HCCI Video ...
 

Hello -

What do you think of this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO2cbao9cUQ
If this succeeds, it won't end up in a Saturn, it'll be a different GM product. Here's a (pre GM bankruptcy) May 2008 article on same :

Aura Concept Demonstrates GM's Fuel Saving HCCI Engine Technology

CarloSW2

Seems like a lot of work for +15% but I suppose it's the next thing.

I actually drove that car ~1.5 years ago (there are only 2 of them!), and while the operation of the vehicle was interesting, consumer acceptance is going to be difficult. To most people, diesels sound strange enough, but imagine driving around with your car suddenly switching from gasoline sound to diesel sound all the time. It's kind of weird, and I don't know how much they'll actually be able to quiet it down.

We shall see!

I'm surprised that its only a 15% gain in FE.

It seems a little over-engineered to me for the small gains in FE.

Hydrogen For HCCI
 

I've heard the problem is controlling the ignition timing. I've heard of researches using hydrogen to control timing.

How about this idea. Make the internal combustion engine closed cycle (connect the exhaust to the intake) then inject oxygen and take out carbon and water as necessary. You would need to burn a lot of hydrogen.

The emissions benefit outweighs the fuel economy benefit.

I've heard the problem is controlling the ignition timing. I've heard of researches using hydrogen to control timing.

How about this idea. Make the internal combustion engine closed cycle (connect the exhaust to the intake) then inject oxygen and take out carbon and water as necessary. You would need to burn a lot of hydrogen. You could use the waste heat from the engine and then you would have an external combustion engine on your hands as well.

Yes we should do that

When I was with GM talking about this they mad a big deal about how this would be middle of the road compared to hybrids and normal tech. It's cheaper to do than hybridization, but doesn't have as much of an FE impact. As tech-heavy as it seems, it would be a lot cheap than a hybrid system, especially since there are no crazy battery costs.

I would be more impressed if GM built a car I wanted to buy without cash on the hood.

I wouldn't mind a new Vette.

Kinda sad to see Pontiac go, I thought the G6 and G8 had really nice styling.