Still no flying car.
Posted on 12/27/2016 4:38:07 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
The four mega-trends shaping the global auto industry over the next 15-odd years are undoubtedly vehicles with lower emissions, new powertrain technologies, autonomous automobiles and vehicle digitalization. Reflecting these mega-trends, one can anticipate more developments in lightweighting, drivetrain optimization, car computerization, infotainment and driverless transportation in 2017. Here PlasticsToday gives its take on some of the key developments expected in 2017.
Staying connected, and entertained
Rather than being interested in the size of the engine and the shape of the car, consumers are now more interested in “infotainment” systems, being connected, autonomous driving and diverse mobility, notes consultant McKinsey. Traditionally, most value has resided in the hardware of vehicles and in the automakers’ brands. However, future innovations will probably focus on disruptive technology trends, so customer perceptions of value will shift, increasingly putting incumbents in danger. “Infotainment innovations, together with novel traffic services and new business models and services, will increase as cars get connected to each other, to the wider infrastructure and to people,” notes McKinsey.
3D printing expands its role
3D printing is a common tool for prototyping parts in a variety of industries including automotive. It’s also common to employ the technology to fabricate fixtures and jigs to simplify manual assembly operations. Moving forward, material developments such as the availability of 3D-printing materials with reinforcing fibers will likely see 3D printing used as a tool to fabricate structural parts for low-volume cars and trucks. 3D printing is also being applied to form high-strength magnets with implications for electric vehicle propulsion. Expect more developments in high-speed printing, 3D-printed sacrificial tooling and additive manufacturing in 2017.
Lower cost carbon fiber
The high cost of carbon fiber has traditionally limited its application to luxury vehicles, but help is on the horizon with the impending availability of lower cost sources. LeMond Composites, for example, will offer on a commercial basis carbon fiber that is 50% cheaper. R&D to reduce processing costs also will be critical to make carbon-fiber adoption more widespread, but it’s a step in the right direction
Changes to CAFE standards
With the mid-term review of the 2025 the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards scheduled through 2017, 52% of respondents to a recent survey—pre-presidential election, it must be added—said they expected the standards for fuel economy and emissions to become more stringent, while 35% expected them to remain the same. The current test regime is easy to manipulate (cue the use of duct tape) and does not reflect real-world driving conditions. In any case, many experts view the 2025 targets as unrealistic and riddled with loopholes. Are changes afoot once Donald Trump takes office? Based on Trump’s cabinet appointments, it would be no surprise if the answer is yes.
Startups start delivering
Startup automaker Rivian has been around since 2009. Leaving aside whether it still qualifies as a startup eight years on, the company is in talks to buy the former Mitsubishi plant in Noral, IL, with plans to manufacture fuel-efficient vehicles. Furthermore, Lucid, a 330-person Silicon Valley company founded in 2007, plans to start delivering an all-electric, all-wheel-drive sedan with a 300-mile range in early 2019. And while Faraday Future’s production plans appear to be on hold because of funding issues, 2017 could be the year when competition to Tesla appears on the horizon.
Give me the mechanicals (even with microprossessor controls) and let me put my own electronics in (if ever required).
I think the CAFE standards will be repealed long before 2025.
I want a vehicle that will go off-road, have a big V8, and hold a lot of people and gear. My ‘75 Jeep has 500 horsepower, but doesn’t hold many people or much gear, but is sure fun.
More craptastic stuff. Last light vehicle I bought was a 1984 (carburetor) a year ago. I’ll never buy another new vehicle. Detroit, etc. can GFT.
My old Jeeps and Blazer only have the module for the electronic ignition. Other than a radio, I don’t need any more fancy gadgets that will fry.
The Willys had points when I got it, going to electronic on it made a big difference.
My 16 Tacoma is rather light on the bells and whistles and I wanted it that way.
I’m leaning towards a Nissan 370Z in the new year.
Dont want it to drive itself. Dont want speed controls. I can still move my arms and legs so I’ll K park myself.
Just want to have fun and enjoy my car.
What exactly is driving emissions standards these days? Is it air quality or are we doing it just to do it? The auto makers have drastically cut emissions over the years. I wonder if we might be getting to the point of diminishing returns. It might make sense to evaluate whether resources would be better put into other areas like safety or fuel economy or performance. Hopefully someone’s keeping an eye on that sort of thing.
Who wants a GPS that will get you stuck on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Winter?
Yeah, the EPA wants you to walk and even better, die off.....
New navigation system: "In two miles, make a turn... details of the turn in 30 seconds after a brief ad from our sponsors..."
-PJ
Still no flying car.
I don’t see fuel injection for an F-134. However after going through a couple of aftermarket 1 barrels, I broke down and got a Weber 32/36.
It took some extra plumbing including a regulator and an inline gauge. It’s maybe 90% right and it runs really well unless it’s near freezing.
I’ll spin it over on a really cold night. It takes a good few minutes of coaxing and feathering the choke and throttle the first time. After that, it runs fine.
My CJ7 project has a blown engine which is why I got it for the price I did. Anyway I looked at it as an opportunity to relearn things I forgot and try to make it better.
It’s a 2 barrel 6/258. I’ve read about fuel injector kits for that model and hopefully later next year, I can have the pennies saved up for that transplant. In the meantime I do small things to it and stockpile parts when I find them on sale. Amazon is really great for that.
The Willys gets a windshield frame next month. Christmas blew that plan. My 65’s was rusted and didn’t support electric motors.
After that, buy a lift kit and parts to redo the brakes and get the steering box rebuilt. Those are on a laundry list of things I’m looking to get done in March if budget holds.
I’m just one guy in a carport with some knee and other problems so some jobs are out for me.
I’m driving a 57 Bel Air. Spartan, yes. But also repairable, and can be updated wherever I want to state of the art. Paid for. Appreciating in value. It will be on the road 100 years from now
Not going to happen. Electronics are all the rage - to meet cafe and consumer desire to stay ‘connected’. What the article didn’t cover is who will fix them. Few mechanics or techs are good at the electrical/electronics part. The future belongs to the tech who can. Most of those training with me don’t get it. I see a future with few good techs and greatly increased repair costs. It remains to be seen whether wages will keep pace tho. The day of the wrench turner is over.
In-line 6’s have the worst cylinder to cylinder fuel distribution (especially during transients) and are the most likely to benefit from port injection. Electronic FI compensates for so much (temperatures, altitude, transient operation) that it’s a good deal AFAIAC.
Great. So the idiot @$$holes in front of me who can barely drive as it is will now have even more distractions to make them even worse drivers. I can hardly wait.
Beautiful lines, but they've always struck me as a bit small.
The kit I saw a while back was $1400 or so but supposedly everything to convert one like mine over.
Carbs are such a pain.
My old 79 Blazer has a 4 barrel that I need to replace. When it came to me and rebuilding carbs, it never really worked out well.
All my oldies get nothing but ethanol free.
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