I thought this was dead, not close to production.

Linky

2nd link

 

Interesting, I hope it's not just vaporware and extrapolation on the part of the authors of the articles.

 

Thank you for the link. That is one awesome design. I really hope it becomes something and not just another lost project. Ford is known for starting projects but never finishing them.

 

Yeah, thanks for the link Ernie. It should be interesting to see what becomes of it.

-Matt

 

Very awesome. I hope Ford doesn't give up on this one too.

 

this is a good thing. it will give the forgin car makers a run for their money. they need competition. it was in the new paper here a while back that japan auto makers were scared that there was going to be a backlash on their products and other products.

 

Can you imagine the possibilties if Ford goes through with this?

"Our truck is 3x more efficient than that little econobox you bought and it weights twice as much and can tow stuff and drive offroad!"

This would be really big for Ford if they are the first to get it to market.

 

Honestly, the first time I ever heard of that. It'll be a great idea if it works. Maybe Bill Ford wasn't just blowing smoke about being the "innovation" leader.

 

Hybrids of the Future
As hybrid technology continues to evolve, variations on the gasoline-electric hybrid as we know it today are beginning to emerge. The National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory at the EPA is currently developing the world's first full hydraulic hybrid urban delivery vehicle in partnership with UPS, Eaton and others. Hydraulic hybrids operate in essentially the same manner as the gasoline-electric hybrids currently on the market, but they use a hydraulic motor in place of the electric motor. "Instead of transforming electricity into mechanical energy, which makes the vehicle move, we use a hydraulic accumulator to store nitrogen gas and a hydrogen motor to highly compress the gas, which then creates energy used to power the vehicle," explained Jeff Alson, senior engineer at the EPA's National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory.

Hydraulic hybrids are an intriguing direction for the auto industry because they are far less expensive than the current hybrid technology. The EPA's hydraulic hybrid is paired with a diesel engine, but the EPA's Alson says that the hydraulic hybrid technology could be used with virtually any engine configuration. Instead of using a conventional transmission and transfer case, the EPA's hybrid uses a hydraulic drivetrain, which operates "essentially like a continuously variable transmission," he said. By eliminating these two components, some of the cost of the hybrid technology is negated.

Like other hybrids, the hydraulic hybrid will have lower emissions and lower brake maintenance costs. In addition, the EPA projects a 30- to 40-percent improvement in combined fuel economy with the greatest improvement being in city driving and, because it uses a diesel engine instead of gasoline, much better acceleration. While vehicles that are used primarily around town in many short stops, such as delivery vehicles, will experience the greatest benefits from this technology, it is possible that hydraulic hybrid technology could be applied to passenger vehicles one day.

This was written at the end of last year. Not quite 300% better, but still good improvments.

 

i would defintly buy one for the family daily driver!!

 

I'm interested, though I may wait for 2010 or 2011 model year, give Ford some time to work out any bugs.

I really hope they can go ahead with this project.

 

Ford had better keep their word on this one. They fully stand to literally lock down the light truck market with this. GM, DC, Toyota, and Nissan have nothing that would compete.

 

i agree, they would have the market, especially if the technology spread to the explorer, they would have to rehire the 30,000 people just to keep up with the demand!!!

 

Anyone catch the interesting part- the thing is powered by a 1.6L 4-cylinder diesel. That's going to challenge everything people think they know about trucks, and what it takes to make them move.

 

I'd buy one, put that drivetrain in the Expy and I'd buy one of those too.