Just for fun, a pig race across the USA:
Wow. Neither one is a real knockout, mileage-wise. There's still a lot to be said for light weight and aerodynamic efficiency.
Oh, I agree - the best of both worlds.
The irony is, that the more weight you have, the better hybrids work. So, if you start losing weight, the advantage of hybrid concept will fade away, because the only thing the hybrids do is saving the energy which otherwise would be lost in brakes. The fatter the car is, the more enegy can be saved. So, those fat and heavy SUVs should be the ultimate demostration of what is achievable. And you still get a 10% worse mileage as just a plain diesel. And the advantage in the city traffic is only marginally better (2% or so). The aerodynamics will favor both cars in the same way, but I do not expect anything significant, as the Cx is staying at the same level for the last 20 years. My old Audi 100 (known as 5000 in the USA) already has a Cx=0.3.
Ok, we will see.
Just so everyone understands, aerodynamic drag is directly proportional to: (1) the drag coefficient (Cx), (2) the frontal cross sectional area, and most importantly (3) the velocity^2 (square of the velocity to those that don't recognize the symbols).
As previously noted, mileage is also directly proportional to how much weight needs to be hauled around. Clearly, there is room for some more radical thinking, if any headway is going to be made. Using more efficient technologies to push 4000lb bricks (SUVs) around, loaded with only one or two passengers isn't the answer.
Perhaps some sort of lightweight modular vehicle? Add extra modules for more power and seats? Trains and barges already use this principal.
David Glos
The idea of diesel hybrids has actually been in use for a long time. Railroads have been using diesel locomotives for years that are actually powering electric motors (aka hybrids). It is only in the last few years that car companies have adopted this to passenger vehicles.
*MYSTIC*
But for a totally different reasons. A hybrid in the train is essentially nothing more as an (almost) ideal "gearbox". So, they do not need any clutch and start rolling using the maximum power your engine can produce. And it does not matter how much it weights, as locomotives actually need some serious weight to develop enough traction.
MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.