“Commer Knocker” May Be Weirdest Engine Design Of The Last 50 Years
Whenever we see an unusual engine in a car or truck, it tends to get our attention. With most of today’s vehicles having either in-line or V configuration gasoline or diesel engines, there isn’t a whole lot of variation. However, this wasn’t always the case. The early 1900s saw a myriad of crazy and almost
The Boxer Engine: Novel Technology or Dying Fad?
In an era where even the once mighty V configuration seems to be giving way to the next generation of in-line fuel savers, many are wondering what this spells for the boxer engine. Going by many names, such as opposed, boxer, and flat, the engine configuration famous to such cars as the Porsche 911 has had a storied run throughout the decades.
GM’s New 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
General Motors has announced that its latest transmission, titled the 8L90, will be available in the 2015 Corvette Stingray and eventually availed in the Camaro and a host of Cadillac models. The new transmission is an eight speed automatic with paddle sifters, intended to rival the semi-automatic transmission technologies being employed by European manufacturers. The steering
Tech Spotlight: Variable Geometry Turbochargers
With the Green Revolution upon us, the turbocharger is making big waves. Whether it serves the purpose of making performance vehicles even more high performing, or just making our daily drivers more efficient. Turbocharged cars often experience ‘lag’ at lower speeds, due the time required for sufficient exhaust pressure to build up and spool the
Volvo’s New XC90 SUV Powerplant
The upcoming, wholly redesigned Volvo XC90 has a lot of potential, and we’ve just gotten the details on the power-train technology to be employed on this new model. Previous iterations of the Volvo SUV line have availed buyers with the option of a Yamaha V8 for extra, added power, but not this time. In fact,
Ford’s 1 Liter EcoBoost Engine Packs a Punch
It has always been said that good things come in small packages, and Ford’s 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine is no exception; it packs a punch and gets the job done efficiently. Ford’s 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine has been proclaimed the 2014 International Engine of the Year, following voting sponsored by Engine Technology International magazine. The
New Mercedes M178 V8 Engine Unveiled
Described as “a quantum leap into the future of technology,” Mercedes’ new M178 V8 engine is being heralded as one of the most innovative and advanced engines of its time. The new M178 engine will be placed in Mercedes’ new flagship AMG model, the AMG GT, which will be replacing the SLS AMG upon its
Audi Pioneers Electric Turbo Technology
Now there is a solution to dreaded lag which accompanies turbochargers at low rpm, and it’s one you’d be surprised hasn’t been tried earlier. The primary hurdle when it comes to turbocharging over supercharging has been the lag encountered at lower engine outputs. One solution to this has been to use a twin turbo setup,
Porsche Announces New 4-Cylinder Boxer Engine
Porsche’s decision to develop a new four-cylinder engine stems from its need to improve fuel efficiency and emissions ratings across its model line. The new engine will come standard in the Boxster and Cayman models. There has been talk of a four-cylinder 911, but that’s rather unlikely. The new engine features a horizontally opposed, “boxer” engine, denoting
