Gasoline and diesel are like cats and dogs – put them together and disaster ensues every time. Yet, during a presentation given by Chrysler during the Department of Energy’s 2011 Merit Review in Washington D.C., the automaker announced the development of a radical prototype engine that burns a combination of gasoline and diesel, in an effort to make its fleet more fuel-efficient.
The 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder engine uses two turbochargers, a regenerative system to power some vehicle accessories and a start/stop system. These technologies are all fairly widespread in the auto industry.
Combined with a mix of gas and diesel, the engine reportedly achieves 7.59 L/100 km on the highway in a 2009 Chrysler Town & Country, a 25-percent improvement from its standard 4.0-litre V6's 9.41 L/100 km.
The idea sounds interesting on paper, but the reality might tell another story. Owners would likely have to fill two separate tanks, making stops at the pump quite complex, if not downright unpleasant, considering the potential savings.
Furthermore, several automakers have already proven that smaller-displacement turbocharged engines can deliver more than adequate performance while boosting fuel economy by 10 to 20 percent. A prime example is Ford with EcoBoost.
The tried and true diesel technology alone can easily reduce fuel consumption by 25 percent over a comparable gas engine.
In both cases, operating costs prove reasonable. However, with an engine that runs on gasoline and diesel, additional parts are required and maintenance will likely become costlier over the long haul.
Another solution exists in Europe, where oil prices have historically been much higher than in other parts of the globe. In the U.K., for instance, VW Golf buyers can choose between 10 engines (equally split between gasoline and diesel) for the combination of power, performance and efficiency that best suits their needs.
It's a shame Chrysler doesn't take advantage of Fiat's European expertise for the benefit of North American drivers instead of focusing a tricky new technology that probably will never get the green light for production.
Source : Kicking Tires
The 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder engine uses two turbochargers, a regenerative system to power some vehicle accessories and a start/stop system. These technologies are all fairly widespread in the auto industry.
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| Photo: Sébastien D'Amour/Auto123.com |
Combined with a mix of gas and diesel, the engine reportedly achieves 7.59 L/100 km on the highway in a 2009 Chrysler Town & Country, a 25-percent improvement from its standard 4.0-litre V6's 9.41 L/100 km.
The idea sounds interesting on paper, but the reality might tell another story. Owners would likely have to fill two separate tanks, making stops at the pump quite complex, if not downright unpleasant, considering the potential savings.
Furthermore, several automakers have already proven that smaller-displacement turbocharged engines can deliver more than adequate performance while boosting fuel economy by 10 to 20 percent. A prime example is Ford with EcoBoost.
The tried and true diesel technology alone can easily reduce fuel consumption by 25 percent over a comparable gas engine.
In both cases, operating costs prove reasonable. However, with an engine that runs on gasoline and diesel, additional parts are required and maintenance will likely become costlier over the long haul.
Another solution exists in Europe, where oil prices have historically been much higher than in other parts of the globe. In the U.K., for instance, VW Golf buyers can choose between 10 engines (equally split between gasoline and diesel) for the combination of power, performance and efficiency that best suits their needs.
It's a shame Chrysler doesn't take advantage of Fiat's European expertise for the benefit of North American drivers instead of focusing a tricky new technology that probably will never get the green light for production.
Source : Kicking Tires