GMBlogs has this video from Rick Wagoner who explains the recent Government decision to make $25B in loans available to automakers to help develop new technologies:
The Energy Security Bill of 2007 which established the new fuel economy requirements that the Automakers are responding to had built in financial support to assist Automakers in meeting the aggressive new requirements. The funding support passed this weekend is the funding promised by Congress.
Hemmings Auto Blog has a nice blog on History of the Supercharger
I was delighted to see that ideas like small fans blowing into the carburetor were invented in 1902, very close to the birth of the automobile. Cadillac’s new 2009 CTS-V with a supercharged 6.2L OHV V8 makes 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque. Let’s talk about the supercharger.
CTS-V Supercharger
The new LSA Engine in the 2010 Cadillac CTS-V uses an Eaton TVS1900 1.9L four-lobe roots type supercharger.
The TVS supercharger’s patented design features four-lobe rotors and high-flow inlet and outlet ports that greatly enhance thermal efficiency, deliver higher volumetric capacity, and enable higher operating speeds. The TVS supercharger is capable of running with a high thermal efficiency (up to 76 percent) across a very wide operating range.
All TVS superchargers have a 2.4 pressure ratio capability and a thermal efficiency that exceeds 70 percent, which enables more compact packaging and greater output.
CTS-V TVS1900 Supercharger Thermal Profile
The engine designation for the CTS-V is the LSA. The Supercharger is well incorporated into the design and presentation of the engine. In the cutaway below you can the supercharger just below the top beauty cover’s “Supercharged” lettering (that’s truth in advertising!):
CTS-V LSA Engine cutaway
Just on top of the supercharger in the image is this water to air intercooler. Supercharging the intake air compresses and pressurizes the air. This raises the temperature of the intake air, which is not desirable. The intercooler acts to reduce the temperature of the air as it exits the supercharger on the way to the engine.
CTS-V Intercooler
The LS3 V8 engine in the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette makes 430-436 hp, depending on optional exhaust or standard, and 424-428 lb-ft of torque. So the LS3 engine in the CTS-V would have made no more than 430hp. The LSA Supercharged engine used in the Super CTS-V makes 556hp, a nice net addition of 126hp due to the blower.
With everything going on with the US Economy, I am not sure how many CTS-V’s Cadillac will sell this year at around US$60K a copy. Have no doubt — the CTS-V is a Super, World-class if not World leading Sports Sedan. I hope that Cadillac sells a ton of them, so that one can trickle down to the Caddyinfo Garage!
I am a fan of well expressed opinions, even if I disagree with them. I think that our level of discourse is very important, and the better the debate the more actual information and truth sneaks in.
Keith Ritter over at Consult Keith blogged a nice thought piece which at heart contains this statement:
Cadillac’s brand message is not about environment-friendly or great gas mileage. A Cadillac has always been A STATEMENT about who you are and that you’ve “made it.” It’s about Kate Walsh and your vehicle turning you on and not about gas mileage.
I would like to disagree. Cadillac has always been a vehicle for the Affluent. But more to the point, Cadillac is about precision, technology, performance, and luxury. Cadillac has had many WORLD firsts in technology, starting with the electric starter for example. Cadillac has traditionally had the best, the latest, and the most innovative. Although in the 80s GM lost their way a bit with badge engineering, the latest and newest technology is an important part of the Cadillac DNA.
Cadillac Escalade Powertrain Status display
The hybrid powertrain in a Cadillac Escalade is no more amazing to me than having the new lane change detection system in the Cadillac STS or heads-up displays in the STS-V and XLR-V. Cadillac gets the latest technology, premium powertrains, and luxury accessories that GM as the World’s largest vehicle manufacturer can bring to the streets.
Also, keep in mind that most people are not choosing between a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, which is a fullsize SUV, and an economy car. There is a valid and necessary market for these vehicles among people who need the room, want the up-high driving position, storage space, need the towing capacity, etc. Not all vehicles fit all people; there are a variety of markets. IF you NEED or WANT a fullsize SUV, and you want it to get the best MPG possible, the Escalade Hybrid is a good choice.
The only surprising thing in the current markeing plan is that the new E-flex technology started out in a Chevrolet Volt instead of in the new smaller-than-a-CTS upcoming Cadillac model. And I suspect we will see the E-flex powertrain in a Cadillac as the next production example.