Impressive new technology

[gosteelerz]

Not sure if this belongs in this section but I was blown away by the concept outlined in this article.  This truly does look like a something for nothing energy savings.

http://www.wheels.ca/article/32454

[Cord]

That does sound like an excellent technology - if it works as advertised. I've always thought that one of the most significant things about hybrids that could make its way into conventional engines is the ability to stop the engine during idling.

Now, if technology could be developed to provide cabin heat while the engine is off, there would be real fuel and pollution savings for winter climate use.

[The Mighty Duck]

Great, but won't air conditioning/heat die when you stop the car, too?  They might find they still need a beefier battery to keep those systems running...  but a 10% fuel savings with no extra cost is very impressive!

[tpl]

I agree it is neat and the computer ought to be able to try to start without the starter any time even when cold.

Some old Rolls Royces supposedly could be started when warm by wiggling the "advance-retard + lever on the steering wheel. Combustion chamber in piston top could collect a puddle of gas when the engine turned off and a wiggle of the lever could cause a spark on that plug. Not always but often enough.   This was in the days of 6 litre straight 8 engines with 6:1 compression.

Demo; You'd need an electrical a/c system to keep it running with the engine stopped. I didn't think any current cars had that but it would not be difficult to do... and as for the heater, easy, an external electricl water pump like the current BMWs.

[EV Dan]

Holly #%^^$%^!!!!!  Now thats some impressive sh_t. Makes u wonder how nobody thought of this before. But what if u only got one cylinder? 

[Cord]

.. and as for the heater, easy, an external electricl water pump like the current BMWs.

So current BMWs don't rely on circulating hot coolant for heat? Interesting.

[tpl]

They do indeed but the water pump is external and electrically driven so that it can also use surplus engine heat to keep the cabin warm for a while after engine switch off.   This is on the new 3 series 3 litre engines ( the magnesium/aluminium ones) I don't know if it is added to any other engines. They made a big play about it at the E90 intro event in TO

[Cord]

Ah, OK. I wonder how long it would put out heat after shutting off at -20?

[tpl]

Not long but maybe enough for the car to still be warm after a grocery shop...

I find that my car heat soaks enough into the passenger compartment to stay warmish for 1/2 hour at -20 just while that big lump of aluminum cools off.