Why not more direct injection.

[roofeditor]

Hybrid and diesel technology while both effective are both pretty costly and often the payback on that cost is a long time or possibly never. That results in only people that are sort of green committed biting the bullet and getting one.

Direct injection from what I can find isn't really that expensive, doesn't require an entirely new engine and can by 15% or more powerful. It generally also allows you to run quite high compression ratios like 11-1 or even higher but on regular fuel.

Ford has a new engine called Eco-boost coming out that reports to have a V-6 with direct injection and twin turbos, and variable valve timing making 350 hp and possibly even 400 hp to come from a fairly small V-6.

Cadillac

How much more powerful and efficient is direct injection?

Cadillac sells the CTS with both indirect and direct injection versions of its 3.6 liter V6 engine. The indirect engine produces 263 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque, while the direct version develops 304 hp and 274 lb-ft. Despite the additional power, EPA fuel economy estimates for the direct injection engine are 1 MPG higher in the city (18 MPG vs 17 MPG) and equal on the highway. Another advantage: Cadillac's direct injection engine runs on regular (87 octane) gasoline.

They are popping up here and there but sort of slow coming. I've driven the new Ford flex and they will have the 350 HP Eco-boost next year. It needs it it's a pig and makes a bunch of noise as you floor it, not power just noise. Same applies for the new Lincoln. Another pig waiting for a real engine.

[roofeditor]

Found this.


If General Motors is still with us for the 2010 model year, the Chevrolet Equinox will be getting a thorough makeover particularly in the engine compartment. The new Equinox gets an all-new look in keeping with other recent Chevrolet's including the obligatory dual-port grille. Dimensionally, the Equinox keeps the same 112.5 inch wheelbase and body measurements are all within an inch of the current model. On the inside, the dash gets a dual ****pit look similar to the Malibu and Traverse as well as all the usual electronic bits now found in new cars such as BlueTooth, USB audio input and rear view camera.

The best stuff, though, is underhood where a new direct injected version of the 2.4L EcoTec four replaces the ancient 3.4L V6. Mileage with the four cylinder/6-speed automatic combo goes from 17/24 mpg to an estimated 21/30 mpg. A new 3.0L direct injected V6 replaces the port injected 3.6L formerly offered in the Sport. The V6 improves mileage from 17/24 mpg to 18/25 mpg

For 2010 General Motors is adding two new high volume direct injected engines two its lineup. The latest addition to the EcoTec four cylinder family is a normally aspirated 2.4L with variable valve timing. The four cylinder engine has dished pistons and an 11.4:1 compression ratio. The result is 180 hp at 6,700 rpm and 172 lb-ft at 4,900 rpm. The second engine is a new 3.0L version of GM's existing high-feature V6 family. Like the most recent versions of the 3.6L V6, the 3.0L uses the DI system to increase power and fuel efficiency. New isolated injectors reduce the ticking noise often associated with DI engines.

The first application for both engines will be the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox that will debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month. In the Equinox the 3.0L will be rated at 255 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque. The DI 2.4L will allow the Equinox to hit 30 mpg on the highway. According to GM in 2010 it will have eight different direct injected engines in 38 models around the world including 18 in North America.

[Source: General Motors]

Ah-ha found it at MIT

http://www.psfc.mit.edu/library1/cat...ja016_full.pdf

Study claims about $600?

Claims 30% efficiency increase possible. I know MIT and all that but 30% increase in power would be a lot....a very lot.

Also claims 25% reduction in CO-2. Well if there were 30% less fuel than there would be a major CO-2 drop.

Sounds optimistic to me!

Still it's a good idea.

[drcampbell]

One of the reasons is the unknowns in the new system. Higher temperatures, higher pressures, different calibrations, et al all mean that they might have to recall a batch of cars. No matter how promising the technology, they don't want to jump in to it all at once.

One of the other reasons is that the much higher pressure makes for a NVH (noise, vibration & harshness) problem originating in the fuel system. In a Diesel engine, the high combustion pressure rise rate (classical Diesel sound) masks the fuel system noise, and Diesel engine buyers are more tolerant of noise.