Ford is developing a new “Hydraulic Hybrid” system that is 300 percent more efficient than the system used in the Toyota’s Prius, according to a report by New Tech Spy. The report says an F-150 equipped with the system attains 60 miles per gallon. The technology works by storing energy in “hydraulic cylinders,” instead of Nickel Metal Hydride or Lithium Ion batteries. The report provided no further explanation of the technology, but said Ford plans to put it into production in 2008. In 2002, Ford previewed a technology it called Hydraulic Launch Assist with its F-350 Tonka concept. Could this relate to the much-rumored Piquette Project? Time magazine described Piquette as “nothing short of reinventing Detroit.” The mission was, “Could Ford design the Model T of the next century?”
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02/14, 1:15 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
It’s probably this patented technology developed by the EPA. Not exactly top secret.
EPA turns innovator with hydraulic hybrids
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/AUTO01/512180348/1148
“The EPA is working on pilot projects with Ford Motor Co., the U.S. Army, Eaton Corp. and United Parcel Service to get the technology into the real world as quickly as possible.”
02/14, 2:29 PM
posted by:
Thesandman
Follow up story by New Tech Spy: It appears the F-150 in question was in fact being towed by another F-150. My bad.
02/14, 2:50 PM
posted by:
jimothy
“Follow up story by New Tech Spy: It appears the F-150 in question was in fact being towed by another F-150. My bad.”
So an F-150 that is being towed gets 60 MPG? It should get much, much better than that.
02/14, 3:24 PM
posted by:
CTR
This is fitting, as Bill Ford has been a champion of changing the automotive industry for the better, environmentally speaking that is. Which, as acknowledged by Ford, seems like an oxymoron , but with his desire to save the automotive manufacturing business from itself, this could be just the tip of of the iceberg. For years, it has been said that the manufacurers could produce vehicles that would get many times the fuel economy that they do, but it would be too costly and the buying public would not spend what it would cost. But, if this is finally the reality of today, I would spend an extra $3-4K to get a full size truck that wuld get 60 mpg! This would definitely turn the industry upside-down if this could be brought to market and be an affordable alternative.
02/14, 6:23 PM
posted by:
arthur mekerdoumian
Hi everybody…I am so glad to hear about 60 mpg ford, I think a company like Ford must work better on such an idea. Why don’t they work well on CNG in U.S.A and Europe?
02/14, 11:02 PM
posted by:
Angelo
if it sounds too good to be true… it probably is.
02/15, 12:18 AM
posted by:
jim sanders
Locomotion 3-4 times more efficient than the rest of the world?
…The EPA article says the hydraulic fluid tanks are so heavy they’re only good for heavy duty trucks.
Costs +$1000.
Only good for city driving 3x mpg.
Added weight reduces highway mpg…
Essentially it’s a urban commercial use only technology.
02/25, 5:07 AM
posted by:
ken
amazing how 5 kids n 1 teacher in philly can make a sports car that gets 51mpg,these are high school kids,yet us auto wont,could it be oil n car mfg have a agrrment..hmm(as shown by abc news or nbc 2 wks ago )feb 24,2006.current date
02/25, 5:08 AM
posted by:
ken
testing 1-2-3