I thought this might be of interest to the group. I just found this in my Autotech Daily newsletter regarding next week's SAE World Congress in Detroit.

....."The automaker (DC) also will display its Dodge Ram "COMBATT" concept truck that was developed with the U.S. Army's National Automotive Center. COMBATT, which stands for commercially based tactical truck, features an integrated starter/generator to boost the efficiency of its base Cummins internal combustion engine. The system produces 5kW of continuous electric power.".......

Sounds the Army is confronting fuel and transportation costs too.

Also of interest if the return of a diesel option in the US versions of the Mercedes E-Class starting next year. It's going to be a 3.2 liter and will have a catalytic converter, but no particulate trap.

 

Here's a link to Dave Fritz site with more info.<br>Dodge COMBATT

 

Hmmm... took a couple pics of one of those at the Detroit Auto Show... except is was in desert camo... ;D<br><br>Tony

 

'Think we could hoist our trucks by the stock front and rear bumper :?

 

I would be an advocate of this.<br><br>One engine running at peak efficiency (torque) with electric motors turning the wheels....very efficient.<br><br>The great part is, electric motors operate at peak horsepower and torque through the entire rpm range, from 1rpm to 10,000rpm. So in reality there is no power curve.<br><br> ;D ;D ;D<br><br>An interesting tid bit is this technology comes from (obviously) trains. Locomotives use either DC or AC motors and generators depending on what type of operating they do.<br><br>AC motors are used on the larger 6 axle type &quot;over the rails&quot; locomotives.(dont consider this bible, there are expemptions) <br><br>DC motors are used in the High speed and 4 axle locomotives (similarly not bible).<br><br>In any case. the railroads have realized there are pluses and minuses to Electric motors. The AC motors have a lot of start up grunt but have a limited speed range. The DC motors have less start up grunt (have a larger startup amperage pull I believe then a similar hp AC motor) but do have a greater speed range.<br><br>Wonder which technology they are working with in the concept vehicle.<br><br> ???

 

Why doent the &quot;modify&quot; button work???<br><br>-------------------------------------<br><br>Anywho I realize I am slighly off topic above.

 

Truck tend did a short piece on it in there last issue.<br><br>KC

 

<br><br>While we are running off topic... I would guess then that the type of engine would (should) change as well. A gas-turbine (helecopter engine) runs at its peak efficiency when it is running flat out. You also get far more torque/hp per pound (engine weight) than you would from a piston engine.<br><br>Now imagine your truck wheeling up to the Wendy's drive through sounding like one of those corny low budget si-fi vehicles :

 

If you were old enough to go to the 1964 Worlds Fair in NYC, Chrysler had a turbine powered family car that they demo'ed. That things sounded sweet; it screamed. But talk about high EGT's ;D

 

Wonder what the JP-8 will do to the engine? The Army is using JP-8 instead of diesel now. We're seeing power loss and injector pump failures on the 6.5's. The D7 Cats are seeing about a 10-15% loss of power. It does burn clean tho, no smoke.