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New Cars - New Technology
by Rudy Hiebert
Exciting Future Of Automobiles
New technologies will improve fuel efficiency, increase safety, aid navigation
and repair.
Bend Bohn, of the German auto components company, Robert Bosch Corporation,
recently predicted that internal combustion engines will continue to dominate
the automotive market well into the 21st Century. Automotive manufacturers have
invested considerable time and effort in attempt to improve fuel efficiency in
these engines, and they have been successful. In fact the U.S.A. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), estimates engines have become 30 percent more
fuel-efficient over the past 15 years than previously. However the gains have
been offset by the introduction of increasingly bigger and more powerful
engines. The average engine in the present industry is 63 percent more powerful
than 20 years ago.
John Heywood, Director of the Sloan Automotive Laboratory at Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, estimates new technology will reduce fuel consumption
by a third by 2020 and a half by 2030. Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles and
modern diesel engines are significantly more fuel efficient than their gasoline
counterparts, but new technology in gasoline engines is also expected to reduce
fuel consumption.
Next year, General Motors will begin introducing “displacement on demand”
technology in their engines, reducing fuel consumption by eight percent by using
only half their cylinders during most normal driving. GM predicts another 7 to
11 percent in fuel savings can be achieved through use of continuously variable
automatic transmissions.
More advanced variable valve controls, already in the works at BMW, are expected
to further increase fuel savings, while Bosch has recently developed it
Direct-Start system. The system allows the engine to shut off while idling, but
it instantly restarts as soon as the driver touches the gas pedal, igniting the
combustion mixture in the fuel injections system without engaging the starter
motor. Bosch predicts fuel savings of 5 percent with the Direct-Start system.
New and exciting automotive technology goes far beyond fuel economy
improvements. “’I’ve been involved [with auto research] for more than 30 years,
and there’s more action and more promise for improvement now than I’ve ever
seen,” says Heywood.
New technology expected to hit the marketplace within the next decade:
1) Active safety systems will include radar and cameras that watch for
danger. “We’ve put airbags just about every place you can.” Says Toyota
Product-planning Manager, John Weiner, “Within the next five years the car will
use algorithms to anticipate hazards and intervene or warn the driver.
2) Keyless entry has already been implemented on certain Cadillac,
Infinity and BMW models and will be introduced to approximately 40 different
vehicles in the next three years. Credit card style systems will replace car
keys.
3) Navigation systems such as computer-like screens on the dash,
displaying navigation systems that employ global positioning satellite and
onboard DVD’s to provide the driver with distractions, maps, and information on
businesses such as hotels, hospitals and restaurants. The video screens will
also have the capability to connect to PDA’s and cellular phones.
4) Wi-Fi hook-ups in almost every vehicle will provide weather, news, and
other information. “We’re going to see hot spots in places like gas stations and
restaurants,” says Peter Wengert, marketing manager for automotive products at
Microsoft.
5) Data collection will give vehicles the capability to collect pertinent
data that can be shared with dealers, manufacturers, and other vehicles helping
service personnel perform remote diagnostics and help troubleshoot for a broken
down motorist.
6) Onboard cameras will help detect blind spots, while helping parents
watch their kids. Many recreational vehicles already have this technology at the
rear and in front to “see” around corners.
7) 40 Volt Electrical Systems will become standard to accommodate the
many new electric devices.
8) Voice commands are already in certain BMW’s, Jaguar and Lexus models
and will become common and necessary in order to operate the various functions
in cars.
9) Electronic pedals already in use in Mercedes, Chevy Corvette and all
recent Audi vehicles, brake-by-wire and accelerate by wire pedals send an
electronic signal rather than activating a physical connection to the engine and
brakes. Emergency brake handles will also be replaced by electronic controls.
10) Programmable vehicles will let you use electronics to express your
choice of vehicle you wish to drive, says Stanford professor of mechanical
engineering Chris Gerdes. “You can have it be as sporty or luxurious, as you
choose.” Drivers of the new Audi A8, for example can change the car’s ride by
raising and lowering road clearance.
Submitted by: Amsoil Inc. Dealer Rudy Hiebert
www.lubedealer.com/hiebert
Content Source: Amsoil Inc’s Direct Line, November 15, 2003 by permission.
About the Author
Rudy Hiebert has been a Dealer with Amsoil Inc. for more than fourteen years.
After application of the Internet to his marketing strategy, business activity
has paralled the ballooning revenue of the corporation, which has been double
digets. People are using and selling Amsoil 's synthetic lubricants all over
North America with the help of Abbotford's Amsoil Dealer, Rudy Hiebert. His web
site is www.lubedealer.com/hiebert where more Amsoil information can be
accessed.
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