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Saab working on a diesel hybrid 9-3?

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by UsedToLoveCars, Oct 29, 2010.

  1. UsedToLoveCars

    UsedToLoveCars Active Member

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    Saab at work on diesel hybrid? — Autoblog Green

    This is interesting, but I wonder if it is viable. In my experience diesels do not run efficiently when they are not fully warmed up. How do you get around this in a hybrid use-case, where the engine will be turning on and off a lot, at least in city use?
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Maybe it's a series hybrid like the Volt. The diesel is there to act as a generator.
     
  3. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    like the way a volt should be?.. hmm...
     
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  4. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Is that true of modern diesels? At least, are they anymore suspectable to to cooling and warming inefficiencies than a petrol engine? The Prius has always gone through a warm up phase when first turned on. Even if the system is already warm.

    There are other sources of heat in a hybrid. Inverters generate a fair amount. No reason why that heat couldn't be used to heat up the engine. Plus, diesel engines need to be more robust to deal with the greater forces than a petrol, thus more mass. While this means initially warming it up will take longer, it also means it will take longer to lose the heat.
     
  5. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

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    My two cents...
    Diesel engines run a bit colder if under low throttle operation, because of big air flow through the engine.
    The turbo does not deal very well with on-off operation if the oil is hot.
    IMO, diesel engines do not fit so well in a full-hybrid solution...neither in a AER like a Volt, because of weight...
     
  6. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    Diesel engine in a hybrid doesn't need a turbo, since torque is provided by the motor. I hope they make it, it will be a popular fleet choice in europe...
     
  7. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

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    Turbo is not there for torque only, it is for efficiency purposes also, since it increases volumetric efficiency.
    Turbo and diesel are fond of each other...