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Ford Gives 2009 Escape and Mariner Hybrids a Mid-Term Boost; Electric Drive Now Up to 40 mph
27 June 2008
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| The 2009 Escape Hybrid. |
Ford has given its 2009 Escape and Mariner models a new engine—a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with intake variable cam timing (i-VCT) for enhanced fuel economy and performance. (Earlier post.) This basic engine platform carries over to the hybrid models of the Escape and Mariner, with adaptation for the Atkinson Cycle. This marks Ford’s first engine to incorporate variable valve timing on a engine applied in a hybrid powertrain.
In addition to the other fuel-efficiency measures inherited from the basic 2009 Escape/Mariner platform such as improved aerodynamics, the hybrid versions also feature an entirely new braking system—a major endeavor, according to Gil Portalatin, Ford’s Hybrid System Applications Manager—and a refinement in the operating strategy that boosts the maximum speed for all-electric drive up to 40 mph.
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| Simple comparison of Otto and Atkinson cycles. Click to enlarge. Source: Ford |
The 2.5L I-4. The Hybrid 2.5L utilizes an Atkinson cycle producing 153 hp (114 kW), a 20 hp improvement over the 2008MY 2.3 liter engine. The total hybrid system offers a net 177 hp (132 kW), up 22 hp over the 2008MY. The 2009 Hybrid performs with the same city cycle fuel efficiency as the 2008 (34 mpg US), improves highway fuel efficiency by 1 mpg to 31 mpg in the front wheel drive version; and offers improved performance—a 1.5-second reduction in 0-60 mph acceleration time to 10.3 seconds.
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| Comparison of the torque and efficiency of Otto and Atkinson cycles. Click to enlarge. Source: Ford |
The Atkinson cycle features a compression stroke that is shorter than the power stroke, achieved by leaving the intake valve open longer. This effectively allows the gases to expand more than they are compressed and thus the gas does more work per stroke than in the Otto Cycle. By getting more work out of a given amount of gas, the efficiency of the engine is improved.
Converting to the Atkinson cycle yields a 7 – 8% improvement in engine efficiency, according to Ford, but the tradeoff is a reduction of engine torque especially at the low end, due to less gas being burned in the cylinder. In a hybrid configuration, however, an electric motor can compensate for the reduced low-end torque.
Ford used the Atkinson cycle implemented through delayed intake valve closing on its earlier hybrid models as well. But where the earlier models had a fixed delay, the use of the i-VCT system allows Ford to optimize the cycle further at different points across the engine range.
The Atkinson cycle puts the vehicle in the sweet spot for brake specific fuel consumption—in the most fuel efficient band possible...The i-VCT allows us to further enhance it, to tweak it for a few different rpm ranges. The i-VCT makes the mechanism a little bit better, and we can rephase the cam to further maximize it at different ends of the spectrum.
—Gil Portalatin
A new engine processor that exploits the i-VCT enables nearly imperceptible transitions between gas and electric vehicle mode. The i-VCT phases in the amount of torque to smooth in the transition between gas and electric. The hybrid models also feature a new powertrain damping system to reduce vibrations and feedback to the driver and other vehicle occupants.
Other key new elements of the engine design include intake and exhaust manifolds, camshafts, pistons and bore size. The powertrain also incorporates electronic throttle control (ETC). This technology replaces the manual linkage between accelerator and throttle with a control unit that calculates the optimal throttle position from a number of sensors. ETC is a form of the state-of-the-art, drive-by-wire technology.
Ford will also use the new 2.5L-based hybrid powertrain in the upcoming Milan hybrid, to be revealed later this year, although that vehicle will feature the company’s second-generation battery pack, Portalatin said.
Operating strategy. Based on feedback from customers, Ford rewrote the operating strategy to enable the hybrid to drive in all electric mode at speeds up to 40 mph. This is done without a change in the NIMH battery pack itself, or in the basic state of charge operating window of the pack. It is also accomplished in a fuel consumption neutral manner—in other words, the additional charge draw from the battery is achieved in such a way that it doesn’t trigger additional charge sustaining work from the engine. The new braking system also supports the new strategy.
(Portalatin said that Ford engineers were working on an SAE paper describing the optimization of the strategy.)
Braking system. The new brake system simulates a more conventional brake system for the user. Compared to the first-generation electro-hydraulic system, the new system delivers a more seamless transition from electric regenerative braking system to traditional braking operation. A new brake pedal sensor is at the heart of the improvements. The new system allows for further fine-tuning of the capture of regenerative braking energy.
Other aspects. Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) is featured on both the standard and hybrid models of Escape and Mariner. EPAS replaces the traditional hydraulic power steering pump. Because it operates only when required for steering assistance, it contributes to lower fuel consumption than the hydraulic pump, which operated constantly during engine operation.
The 2009 Escape and Mariner feature new seats that include soy-based foam. Seat fabrics made from post-industrial 100% recycled materials are also offered. All 2009 Escape and Mariner hybrid models feature a standard 110V AC power outlet.
Through May 2008, Ford has sold a combined 76,120 units of the Escape and Mariner hybrids since the first introduction of the Escape Hybrid in October 2004. Combined sales for January-May 2008 are down 13% compared to the same period in 2007, to 9,510 units.
June 27, 2008 in Hybrids | Permalink | Comments (38) | TrackBack (0)
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Comments
Now where getting somewhere! While GM continues with their empty promise strategy, Ford is delivering the goods.
Check out the taxi situation in Manhattan; Ford Escape Hybrids are multiplying like rabbits (not the VW).
It's good to see a company like Ford respond to the changing marketplace, now if they would only ramp up production from the present 25K
Posted by: roc | Jun 27, 2008 11:39:18 AM
This very well may be the vehicle I buy next year. Has the space my family needs and gets twice the mpg's of my truck.
Posted by: Joseph | Jun 27, 2008 12:18:14 PM
Joseph: "This very well may be the vehicle I buy next year. Has the space my family needs and gets twice the mpg's of my truck."
I want one now. But Ford isn't all that interested in making them. 25k is woefully insufficient.
Posted by: | Jun 27, 2008 12:32:52 PM
I'm sure the low production of this hybrid is somehow GMs fault. I know it's made by Ford but its got to somehow be GMs fault, I mean isn't everything wrong with the auto industry GMs fault.
Posted by: pstoller78 | Jun 27, 2008 12:52:57 PM
aha, engine efficiency peaks at 1500-1800 rpm, just like the prius engine! Although interestingly enough peak efficiency for the ottocycle is much higher, probably making it more effective for aggressive drivers!
Posted by: philmcneal | Jun 27, 2008 1:22:52 PM
It was a smart move for Ford to license some hybrid technologies from Toyota.Ford is now the biggest american hybrid seller before GM and Chrysler.GM hybrid are just speech, because since the begining GM sold only mere hybrid cars.
Posted by: Kouamo | Jun 27, 2008 1:29:17 PM
Increasing the all EV speed to 40mph certainly makes this platform easier to convert to a useful (in the city) PHEV. Nice progress.
Posted by: Neil | Jun 27, 2008 1:38:42 PM
Conversion to a city PHEV may not work too well in warm climates. I believe this hybrid still needs to run the ICE to power the AC.
Posted by: steve | Jun 27, 2008 1:48:19 PM
"may not work too well in warm climates" .. no problem where I am.
Posted by: Neil | Jun 27, 2008 1:58:50 PM
Getting to 40 mph (electric) would get rid of the inefficient city mileages but still its up to the person to keep around 55 on highways side
Posted by: | Jun 27, 2008 2:55:40 PM
It will soon be discovered that full electric operation of Brakes, Steering, water pump, fans and air-conditioning Compressors is more fuel efficient than belt drive.
LG already has a free-piston refigerator compressor that is 40% more efficient than the motor-crank-piston types just for that reason. When mounted on the fire-wall or radiator such a system never needs hoses and can be welded for no loss of refrigerant ever. The car can be cooled, while stationary, with an extra OASIS battery from Firefly if necessary. A plug in adaptor and controller will always have the car cool (or warm) for use.
It is very informative that Ford is promoting yet higher horse-power in this vehicle instead of reducing it for fuel economy. About fifteen horsepower is needed to run a car on the level at legal freeway speeds, and with a high efficiency diesel engine this would give about an average 50 miles per gallon.
All car bodies should be required to have an energy rating list at various speeds on a level road with no winds. There is no HP indicator in cars because the manufacturers do not want you to know that your 177 HP system only produces five to twenty HP while moving most of the time. At full power, a very high efficiency 100 HP car engine would require six or seven gallons of fuel every hour to operate. ...HG...
Posted by: Henry Gibson | Jun 27, 2008 2:57:53 PM
Waitaminute and not so fast guys: It's nice that the most fuel saving SUV got better, but I WANT THE FORD FUSION HYBRID!
Posted by: Gerald Shields, Seattle, WA | Jun 27, 2008 4:06:45 PM
I've got 5 years of life left in my Subaru, but if I needed a car now, the Escape hybrid would be my choice.
I've long wondered why Ford and Toyota don't offer a hybrid powertrain in a wagon yet - it seems like the best of all worlds and Subaru wagons sure sell well around here. And now with computerized traction control to keep you rolling in the snow and rain, there's no longer a need for all wheel drive.
Posted by: Justin VP | Jun 27, 2008 5:09:05 PM
Valve timing to save only 1 MPG, this is bullshit, 34/31 MPG is still too low for where the gas price will be 2 years from now, way to low. They should better put a focus hybrid on the market that get 45MPG, rather than refining an SUV style of car that is a dead end, hybrid or not.
Posted by: Treehugger | Jun 27, 2008 5:43:18 PM
You and me both, Justin VP. Right down to the 5 planned years left on a Subaru (I'm planning to buy new in 2013). Except that you really can't find any Escapes for sale. Two possible reasons that Ford has, but does not mass produce, a great Hybrid design are: (1) they can't make money on each sale, but having a design out there is good PR. (2) Ford considers current and previous Escapes to be "beta test" designs and will mass produce once they have gotten enough feedback. I hope it's the second reason. A variable Atkinson-cycle hybrid Escape-sized small CUV/wagon that I can actually buy is my dream car. A bit bigger than my current Subaru Outback, yet with better gas mileage.
Posted by: Hybrid Fan | Jun 27, 2008 6:02:24 PM
Hybrid Fan: ditto on the Wagon.
Great SUV for those that really need one. Now make a car for those of us that don't require an SUV. Wind resistance from changing from SUV to sedan would give ~40 - 45 MPG. Wagon might be from 38 -42 because of added weight over the sedan, but worth it if you have a family to haul.
Posted by: | Jun 27, 2008 7:50:20 PM
Auto owners always complain they don't have enough horsepower. They should have put the extra power into a smaller engine package or larger battery pack instead of increasing the 0 - 60 times.
Posted by: | Jun 27, 2008 7:52:40 PM
Wazzat? Ford actually listened to it's customers?
Based on feedback from customers, Ford rewrote the operating strategy to enable the hybrid to drive in all electric mode at speeds up to 40 mph.
My thinking is that they only half listened and put in the minimum range and speed that people would accept.
Posted by: J T | Jun 28, 2008 1:33:29 AM
Finally we seem to be going in the right direction. However, Ford should be looking at developing the next generation engine. The next generation engine will be an Atkinson engine working on HCCI mode (similar to the Mercedes Benz Diesotto). Such an engine would have the potential to match if not beat the diesel engine. Mercedes decided to go for performance in their F700 luxury car rather than fuel efficiency (although the estimated 39 mpg for a 3700 lb car easily beats my Toyota Yaris). The circle will be completed when such an efficient engine is used in a series hybrid configuration such as the one proposed for the Chevy Volt.
Posted by: Freddy | Jun 28, 2008 5:20:49 AM
Does it have electrically-driven AC?
Posted by: o.jeff | Jun 28, 2008 6:47:02 AM
Freddy, this is Ford not Mercedes.. they attempt a fancy engine and they will setback the hybrid market for years with reliability problems (or offer an 150k miles extended warranty and lose their shirts)..
Like everyone else says.. lower the cost, increase production. I also wish they had gone to a smaller engine with a larger electric motor and batteries.. electric water pump, AC and oil pump would be cool also.
One advantage of an electric oil pump would be that it could pressurize the oil just before the engine starts.. supposedly extending its life.
Posted by: Herm | Jun 28, 2008 8:38:47 AM
The adoption of any new technology allows for rapid improvments as the easy improvements are glaringly evident.
I am still amazed at the Conspiraciy kookss out there. Ford is capacity constrained, and can't build more hybrids. Do youreally think that they want to NOT accept customer's money? Waht world do you live in?
The simple reality is that the electric drivetrain and its components are not available to build more, and won't be until new factories making those components come on line.
In this case Sanyo, is not supplying the batteries they contracted to provide, never mind ramping up for additional batteries.
Shheesh what idiots abound here.
Posted by: stas peterson | Jun 28, 2008 10:56:39 AM
It baffles me they have chosen performance over fuel consumption, which is contrary to the current trend.
Posted by: Anne | Jun 28, 2008 11:39:33 AM
Baby steps by Ford/ As for GM, it's their own fault. The EV-1 wasn't a failure, GM killed it. There is nothing keeping electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids from entering the market except corporate inertia and big oil.
Posted by: Daily Green | Jun 28, 2008 12:29:23 PM
Performance because they probably started planning for this before the price of gas took off.. they wanted to increase sales and they tought this was it.. probably takes a couple of years to implement these changes. I'm guessing..
Posted by: Herm | Jun 28, 2008 4:37:27 PM
what is the smallest aktinson cycle engine that will allow the Escape to hit 85 mph on the hwy?.. I figure low end acceleration can be handled by bigger electric motors/batteries.
Posted by: Herm | Jun 28, 2008 4:40:46 PM
I regularly drive a fleet Prius for work. The ICE usually cuts in at about 30kmh if you don't plant your foot. 40kmh is a great result for stop-start city driving. Well done Ford.
Posted by: critta | Jun 29, 2008 12:10:15 AM
I drive an Escape Hybrid since last year. It's a fantastic VUS and congratulation to Ford for the new improvements.
My experience is the following: 7.3 to 7.5 l/100km in city, highway and traffic in summer. In Winter (in Canada) add 1 to 2 l/100 km.
Before I drove a Jeep Liberty, it was 10 in highway, 14 in city and 22 l/100 km in traffic. These numbers speak by themself.
The only negative thing, the electric mode is difficult to maintain (at any speed), you have to drive like a nun. 2009 model, I hope will solve this weakness.
Posted by: gaetan | Jun 29, 2008 6:14:40 AM
Didn't ford just deliver a plug-in version of escape to some gov. agency? I think 40 mph all-electric is borrowed from or developed for that system. With small independent shops converting HEVs to PHEVs popping up all over the place why even bother with improving the current system? Ford should take a bold step and jump into the lead with mass producing the PHEV version. I would buy one today.
Posted by: PlugInNow | Jun 29, 2008 7:33:38 AM
What's most impressive (to me) about the new model is that it proves how adaptive the hybrid drivetrain can be. Relying upon an electric motor drive while relagating the ICE to secondary status, should lead to further advancement of ICE's, broader application of various fuels including combustable hydrogen, advanced battery technology, and of course the holy grail Plug-in, V2G and utility grid reconfigurations to radically improve energy conservation. We could even derive technological changes for streetlighting to make nights 'dark sky' and gain energy conservation that way from plug-in hybrids.
Faster is slower. Slower is faster.
Posted by: Wells | Jun 29, 2008 12:47:36 PM
"It was a smart move for Ford to license some hybrid technologies from Toyota."
And it was a smart move by Toyota to license hybrid technology from Ford. Ford developed its own hybrids system sport. Both cross-licensed to prevent litigation.
"However, Ford should be looking at developing the next generation engine. The next generation engine will be an Atkinson engine working on HCCI mode (similar to the Mercedes Benz Diesotto). Such an engine would have the potential to match if not beat the diesel engine. Mercedes decided to go for performance in their F700 luxury car rather than fuel efficiency (although the estimated 39 mpg for a 3700 lb car easily beats my Toyota Yaris). The circle will be completed when such an efficient engine is used in a series hybrid configuration such as the one proposed for the Chevy Volt."
HCCI only works in low load so it should never appear in a serial hybrid.
Posted by: Andy | Jun 29, 2008 11:50:22 PM
I did not mean to include the word "sport" in my above reply.
Posted by: Andy | Jun 29, 2008 11:53:54 PM
Just for the record, because there's always curiosity about this. Ford only makes 25k of these vehicles, because they make them at the same factory they make regular Escapes and they could (don't know about now) make more money on regular Escapes, so they chose to only build 25,000 in 2008 and they have said in 2009 as well. They also said they can get all the batteries they need - but you do have to plan to build them and through 2009 Ford has said 25k of them. Too bad somebody brilliant up in the executive suite didn't think of using one of those closing factories to build Escape Hybrids - since they can sell alot more than 25k a year of them. Morons.
Posted by: Sasparilla | Jun 30, 2008 11:44:21 AM
bravo ford! keep up the good work.
they might be behind toyota, but their persistence is laudable. it's a shame this platform is specific to the escape.
Posted by: marc | Jun 30, 2008 1:48:29 PM
@pstoller78:
"I mean isn't everything wrong with the auto industry GMs fault."
No. Everything wrong in the World is GM's fault. Really.
Posted by: sulleny | Jun 30, 2008 5:49:58 PM
Hold it - did I say GM? I meant GW... Bush that is. He jjust made me type j twice!
Posted by: sulleny | Jul 1, 2008 8:40:06 AM
If limited production of the Escape hybrid is suppose to be some tactical method, I think that they should rethink it. Ford is bleeding money so fast now that if this IS a tactical effort, it will succeed in taking them out of business sooner than expected.
Posted by: sjc | Jul 3, 2008 10:26:53 AM
I just bought the 2009.
It's a big experiment, and I'm having a great time testing it out.
I love it!!
Posted by: Jeff | Sep 1, 2008 10:15:49 PM
