Better Economy From Old Technology

The Age

Wednesday January 23, 2008

Ian Porter

WHILE the US car industry is stampeding towards hybrid and fuel cell drivetrains, European manufacturers are still examining ways to eke more life out of the internal combustion technology by using different fuels.

Audi will today unveil a fleet of A8 limousines that will be fuelled by synthetic diesel made from natural gas (gas-to-liquid or GtL). The A8s will be used in Davos, Switzerland, to ferry around people attending the annual economic conference.

Audi claims the GtL diesels emit 13% less carbon dioxide and 93% less carbon monoxide than the standard A8 diesel engine. Sulphur dioxide emissions are eliminated altogether.

The GtL fuel requires no alterations to the engine.

This week in Melbourne, BMW has been demonstrating its Hydrogen 7 limousine. The V12 BMW uses a dual-fuel system, allowing the driver to switch between petrol and hydrogen, even on the move. When using hydrogen, it emits only water.

The Hydrogen 7 can cover 500 kilometres on its 74-litre petrol tank (15.0 L/100 km) and a further 200 km on its 8 kg of liquid hydrogen. -- IAN PORTER

© 2008 The Age

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