Hi Wolfman:

___Let me give you a little background. The Ranger is at 37.4 after 20 + K miles with 80% of those tanks in 40 degree or lower temps on average? Probably 2000 miles of that 20 + K miles is pulling around a 5,000 # landscape trailer! You are running in 80 and 90 degree temps and have touched 38 once. Do you want to look at the Accord’s first tank (EPA combined of 29 mpg) in 32 degree temps by comparison? You can FAS a Ranger from 60 + mph, you cannot the Escape HEV because Ford had some severe design constraints with the eCVT as it sits. The Escape is a kick *** SUV as it can beat the Ranger’s FE but not unless you pull out all the stops and I mean all of them! I am seriously considering a Gen-II Escape HEV after we remove the MDX from our fleet but only if Ford takes the eCVT design to its maximum as well. The FE Engineer at the Experience last week was not receptive to anything but Regen, Regen, Regen as his data shows that maximizes FE for the EV or assist afterwards … Those of us that push tanks to their absolute maximums in the real world without Ni-MH packs, regen capable MGSets, and 1,000 RPM starts from that MGSet no matter the non-hybrid vehicle know better

___When you get into the Laws of Physics stuff, I am at a complete loss as there is no breaking of any laws of physics to receive much higher FE then anyone can imagine today. Tom is right. If GM pulls out all the stops and designs the BAS to best the HSD, e-CVT, IMA, they can do it without nearly the expense of designing a more complex system in today’s automobile. IMA could be the best of all but Honda is too conservative with the design and too un-conservative with Ni-MH pack parameters. A much simplified BAS can do almost everything an eCVT, HSD, or IMA based hybrid can and in some cases more if designed to the limits discussed above. It is this if that I have all kinds of questions about as those engineers are on a steep learning curve and hopefully have picked up my strong objections to Regen over a FAS on every coast down other then when you actually do need to tap the brakes, SoC of the smallish Li-ION/Ni-MH pack is to low, Emissions need to be held, Coolant temps, AIT’s, etc … If they pull an ICE braking mode w/ Fuel Cut, that too is an utter waste of kinetic energy.

___What GM will do with BAS is anybodies guess and I have my doubts given GM’s past but there is the possibility that GM will do the right thing simply because financially they are in survival mode and need a killer and inexpensive Hybrid system to compete with just about everybody (Toyota, Honda, Ford) here in the states!

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net