30 MPG truck?
 

This one goes out to all the engineer/engine builder types.

Is it possible to build a *capable* (good HP, good torque, able to tow, decent acceleration) engine for a truck that gets 30MPG on the highway?

I'm talking about an engine for, say, an F-150. The engine should at least be on par (performance-wise) with what's available for the F150 right now.

Is it possible and the oil companies/motor companies just don't want us to have it?

or is it impossible with current technology?

XXL

Diesel! But it wont happen. Emissons are tight.

probably, id bet anything itd be ugly like most of the other new vehicles out there though.

no complaints from me though even if i was getting 10 mpg, i get about 13 in my truck and i drive 100 miles a day sometimes. its not a big issue.

I believe they stamp "TOYOTA" on motors like that.

You can not have displacement, torque, HP, and high efficiency at the same time.

Bull.

Corvette: 5.7 litres, 350HP, ULEV, 29MPG highway.

2cents
 

Matt,
Assuming the truck was affordable (no carbon fiber,etc.), I would not think you could build a truck using current technology that could get 30 mpg AND haul heavy loads/tow 4 tons. It seems to me the frame/axles/suspension supports would weigh too much to be able to get good gas mileage.

The car companies do make a few vechicles (mostly cars) that get good gas mileage but people do not buy them. I think the car companies would make whatever the consumer would buy. It makes no sense to me that they should build vechicles that are PC but don't sell. I do assume the oil companies enjoy the fact that we love low mpg vechicles.

Not sure how that corvette got 29mpg. A good friend has a corvette Z06. He says he gets 15mpg.

I think the diesel part is dead-nuts right on the nail head MTMD.

. . but I want to propose that you research (just a little more) on the cetain ratings of European diesel fuel.

American diesel fuel is unique - it is environmentally nasty AND terribly low powerd stuff, by comparison.

Simply changing to European diesel fuel alone would make a huge difference in power *and mileage* . . if your engine didn't explode.

My Toyota pickup got 30 MPG, I hauled a 3000 boat with it a few times also :)

A 30 MPG truck IS POSSIBLE with today's technology, but it would be prohibitively expensive. You'd have to lighten it significantly while retaining strength, so that means a carbon-fiber frame. Aerodynamics would also have to improve dramatically, so I'm thinking that means cab-forward/ mid-engine layout. It would look strange to us, but it would work. And it would cost about $100,000.

I understand why someone would like a 30 MPG truck. To have a versatile vehicle that doesn't eat up $53 dollars of gas every 10 days would be great.
I drive about 300 Miles/week, at 13MPG(4.9LAuto), My Fuel bill for the year is $1920.00 dollars. If I could get into a 30 MPG vehicle that same amount of driving, 300Miles/week, would only cost me $832 dollars per year. All of this assuming that gas is $1.60 per gallon. Of course, if gas gets back to the $1.80 to $2.00 per gallon range, I might have to get a part time job to support my fuel addiction.
I am seriously considering buying a little ricer, a honda CRX, Civic, or any other little putt-putt; The F150 would stay parked alot of the time, but would be ready to haul firewood, or help move a couch. The only problem is, that the car insurance companies are really killing us right now, and any savings in fuel would be given to a greedy Allstate ins. co.

I think that the engineers could make a 30 MPG truck, I think it could be done for the same price as these super luxury trucks they build now. If you strip out all the fancy upholstery, radios, keep the gas tank smaller, and improve the engine , it can be done.

30 mpg should certainly be possible with todays technology. My old F250 4x4 with the 5.8 liter auto, overdrive could get close to 20 on the highway. Americans haven't demanded that the automakers pursue this because fuel here is still cheaper than most other countries. Here we have the "bigger is better" mentallity. What other country could you sell Excursions, Hummers, or several other sport utilities. The day will come when this will be a priority and we'll get caught off gaurd just like we did in the 70's.

I think the 30 MPH is not only possible, but the manufactures probably know how to do it to. Between the tight emission laws and the extra cost to produce this type of truck, you won't see it until the cost of fuel is at a point where people quit driving anything that gets low gas mileage.

Did anyone watch 60 minutes2 two weeks ago? They (g.m.) are bringing a motor out that runs on 8 cylinders until you get up to crusing speed, then cuts down to 4 cylinders. The change is supposed to be made without the driver even noticing it, except for a light on the dash. It would switch back to 8 cylinders when you started up a hill, or when a Ford gets within 100'.

It was kind of sweet to watch some old lady (from 60 minutes 2) complain to a g.m. excutive about excessive fuel consumption. The excutive basically said what most have said. Americans think bigger is better.

Didn't Cadillac try that once?

Yup, Caddy tried it...and it wasn't a big seller.