Powertrain

Exide takes the lead-acid battery in a new direction The drive to boost mileage is starting a transformation of one of the oldest technologies in autos: the lead-acid battery. The adoption of stop-start systems is helping drive a transition from conventional flooded lead-acid batteries to units that hold liquid electrolytes in absorbent glass mats. Read full story

Hella banking on stop-start surge The company says it has developed a new generation of electronic system solutions to help vehicle manufacturers address increasingly rigorous fuel-economy and greenhouse-gas requirements. Read full story

Hyundai uses cloud server to remotely check vehicle performance Blue Link data modem transmits onboard diagnostic data to server as soon as vehicle comes off assembly line. Electronic Pre-Delivery Inspection system is in development, post-delivery monitoring requires attention to privacy concerns, and remote reflashing is on “wish list” but poses major challenges. Read full story

Honda's 2014 plug-in hybrid Accord has three drive modes Forthcoming model has 10-15 mi (16-24 km) range on battery pack, and it also operates in hybrid mode and direct drive from engine through gearset into transaxle. Read full story

Hybrids won’t replace engine power Unlike on-highway vehicles, many off-highway applications don’t provide adequate opportunities to recharge batteries in a hybrid system, says AVL. Read full story

Engineering Ram’s leading-edge driveline Planning and close supplier collaboration were keys, said Chrysler VP Mircea Gradu. Read full story

A swifter shifter for truck transmissions Transmission specialist Oerlikon Graziano of Italy has developed a new family of synchronizers for heavy-duty truck transmissions, designed to speed up gearshifting and deliver improved fuel consumption. Read full story

Thermal management improves Ram 1500 fuel economy and earns EPA off-cycle credits 2013 Ram truck's HFE (high fuel efficiency) model delivers 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway with help from thermal management of engine and transmission oil temperatures, featuring integration with active grille shutters. Read full story

Chrysler switches to OAT antifreeze for longer service interval The change to OAT is across the board for 2013 and is accompanied by increasing coolant service interval to 10 years/150,000 mi (240,000 km). The formula is different from that used by parent Fiat. Read full story