Kia Begins Full-Scale Production of First Kia Models with Stop/Start Systems
14 January 2009
Kia Motors Corporation has begun full scale production of the six new Kia cee’d ISG (Idle Stop & Go, Kia’s label for a stop/start system) models, which offer up to 15% fuel savings in city driving, at its facility in Zilina (Slovakia), with deliveries to customers across Europe scheduled to begin during the next two months. Kia introduced the ISG system at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris in September, 2008. (Earlier post.)
Made in Europe, the C-segment cee’d ISG cars are the first Kia production models with the microhybrid system.
Kia’s ISG system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped in traffic and restarts the engine instantly when the driver wishes to move again. In typical city driving conditions, with heavy traffic and constant stop-start motoring, the ISG system cuts fuel consumption and emissions by up to 15%. In everyday mixed driving over town, country and motorway routes, the officially measured fuel saving is 6% on the combined cycle.
As part of the ISG system for cee’d, a new smart starter motor is linked to an upgraded ECU, which monitors the car’s status at all times. When the car comes to a stop, such as at traffic lights, the ECU uses information from various other control systems around the vehicle to decide if switching the engine off is appropriate.
A new high-efficiency alternator suppresses electric power demand during acceleration and recharges the car’s battery during deceleration. As a fail-safe if the car’s battery power drops below 75% of maximum for any reason, or there is insufficient energy available for the next start-up, the system will abort its stop/start program.
While the car is stationary, if the clutch pedal is depressed, the engine is instantly re-started automatically so there is no delay in setting off as the engine re-starting process is accomplished in the time it takes the driver to select first gear.
The new ISG-equipped Kia cee’d cars will also benefit from a new-generation, lighter weight manual gearbox which more than offsets the small extra weight of the ISG system components. Made in Europe, this new five-speed transmission weighs 5 kilos less than the previous unit and features a new selector mechanism. Gear-changing forces are reduced, reverse is synchronized with fifth gear for easier selection and the overall feel'of the transmission is significantly improved.
| Impact of the ISG system (Kia measurements, NEDC) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | L/100km /g CO2/km | |||||||
| Standard | ISG | Total Δ | City Δ | |||||
| 1.4L | 6.1/145 | 5.7/137 | 6% | 15% | ||||
| 1.6L | 6.3/152 | 5.8/143 | 6% | 15% | ||||
In Europe, Kia cee’d ISG cars will be available with a choice of 1.4-liter and 1.6-liter gasoline engines and the three cee’d family bodystyles:five-door hatchback, five-door sporty wagon and three-door pro_cee’d.
Later during 2009, similar ISG technology will also be made available for the 1.6-liter diesel Kia cee’d and ISG technology appear on other Kia models in 2010 and beyond in numerous markets outside of Europe as well.
I really do not understand why stop/start and cylinder deactivation does not come standard on every car built. The car companies have known how to do this for 30 years.
Posted by: JosephT | 14 January 2009 at 06:57 AM
I agree JoT. Both have certainly reached maturity in the last year or 2.
Maybe the drivability/cost/reliability is impacted more than we expect.
And I think "up to" 15% means about 2%, typically.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 14 January 2009 at 07:47 AM
When I was still driving a manual car, I always waited with the first gear selected and the clutch pedal depressed. This allowed faster reaction when the lights change. It is how I learned it in driving school.
From the text I understand this system shuts off the engine only when the gearbox is in neutral. If that is correct, I am afraid many drivers will continue their habit and the engine will not be allowed to shut off a lot.
Posted by: Arne | 14 January 2009 at 02:05 PM
Anne,
Were you driving an automatic?
Okay so thats a bit mean but seriously i'd be asking for a refund if I were you.
As a tech /driver one gets to see the results of inapropriate machinery operation. If I saw a trainer behaving as you described I'd be inclined to wack em.
The sealed (ungreasable) ball race bearing that operates the clutch is only designed to be applied for gearchanging purposes and is likely to fail if overused in the way you describe. (Learners should be e allowed to destroy vehicles at a faster rate than average for demonstration purposes or when adjusting to best practice)
Originally (pre 60's) the bearing was a "carbon thrust" or high carbon (slippery steel) - on steel - application. The thrust(pusher) would effectively cause a low friction metal on metal contact between the stationary gearbox housing and the engine conneced rotating clutch pressure applying plate. Heat was quickly generated and premature bearing failure a sure result.This equired the gearbox be removed and the bearing and plate replaced.
Normaly this 1 hour; well laid out small 4 cylinder - 8 hour Heavy 4wd + $parts job is performed when the clutch wears out.
Some people balance (Feather) the clutch to hold a vehicle on a hill instead of using the more awkward park brake.
These drivers couldnt smell the smoking components or were immune to the consequenses - usually insisting the parts or workmanship were faulty. Totally deaf to any explanation.
You will read of recent developments of dual clutch transmissions that generally have (CPU) electro mechanical control over a dual clutch unit (designed to operate as you describe and ) in a way that allows one clutch to be disengaged and a gear (pre) selected while another clutch drives the current gear. Then a synchronised automated gear change can be achieved very rapidly. These properly designed and sized components are used in 'constant mesh gearboxes that have "all?" gears in permanent mesh hence no time consuming lever movements and almost instant gearchange.
If you see that instructer (assuming you are unrelated and to be fair you did all the lessons)
give em a serve from me.
Posted by: arnold | 14 January 2009 at 03:40 PM
This is what's termed a 'microhybrid' but Kia is developing a full hybrid which should be ready in 2010 - if my info is correct.
Posted by: ai_vin | 15 January 2009 at 10:46 AM