Stack of trouble

Article Abstract:

Honda is using a Ballard fuel cell for a prototype electric vehicle, and wants to develop its own fuel-cell engine, which will be expensive. Honda produces only 2.3 million cars annually, but is profitable due to manufacturing flexibility and the excellence of its engineering. The company carries more weight as a producer of engines than of cars, producing some 10 million engines annually, for power tools and other uses, as well as vehicles. The company has developed a hybrid gasoline-electric car, which is the first such car to be developed. The company could set up an alliance with Fiat, or another automobile firm.

Engines and Turbines, Engines ex Internal Combustion, Product development, Honda Motor Company Ltd., Internal combustion engine industry

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Reinventing diesel

Article Abstract:

Automobile producers are developing small vehicles with low fuel consumption using common rail technology which may make diesel smooth and quiet like gasoline powered engines. Air pollution rules are being tightened in Europe, Japan and the US, and diesel engines burn less fuel since they are more fuel efficient. Common-rail technology reduces noise and emission levels by improving combustion. Sulfur can cause problems for catalysts, and there has been a call for petroleum companies to reduce sulfur levels. They are reluctant to do so but may eventually have to respond.

Automotive Diesel Engines, Research, Environmental policy, Motor industry

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Engine ingenuity

Article Abstract:

Ricardo has set up an engine development center which adjusts new designs after evaluating them. A computer-controlled dynometer is used to assess how the engine performs under different conditions. There are a number of advantages to testing cars virtually, such as greater speed, and ease of testing niche models using single platforms with different configurations. There is also greater secrecy when using virtual testing methods, so rivals are less likely to gain information on new models.

Analysis, Testing, Engineering research

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