[Colin]

Hyundai and Delphi are building a Gasoline Direct-Injection Compression Ignition. This is basically a gas engine that needs no spark plugs.

Engineers have been studying this alternative for more than a decade. GM and Honda both demonstrated cars powered by homogeneous-charge compression-ignition engines running on gasoline. More recently, Hyundai and Delphi advanced the cause by switching to stratified charge (a rich mixture in part of the cylinder) in a 180-hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder using auto ignition from idle to a 4500-rpm redline. When the study moves out of the lab into two test cars later this year, it should be clear whether the combination of diesel efficiency and gasoline conven*i*ence is within reach.

The pistons of this engine have "soup bowls" cast into their crowns. The injectors can squirt fuel directly into the center of each bowl. The 14.8:1 compression ratio is a key enabler to the GDCI engine's operation.

Fuel efficiency rivals that of a diesel according to Hyundai's GDCI expert. That is due to lean fuel-air mixtures, minimal heat lost through the cylinder walls, no throttling, and the large expansion ratio. Apparently the engine adds up to 10-15% efficiency without switching to a troublesome fuel.

Experimental Hyundai gas engine runs sans spark plugs

 

[Santana]

This is actually quite impressive coming from Hyundai. Seeing the numbers that they're producing here as of the result of what the system can accomplish should help them with staying competitive with fuel economy and maybe even performance.

 

[Colin]

I haven't heard of other companies doing this yet so it should be a big draw to the Santa Cruz. People love having new technology. Can't wait till we see pictures that are the real deal instead of this cartoon diagram.

 

[Santana]

I haven't heard of other companies doing this yet so it should be a big draw to the Santa Cruz. People love having new technology. Can't wait till we see pictures that are the real deal instead of this cartoon diagram.

It's not just about having new technology, it's about what that tech can do for them. Most won't care for learning the intricacies like we are here, rather knowing what it will do for them. How many more MPG's gained? longer maintenance intervals?

Hyundai is for the most part about affordability.

 

[ChuckAStone]

When do you think this engine will be made into production? And I also wonder what the main benefit of the new technology is? Whether you never have to change them or if it make the engine more efficient..?

 

[Santana]

When do you think this engine will be made into production? And I also wonder what the main benefit of the new technology is? Whether you never have to change them or if it make the engine more efficient..?

As it's still experimental for now, we'd have to see something more indepth and something that signals it is going to make it's way into production getting green-lighted.... just more things around it to build a stronger case.

 

[ChuckAStone]

I wonder it this technology is gas specific or I will be designed for use with diesel as well. Very interested to see how this technology advances in the future.

 

[Santana]

that would make for a killer combination, this tech and diesel fuel
i can only hope that be the case here

 

[Dex]

I wonder it this technology is gas specific or I will be designed for use with diesel as well. Very interested to see how this technology advances in the future.

diesels already work like this...



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[Colin]

So is the main benefit affordability, or fuel efficiency? Does anyone know?

Seems to me if you can build an engine without using spark plugs, that must be cheaper to build. Less pieces to build and put together.

 

[Santana]

So is the main benefit affordability, or fuel efficiency? Does anyone know?

Seems to me if you can build an engine without using spark plugs, that must be cheaper to build. Less pieces to build and put together.

fuel efficiency is a benefit of the system here

 

[don4331]

Replacing a $5 spark plug with a $500 high pressure injector doesn't necessarily save money.

The 'problems' with gasoline compression ignition have been:

a. poor lubrication characteristics of gasoline (parts without lubrication wear/seize) = expensive materials which resist wear/don't need lubrication
b. higher auto ignition temperature (compared to diesel) = higher compression ratio = heavier engine
c. lower energy of fuel (30.6MJ/L gasoline vs 32.1MJ/L diesel) so you will never get same fuel economy from gasoline that you do from diesel....

Advantage of compression ignition is you can use very lean mixtures - diesels approach 100:1 at low power (idling) while spark ignition has issues igniting mixtures less than 16:1.

Which is why compression ignition engines (diesels) can post really good hiway numbers.

People like new technology when it improves things. In this case, if you want a compression ignition engine, make it a diesel...

 

[Santana]

Good point about the difference in pricing for the parts.
But what should be in question is the life of that injector.
It's even more of a reason to keep a vehicle within its warranty term.

 

[Dex]

but i wonder if we'll see this producing new or higher emission numbers of things not tested/relevant to certification?



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[Santana]

That could happen, we'll just have to wait and see what those number turn out to be come time real world numbers and official numbers finally go live.

 

[BahamaTodd]

Just an observation, but HOLY CRAP! This thread has over 48k views! I wonder what high traffic site this got linked to. lol

 

[Santana]

Just an observation, but HOLY CRAP! This thread has over 48k views! I wonder what high traffic site this got linked to. lol

Probably even a few especially within the short amount of time it got to that number.

I bet this topic will be brought back into the spot light once again and soon enough, to 100k and beyond.