Dodge ESX3 Hybrid Gets 72 MPG...what happened??

[Bill219]

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/motorsports/1268751.html?page=2



If this would have been available at the time I bought my Prius, I might have chosen this one instead

[Occam Bandage]

1. It's a hybrid diesel. Those are much more efficient than hybrid gasoline models.

[MADem]

2. Wow, a hybrid diesel! Neat! nt

[Occam Bandage]

5. We're seeing Detroit unveil some very good ideas. I think they've finally got it. nt

[Bill219]

7. I'm sorry...

I forgot to write in the post that this article is from 2000

[StreetKnowledge]

10. Took way too long.

But at least they are finally getting the point.

Ford has the EcoBoost, which gives V8 power with V6 fuel economy. All three are working on direct fuel injection (which helps fuel economy immensely) and modern turbodiesels. GM has the Chevrolet Volt, which beats the Prius by miles. Chrysler has the ESX 3. GM is about to bring out its modern turbodiesels for cars and trucks which make monster power and torque with great fuel mileage.

Memo to Toyota. You woke the sleeping giant. And you're gonna regret that.}(

[klook]

3. 33 years ago I had a Datsun B210 - 50mpg

And today the best the industry can give me is the Prius at 44 mpg?? That is messed up.

[madrchsod]

13. depending on the model, the first generation crx-35-50mpg .

[Renew Deal]

4. ESX 3 is the name of a very popular piece of software from VMware

I'm sure that will cause some confusion.

[Lance_Boyle]

8. Yeah, I don't think so.

Not as bad as that time when all those people went to buy trendy computers and came home with Beatles albums by mistake.

[klook]

15. The Beatles had an album called Sinclair? Who knew! (n/t)

[onethatcares]

20. no, it was Abbey Lane

n/t needed.

[klook]

21. There was a computer called Abbey Lane? (Or Penny Road??) Who knew! (n/t)

[Pavulon]

22. Electric Sky...

ESX was deemed more marketable. Greatest IT paradigm shift in a decade. Maybe more.

[Greyskye]

6. Published in the March 2000 issue

Yeah, Detroit's really been on the ball for the past 9 years. :eyes:

[StreetKnowledge]

9. Time to make that car a reality - in 2009

It's years too late, but better late then never. Chevrolet has the Volt coming, Ford has talked seriously about that same system. If Detroit wants to come out of those hole with a solid future, they need to send Toyota and Honda back to Japan with their tails between their legs.

This will do it.

Modify this one with the plug in systems from the Volt, and go kick the Prius in the ass.

Quit talking, Detroit. Don't talk. Just do.

[madrchsod]

11. there was`t a market for these cars in 2000

trucks,suv,and larger cars were more popular than hybrids. now the market has changed. can Chrysler survive? i`m not going to bet the farm they will. they do not have the money or time to produce enough autos cheap enough to make a profit in todays market.

[NYC_SKP]

23. There wasn't a government with the balls or vision to mandate higher CAFE stds.

We all share some blame.

Buyers tastes AND Detroit's greed, but that's where the government can become useful.

We had been on the right track but standards were relaxed for SUVs and light Trucks and Detroit capitalized on them, higher profits, but not a very sustainable approach.

They fed the appetites through advertising.

[Greyhound]

12. Can any engineering types answer this for me? Instead of using the diesel

engine to drive the car, why not make the drive motor(s) all electric and use the diesel to generate/supplement the charge for the electric drive motors? It seems to me that the superior torque of the diesel engine would be better utilized this way, and the performance of electric engines is so much better than a gasoline engine.

[madrchsod]

14. dam that`s a great picture

ya i voted for him too.....

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

16. Putting two engines in the same car would seriously screw up efficiency.

A good diesel hybrid will be about, what, 45% efficient?

Where as a diesel powered generator might be around 50%, and an electric motor maybe 70%. Although I think that's a stretch.

So, assuming these are about right, a diesel generator powering an electric motor would be no more than 35% efficient, and in practice a lot less.

Assuming the numbers are right, of course.

[Greyhound]

17. What I'm envisioning here is a diesel far too small to actually pull the car,

I just know from working and being around cars & trucks that a tiny diesel can pull a house off it's foundations but the performance (horsepower) is negligible, so why not use that torque to generate power as a supplement for the electric power that is actually driving the car.

If you've ever seen any of the electric vs. gas powered performance tests you know that electric is far superior and that's what consumers want. Diesel driven cars are not popular because, among other things like noise, smell, cost of maintenance and repair) the acceleration is so weak.

[Greyskye]

18. The biggest problem that I've heard with that is...

...that small diesel engines don't meet emissions standards - at least in California.

Other then that I believe you are absolutely correct.

[Greyhound]

19. That's one reason I'm thinking tiny diesel engine. Like something in the trunk that cranks

a generator to supplement the batteries to increase range. Another thought might be a little turbine engine; utilize the high RPM attached to a variable clutch transmission.

Also, are four small electric drive motors connected to the wheels more efficient than one big motor and traditional drive train?

[NYC_SKP]

24. Actually, that's exactly what locomotives are, diesel-electric hybrids.

Without the battery banks that I think you're describing.

We need a plug-in electric vehicle capable of freeway speeds, with a motor for recharging as needed.

Electric would last for one day's driving for 80% or more of us if it had a range of 40 miles on battery only.

The diesel or gasoline motor to be used only on longer trips or emergencies, and then only to charge the batteries, not to drive the wheels like my Prius.