Daimler, smart, turbos, and EVs

[Da Woz]

This just in from AutoWeek:

By JAMES FRANEY, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE
Daimler R&D chief Thomas Weber says Mercedes-Benz will have turbocharged engines across its lineup by the end of 2010.
Mercedes-Benz will introduce turbocharged engines across its entire lineup in the next two years.

“All our vehicles will have turbocharged engines in series production by the end of 2010 at the latest,” Thomas Weber, Daimler board member responsible for research and development, told Automotive News Europe at a press event in Dusseldorf, Germany, on Thursday.

Forthcoming legislation in Europe and the United States is forcing automakers to reduce auto emissions.

Demand for turbochargers is growing because they offer a proven and relatively inexpensive way to reduce fuel consumption. With the addition of a turbocharger, Daimler will be able to install smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient engines without sacrificing performance.

Under current proposals, the European Commission will ask the German automaker to cut its average fleet emissions from 178 grams per kilometer to 138 g/km by 2012. The Commission will fine automakers that fail to meet the targets.

Improving the efficiency of its existing engines is the first part of Daimler’s strategy to reduce CO2 emission levels across its fleet. Weber said the medium-term step would be to introduce more hybrid technology. The S class--Mercedes’ flagship sedan--will be offered as a full hybrid vehicle starting in 2009.

Weber also said that zero-emission driving is the German automaker’s long-term goal. To get there, Daimler plans to use technology such as fuel cells and electric-powered vehicles. A full-electric version of the ForTwo from Mercedes sister brand Smart goes into production in 2010.
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Sign me up for a smart AMG with the turbocharged 6.3! One smart for the track and one for the "other" days. Hmmm.... Can they turbocharge an EV?

Joe

[jwight]

With the addition of a turbocharger, Daimler will be able to install smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient engines without sacrificing performance.

Just one person's view, but I can tell you owning a turbocharged 2 liter Subaru WRX did not lead to lower fuel consumption. Anytime the turbo gauge goes to the "+" side fuel economy goes in the opposite direction.

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by Da Woz

This just in from AutoWeek:

By JAMES FRANEY, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE
......Weber also said that zero-emission driving is the German automaker’s long-term goal. To get there, Daimler plans to use technology such as fuel cells and electric-powered vehicles. A full-electric version of the ForTwo from Mercedes sister brand Smart goes into production in 2010.
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this kind of plays along with what we've seen on here and what i heard from SCI. this year (2008) the 'ev's are being "TESTED" in Great Britain and for 2009, smart is bringing a fleet of 'ev's to the States to "TEST" in California ONLY.

only makes sense that if all goes well, they will introduce them to the public the following year....2010!!!

this is why i'm placing another order for our 'second' smart (well, ok...technically our second, since we haven't even CONFIGURED our first yet) so that we can be one of the first 'ev's in Indy. THAT WOULD BE SWEET!!!

P.S. not to mention the wife would LOVE IT!

[Big Panda]

Originally Posted by jwight

Just one person's view, but I can tell you owning a turbocharged 2 liter Subaru WRX did not lead to lower fuel consumption. Anytime the turbo gauge goes to the "+" side fuel economy goes in the opposite direction.

yea John, but that was a 2 LITER in your Subaru, with displacement about same as a 2 liter bottle of Pepsi. the smarts engine size would be more along the lines of one of those little 'mini' CANS of Diet Coke.

everyone knows you can't compare Pepsi to Coke....DUH!

[Da Woz]

jwight wrote:

Just one person's view, but I can tell you owning a turbocharged 2 liter Subaru WRX did not lead to lower fuel consumption. Anytime the turbo gauge goes to the "+" side fuel economy goes in the opposite direction.

And, since it was a WRX pocket rocket, I'm sure you drove it at 25 mph and only to church on Sunday.

Interesting show on Top Gear last week. They had a Prius driver run the car as hard as he could over a test period. At the same time, they had a BMW M3 driver run that car like there was an egg between his foot and the accelerator. Hmmmm. The BMW beat the Prius in mpg. In the WRX all you had to do was take it easy on the "go" pedal and there should have been a measurable increase in mileage. One problem with that... the WRX (and the M3) weren't designed and built as economy cars. The temptation is always there.

Joe

[brian r]

Originally Posted by Jeepster55

only makes sense that if all goes well, they will introduce them to the public the following year....2010!!!

Except for the fact that nothing about the way Penske has handled the smart distribution has made any sense...

[jwight]

Yeah, driving style (and gas prices) had a lot to do with the WRX gas mileage, but leaving that out of the equation, with the car on cruise control it would go into positive pressure any time the computer felt a load (climbing a hill) or doing the "resume speed" thing. Just as the smart computer downshifts when it needs to, also hurting gas mileage. My point is adding a turbo to an engine, 1 liter or not, is no guarantee of better mileage.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by jwight

Yeah, driving style (and gas prices) had a lot to do with the WRX gas mileage, but leaving that out of the equation, with the car on cruise control it would go into positive pressure any time the computer felt a load (climbing a hill) or doing the "resume speed" thing. Just as the smart computer downshifts when it needs to, also hurting gas mileage. My point is adding a turbo to an engine, 1 liter or not, is no guarantee of better mileage.

John you must not be paying attention, "everybody" knows a four swillinder uses less gas. Remember the words "We have to something" and here comes trouble lol
karl