How the GM mild hybrid drive-train works
Auto Electronics magazine has good rundown of the mild hybrid system in the Saturn Vue and Aura Green Line models. The system basically functions like a battery powered turbo-charger, providing some extra oomph to the engine when needed. The motor is not connected directly to the drive-line, but does seem to provide some decent improvement in economy, while keeping complexity to a minimum. How close is this system to the one in new plug-in hybrid GM is showing off in a few days? Stay tuned.
[Source: Auto Electronics]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dave 9:39PM (1/02/2007)
Link to a SAE paper I found about this system.... http://home.rochester.rr.com/ebay342/saturn%20hybrid.pdf
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CM 1:56AM (1/03/2007)
As a starter motor, it is a big improvement - no solenoid, very reliable high power auto starting (unless the belt breaks).
As a hybrid, it is the absolute minimum GM could do and still call it a hybrid. Toyota and Honda have nothing to fear on this.
Ironically, GM has a much better hybrid design, but is currently only available on their transit busses.
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JP 11:05AM (1/03/2007)
"Ironically, GM has a much better hybrid design, but is currently only available on their transit busses."
...where it actually makes a difference in environmental terms. Has anyone compared the impact these buses have made in relation to all other hybrids on the road? My guess is GM comes out on top as being "Greener" than Toyota, Honda, etc combined.
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Peter 6:42PM (2/20/2007)
JP, don't forget that Honda has plenty of green ventures outside of the passenger car arena as well. Marine, motorcycles, generators, ATVs, and small aircraft are all produced by Honda and the entire company has a green bend.
Article on Honda's environmental directives:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000101&sid=aGUDxfTgbHY4&refer=japan
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Lithous 3:38PM (2/21/2007)
CM,
I'm surprised you didn't state that the full hybrid system GM is supposed to debut this year is based on their transit bus version.
But it is nice to see a Honda-centric greeny like Peter not denying that GM's hybrid bus system is very good and very green of GM (just that Honda has more green products in general through all its line up).
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Peter 4:09PM (2/21/2007)
"Honda-centric greeny?" Flattery will get you nowhere my friend. I'm not the only Honda fan around:
http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_vehicles/vehicles_health/automaker-rankings-2004.html
But seriously, a hybrid bus is great. It's the ideal application for a hybrid system: frequent stops, low average speeds, minimal performance and handling requirements. Now we just need to make the bus system useful so people will actually leave their cars at home and use it.
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