EcoCAR 3 competition to use Chevy Camaro as base vehicle

General Motors is continuing its partnership with the US Department of Energy and Argonne National Laboratory for the EcoCAR 3 collegiate advanced vehicle technology competition. and will donate a Chevrolet Camaro to each one of the 16 universities that were recently selected for the exclusive competition.

For EcoCAR 2: Plugging In to the Future, GM donated Chevrolet Malibus; for EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge, GM donated Saturn Vues; and for Challenge X: Crossover to Sustainable Mobility, the company donated Chevrolet Equinoxes.

EcoCAR 3 challenges university students across North America to design, build and optimize eco-friendly powertrains over the course of the next four years. Students must also consider cost and explore innovation, while retaining the vehicle’s performance, safety and consumer appeal. Schools selected for EcoCAR 3 are:

Arizona State University California State University, Los Angeles Colorado State University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Georgia Institute of Technology McMaster University Mississippi State University Ohio State University

Pennsylvania State University University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Alabama University of Washington University of Waterloo Virginia Tech Wayne State University West Virginia University

To support the goals, students will explore a variety of advanced propulsion systems, lightweight materials, improve aerodynamics, and utilize alternative fuels.

GM will also supply each team with seed money in the amount of $20,000 plus an additional $10,000 in program-initiation funding for teams who were not previously included in the EcoCAR 2: Plugging In to the Future or EcoCAR: The NeXt Challenge series in an effort to diminish any disadvantage for new teams.

Teams will follow a real-world Vehicle Development Process (VDP) to design and integrate their advanced technology solutions into GM-donated Camaro, gaining hands-on experience with industry-leading engineering tools and the latest vehicle components and technologies.

2014 Chevrolet Equinox, GMC Terrain To Get eAssist Hybrid System

Starting with its rollout in the 2012 Buick Lacrosse, GM has steadily added its eAssist mild-hybrid system to an expanding roster of vehicles.

Next year, it will be offered as an option on the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox and the 2014 GMC Terrain, which will be the first crossover utility vehicles to receive the system.

The news was reported by GM Insider this morning, based on Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) cards issued by General Motors for 2014 models.

Following Chevy nomenclature, the Equinox with the mild hybrid system added to the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine will likely be dubbed the 2014 Chevrolet Equinox Eco.

The "Eco" suffix indicates Chevrolet's most fuel-efficient models, and on the 2013 Malibu and the 2014 Impala, it means the car is fitted with the 2.4-liter engine and hybrid system.

Only the Cruze Eco compact sedan breaks the mold, with a downsized and turbocharged 1.4-liter engine rather than the larger four with the hybrid system.

Other cars currently offering the eAssist system (which is the Buick label) as standard or optional include the Buick Verano compact sedan, Regal mid-size sedan, and Lacrosse full-size sedan.

The Terrain drossover will be the first GMC vehicle to receive the mild-hybrid system and, as yet, it's unclear how General Motors' all-truck brand will label its highest gas-mileage option.

The eAssist system consists of a 0.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and an electric belt-alternator-starter motor.

That motor not only acts as a conventional starter when the engine shuts off at stops, but can also feed added electric torque into the engine so the six-speed automatic transmission doesn't have to downshift--meaning the engine can run at lower and more efficient speeds.

Finally, the motor can run as a generator to recharge the battery pack under regenerative braking.

2013 GMC Terrain Denali

The mild-hybrid 2.4-liter engine is expected to be a new option for the two crossovers, adding to the current (non-hybrid) 2.4-liter and the more powerful 3.6-liter V-6.

The most fuel-efficient version of the Equinox this year is the front-wheel drive model with conventional 2.4-liter engine, which is rated at 26 mpg combined (22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway).

The mild-hybrid system is likely to boost each test-cycle number by a few miles per gallon.

The Equinox Eco ratings, however, won't be as high as those delivered by full hybrid vehicles, which can run on electricity alone at least part of the time at low speeds and under light loads.

The two 2014 crossover hybrids will compete with a future Toyota RAV4 Hybrid model, based on the all-new 2013 RAV4 crossover just launched by Toyota.

Source: Green Car Reports

Magna E-Car Systems Launches Demonstration Fleet of Electric Chevrolet Equinoxes

PRESS RELEASE

Magna E-Car Systems announced today that it has developed a demonstration fleet of nine electric vehicles based on the popular Chevrolet Equinox crossover. The demonstration project, undertaken jointly with General Motors (GM) and with assistance to Magna E-Car Systems from an Ontario government grant, will enable Magna E-Car Systems and GM to gain critical insight into the performance of electric vehicles in a larger crossover segment. The project involves the integration of Magna E-Car Systems' innovative electric drive system into the fleet of Equinoxes.

"Collaboration between automakers, suppliers, utility companies and the government is essential in order to develop solutions for future mobility," said Ted Robertson, Vice Chairman, Magna E-Car Systems. "Such collaboration can enhance innovation and reduce costs, particularly in fleet projects such as this where the resulting data and lessons learned are useful to all participants."

A joint GM-Magna E-Car Systems team has designed and built the Chevrolet Equinox Electric Vehicle (EV) demonstration units, working collaboratively from GM's Canadian Engineering Centre in Oshawa, Ontario, and Magna E-Car System's facility in Aurora, Ontario. The Equinox EV fleet is propelled by Magna E-Car Systems' electric drive system, which features an electric motor that generates maximum power of 105 kW with energy supplied from a 33kWh battery pack. The demonstration fleet will be monitored closely to determine the amount of real-world range achievable by a vehicle of this size. Magna E-Car Systems led the design and vehicle integration of the propulsion and energy storage systems, with GM Canada providing engineering assistance in designing and validating the solution.

"This demonstration project is the latest example of GM's commitment to broaden our vehicle electrification technology expertise working with a leading Canadian supplier, like Magna E-Car Systems," said Matthew Crossley, Director, Canadian Engineering for General Motors of Canada Limited. "This pilot project will help both GM and Magna E-Car Systems gather key learnings about the integration of vehicle electrification technologies."

In addition to the launch of the award-winning Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera electric vehicles with extended-range capability of up to 580 kilometres, General Motors is committed to delivering a range of advanced propulsion technologies solutions that will allow customers to choose the vehicle that best meets their needs. As a result, GM has established electric vehicle demonstration fleets around the world to better understand driving patterns, battery charging, market needs and customer acceptance of electric vehicles. Chevrolet recently announced production plans for a 2013 Spark EV, which will be available in select markets.

At the same time, GM is investing in start-up companies with innovative ideas to accelerate next-generation electrification technologies. Deep experience and expertise in batteries, electric motors and power controls will ensure GM provides the best possible choices when it comes to vehicle electrification technologies.

About Magna E-Car Systems
Magna E-Car Systems (www.magnaecar.com), a partnership between Magna International and the Stronach Group, is a global supplier of components and systems for hybrid and electric vehicles. Magna E-Car capabilities include design and engineering, manufacturing, vehicle integration and testing. With a focus on innovation, Magna E-Car offers a wide array of products including lithium-ion cells and battery packs, electric drive motors and generators, inverters, converters, onboard chargers, and powertrain control modules.

About Magna International
Magna International (TSX: MG; NYSE: MGA) is the most diversified global automotive supplier. Magna designs, develops and manufactures technologically advanced automotive systems, assemblies, modules and components, and engineers and assembles complete vehicles, primarily for sale to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") of cars and light trucks. Magna's capabilities include the design, engineering, testing and manufacture of automotive interior systems; seating systems; closure systems; body and chassis systems; vision systems; electronic systems; exterior systems; powertrain systems; roof systems; hybrid and electric vehicles/systems; as well as complete vehicle engineering and assembly.

Magna has approximately 107,000 employees in 275 manufacturing operations and 85 product development, engineering and sales centres in 26 countries. More information on Magna can be found at www.magna.com.

About General Motors
General Motors Company (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, Russia, Mexico, and Uzbekistan. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.