General Motors may use an advanced cylinder deactivation technology, co-developed with Delphi and Silicon Valley startup Tula Technologies, in its SUVs and V-8 cars to shut down up to six cylinders to maximize fuel economy, Automotive News reported.
According to the automaker, GM in 2012 invested in Tula, which specializes in automotive engineering. The automaker announced in January that it would pursue the advanced cylinder deactivation technology for some of its SUVs, which could improve fuel economy by 15 percent in cars with engines with more than four cylinders.
The system, dubbed Dynamic Skip Fire, keeps the throttle open during operation and controls cylinder firing through a special valve that cuts off oil to the deactivated cylinders’ valve lifters. According to the company, the engine computer changes the deactivated cylinders to avoid vibration or noise.
According to the report, a GMC Yukon Denali with a 6.2-liter V-8 was fitted with DSF to shut down all but two cylinders on a highway drive. The Yukon’s fuel economy improved by 21 percent, according to Automotive News.
“This technology holds the potential to improve fuel economy on select GM vehicles without degrading power capability when it’s required,” Jon Lauckner, GM chief technology officer, vice president of Global R&D and president of GM Ventures, said in a statement.
The cost could be between $300 and $600 depending on the engine for the technology.
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