Test Results of Performance Criteria Exceed Preliminary Expectations
DETROIT, MI -April 15, 2008 - Reaching yet another significant milestone in its development of the world’s most fuel efficient internal combustion engine — The Scuderi Air-Hybrid Engine — the Scuderi Group today announced that measured results from valve train test rig tests by an independent laboratory have exceeded expectations and have had a nearly perfect match to initial computer predictions of the engine. This announcement marks the first day of the Scuderi Group’s participation in the SAE World Congress and Exposition at the Cobo Center, where they will be meeting with automotive engineers from around the world to discuss the latest developments of the much-anticipated Scuderi Engine (Booth 1337).
The newly developed valve train test rig is designed to fully actuate, test and measure all performance criteria of the Scuderi Engine’s crossover valve train sub-assembly, prior to the final assembly of the first Scuderi Engine prototype. The crossover valve train is one of the most critical portions of the Scuderi Engine since it must actuate at greater than Formula 1 speeds. Testing on the valve train test rig is expected to continue through the month of April.
“The valve train on the Scuderi Engine has been one of the most scrutinized features of the engine since our debut here at SAE World Congress two years ago,” said Sal Scuderi, president of the Scuderi Group. “The valve train test rig simulates every aspect of the engine’s environment, minus the heat of combustion. Therefore the laboratory was able to fully actuate the crossover valves at all engine speeds under all load conditions, and compare measured results to the computer-predicted performance data.”
The Scuderi Group opened up the first day of the 2008 World Congress on Monday, greeting the throngs of engineers and automotive executives that have flocked to Detroit the annual gathering at the Cobo Center.
Headlining all the exciting updates around the Scuderi Air-Hybrid Engine was the news about the split-cycle engine’s valve train test rig. Results from the independent laboratory developing the prototype showed that the valve train matched all the previous computer simulations and in many cases exceeded expectations around engine efficiency, power and NOx emissions.
Exciting news indeed as not only has the valve system been one of the most critical components of the core engine, but it came out even better than expected.
With a full exhibit team of engineers, sales, marketing and public relations personnel, the Scuderi Group had a steady flow of engineers wanting to learn more about the engine and the recent testing updates. As usual, the exhibit welcomed its share of media and analysts including editors from Motor Trend, Motor News, Machine Design, Auto Tech News, Global Insight, Automotive Industries, and Engine Technology International, among others.
With a good night’s sleep behind us, Day Two is expected to be the busiest day of the show and has a full agenda with off-site meetings, more media interviews and the annual Tex-Mex swaree hosted by the Scuderi Group’s independent laboratory.
Crude oil prices hit a new all-time intraday high after the Energy Department reported a surprise decline in U.S. oil inventories.
The government said inventories slid by 3.2 million barrels last week — a surprise for Wall Street given analysts surveyed by Dow Jones forecasted a 2.4 million barrel increase. Also, the Energy Department said gasoline inventories declined by 3.4 million barrels last week.
Oil futures soared more than $3.50 on the news and hit a new intraday record of $112.21 a barrel on the
New York Mercantile Exchange. Crude closed $2.37 higher in New York at $110.87 per barrel — a new Nymex record.
The soaring oil prices come amid a fresh record for gasoline prices, which increased 1.2 cents to $3.343 a gallon, according to a new survey by AAA and the Oil Price Information Service.
Source: The Times of India
MUMBAI - The financial deal between Tata Motors and Ford Motor Company goes beyond the $2.3 billion, which the Indian company is paying to buy Ford’s Jaguar and Land Rover marques. This is because apart from the acquisition cost of $2.3 billion, Tata Motors will have to shell out more for Ford’s continued support for the iconic brands.
The US company has agreed to support Tata Motors by supplying critical components, technology, research and development, vehicle financing for Jaguar and Land Rover. The after-sale-support, which is for a short period, comes with a price tag, thus pushing the total financial deal between the two parties.
Sources peg this to be $3-3.5 billion. A person familiar with the deal said the $2.3 billion only includes the value of the two brands and fixed assets, including the three British plants. “All other stop-gap arrangements are struck at a price and with certain conditions,” the source added.
When contacted, a Tata Motors spokesperson said, “Jaguar and Land Rover are being acquired with all technologies, know-how and intellectual properties for their businesses. This is fully built into the purchase consideration of $2.3 billion. Therefore the purchase consideration is $2.3 billion as announced and nothing more.”
E. Phil Haley of Life on the Road - Trucking News Blog recently interviewed Scuderi Group President Sal Scuderi about the Scuderi Air-Hybrid Engine.
“Near the end of January,” writes Phil, “I published a post at Life on the Road regarding the Scuderi Split-Cycle engine; an engine design improvement that, in my opinion, is the most important since Rudolph Diesel improved on the work of Nicolaus Otto.
When The Scuderi Group became aware of a post focusing on their efforts they offered me an opportunity to interview their President; and I accepted. The interview is pretty interesting and, hopefully, I’ll have an opportunity to do a follow up interview in the fall.”
