FHI to Improve Fuel Consumption by 40%

[flyinpig]

My translation of a 4/4/08 article from The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun:

FHI to Improve Passenger Cars Fuel Consumption By 40% Before 2014

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) has established a target to improve, before 2014, the average fuel consumption of its passenger cars by approximately 40%, as compared to current figures.

The Japanese fuel economy standards seek for 2010 fuel consumption averages to be improved by 29.2% by 2015. Compared to those standards, FHI aims for a 10% higher achievement, one year earlier.

Starting with the implementation of "idle-stop" technology in the next-generation Legacy, FHI will gradually add several fuel saving technologies to its car frames and engines.

This year, FHI commenced sales of its diesel engine cars, which emit 25% less carbon dioxide than gas engines. From 2009, FHI will start equipping its cars in sequence with a newly developed CVT, a transmission that will improve fuel consumption by 10%.

Also, for the first time in twenty years, FHI plans to offer an all-new distinctive boxer engine in 2010.

Direct injection should also come in 2009, starting with the FMC Legacy.

What else?

http://www.nikkan.co.jp/news/nkx0420080404053bdaa.html

[Kostamojen]

Also, for the first time in twenty years, FHI plans to offer an all-new distinctive boxer engine in 2010

!!!!!!!!!!

[HB_Dad]

What the hell is "Idle-Stop"? How does it work exactly? Does it mean I can't sit idle or something?

I wish it was "Idol-Stop" because American Idol needs to die!!!

That is all!

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by HB_Dad

What the hell is "Idle-Stop"? How does it work exactly? Does it mean I can't sit idle or something?

I wish it was "Idol-Stop" because American Idol needs to die!!!

That is all!

MINI's have it in europe.

Basically, the engine shuts off when you come to a complete stop.

[Rayme]

I wonder if going to semi AWD / AWD on demand system is in the project, powering 4 wheel permanently sure eats alot of gas.

[HB_Dad]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

MINI's have it in europe.

Basically, the engine shuts off when you come to a complete stop.

I seem to recall that starting an engine guzzles a lot more gas than allowing it to idle unless you plan to idle for several minutes or so. Also, isn't there an inheran risk to it not starting back up as quickly? Seems a little unnerving to me...

[HB_Dad]

Originally Posted by Rayme

I wonder if going to semi AWD / AWD on demand system is in the project, powering 4 wheel permanently sure eats alot of gas.

I sure hope they DON'T!!! This causes less responsive AWD systems and Subaru would no longer have SYMMETRICAL AWD.

[Chuck Jones]

The stop start technology is very seamless. It shuts off when you let out the clutch in neutral at a stop and starts right up as soon as you dip into the clutch.

If it really bothers you, just leave the clutch in while in gear at a stop. If I want to get off to a jackrabbit start that is what I do anyhow.

The only thing I recall the system needing is a beefed up starter motor to handle the extra use, but results in 5 to 10% better fuel economy in the city where you need any help you can get.

Direct injection would be amazing, though.

[Eyeflyistheeye]

Once again, you can always count on flyinpig

I would definitely be interested in a Legacy with Direct Injection, idlestop and a CVT, especially if it can achieve 25/30 in a H6 or turbocharged version.

[Kostamojen]

Originally Posted by HB_Dad

I seem to recall that starting an engine guzzles a lot more gas than allowing it to idle unless you plan to idle for several minutes or so.

That is a Myth.

[GC8Start]

Distinctive boxer engine? How much more distinctive could it really be?

[only1agam]

Originally Posted by GC8Start

Distinctive boxer engine? How much more distinctive could it really be?

yea thats what i'm wondering too...


BUT we can finally confirm for a fact CVT, and DI are around the corner... this is very encouraging!!!!!!!!!!! i wonder what else they're gonna do to increase gas mileage. more importantly when and what will actually hit the US shores soon?

[Beaverboy]

Originally Posted by Kostamojen

!!!!!!!!!!

I'm surprised as well. I was pretty sure Subaru had released engines in 2010 more recently.



Seriously, though.. the EJ was released when? '89?

[Hondaslayer]

H5 maybe (take on the swedes ya?)

Seriously though.

Distinctive, we have had a 4 and 6 cylinder replaced a few times in the last 20 years (most recent being the 3.6 Tribeca engine) I'm going all in on a 4.0 litre H8 there have been rumours about a H8 since like 02' I think it may finally be coming into fruition.

[Doc Holiday]

best way to improve mileage in subarus:

ditch awd and boxer engines (flame on)

[krzyss]

If FHI objective is reducing fuel consumption then I do not see how H8 fits the plan.

Krzys

PS Maybe diesel H6?

[grzydj]

Originally Posted by Doc Holiday

best way to improve mileage in subarus:

ditch awd and boxer engines (flame on)

There's an element of truth to this, so theres no need to flame an obvious point, unless of course you're just troll baiting.

Subaru could mass produce FWD Civic clones with inline engines that get excellent fuel mileage, but they'd get so lost in a sea of similar vehicles that they'd die out as a company in no time.

[Doc Holiday]

Originally Posted by grzydj

There's an element of truth to this, so theres no need to flame an obvious point, unless of course you're just troll baiting.

Subaru could mass produce FWD Civic clones with inline engines that get excellent fuel mileage, but they'd get so lost in a sea of similar vehicles that they'd die out as a company in no time.

I wasn't trying to troll, I feel it is a legitimate option for Subaru. As their cars continue to become more and more mainstream looking, why not at least offer some options to the consumer, thus driving up (hopefully) sales. Their #1 priority is to increase shareholder wealth afterall.

I just threw the flame on in there because it seems like as soon as anyone suggests anything other than awd or boxer engines around here they get attacked!

[Jon [in CT]]

Also, for the first time in twenty years, FHI plans to offer an all-new distinctive boxer engine in 2010.

I think what the author should have said is that the EJ design engine will be retired after 20 years of service. Its replacement is already in service in Japan and Europe, powering the Impreza 1.5R. The new engine series, designated EL, is essentially an EZ engine with two cylinders removed. Expect an EL20 and an EL24, in addition to the existing EL15.

[rsholland]

We may (?) see it on JDM models in 2010, but not likely here.

Bob

[Checkered24]

Lots of ways for Subaru to increase mileage. Rethinking AWD is an option. Not sure how they would attack this, since it has become their calling card. Would a Subaru be a Subaru without AWD? A future DI engine would help, or even more radically, a small displacement DI with dual scroll turbo.

They could also work on weight reduction... or even hybrid powertrains. Hybrid could potentially be combined with AWD, have gas engine power front wheels, electric rear, eliminating a lot of heavy hardware in the drivetrain while allowing to recapture breaking energy into propulsion through regen braking. Not sure it would be cost effective, and I have not heard about it being in the cards... but it could be an option to keep AWD without the negatives... if the gas/eletric motors could be made to work in concert (torque curves are radically different, which could be one dynamic obstacle to be overcome).

[fireball_jones]

Originally Posted by HB_Dad

I seem to recall that starting an engine guzzles a lot more gas than allowing it to idle unless you plan to idle for several minutes or so. Also, isn't there an inheran risk to it not starting back up as quickly? Seems a little unnerving to me...

Totally wrong. After about 10 seconds of idle you're better off shutting down your engine.

[Beaverboy]

Originally Posted by Checkered24

Lots of ways for Subaru to increase mileage. Rethinking AWD is an option. Not sure how they would attack this, since it has become their calling card. Would a Subaru be a Subaru without AWD?

Subarus were still Subarus for the first 26 years they were on our shores before they became AWD-only in the US.

[monovich]

If they can improve fuel economy then maybe I'll consider another Subaru. As it is my Legacy sits in the driveway 6 days out of the week while we drive around in the Civic because it saves us real $$ on gas.

Love the Legacy, but gas isn't going down anytime soon.

[jey]

Originally Posted by Checkered24

They could also work on weight reduction... or even hybrid powertrains. Hybrid could potentially be combined with AWD, have gas engine power front wheels, electric rear, eliminating a lot of heavy hardware in the drivetrain while allowing to recapture breaking energy into propulsion through regen braking. Not sure it would be cost effective, and I have not heard about it being in the cards... but it could be an option to keep AWD without the negatives... if the gas/eletric motors could be made to work in concert (torque curves are radically different, which could be one dynamic obstacle to be overcome).

Yes this has potential to be the cutting edge of AWD. Toyota/Lexus already use it on their hybrid SUVs. With the Toyota/Subaru collaboration going on Subaru should try to see if they can improve upon it and make it perform like a Subaru AWD system and continue to be a leader in that part of automotive technology.