyundai design minimizes turbo lag while maximizing combustion efficiency and power output. The best part is that all 274 ponies and 269 pound-feet of torque are available across a broad range of 1,800 rpm to 4,500 rpm, and the engine does not require premium fuel despite the use of turbo charging.
While other automakers were going out of business, Hyundai had a 2009 for the record books that included massive sales gains under their Assurance vehicle return program, North American Car of the Year honors for the Genesis luxury sedan and KBB owner-loyalty rankings that bested both Toyota and Honda. Considering the growing number of consumers who have become disillusioned with Toyota, it seems Hyundai is in prime position to lure them into the fold.
Chevrolet
Following up on the production debut in Los Angeles last year, Chevy also rolled out sport (RS) and eco-minded (Eco) variants of their Cruze compact sedan slated to hit market this fall. Cruze is set to replace Cobalt in Chevy’s lineup, and will sit alongside other current and future fuel-sipping Chevy compacts like Aveo, Beat and Volt PHEV. Both RS and Eco variants will use Chevy’s new 1.4-liter VVT turbo engine, while the base model is fitted with naturally aspirated 1.8-L engine. In fact, Chevy says 70 percent of all Cruzes will be equipped with the turbo four.
"The Cruze Eco delivers hybrid-like efficiency without the price tag," said Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president Chevrolet marketing. "Along with the Volt electric vehicle, it demonstrates how Chevrolet is working to bring new products to market that range from gas-friendly to gas-free."
The Cruze RS is essentially a sporty appearance package available for the LT and LTZ models that adds bigger aluminum wheels, more aggressive front and rear fascias and rocker panels, and fog lights with a tacky chrome bezel surrounding them. The Cruze Eco is a bit more substantial in that it provides an impressive 40 mpg, thanks to lightweight wheels, low-rolling resistance tires, lowered ride height and a redesigned front end that improves aerodynamics by splitting air differently at city and highway speeds. It is expected to deliver the best fuel economy in the compact segment when it hits the market shortly after the 1.8-L Cruze in the fourth quarter.
Images: 1) Ford CEO Alan Mulally and Microsoft Chief executive Steve Ballmer at the New York International Auto Show./Stuart Schwartzapfel, Man on the Move. 2) Hyundai CEO John Krafcik introduces the Sonata Hybrid./Hyundai. 3) The Chevy Cruze Eco./Chevrolet.
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