It’s not often that a blogger has the opportunity to meet with GM engineers and test drive a one-of-a-kind prototype, but that’s exactly the opportunity I was given the other day. GM first presented a run-down of the interesting tech (which we've written up here) and then handed over the keys so I could see what I thought first hand. The HCCI-equipped Saturn Aura I drove was hot off the proving grounds and the only one of its kind in the United States (there are two HCCI Opels in Europe, like the Opel pictured), and evolved out of an idea hatched way back in the 70s.
My first impression (and the first negative) came before even stepping into the car, and that was when I learned I would be driving an automatic. Evidently, Americans don’t drive stick anymore, but I was still jealous when I learned the two HCCI Opels in Europe were stick shift. I’ll try to put that aside since I’m supposed to be considering the engine, not the whole car.
The Saturn Aura is a fairly large, family-size sedan, and is not uncomfortable by any means. I was given the impression by Paul Najt that this was the type of car currently targeted for HCCI, so I would wager it was a fairly representative of what we as consumers might actually be seeing. GM did hint at the possibility of a V6 HCCI in such a vehicle, but that is just speculation right now, as to the best of my knowledge, there is no such engine in existence.
Those disclaimers made, my first driving impression was “wow, this thing really is like a diesel.” It sounded and drove the part when in HCCI mode, and then in switching back to standard ignition (SI) mode showed its side as a typical gasoline-powered car. The transitions were definitely a little rough around the edges, but I was assured (and believe) that these things will be cleared up long before the car is sent to consumers.
Given the size of the car, the 2.2-liter 4-cylinder had a little less oomph than you would expect from your typical Detroit-built family sedan, but it definitely wasn’t unbearable and I didn’t find myself digging into the gas to keep up with traffic. Monitoring the HCCI display screen while cruising you could see (and feel) the engine performing its unique compression ignition. Such a screen won’t be available in production cars, but even in the unusually aggressive driving cycle that I put the car through in the downtown, live-traffic course, I was in fuel-saving HCCI mode over 50% of the time.
That was, in fact, the most impressive part of the test drive. While I understand that an HCCI mode monitor is unlikely to come with a production model (due to marketing reasons), even without being particularly conscious of my driving, this new technology was in use over half the time. Even though HCCI mode cannot carry the car to highway speeds (it only reaches up to 55 mph right now), the fact that is in operation the majority of the time bodes well for GM’s quoted 15% increase in fuel economy.
It was a pleasure to drive, and it will be interesting to see how (and if and when) it is introduced to the public. If the car does maintain a slight transition between HCCI and SI modes or the sound difference is profound (which really gives the impression of driving a diesel while in HCCI mode), driving an equipped engine will definitely take a shift in the mind of the consumer. However, I won’t fault GM for that now, as it seems that consumers are finally ready to make that switch.
Let’s just hope that those fears don’t keep GM from putting the kibosh on this technology. It gets a definite thumbs up from me.
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written by Green Driver, May 13, 2008
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written by VaPrius, May 13, 2008
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written by Harry, May 13, 2008
Any new engine technology is going to have teething problems, but I would go for a smaller stop-start engine, with ultracaps feeding booster motors, and regenerative braking.
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written by EcoModder, May 13, 2008
VaPrius - GM is working on this!
Harry - There's no problem with diesels, and diesel emissions technology is there, but it's incredibly expensive. HCCI doesn't require any $2000 catalysts or urea injection systems to have low emissions, and the engine itself it cheaper than diesel to begin with.
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written by Andy, May 13, 2008
How about buying an old civic that still gets 50mpg?
How about saving your money and walking instead?
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written by bob bobberson, May 13, 2008
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written by dialtone, May 13, 2008
http://www.coatesengine.com/
just look at the picture & you can see it is much simpler & a better efficiency gain also
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written by Harry, May 14, 2008
So if they're incredibly expensive in the US, it's either because you haven't got the economies of scale (in cars sold and/or fuel distribution infrastructure) we have here, or you're being had by the mfrs.
In the UK, nearly half of all cars sold are diesel. On the continent, at least half are. These figures are mainly because TCO is cheaper for diesel cars here.
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written by think, May 14, 2008
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written by EV, May 15, 2008
Build me an electric car!
Wait 2 years.
So if they're incredibly expensive in the US, it's either because you haven't got the economies of scale (in cars sold and/or fuel distribution infrastructure) we have here, or you're being had by the mfrs.
Due to two things Diesel vehicles are more expensive in the US.
The first is the pollution controls. One of the requirements is that the particulates not be larger than a certain size. Diesel engines produce particles significantly larger than gasoline engines. This means diesel engines in the US have to be made differently than those in the EU. Or why else would BMW and Audi and VW not introduce some of their diesels in the US?
The second is a combination of the pollution controls and the oil we have. Our oil contains significantly more sulfur than Europe's does. This means that diesels will produce more SO2. They get around this be doing some unusual things such as adding urea to the fuel mixture (yes, urine) and some other things.
It has nothing to do with the automakers trying to pull something over the buyers. Diesels are sold, but they are usually trucks that need heavy horsepower, not regular cars and vans.
Detroit car makers always stubborn headed stuck with in technological stone age. If such behavior persist, The European and Asian car makers will eventually wipe out entire 3 remaining car makers in Detroit into distinction. Renewable energy is the only future solution.
And, pray tell, how will a windmill or solar cells directly power a car? Last I checked, they could not.
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written by Merv, June 23, 2008
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written by wedding dresses, October 13, 2009
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