Diesel Hybrid.

[smithy010]

This is a little off topic. but interesting all the same.

I'm in fourth year at UNSW, studying Mechanical engineering. One of the subjects that i started today is a technical elective called "Land Transport Engineering"
Part of the subject is a very open ended research project based on land transport.

I think i have chosen my topic- to complete detailed design for a Diesel Hybrid Golf.

It's a bit of a wank, i know, but i just thought i'd like to do the feasibility study on the economy that a diesel golf can actually do- with all this media beat up about how good the prius is, i'd like to prove that i can do the same or better economy with 30 year old technology.

I'm not going to do it in practice just yet, but i think it will make for an interesting assignment, all the same.

What does everyone think?

[Seano]

Given that Hino (Toyota) are currently evaluating a Dutro light truck in hybrid diesel setup for an expected 2007 release on the Oz market....you could be onto something.

Mind you you'd need to aim for efficiencies of about half of what you can do now in a Golf TDi.....which could be tough using the current hybrid design model!

What about using a small capacity direct injection diesel purely as a genset within a hybrid with engine speed based on electrical load demand and real-time battery charge. Combined with regenerative braking and a decent battery capacity....one might get somewhere so to speak.

Certainly don't envy your assignment

[smithy010]

Given that the 1.5l diesel i have for my golf does an estimated best of 5-5.5l/100km, 3.5l/100 isn't much of an improvement. Certainly blows a hole in the "clean, green" image of prius.

I accept that the power output from my 1.5D is not special, but i reckon with it in hybrid configuration, it would give good acceleration (better than the diesel), and probably a higher top speed.

[brackie]

Peugeot and Citroen will have diesel/electric hybrids on the market next year.
Diesel/electric railway locos have been used for at least 50 years.

Check out Mr Sharkey's hybrid.
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ghlight=hybrid