Green things Ford will do in the next 5 years (and where’s my air scoop?)
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hybrid, MPG, Ford, Green Daily, Lightweight
In the video above, Ford talks about the new “cornerstone” of their green plans, the Ecoboost GTDI engine technology. Three minutes into the video, Ford also lists other things they plan to do in the short term (in the next five years, 2007-2012), to green up their cars. The 10-minute video starts with Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development, explaining that cars are a big contributer to CO2 emissions but not the biggest. Derrick continues by saying Ford thinks the best solution is developing technology that is “affordable” and will be used, not in “hundreds″ or “thousands″ of cars but in “millions″ of cars. So, what are Ford’s plans?
Along with Ecoboost, in the next five years, Ford plans to “leverage existing technology” with expanded use of six-speed transmissions and the introduction of a “direct clutch transmission” that will get the “fuel economy of a manual with the shift quality of an automatic.” Ford will also increase electric assist steering, battery management, aerodynamics, introduce two hybrids in 2008 (Fusion and Milan) and a 𑈆 diesel. In the mid-term (2012-2020), Ford plans, along with other things, weight reductions and “low volume introduction of plug-in hybrids.”
Ecoboost and new transmissions are great but you forgot something, Ford! I wrote a story November about Ford moving in the direction of fuel injection and turbo charging which is essentially the basis of Ecoboost. The story included air intakes, Ford! Where is a Mad Max-like car with a giant air scoop? I think you should just make a concept with an air scoop in order to showcase Ecoboost because it’s not a very visible concept. A modern, green muscle car could be your Prius.
Related:
- Video: Ford Junior talks about sustainability (leaks first carbon neutral NFL game)
- Ford CEO says plug-in hybrids are 5-10 years away
- Detroit 2008 Preview: 2009 Ford F-150 could add hydraulic launch assist
[Source: YouTube]
Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD Step behind the curtain at Ford Motor. Experience the documentary first-hand.
Original post by Lascelles Linton