376pmg...if only I could get it to work on a 617 - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ConnClark · #31 03-19-2008, 11:24 AM

Actually a million miles a gallon is easily achievable. You just have to have the right fuel i.e. Uranium, Plutonium, etc...

aaronkobi · #32 03-19-2008, 11:32 AM

376 miles per gallon not enough? How about 7000 miles per gallon. This was just achieved at the Eco Marathon (same competition as the car mentioned in this thread, sponsored by Shell).

http://www.ecogeek.org/content/view/1446/

Why are people so quick to dismiss these cars as slow and unsafe? Nobody is proposing that these actual models hit the road, they just show what is capable on a single gallon of fuel. I've actually seen people get angry about hybrids and increased fuel economy... it's dismissed as some treehugger conspiracy. Very odd.

#33 03-19-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronkobi

Why are people so quick to dismiss these cars as slow and unsafe? Nobody is proposing that these actual models hit the road

Because that is basically exactly what people are saying to do. They see tests like that getting 200+mpg in extremely light and aerodynamic bodies in a very specific test and ask why a normal car can't get that kind of MPG.

patbob · #34 03-19-2008, 04:52 PM

All the high milage engine tweaks usually result in little to no accelleration. However, there are already cars on the market that are int he same boat, the Prius to name one. Gutless IC engine mated to electric motor to provide acceleration. With a slightly different drivetrain design, the engine could be run mostly at constant load, which is when engine modifications like this get their best fuel economy.

No matter how many motors and batteries you stick on the thing, you'll never get 60MPH @ 376MPG, but you might get near 100MPG. But even that's asking a lot, namely that engine -> generator -> battery + battery -> motor is 30% efficient overall (i.e. power at motor is 30% power from engine). That's slightly better efficiency than a Prius gets.

Of course, run the AC and you'll probably only get 20MPG

ConnClark · #35 03-19-2008, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patbob

No matter how many motors and batteries you stick on the thing, you'll never get 60MPH @ 376MPG, but you might get near 100MPG.

A nuclear car could

. It could be quite large and have power to spare

http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=656

A workable and safe power source could be built though I doubt it would be economical and there is the threat of someone making a dirty bomb from it.

Hatterasguy · #36 03-19-2008, 06:34 PM

I'm still waiting for fuel cells or good batteries.

SirNik84 · #37 03-19-2008, 06:35 PM

to get economy up you have to turn the excess heat of the engine into power.

check out the Six-Stroke Engine.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060227/FREE/302270007/1023/THISWEEKSISSUE

he should have a diesel test engine by now.

Hatterasguy · #38 03-19-2008, 06:43 PM

We could get pretty high MPG cars in this country, like VW Polo's, but no one would buy them. Fuel hasn't reached the breaking point yet to make people want to change that much. I think $5 is the magic number but it may be even higher.

aaronkobi · #39 03-20-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

We could get pretty high MPG cars in this country, like VW Polo's, but no one would buy them. Fuel hasn't reached the breaking point yet to make people want to change that much. I think $5 is the magic number but it may be even higher.

With all due respect, I completely disagree. Look at the success of the Prius, Yaris, and Mini Cooper. Many are starving for small, high mpg cars in this country and have been for the years. All we ever hear is "It's coming! just a feeeew more yeeears!"

I agree that there IS a segment of the population that will be dragged kicking and screaming to smaller cars, (those are the ones that will be influenced by gas prices), but, there are many that do want them now, regardless of gas prices.

vstech · #40 03-20-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirNik84

to get economy up you have to turn the excess heat of the engine into power.

check out the Six-Stroke Engine.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060227/FREE/302270007/1023/THISWEEKSISSUE

he should have a diesel test engine by now.

that is an interesting idea, but if the thing is so cool, how is it going to heat the cab of the car? steam from the combustion process? great, now we gotta design a set of steam controls for the cab...
and he is running water through the IP on his converted engine? that ought to last a few days...not.

#41 03-20-2008, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

We could get pretty high MPG cars in this country, like VW Polo's, but no one would buy them. Fuel hasn't reached the breaking point yet to make people want to change that much. I think $5 is the magic number but it may be even higher.

I think it will be considerably higher, but I guess we'll find out ... pretty soon.

JBG · #42 03-20-2008, 11:50 AM

Forced Induction said:

"Less fuel = less HP and people won't buy it no matter how much they might save on fuel."

Maybe some, but just as many (if not more) others WILL buy a fuel-saving low-hp vehicle. I for one will. GIVE ME LESS HP. I'm not kidding. Who the f--k cares about 0 to 60 stats? What are we, drag racers??? My chief concerns when operating a vehicle are safety, fuel economy, and the environment. Maintain safety but for god's sake make vehicles as efficient as possible. I will take a hit on speed or whatever....hell I already drive a MB wagon....speed is obviously not a huge hangup for me!

Roads in America are not places for being stupid, no matter where you live (including Torrington, CT....). C'mon. This isn't Rebel Without A Cause. You're not James Dean. Suck it up and be sensible, you might kill someone by going over 100 mph. People's fascination with driving fast, high hp, performance etc. seems like a holdover from the preteen days of when we liked to race go-karts. If you want to relive that feeling then go race go-karts. They make some fast ones! You can even spin out in them and probably not kill anyone since it's on a track!

How many SUV/F-350 drivers really need such a vehicle, let alone a truck of any kind? Maybe 10% of them? Please....I lived in Texas (and will move back there this year), the land of the brainwashed "bigger is better" attitude to vehicles. Ford, Toyota etc. even create Texas-specific truck commercials. Driving on a highway in Texas in anything other than a SUV or truck will make you feel like an alien....sadly, the vast majority of these oversized vehicles are being driven by regular people who absolutely do not need the "utility" aspect of the SUV, but simply have been sold into the "sport" part.

Every time I see a vehicle ad on TV touting its power or high horsepower and of course its great mpg (25 mpg on a truck! Wow!)--it's almost like the manufacturers think mpgs in the 20s should get them a pat on the back?!?--it just further convinces me that anything less than 40 mpg is a waste and that our priorities are still and will continue to be backwards until our resources are fully spent. They do call it "alternative" power for a reason.

Anyone else reject the current priorities in favor of efficiency and the environment while maintaining safety?

All you can do is live the life you think is best. Take a look at your choices.

veggihatetank · #43 03-20-2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monomer

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/quasiturbine.htm

all they need to do is figure out how to properly seal it all up when under all the compression.

Thanks for the link, I never heard of the quasiturbo before . just goes to show how much better technology is suppressed. Just like the Stirling engine which would be a great power source to generate electricity for a hybrid.

#44 03-20-2008, 05:18 PM

Its not a matter of "needs", its a matter of "wants".

Hatterasguy · #45 03-20-2008, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronkobi

With all due respect, I completely disagree. Look at the success of the Prius, Yaris, and Mini Cooper. Many are starving for small, high mpg cars in this country and have been for the years. All we ever hear is "It's coming! just a feeeew more yeeears!"

I agree that there IS a segment of the population that will be dragged kicking and screaming to smaller cars, (those are the ones that will be influenced by gas prices), but, there are many that do want them now, regardless of gas prices.

People with lower incomes will be affected more and switch first. Like anything as the cost of fuel grows in percentage to your income it affects you more. Eco 101.

If their was a big market for them they automakers would import them. Its business, they pay people a lot of money to study market trends and wouldn't miss a chance to hit one. Toyota seems to be very good at this. They don't import diesels because no one would buy one, more so with diesel almost $1 more than regular.