5 ways the combustion engine is getting better

by Josh Loposer
Mar 20th 2008 @ 9:25AM

Filed under: Cars and Transportation

You might be thinking that in 5 years, most cars on the road will be powered by electricity or hydrogen fuel cells. As much as most of us would like to see this kind of change happen, Forbes magazine is predicting that the motor of the future is the one that's already under your hood. As far as they're concerned, the combustion engine isn't going anywhere for the foreseeable future.

The good news is that automakers are finding ways to make the old-school engine way cleaner and more energy efficient. New technologies are being tested and put into use right now that will translate into significant gains in fuel economy and reduced emissions in the near future. Here are five of the ways that science is squeezing more juice out of your fossil fuel burner:

• Cylinder/Motor Shutdown -- Manufacturers like GM, Chrysler and Honda are all producing engines that deactivate 2 or more cylinders when they're not needed. Likewise, start/stop technology -- where an engine shuts down when the vehicle is idling and restarts immediately for use -- is integral to most hybrids and will soon be finding its way into conventional motors.
  
• Direct Injection -- By getting rid of the clunky fuel injection systems of yesteryear, researchers are finding that engines can achieve both better fuel economy -- some claim up to 20% better -- and a more complete burning of fuel, read lower emissions.
  
• Smaller Engines -- You're not likely to see too many V8s in the future, but you might not lose that much power either. Smaller engines can be supercharged to get more power, while they also leave room for a more aerodynamic body design.
  
• Switching to Diesel -- Diesel sedans have natural advantages in the areas of durability and fuel economy, but the trouble has always been emissions. Now, companies like Mercedes and Audi are releasing 'clean diesels' that neutralize the heavy exhaust that is associated with diesel.
  
• Lighter is Better -- In terms of an engine's actual weight, and the components which the engine operates, automakers are finding ways to lighten the load. Automakers are making significant gains by simply using lighter materials and taking stress off the engine by using electric-powered components.

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