GM Holden Introduces Cylinder Deactivation on All V-8 Automatic Models
09 October 2008
GM Holden will introduce GM’s Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology (earlier post) on all its V-8 automatic models from January 2009.
The AFM system is designed to improve fuel efficiency when high output is not required. In certain conditions such as highway driving, AFM automatically closes the intake and exhaust valves in four of the engine’s eight cylinders while ensuring the engine maintains vehicle speed, effectively operating as a four cylinder.
The engine’s electronic throttle control is used to increase cylinder pressure in V-4 mode so that the engine can preserve the torque which drivers expect from a V-8 powertrain. The fuel supply to the deactivated cylinders will resume seamlessly providing all-cylinder operation when the driver needs it for quick acceleration, or for hauling heavy loads.
In a combination of town and highway driving, the technology can deliver fuel savings of up to one liter per 100 kilometers, with potential for even better results at constant cruising speeds.
AFM will be standard on all automatic V8 models in the Commodore, Ute, Sportwagon, Statesman and Caprice ranges. GM Holden will be the first local manufacturer to introduce the fuel saving technology.
How many people really need an eight cylinder engine? Forget cylinder deactivation. Get rid of the eight cylinder engine in most cars!
Posted by: Peter | 09 October 2008 at 10:33 AM
"How many people really need an eight cylinder engine?"
this guy
Posted by: DS | 09 October 2008 at 11:25 AM
Aside from high torque real needs (i.e., construction towing, etc), why not use a 4 (or 6) cyl with electric supercharge?
Posted by: Will S | 10 October 2008 at 09:49 AM
Actually two pistons in a single cylinder is one of the higest power density engines, but just remember it could not be sold even if it reached Tesla speeds. Actually I think that the world should look at steam diesel hybrids. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 10 October 2008 at 11:23 PM