Variable Compression, Not Just Valves
At SAE's 2007 World Congress, FEV Engine Technology Inc. unveiled a developmental gasoline/E85 turbocharged direct injection (GTDI) engine with a variable compression ratio (VCR). The company noted that by mating the GTDI design with a variable compression ratio, it would allow the engine control to adjust for alternative fuels, like E85, that tolerate combustion without knocking at higher ratios.According to FEV, the engine is being developed in-house, alongside direct-injection engine work with various automakers. FEV says the engine can deliver V-8 power levels with V-6 economy based on a 20-25-percent reduction in fuel used.
Art Panelists
Chevy displayed HHR Panel trucks as canvases at the New York auto show earlier this year. The panels covered a wide spectrum: one was painted in posies and peonies for floral delivery use; another, seen here, is the "Skull from Hell" by Jim McCammon, a student at Detroit's College for Creative Studies.
IT FIGURES
NEWS BY THE NUMBERS Move West, Lose Your Ride
According to the National Crime Insurance Bureau, western border regions are the most likely place to have your vehicle stolen. For 2006, the metro areas with the highest car theft rates were:
1. Las Vegas/Paradise, Nevada
2. Stockton, California
3. Visalia/Porterville, California
4. Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale, Arizona
5. Modesto, California
6. Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue,Washington
7. Sacramento/Arden-Arcade/Roseville,California
8. Fresno, California
9. Yakima, Washington
10. Tucson, Arizona
Ford Flex Gets Ready To Muscle In
Shown at this year's New York auto show (see our Web coverage at www.trucktrend.com), the Ford Flex will likely not make its way to us until mid- to late next year. Based on the buzz from journalists and other attendees alike, we'd expect the New York concept's white roof and contrasting body color (similar to the Mini and Toyota FJ) to make it to production, plus a traditional monotone. Given the popularity of the glass-roof version in the Ford Edge, a similar option may be offered when the larger Flex makes its debut. The Flex will come standard as a front-drive SUV with available all-wheel drive. Power is expected to come from a 3.5-liter V-6 with a minimum of 260 horses. With a name like Flex, there should be a hybrid and/or FlexFuel version as well. Look for the Flex to arrive in dealerships during the first or second quarter of 2008.
NUTS & BOLTS
• GM pickups win another: Readers and editors of Automotive Engineering International magazine ranked the Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra second in their 2007 Best Engineered Vehicle awards. First place went to the Lexus LS 460 and third to the Porsche 997 turbo--not bad company.
• BMW plans to develop another crossover based on the 3 Series, this one more carlike than the X3 (think R-Class versus GL). Likely dimensions would put length close to a wagon, with height between a wagon and the X3.
• The end of Classic Silverado production also meant the end of the parallel hybrid. The next one will be a two-mode system like that employed on Tahoe first, then on other GMT900s.
• Ford passed the two-million mark on Expedition production earlier this year, just 10 years after it was introduced.
• Mercedes-Benz is expected to show a small crossover at the Frankfurt auto show in September, likely to include 175- and 210-horsepower 2.2-liter four-cylinder diesels.
• Hyundai announced a diesel for the U.S. market for 2009 or 2010; a 240-horse, 3.0-liter diesel Veracruz already is sold in Korea and Europe.
• Volkswagen's 220-horse, 3.0-liter diesel Touareg may come to the U.S. before it launches in Europe. A pair of Dakar-spec Touaregs with 2.5-liter diesel engines finished 18 minutes apart (in 10 hours) in June's Baja 500; they were the only racers that didn't refuel.
• Navistar has filed a lawsuit against Ford, to the tune of $2 million. In the legal documents, Navistar claims Ford is developing its own 4.4-liter diesel to be used in new F-150s in 2009 or 2010. Earlier this year, Navistar stopped shipping new Power Strokes to Ford for use in the new Super Duty due to a squabble over legacy costs to the previous Power Stroke.
• Rod Hall finished first in the Baja 500 in his lightly modified Hummer H3, making this the 17th time he's won his designated class.
• Toyota dealers are reporting a small number of new Tundra 5.7-liter V-8s that have broken their camshafts. Toyota's traced the problem back to a specific lot number of cam casts and that the problem has been rectified. Toyota predicts 70 percent of Tundras will be optioned with the 5.7-liter V-8.
• Want to flat-tow the new Saturn Vue? GM Powertrain has a relatively simple solution without driveline disconnects or mechanical restrictions. Shift in neutral and the spinning gears in the transmission fill a pan that drains over the moving parts.