EcoBoost engine technology, the hybrid system that led the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid to best-in-class 41 highway mpg, and Ford's electrification plan will be key topics of discussion during the 2009 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) World Congress on April 20-23. This year's conference theme: "Racing to Green Mobility."
Ford engineers, researchers and academia will present more than 70 papers during the conference. Ford also is offering up the expertise of Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, chief technical officer and vice president of Ford Research and Advanced Engineering; and Sherif Marakby, chief engineer, Ford Global Hybrid Engineering; for interactive discussions on powertrain technology solutions.
Schmidt will share his insights on how to develop a sustainable global plug-and-play powertrain platform during the "Future Powertrain Technology Solutions - 2015 and Beyond" panel on April 21.
The SAE also will honor Schmidt on April 21 as the 2009 winner of the organization's all-new Franz F. Pischinger Powertrain Innovation Award.
"As a former Ph.D. student of Professor Pischinger, this award is particularly meaningful to me," says Schmidt. "This award truly recognizes the team of talented people I've been honored to work beside throughout my career."
Ford's Marakby will speak to trends in consumer hybrid purchase considerations during the "Making Green Cool While Staying in the Black" panel discussion on April 21. Ford's innovative SmartGauge with EcoGuide digital instrument cluster will be illustrated as a perfect example of cool-factor hybrid technology.
"What we are discovering is that the notion of a hybrid and its outstanding fuel economy is what may draw the consumer to the showroom, but it's the cool factor - the HMI displays, the next-generation navigation system, Ford SYNC functionality - that is a significant dynamic in the customer purchase decision," says Marakby.
On April 22, Marakby will lead a more technical discussion on full hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles as a participant in the "Which Hybrid Concepts Will Rise to the Top? The Race to the Marketplace" panel.
Technologies on Tap
Ford is using this year's SAE World Congress to showcase a wide spectrum of powertrain advancements, including the development of more efficient lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems, which will power the company's future battery electric, hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles slated for introduction in 2010 through 2012.
Ford's engine combustion team also will present a number of papers related to Ford's direct injection, turbocharged EcoBoost gasoline engine technology. EcoBoost delivers up to 20 percent better fuel economy than traditional naturally-aspirated engines and reduces CO2 emissions up to 15 percent.
Paul Mascarenas, vice president of engineering for Global Product Development, will highlight the part played by vehicle weight - as well as aerodynamics, materials, and electrical loads - in total energy use of a vehicle during the "Total Vehicle Energy Use Management" panel discussion on April 22.
"Improving fuel economy involves optimizing every aspect of a vehicle's energy consumption, including aerodynamics, weight, rolling resistance and electrical loads. These actions, coupled with state-of-the-art powertrain technologies, can be seen in many of our newly-launched vehicles," says Mascarenas, who will act as the session moderator.
