Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) News
Printer Friendly VersionSwRI establishes benchmarking program for vehicles and engines
Program to save clients time and money
San Antonio -- November 4, 1998 -- Engineers at Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) have launched an automotive program to carry out benchmarking of new vehicles and engines. Benchmarking is an increasingly important tool that manufacturers use to measure the quality of their products and processes against those of their competitors.
"Current comparison programs require a company to independently examine competitive products by performance testing a vehicle, removing the engine, and evaluating key engine characteristics such as brake-specific fuel consumption, power, and emissions. This time-consuming and lengthy procedure can exceed $300,000 per vehicle," says Steve Griffin, a research engineer in SwRI's Engine and Vehicle Research Division. "By participating in the SwRI benchmarking program, manufacturers interested in the North American market can share costs and have access to more comprehensive data."
Current testing is being completed on a 1997 Nissan XE light-duty truck with a 2.4L SOHC 3V L4 engine. The next vehicle and engine planned for testing is the 1999 Lexus LX 470 luxury sport utility vehicle which has a new quad-cam, 4-valve per cylinder, V8 engine.
"SwRI has purchased dedicated world class equipment for high-speed dynamometer tests, conditioned inlet air and combustion analysis," adds Griffin. In addition, the unique, SwRI-developed Rapid Prototyping Electronic Control System (RPECS) allows performance testing with complete control of fueling, ignition timing, exhaust gas recirculation rates, and other process controls.
The cost of participating in the program depends on the extent of participation and the level of benchmarking. For more information, contact Griffin at (210) 522-2614 or Deborah Deffenbaugh, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510, Phone (210) 522-2046, Fax (210) 522-3547.
