Stage Set For Alternative Fuels & Active Fuel Management, Says Holden

[JoeT]

All-Go For Alt-Fuel Holdens

Byron Mathioudakis
11 August 2008
www.goauto.com.au

GM Holden has embarked on a multi-pronged efficiency drive for the VE Commodore that will result in a much wider range of alternative fuel derivatives being offered to consumers over the next four years than expected.

Last week’s announcement of cheaper pricing for LPG dual-fuel Commodores (making them just $400 more than petrol model after the government rebate) is the first of these new initiatives, which will eventually spawn ethanol, diesel and probably hybrid versions of the Commodore and Statesman-based vehicles.

However, not all models will receive each fuel type, while some – like the hybrid powerplants – may only end up on a select few.

The second initiative follows in the next few weeks, with the introduction of Holden’s highly touted AFM Active Fuel Management system, which cuts half the cylinders on some V8 models to conserve fuel and cut emissions.

It is believed that the Calais V and Caprice will be the first recipients of AFM engines.

“We’re going to do all of them,” revealed Holden chairman and managing director Mark Reuss at the media launch of the Epica facelift and Rodeo light truck-replacing Colorado last week.

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[afireinside7710]

sounds good, lets see how this goes

[DemonKnightDK]

GM should really tout AFM a lot more and implement it on smaller engines (the DI 3.6 would probably break 30 or so HWY with AFM)

I thought that AFM was supposed to be used on the 3.9L V6 back when it was new and expected to be the new work horse (which the 3.5 proved to beat the thing in almost every way, save power.)

[mikmak]

^^^Sure, in a 3.6DI Aveo.

[Slick_Holden]

I got AFM, In my foot.

Loved to see this on all models 6's and 8's.

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by DemonKnightDK

GM should really tout AFM a lot more and implement it on smaller engines (the DI 3.6 would probably break 30 or so HWY with AFM)

I thought that AFM was supposed to be used on the 3.9L V6 back when it was new and expected to be the new work horse (which the 3.5 proved to beat the thing in almost every way, save power.)

AFM works much better on a V8. When the AFM motor is running on half it's cylinders, it is much easier to balance four power pulses for a V8, than the resulting 3 power pulses from a V6.

[mang01]

I wonder since this is something you'd have thought they could have done 6 or 9 months ago when the first G8s were built the timing is more about build capacity at the Mexico V8 plant than much else - G8s haven't yet sold at the rate they were expecting so if the Elizabeth plant slows down producing G8s then there'd be spare capacity for Commodores to have them too.
There are reports of some unusual sensations (slight) when it's operating on only 4 cylinders so it's not something you get totally for nothing (and will prices rise on those fitted with AFM?)

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by CaptainDan

AFM works much better on a V8. When the AFM motor is running on half it's cylinders, it is much easier to balance four power pulses for a V8, than the resulting 3 power pulses from a V6.

Honda seem to manage.

[mikmak]

My thoughts as well, but is the complexity worth the cost in servicing increases? Anyone know how AFM works and what addition there is to hardware?