SAE Congress '08: Riding in MTU's Challenge X hybrid Equinox (video)
I took a ride this morning through downtown Detroit in a 30+ mpg Equinox. Originally, the 2005 Equinox got 25 mpg on the highway and 19 in the city. Two Michigan Technological University seniors represented their school at a ride and drive event at GM's headquarters for the Challenge X while the SAE Congress was going on down the street at Cobo Hall. Todd Cimermancic, team leader, and Doug Sarsen, who is in charge of the powertrain, have both been working on the MTU vehicle since this Challenge X began three years ago and were great guides to explain how a group of just over a dozen student (it's fluctuated through the years) has gotten a 30 percent fuel economy increase out of a 2005 Chevy Equinox for the low price of $250,000. Actually, that's how much money has been put into the SUV all together through the years and includes the $300 roof art.
The MTU team decided that reducing weight was the best way to increase mpg, and added lightweight rear seats and polycarbonate windows to shave off a few pounds. The vehicle also has a gas engine that powers the front wheels and a 55 kW electric motor on the rear wheels. With regenerative braking, the Equinox achieves a 30 percent mpg bump, one of GM's original goals for Challenge X. The MTU team has been having trouble with the emissions part of the Challenge, but Cimermancic said he was confident that they'd hit the 30 percent reduction goal with the latest iteration of the system. We'll know the final results when Challenge X ends next month in Washington, D.C. For now, check out our video of this morning's ride after the jump. These kids are pros on camera.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike 8:59PM (4/15/2008)
It's a SAD Day when students, with limited funds, can Outperform GM.
Shouldn't GM CEO and Board of Directors RESIGN NOW?
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CX FTW 10:31PM (4/15/2008)
Mike, you do realize this competition is sponsored by GM, ANL, Department of Energy and about 30 other companies, right?
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tom 10:35PM (4/15/2008)
COOL!
A much less expensive (and a little easier) way to create a 30mpg+ Equinox is to buy a Ford Escape Hybrid and glue "Equinox" badge on the front. saves you about $250,000, too!
Good job to the students who made it happen, although it shouldn't have cost quite that much!
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Another Tech Guy 12:14AM (4/16/2008)
Where's Michigan Tech? Ha! I'm joking, I go there. But seriously, it's in Houghton, MI, in the UP. Tom, don't sound so bitter, their car still has a Ford engine.
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why not the LS2LS7? 12:39AM (4/16/2008)
mike:
You think GM can't figure out how to increase the MPG on a car for a mere $250,000 a vehicle?
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AES 12:44AM (4/16/2008)
30% improvement is ~32/24 highway/city. Or about the same as a Vue hybrid, which is also based on the Theta platform. I fail to see, as mike suggests, how GM has been outperformed.
Also, I surmise that 250k also includes labor, trial, and error costs.
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mike 7:01AM (4/16/2008)
I'm SURE GM knows how to build an SUV without the help of these fine students, they merely have to read an article about the new Mahindra SUV from India. Which is going to put them out of business.
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rar 9:18AM (4/16/2008)
Mike, have you seen some of the reviews for the Mahindra truck this suv is based off of? I don't think GM has anything to worry about.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/4701/2007-mahindra-pikup-4x4-road-test/
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Whopper 12:11PM (4/16/2008)
mike, I'm sure you understand the real purpose of the exercise...on second thought. With your tunnel vision, GM hating mindset, this whole deal is way over your head.
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Noah 12:48PM (4/16/2008)
Of course they could have made it get 30% better fuel mileage by giving it a 4 or 5 cylider diesel engine. Just sayin'...
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Chris 1:00PM (4/16/2008)
Its no bronco.
What happenned to the wheel well covers?
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Kevin Nugent 7:26PM (4/16/2008)
OKay , nice work students but nothing spectacular . Fm could do this if they would get OFF THEIR ASSES. They don't because they could loose money for a while
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