General Motors first showed off its prototype Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI) engines last summer in an Opel Vectra and a Saturn Aura. We had the opportunity to drive these vehicles at GM's Milford Proving Ground at a very early stage of development. Because HCCI only works at part throttle conditions (while engines in cars have to work under all conditions), these new power plants have the ability to switch modes on the fly between HCCI and spark ignition. When we drove the cars, the HCCI only operated when driving at up to 55mph. At higher speeds or loads or when idling, the engine was in normal spark ignition mode.

GM's researchers continued developing the HCCI engine over the intervening 10 months and it is now able to operate in HCCI mode at idle as well. They demonstrated the HCCI Aura to journalists in California earlier this week and, according to Mike Levine of PickupTrucks.com, it's making good progress. The basic hardware to make HCCI work exists with direct injection, variable valve timing and pressure and temperature sensors in the combustion chamber. The key now is to develop the control algorithms to manage the sparkless combustion. The beauty of HCCI is the potential to improve fuel consumption to almost diesel levels without the expensive aftertreatment systems. HCCI engines can also operate on conventional gasoline or even ethanol.

[Source: General Motors]

By the middle of the next decade Mercedes-Benz wants its entire lineup to be able to operate entirely free of petroleum. The German giant is working on a variety of technologies that will help provide crude oil free transport such as battery electrics, fuel cells and highly efficient internal combustion engines that can operate on biofuels. Mercedes has recently been letting European journalists sample some of these new powertrains at a test facility in Spain.

The F700 concept that debuted last fall in Frankfurt is powered by a turbocharged DiesOtto engine. The DiesOtto is Mercedes' branding for a combined HCCI and spark ignition engine that provides nearly the same efficiency as a diesel without the need for the expensive after-treatment systems. This and conventional diesel engines can run on biofuels and Mercedes hopes to launch the DiesOtto in production by 2010. Mercedes is also currently field testing electrically-driven vehicles with both batteries alone and fuel cells each of which they also plan to launch at the beginning of the decade. While it may well be that all Mercedes models in 2015 will be capable of running petroleum free, the reality is that many - if not most - will still be using fossil fuels much of the time. That may come in the form of coal for electricity, natural gas reformed into hydrogen, or petroleum fuels blended with biofuels. But you have to start somewhere.

[Source: The Sun]

Click on the HCCI equipped Opel Vectra for a high-res gallery

There are rumors floating around the interwebs today regarding the Opel Insignia being the first official product from General Motors using its highly-efficient homegeneous charge compression ignition, or HCCI for short. We can't confirm these rumors at this point, as GM has made no official announcements at all regarding the future of its HCCI engines. We do, however, know that engineers in crisp white lab coats are currently hard at work perfecting the technology. Therefore, we'd expect their efforts to bear fruit sooner or later. Exactly what vehicle the HCCI engine will first appear in, though, remains a mystery.

While we're on the subject of the HCCI engine, why not go ahead and peruse our explanation of how the technology works. GM's FYI blog also has a bit of a primer on the technology that may be worth a look too. Because an HCCI engine can provide a fifteen percent boost in fuel economy to go along with reduced emissions, we're rather excited about the prospect of seeing this technology in production as soon as possible.

[Source: Motor Authority and Auto Express, thanks for the tip, gmcbob]

Does diesel have a future? Autoexpress editor Dan Strong believes the answer is a clear no. He doesn't mince words in his new column: "Thanks to high fuel costs, tough-to-meet emissions targets and growing competition for scarce fossil fuel resources, the engine once championed for its efficiency and cost-effectiveness is finished." While the UK is getting closer to its European neighbors in the number of diesel sales, Strong believes this is not going to last.

If we're turning away from diesel, where does Strong think we have to look? Plug-in hybrids, he answers, but not those mated to diesel engines (gas-electrics are his choice). According to his information, a hybrid diesel will produce more pollutants due to the lower exhaust temperature and he wonders if it makes sense economically. Diesel fuel is actually more expensive than gasoline in the UK: £1.25 per liter compared to £1.10, which he translates into £350 more per year when driving 20,000 miles per year.

Sparkless engines aren't totally done for, Strong says, and expressed hope for HCCI (DiesOtto) engines. This technology has a very narrow powerband, which compromises reliability - but Strong says that Ford might be working on solving that issue.

[Source: Autoexpress]

Last summer we had the chance to meet up with GM powertrain researcher Paul Najt and drive GM's prototype HCCI engines. Homegeneous charge compression ignition engines basically take some of the technical concepts behind diesel engines and combine it with a gasoline engine. The result is a new power system that achieves most of the benefit of diesel efficiency without the problems of soot and NOx emissions. As features like variable valve timing, direct fuel injection, cylinder pressure sensors and more powerful control systems have become available in engines, HCCI has become more practical. HCCI doesn't work well under all operating conditions, but engineers are learning how to blend HCCI and normal spark ignition operation seamlessly. The guys at Popular Mechanics had a chance to visit the GM research lab where the HCCI engines are being developed. There is a good interview with Najt and some explanation of how the engines work in a video on their site.


[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Click on the image to view high-res shots of the Mercedes F700 concept

Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition, or HCCI, holds out a great deal of hope for green automotive enthusiasts. Mercedes-Benz has shown concept vehicles using the technology, which they refer to as DiesOtto, in their F700 concept vehicle pictured above. Like diesels, HCCI engines eschew spark-plugs in favor of compression ignition. Unlike diesels, HCCI burns gasoline, which could make them a popular choice in countries like the U.S. where gasoline is more widely available than diesel (and, currently in most areas, cheaper). HCCI engines could potentially allow for the emissions levels of gasoline with the efficiency of diesel and could be cheaper to produce than a comparably-powered diesel engine.

Over the hump to Number 5.

Click on the image to view high-res shots of the Mercedes F700 concept

As part of an annual meeting held in Berlin, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche says that the company will increase its R&D spending to $21 billion for the year 2010. A major part of those expenses will go towards alternative powerplants. Hydrogen and lithium ion batteries will make up a good chunk of these charges, and Zetsche claims that Daimler has made "a major breakthrough in battery technology." Regarding the heat generated by lithium ion batteries, Zetsche adds, "Daimler has solved the problem. Thanks to the integration of the vehicle's cooling system, the batteries can now operate continually at optimal system temperatures. This maximizes their power output; extends their service life, and make it possible to use this high-performance technology in automotive applications. We've protected this innovation with 25 patents."

Mercedes-Benz will continue to offer large, powerful and luxurious vehicles in each of the market segments in which it competes. What's more, Dr. Z adds, the company "aims to offer at least one model in each of the Mercedes-Benz core model series that is a leader in fuel consumption." We're reminded of the F700 concept that the company recently introduced. We would add that DiesOtto, or HCCI engines, could make a dent in Mercedes' overall fuel consumption statistics.

[Source: The Car Connection]

Mercedes-Benz CEO Dieter Zetsche told Motor Trend this week that increased cost was not going to be an issue for his company to meet new fuel economy standards. Obviously getting improved efficiency out of powertrains would make them more expensive as they have to meet U.S. CAFE and European CO₂ emissions limits. However, while U.S. executives like Bob Lutz are talking about adding $5,000 or more to the price to meet 35mpg standards, Zetsche looks at it differently. The use of clean diesels, HCCI DiesOtto engines, hybrids and fuel cells will raise prices. The higher initial purchase price will be offset for customers through reduced operating costs. According to Zetsche, if the cost premium can be recovered through fuel savings in the first 3-4 years of driving than customers will be satisfied. Mercedes also intends to protect their ten percent profit margins through increased efficiencies in other areas of the vehicle. That probably means that Mercedes owners will give up some features for improved efficiency. Of course for a premium brand like Mercedes, it's a lot easier to talk about protecting margins than it is for mainstream brands like GM and Ford. Being largely rid of the burden of Chrysler probably doesn't hurt either. Finally Zetsche says an S-Class diesel hybrid will debut in two years with DiesOtto engines about 3-5 years out.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Until electric cars and their associated technologies (motors, batteries, controllers etc.) become mainstream, the internal combustion engine will need to be further refined in order to meet upcoming fuel economy requirements and current emissions regulations -- while still producing the power that consumers have come to expect. HCCI is one technology currently being developed to make these goals possible, while direct injection and turbocharging are simply becoming quite common.

Ricardo has developed a new prototype engine called 2/4SIGHT which could give HCCI a run for its money. An engine equipped with this new system is capable of running on either the 2 or 4 stroke engine cycle, allowing their V6 test-bed to be downsized from 3.5 liters to 2.0 liters while making the same power output. This downsizing leads to a 27 percent reduction in fuel consumption and correspondingly lowered emissions.

Ricardo believes that their 2/4SIGHT technology will be cost effective and easy to package for vehicle use. A video of the test engine switching from 2 to 4 stroke can be seen here.


[Source: Ricardo]

At their annual award ceremony, British magazine AutoCar singled out the Mercedes-Benz DiesOtto engine concept for recognition. The DiesOtto is a turbocharged homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine. It first appeared in the F700 concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. HCCI runs essentially as a diesel engine under certain operating conditions but runs on gasoline and produces far fewer emissions than a diesel without expensive after-treatment systems. The 1.8L engine produces the power of a 3.5L V-6 while achieving 44.3mpg.

Related:

• ABG Tech analysis and driving impression: GM's HCCI Engine
• Frankfurt 2007: Mercedes-Benz F700 research vehicle with DiesOtto

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Toyota announced the new price for the 2008 Prius hybrid yesterday, and the long and short of it is that it's slightly more expensive than before. $150 more, to be exact. This is a change of 0.7 percent. Other Toyota models also got a "mid-year price adjustments," including the Yaris and the 2009 Camry Hybrid. The Yaris models cost $50 more (up 0.4 percent) and the Camry Hybrid will be $150 more (up 0.6 percent). The Prius and Yaris price increases kick in December 17th; the Camry won't be available until January 21st.

Price increases for the RAV4 and 2009 Camry are in the press release after the break.

[Source: Toyota Motor Sales]

At September's Frankfurt Motor Show Mercedes-Benz showed off an array of more efficient vehicles including diesels, HCCI and hybrids. Two of the new models are now rolling into Mercedes showrooms in Europe in the form of additions to the E-Class lineup. The new E300 Bluetec brings the latest urea-injected clean diesel technology to European drivers in a big sedan or wagon. The 211 hp V-6 yields over 31 mpg (US) on the EU combined driving cycle. Over on the gasoline-fueled side of the family, the E350 CGI is live action not computer generated imagery. The new second-generation direct injection system first appeared last year in the CLS 350 and now gives the E-Class an extra 15 hp while improving mileage to 27 mpg on the EU cycle, an improvement of ten percent.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

While most of the major automakers are actively involved in developing HCCI engines, one prominent manufacturer is taking a wait and see attitude. Axel Rücker manager for Energy Integration Systems at BMW thinks that diesels still offer more potential for greater efficiency and lower emissions than HCCI. While General Motors has allowed us to drive HCCI prototypes and Mercedes-Benz showed a concept called the F700 at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW has not done any HCCI development yet. Ford and Honda are also both actively involved in working on HCCI as are many researchers at places like MIT and Purdue.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

We've featured Orbital Corporation and their unique engine technologies before. It turns out that one of those technologies allows a four-stroke engine to run on multiple different fuels. Polaris, the manufacturer of snowmobiles, ATV's and Victory motorcycles is using this technology in their Patriot engine. This engine is designed to use military-grade JP8 fuel, but is also capable of running on regular diesel or even gasoline. The technology in use is reportedly similar to HCCI, but is apparently somewhat different. The fuel is directly injected into the combustion chamber along with a low-pressure stream of air. Orbital is calling the system air assisted direct injection. Orbital claims that an engine using their technology can reduce fuel consumption by 20 percent while still achieving Euro III emissions standards.

The Patriot engine is available in Polaris' MV800 ATV, which was developed for the military. The engine is 760ccs and produces 40 horsepower. Take a look at the press release after the break.

Related:

• Adding E100 to the turbo-direct-injection mix could greatly improve efficiency
• Bajaj auto-rickshaws to get fuel injectors for LGP, CNG models

[Source: Polaris via The Kneeslider]

If you happen to listen to the AutoblogGreen podcast, you already know how we feel about the potential of HCCI engine technology. If you don't listen to our podcast, (first of all, why not?) you can learn about the new engine type in our entire category dedicated to HCCI. Being that this is a new technology, not much is filed away under that HCCI tag though, so you might be wondering what all of the fuss is about. If that's the case, consider heading over to GM's FYI blog where they have a primer on HCCI and the benefits that are possible with it. [Editor's note: let's not forget AutoblogGreen's own HCCI primer]

Here is a taste of what the technology can do for you: "With Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition, a variety of advanced engine technologies combine to allow for lower temperature fuel burning, which is more complete and more efficient and cuts vehicle emissions. It also cuts the amount of heat energy that is lost with traditional combustion. HCCI creates the same level of power as a traditional engine system, but it uses less fuel to create that power."

Interested now? You should be. Follow the progress that GM and the other automakers make on HCCI engines here at AutoblogGreen.

[Source: GM's FYI Blog]