Casey Hendrickson: Remember The 110 MPG Engine We Told You About First? Here's How It Works.
Months and months and months ago, on our Saturday program, we had a guest I was excited about. His name is Doug Pelmear, and he invented a car engine called the HP2g. While doing some research for my car project I ran across an article about Doug and his engine in the Toledo Blade, a local newspaper in his area. The claim went as follows:
- 110 mpge (e stands for ethanol)
- 400 hp
- 500 tq
- Meets Obama's 2016 emission standards
In other words, this engine had better mileage than any combustion engine in the world, but was as powerful as many super cars while meeting all future emission requirements. It was an amazing claim.
The article also mentioned that a new car company was already in contract with Doug to use his engine in two of their cars. One of those cars is a sleek super car based on the Ford GT platform (my favorite car), and the other was a super luxury model. All of this was exciting to me, but then I saw that Doug planned on opening an installation facility in Las Vegas, NV.
Las Vegas was to be one of places where you could go and swap this engine into your car. Given the economy, and discussions we'd been having on diversifying Las Vegas' economy, I called Doug to get more info.
A short while later Doug called me back, and we spent a good period of time discussing options for my car's engine swap, and the technology behind it. As our conversation progressed, I asked Doug if he'd be willing to come on the air and discuss this with KXNT listeners ... he agreed.
On a show typically dedicated to open lines we devoted a good chunk of it for Doug and his new engine. We took calls from several listeners who were intrigued, and trying to get all the info they could about the engine. Most callers were cautiously optimistic, some were concerned he'd 'sell out' and we'd never hear of the engine again. After Doug hung up, however, is when the other calls came out of the wood-work.
Casey, you've been had, you're a fool, he's lying, this is impossible ... scientifically impossible, you're a hack, he's a hack, how dare you, what kind of science degree does he have ... etc.
Their problem with Doug's claims ... he wouldn't reveal how he got his results. Doug had a reason for this. He was waiting for patents to be approved before he'd reveal the engine tech to anyone. In fact, no one had even seen the engine under the hood of his Fox Body Mustang.
So instead of listening to Doug, the press he's received in his home town, the fact that he was in contract with a car company to use his engine, he'd opened a manufacturing plant to build the engine and that Doug was in the business of performance modifications they just pounced upon Doug as a fraud.
They weren't alone. The claims Doug had made were roundly criticized in auto media and online as fraudulent, and that he'd be exposed sooner or later. Many calls and emails after Doug's interview were of the same tone. How can you not see that Casey?
I had a simple response really. If Doug is a fraud, why is a car company using his engine? Do you expect me to believe that they didn't test this engine before committing to put it in their cars? Why would he open a manufacturing facility, and spend all that money if the engine doesn't work? Why tell his local media that he's opening facilities in Las Vegas, NV? Vegas isn't anywhere near his home town in Ohio. I also didn't find it impossible for this guy to invent something like this. Maybe it's my faith in American ingenuity, or the fact that NASA has already built an engine over 100 mpg. Bottom line is ... in my research there was more to his claim than against it.
Doug has continued to send me information on the progress of his business, and he was recently invited to the SEMA show here in Vegas. Guess what? He's got his patents, and he's revealed the technology behind his engine.
The best part is ... I get to harass those of you who attacked Doug and myself with a spiteful "I TOLD YOU SO!"
Doug's HP2g engine is truly revolutionary, but nearly every car company in the world is using some of the elements in his engine to get better power and fuel mileage. Doug's engine is a hybrid engine that blends electric, ethanol, and variable displacement (shutting down cylinders in the engine). Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda and others ALL USE THESE METHODS in their products. Doug just uses them all on one engine, and merges other patented technology to make it work.
No matter what Doug accomplishes he still has his detractors. He also has his supporters. Since I'm one of those; he really doesn't need anyone else.
A major point of contention is his over 100 mpge claim. The 'e' is very important because the engine runs on ethanol. So the mpg is an equivalent number to gasoline. When Doug runs 100 mpge he is running around 80 mpg in normal gas numbers. Does that mean he's lying? No. Doug has done nothing that the major automobile manufacturers don't do.
So now you are looking at a V8 with 400 hp, 500 tq, and 80 mpg. Not bad huh?
When I first heard Doug's claim I figured there was a possibility of using driving techniques to get that mileage. I can get a Pontiac Solstice up to 60-70 mpg by using hypermiling driving techniques. Now I know that Doug has an engine that shuts down cylinders, and has an electric backup to get that mileage; just like any hybrid car. Most hybrids get their mileage by using all electric power up to 30-40 mph. Once the gas engine kicks on the car gets normal mileage.
A local Toledo news crew took the car on a 103 mile drive, and got 50 mpg with Doug's engine. So now the critics come out in full force again to say that Doug is a fraud. STOP! Are you really unhappy with a 400 hp, 500 tq beast that gets over 50 mpg? I didn't think so. Factor in a giddy news crew who's likely never been in a car that powerful before, and driving wide open throttle burning ethanol, and you have a recipe for lower mileage.
Does that mean Doug has been dishonest? Absolutely not! His engine is clearly capable of over 100 mpge (80 mpg), but as with every car on the planet, mileage will depend on your driving style. Prius owners aren't getting the 50 mpg claimed by Toyota either. Hybrid owners have sued several car companies over the mileage being 15-20 mpg lower than the manufacturer's claims. That isn't the manufacturer's fault. It's the fault of the driver's style of driving. You can get 50 mpg in a Prius, but it is highly unlikely to get that in real world scenarios (unless you only drive 20 mph). It's the same with any car ... hybrid or not.
Doug's is no different in that it is clearly possible to reach his mileage claims, but given the typical driving style ... it is unlikely. However, a news crew got 50 mpg under real world conditions. So worst case scenario you are looking at a 50 mpg car that is as powerful as many muscle cars and super cars. The best part is that you don't have to buy a new car to get Doug's engine. As long as you have an engine bay that will hold a V8 sized engine ... you can put his engine in your car. That alone will save you tens of thousands of dollars on top of the gas savings.
So when Doug's engine really takes off, and installation facilities open in Vegas, remember who told you about it first. That's right, once again KXNT has laid down complete and utter pwnage.
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