Abstract
Abstract
An advanced three-cylinder 12-valve turbocharged direct injection diesel engine was installed in a specially prepared lightweight, low drag Ford Ka. The objective of the exercise was to demonstrate 3.0 1/100 km fuel economy over the EC stage II drive cycle and to look at the sensitivity of vehicle fuel economy with respect to weight, gear ratios, rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag. The engine was prepared on a dynamometer test cell, prior to installation in the vehicle, to optimize its efficiency, particularly around the low speed, part load area, where the engine predominantly operates during the drive cycle. Three vehicles were prepared: two fitted with manual five-speed transmissions, with optimized gear and final drive ratios, and a third vehicle fitted with an electronic constantly variable transmission (CVT). The two manual transmission cars were shown at the Berlin Show in mid-October 1996, publicized as Ka step 1, in support of the launch of this new vehicle. The best experimental results achieved were 3.1 1/100 km with the manual transmission, which could be reduced to below 3 1/100 km with a simulated stop-start strategy, and 3.31/100 km for the CVT. At the very low inertia classes used in this exercise, the effects of transmission ratios, rolling resistance, aerodynamic drag and automatic engine stop-start were found to be more dominant than the effect of weight on fuel consumption.
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