Want a more fuel efficient car? Then redesign it
A regular stop on my perambulations around the WWW, The Register AKA Vulture Central, did a post on ecomodding:
Want a more fuel efficient car? Then redesign it – here's how
43mpg from a Jaguar XJ-S
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What I am doing is at the radical and scientific end of hypermiling. As far as I can see, the only route that makes economic sense is to apply fuel efficiency modifications to a car that is being restored. As the restoration requires an investment in new parts, it costs no more to replace worn out original parts with different technology. I’m not counting my labour, because I’m doing it for fun and to learn.
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It introduces a lot of novel concepts, such as replacing the copper wiring with an aluminum bus plus a signal cable. An electric water pump with downsized hoses and radiator. And swapping Audi anti-intrusion bars into the Jaguar doors.
Quote:
A significant improvement in economy can be obtained using fuzzy logic to control the (AC) compressor so that, whenever possible, it runs when the vehicle is slowing down and recovers energy that would otherwise be wasted in the brakes.
The same thing can be done with the alternator, so that when accelerating the system voltage reduces slightly so the battery doesn’t charge but when slowing down the system voltage goes up so maximum energy recovery occurs.
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Some things are well-known—LED lights and a partial bellypan, others seem totally novel. There is also a story about M-B using urea injection just ahead of the catalytic converter in their diesels.
http://http://www.theregister.co.uk/...tech_goes_usa/
US auto-emissions cleansed in urine-tech shower
Mercedes basks in blue-green-golden glow
Anyone else read The Reg mainly for the headlines?