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Mazda to use regen brakes to boost fuel economy 5 to 10 percent

Autoweek Magazine -- Mazda is adding a fuel-saving technology that harnesses wasted brake energy in the redesigned Mazda6 sedan due early next year.

The approach uses regenerative braking to convert kinetic energy into electricity that is stored in a capacitor. The car later taps that capacitor to power the fuel pump, lights, audio, air conditioning and transmission and engine control systems.

Traditionally, power for those functions is drawn from the engine.

But Mazda's innovation, called i-Eloop, relieves the engine of those duties, allowing it to channel its output more efficiently.

The technology will boost fuel economy "by 5 percent to 10 percent," Seita Kanai, executive vice president in charge of r&d, said during a press event in Japan.

The regenerative braking capacitors will debut in the next-gen

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Submitted Jul 11, 2012 By: NHLiveFree

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,643 Points:1,611,470 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 15, 2012 7:56:40 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse hope it works in large scale operations. Would be a good thing esp. in this economy.
carloco75 Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,721 Points:602,215 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 9:02:11 PM Ignore carloco75 Report Abuse Good stuff...
HawaiianGuy Champion Author Idaho Posts:9,538 Points:3,081,650 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 3:56:54 PM Ignore HawaiianGuy Report Abuse Mazda has always been very innovative, what with being the underdog and all.
sparky808 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,013 Points:600,660 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 1:17:35 PM Ignore sparky808 Report Abuse Thank you for posting.
gravityhurts Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,103 Points:939,455 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 8:54:11 AM Ignore gravityhurts Report Abuse Great idea.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,071 Points:2,347,460 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 8:09:20 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Instead of waste heat from braking, use that kinetic energy to produce power for the vehicle. Store the power, in the form of electricity, in batteries or capacitors for later use. Friction braking is still required at slow speeds or when the regen braking fails. Boost fuel economy 5 to 10 percent? That remains to be seen! Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
remay Champion Author Houston Posts:6,973 Points:2,119,340 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 6:40:09 AM Ignore remay Report Abuse Makes sense as long as its reliable...
jrs4125 Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,768 Points:593,695 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 6:28:52 AM Ignore jrs4125 Report Abuse Good idea if it works as advertised.
justmedc Veteran Author Michigan Posts:382 Points:174,045 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 1:28:37 AM Ignore justmedc Report Abuse wish i had the money for a new car
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,547 Points:1,860,320 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:23:45 AM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse Will that really help?
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,348 Points:693,675 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:14:11 AM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse Interesting. the idea of brake energy to save fuel goes to show what can come out of technology when we put our mind to it.
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,660 Points:1,213,780 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:13:55 AM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Go stopping...
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,702 Points:539,995 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:06:39 AM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse Good R&D!
DandyDapple All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:715 Points:312,320 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:06:10 AM Ignore DandyDapple Report Abuse Cool ...
rollercoaster All-Star Author Hartford Posts:502 Points:567,660 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:05:56 AM Ignore rollercoaster Report Abuse hope it works
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:2,977 Points:683,015 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:05:24 AM Ignore jrschl Report Abuse Kudos.
umitb Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,681 Points:844,415 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:05:00 AM Ignore umitb Report Abuse ok
1fulltank Champion Author Buffalo Posts:7,913 Points:1,546,260 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:04:03 AM Ignore 1fulltank Report Abuse Another system destined for recall.
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,432 Points:1,474,645 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:04:03 AM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse Wow, one more thing to go seriously wrong all in the name of fuel economy.
unipanini All-Star Author New York Posts:903 Points:264,575 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:04:02 AM Ignore unipanini Report Abuse Awesome
feistyfella All-Star Author Georgia Posts:881 Points:195,495 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:03:06 AM Ignore feistyfella Report Abuse Eloop
TheeRedRam Champion Author Hartford Posts:3,173 Points:674,585 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:02:36 AM Ignore TheeRedRam Report Abuse .
Buffalo Joe Champion Author Alberta Posts:8,606 Points:2,510,825 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Jul 12, 2012 12:02:33 AM Ignore Buffalo Joe Report Abuse Go Mazda!
DesertRat2011 Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,628 Points:487,755 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:58:55 PM Ignore DesertRat2011 Report Abuse Great others need to follow!
flyfast Champion Author Kansas City Posts:9,258 Points:1,827,760 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:57:02 PM Ignore flyfast Report Abuse COST
min_fuel Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:1,956 Points:722,545 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:56:22 PM Ignore min_fuel Report Abuse Nice. I thought of this a few years ago and wondered how it could be done. Not that I take credit, just wondered why it could not be done.
AnObserver Champion Author New Jersey Posts:8,364 Points:2,259,730 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:56:14 PM Ignore AnObserver Report Abuse interessting - similar to the KERS system in F1
MDTDriver Champion Author California Posts:9,734 Points:2,156,595 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:55:26 PM Ignore MDTDriver Report Abuse Not new but it works.
BrucePen Champion Author Ontario Posts:6,611 Points:1,363,790 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:55:07 PM Ignore BrucePen Report Abuse Sounds good.
mgune9 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:914 Points:200,395 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:52:27 PM Ignore mgune9 Report Abuse sounds like true inventiveness, but I'll wait to see how practical it proves to be
Ayeghoti Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,445 Points:348,825 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:51:08 PM Ignore Ayeghoti Report Abuse hmmm
suzmar Champion Author Texas Posts:2,213 Points:873,785 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:48:17 PM Ignore suzmar Report Abuse Interesting, but I wouldn't buy one till they had been proven in real life.
Tracer2008 All-Star Author Alberta Posts:540 Points:312,445 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:45:22 PM Ignore Tracer2008 Report Abuse So does this mean these cars will have no alternator? I'd hate to see what a 3 hour highway drive would allow for power supply?
mrbee Champion Author Little Rock Posts:3,764 Points:2,468,380 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:38:38 PM Ignore mrbee Report Abuse Interesting.
big_mac64 Champion Author Tennessee Posts:10,593 Points:1,485,690 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:36:42 PM Ignore big_mac64 Report Abuse I would like to see how reliable these vehicles are mechanically B4 I would consider a purchase.
eye-spy Champion Author Quebec Posts:4,598 Points:2,419,795 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:32:29 PM Ignore eye-spy Report Abuse Something else to cost a fortune at the dealers to repair when it "screws up".
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,972 Points:1,277,725 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:30:59 PM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Nice...
Mowerman08 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:4,765 Points:1,219,720 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:29:57 PM Ignore Mowerman08 Report Abuse Sounds like a very optimistic boost to fuel economy, 1 1/2 to 3 mpg.
letmathe Champion Author Chicago Posts:14,326 Points:3,134,595 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:27:21 PM Ignore letmathe Report Abuse interesting!
a_lu_vasile Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,254 Points:776,950 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:23:14 PM Ignore a_lu_vasile Report Abuse ok
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,075 Points:1,733,165 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:22:42 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse sounds pretty smart beyong GM's thoughts
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,810 Points:820,285 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:20:41 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Interesting article...
unicornIL Veteran Author Chicago Posts:446 Points:387,195 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:19:38 PM Ignore unicornIL Report Abuse interesting, anything else that can be recirculated?
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,574 Points:1,514,080 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:17:28 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse Interesting
kzrooster Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:2,395 Points:518,700 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:13:55 PM Ignore kzrooster Report Abuse great idea
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,583 Points:1,774,295 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:13:32 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse Seems technically feasible. Mazda owners, let us know how it works out. We'll be waiting for your report. zzz.
tessnlu Champion Author Missouri Posts:24,274 Points:1,109,190 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:12:33 PM Ignore tessnlu Report Abuse awesome
hcivic Champion Author Virginia Posts:3,859 Points:2,266,690 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:10:05 PM Ignore hcivic Report Abuse very good
MotoDad Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,106 Points:812,765 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:10:04 PM Ignore MotoDad Report Abuse every little bit helps. stick it to the oil companies.
NemoIL Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,035 Points:1,315,170 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2012 11:05:03 PM Ignore NemoIL Report Abuse A lot of complex mechanics and electronics to gain only 10%.