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This Jaguar isn't about MPG it's about performance. That is (I suppose) why they went with a higher powered power plant like a turbine engine. For practical purposes most of us don't need that and as such a more efficient, albeit lower powered, power plant would be in order.
It's about both. It's about demonstrating how an extreme performance car doesn't have to be a massive gas hog all the time. It's also a way of saying "if a car with these capabilities can get 35mpg, imagine the possibilities for a car with more modest capabilities."
Chances are, the same problems that made it an issue back then are the same issues that exist today. Volvo recently has decided to go with a Plug-in diesel design capable of 120 MPG averaged.
you must really hate turbines. 20 years is a long time, especially these days, in engine development, even turbines. it also seems like volvo used a large turbine back then as well, and it made less power. materials, and fuel control technologies have made big stride since then.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Drover
It's about both. It's about demonstrating how an extreme performance car doesn't have to be a massive gas hog all the time. It's also a way of saying "if a car with these capabilities can get 35mpg, imagine the possibilities for a car with more modest capabilities."
That link re-stated what I said - not sure how I was "wrong". In fact I wasn't. Turbines aren't as efficient as recip power plants. It stated it in the article you quoted. The cost as well would be enormous.
Yes, the link stated the efficiensies were slightly less, but then stated that the tiny packaging, thus overall weight reduction, more than made up for it, as well as the ability to run on any reasonably flammable liquid. It also stated that develppment has been ongoing by a large number of companies, in exactly the feilds you said they weren't working in (buses and locomotives). AND it showed how small they were. And they are already using them in quiet applications, showing you to be wrong about the noise, as well.
If fact the only thing you were right about was the spelling. Conceptually you've been completely wrong since the get go.
In addition to the weight savings of the power plant itself, you also have weight savings and reduced parasitic losses from smaller or potentially even nonexistent cooling and lubrication systems.
It's about both. It's about demonstrating how an extreme performance car doesn't have to be a massive gas hog all the time. It's also a way of saying "if a car with these capabilities can get 35mpg, imagine the possibilities for a car with more modest capabilities."
Throwing a turbine on a Bonanza or Baron (aircraft) makes it perform better but doesn't mean it is the most efficient (in terms of MPG) way of powering it.
Throwing a turbine on a Bonanza or Baron (aircraft) makes it perform better but doesn't mean it is the most efficient (in terms of MPG) way of powering it.
But it may well be the most efficient way to build a streetable car that can run the 1/4 in the mid-10s and still weigh less than 3000lbs. Compare to the Bugatti Veyron that is similarly capable but bloated up to nearly 4,000lbs by the time they built a conventional engine capable of developing the necessary power and the systems needed to feed it air, cool it, cool the oil, cool the transmission fluid, et cetera. And of course the fuel economy is dismal even when cruising at legal highway speeds.
You may be right, it may be that a conventional piston engine is a more efficient powerplant for a series hybrid. But it's also possible that you're wrong. We can't know for sure until someone tries it, and I'm not sure why you're so hostile to the idea.
If the turbines don't do anything but charge the batteries then what's the point of them? Is it just to knock out a 10 second quarter mile?
Ummm...
Electric cars run until the batteries run out. Then you have to charge them. With an onboard range extending generator, you can actually keep going until your fuel runs out liek a regular car. The idea, however, is to use less fuel overall.
The point of using turbines vs a regular gas engine (as the new Volt is doing) is to use up VASTLY less space and carry less weight to do the onboard charging.
But yes, the point of a car like this is to be able to run supercar performance with an electric car, to show that EVS aren't just golf carts, and that performance EVs don't have to have a useable range of 40 miles before you have to charge them overnight.
If the turbines don't do anything but charge the batteries then what's the point of them? Is it just to knock out a 10 second quarter mile?
The point of them is to charge the batteries. What other point do they need?
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