Volvo could lead Ford in developing diesel hybrids
Now that Ford is on the verge of off-loading Jaguar and Land Rover they are taking a serious look at moving Volvo upmarket into the void left by the British brands. As part of that move Ford is giving the Swedes engineering responsibility in Europe for hybrid technology. They have already opened a new hybrid engineering center in Gothenburg where Volvo has their headquarters. At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, Volvo showed off a new series hybrid concept called the Volvo ReCharge. If Ford does move Volvo further upmarket, they would be the logical brand to potentially develop a diesel hybrid since that combination would be fairly expensive.
[Source: Detroit News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1985 Gripen 8:49PM (12/04/2007)
Volvo was supposedly going to introduce their diesel hybrid C30 at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum a couple weeks ago, but were apparently a no-show:
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/02/01/volvo-c30-plug-in-hybrid-concept/
http://www.challengebibendum.com/challengeBib/document.DocumentRepositoryServlet?codeDocument=3685&codeRepository=MICHA&codeRubrique=docs_2007
There are reports in the Swedish press that rival Swedes Saab (a GM subsidiary) are developing a diesel parallel hybrid powertrain for the next-generation Saab 9-5 due around 2010:
http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2007/11/saab-hybrid-and-9-5-news.html
And while we're still waiting for a diesel hybrid CONCEPT from Volvo, Saab's apparently working on their production diesel hybrid development.
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Mattias 1:11AM (12/05/2007)
Since development of Ford Diesel engines is now done together with PSA (all 1.6, 2.0, 3.0 litre I4 and V6 and the Dagenham V8 -- although there are still some "old" Ford 1.8 and 2.2l left) it would make sense to do the development of hybrids together as well. And sinc the Diesel hybrid is more expensive than just hybrid or just diesel it would make sense to offer it in a premium brand like Volvo first.
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Mirko 4:03AM (12/05/2007)
Wasn't the ReCharge concept completely engineered by the British company PML Flightlink?
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CT-Jake 7:47AM (12/05/2007)
I'm not an engineer, so would someone be kind enough to explain 1),why a diesel costs so much more than a gasoline engine, and 2)why would a diesel hybrid cost more that a gasoline hybrid (costs other than what is in #1 above). Thanks.
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Civic_silver 8:25AM (12/05/2007)
I'll think the ReCharge Conceptis the future in the automobile industry. Most of the people do less 50 km per day, with this kind of car people go less often in gas station. Even if the source of electricity is made of coal, emission GHG is less then gasoline car itself.
Bring this car on market with tax reduction and cars automakers incentives.
A future PHEV car driver
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Civic_silver 1:11PM (12/07/2007)
@Mirko
For your answer,
The central electrical components in the Volvo ReCharge Concept show car -- the generator for the APU and the wheel-mounted motors -- is developed with British electromagnetic specialists PML
Flightlink.
http://www.volvocanada.com/NewsAndEvents/News.aspx?lng=2&NewsItemID=17
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bolhuijo 8:49AM (12/05/2007)
Jake - diesel engines operate at much higher compression ratios than gasoline engines. Higher pressures mean stronger pistons, stronger rods, beefier crankshafts, better bearings, etc. Also, their direct fuel injection systems operate at high pressure. It all adds up to more $$ than a similar sized gasoline engine.
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mike 3:42PM (12/05/2007)
I think CT-Jake has a valid question. What's the 'Factory Cost' of those stronger components, produced in mass? $100-$200 extra dollars? Or is the diesel option just "marketing".
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Dave 3:47PM (12/05/2007)
Re: diesel vs. gasoline cost-
In addition, I suspect that the transmission for a diesel is more costly because a diesel produces higher torque.
This would probably not affect a series hybrid, however.
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Dave 3:49PM (12/05/2007)
Re: diesel vs. gasoline cost
And the emmissions control equipment (particulate filters, urea injection, catalysts, etc) are also quite expensive.
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