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VW, Daimler Chrysler, Daewoo working on aircooled engine
With the end of production of the aircooled Beetle in
Mexico earlier this year, some consider the aircooled
era over. However, VW is exploring production of a
modern aircooled design. VW established itself as the
leader of the Air Cooled Development Conference (ACDC),
an association of vehicle makers pursuing development
of traditionally marginalized engine designs.
As a long time leader in aircooled engines, VW is
hoping to cash in on its expertice. Other members
of ACDC bring varying but related skills to the table.
Daewoo has experience with selling in developing
countries, and manufacturing with a low skilled work
force. Daimler-Chrysler's Mercedes unit has long
experience with diesel engines, pertinent because the
proposal is for an air cooled diesel.
To this end, Roger Penske's Detroit Diesel has recently
joined the Conference. When part of GM (Detroit Diesel
Allison) it built supercharged two cycle diesels for
trucks and buses.
The target market is developing countries in tropical
climates. Undeveloped transportation infrastructure
in such countries makes the torque of a two cycle
ideal. A diesel is preferable because of economy.
The issues that make aircooled engines obsolete in
most countries don't apply. Its difficult to make
aircooled engines comply with modern emissions laws,
due to the inability to regulate engine temperature
closely. The extra noise is also an issue. And
diesels have the additional problem of particulate
emissions.
ACDC's bauxite lattice catalyst, currently under
development, might give the engine a chance at meeting
North American emissions standards. "With consistently
higher fuel prices", said VW ACDC liason engineer
Helmich S. Mog, "we might want to sell it in North
America. Wouldn't a 2006 New Beetle with this engine
be great for the 70th anniversary of the original
Beetle?"
But, for now, developing countries without pollution
standards are the intended market. "They don't care
about pollution, they don't care about noise, and they
sure don't need heaters that actually heat in places
like New Guinea", said Mercedes spokesman Heinreich
Tungensheek. "Two cycle air cooled diesels are a
perfect match for the market."
Activist Ralph Nader attacked the plan calling it
"polluting for profit". But Robert Eaton, formerly of
Chrysler, said Nader is only half right. "They may
pollute, but with Mercedes involved, they won't make
any profit."
With the end of production of the aircooled Beetle in
Mexico earlier this year, some consider the aircooled
era over. However, VW is exploring production of a
modern aircooled design. VW established itself as the
leader of the Air Cooled Development Conference (ACDC),
an association of vehicle makers pursuing development
of traditionally marginalized engine designs.
As a long time leader in aircooled engines, VW is
hoping to cash in on its expertice. Other members
of ACDC bring varying but related skills to the table.
Daewoo has experience with selling in developing
countries, and manufacturing with a low skilled work
force. Daimler-Chrysler's Mercedes unit has long
experience with diesel engines, pertinent because the
proposal is for an air cooled diesel.
To this end, Roger Penske's Detroit Diesel has recently
joined the Conference. When part of GM (Detroit Diesel
Allison) it built supercharged two cycle diesels for
trucks and buses.
The target market is developing countries in tropical
climates. Undeveloped transportation infrastructure
in such countries makes the torque of a two cycle
ideal. A diesel is preferable because of economy.
The issues that make aircooled engines obsolete in
most countries don't apply. Its difficult to make
aircooled engines comply with modern emissions laws,
due to the inability to regulate engine temperature
closely. The extra noise is also an issue. And
diesels have the additional problem of particulate
emissions.
ACDC's bauxite lattice catalyst, currently under
development, might give the engine a chance at meeting
North American emissions standards. "With consistently
higher fuel prices", said VW ACDC liason engineer
Helmich S. Mog, "we might want to sell it in North
America. Wouldn't a 2006 New Beetle with this engine
be great for the 70th anniversary of the original
Beetle?"
But, for now, developing countries without pollution
standards are the intended market. "They don't care
about pollution, they don't care about noise, and they
sure don't need heaters that actually heat in places
like New Guinea", said Mercedes spokesman Heinreich
Tungensheek. "Two cycle air cooled diesels are a
perfect match for the market."
Activist Ralph Nader attacked the plan calling it
"polluting for profit". But Robert Eaton, formerly of
Chrysler, said Nader is only half right. "They may
pollute, but with Mercedes involved, they won't make
any profit."
