Crain's Detroit Business - 2010 North American International Auto Show - (Page 37)

Technology Ford’s EcoBoost four-cylinder engines combine gasoline direct injection with turbocharging, for fuel economy and power. COURTESY OF FORD MOTOR CO. Out of sight, top of mind Automakers focus on technology, not just style has been used primarily on high-end luxury and sports cars. GDI improves fuel efficiency and lashy, futuristic concept cars remain a key reduces exhaust emissions compared to ingredient for auto shows. Yet new conventional port fuel injection, without decreasing technologies are crucial, too, and perhaps the engine’s power output, and this year it’s more important to automakers in the short term. appearing in less expensive, mainstream autos. Car companies use auto shows to gauge You’ll find it in the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, the consumer reaction to everything from new 2011 Ford Focus and a host of new vehicles from powertrain technology to safety systems to General Motors, including the Buick Regal, GMC convenience items that make it easier to integrate Terrain and Chevrolet Equinox. cellular phones into cars and trucks. Ford is also unveiling an expansion of its Particularly in tough economic times, car EcoBoost technology to four-cylinder engines. companies want to know if soon-to-be released EcoBoost combines gasoline direct injection with features and options turbocharging, for what are going to be on the Ford hopes is the mark. ultimate combination of “Dream cars have fuel efficiency and been reined in, in favor horsepower. The of something that’s a company will show 2.0little closer to what we liter and 1.6-liter can use, and much EcoBoost engines for closer to production,” the new Focus and the says Jim Hall, smaller 2010 Ford managing director of Fiesta. 2953 Analytics, a The trickle-down of COURTESY OF GENERAL MOTORS CO. Birmingham company technology previously Chevrolet Cruze models feature six-speed transmissions — one example of that studies automotive reserved for high-priced the way technology is migrating from exclusive to mass-market vehicles. market trends. “The car cars is evident across companies still want reaction to possibilities that the show floor. The compact Chevrolet Cruze, for are far down the road, but in tough times they can example, offers all six-speed transmissions (both be more concerned with answers to immediate manual and automatic), Bluetooth cellular phone questions.” interface and 10 airbags — including standard rear That’s one reason this year’s show brings a passenger side-impact airbags and front proliferation of technology in production cars just passenger knee-protection airbags. months from dealer showrooms — such as Ford will show a new dual-clutch manu-matic gasoline direct injection. transmission for its Focus and Fiesta. Such A technology originally developed for large diesel See Page 38 engines, GDI is a fuel-saving delivery method that By J.P. Vettraino 2010 North American International Auto Show

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crain's Detroit Business - 2010 North American International Auto Show

Crain's Detroiot Business - 2010 North American International Auto Show
Table of Contents
Overview
Buyers Guide
Small Car Design
Alternative Movement
EcoXperience
Test-Driving
Technology
Poster Contest
Unveilings
Sponsors

Crain's Detroit Business - 2010 North American International Auto Show