Zero2Turbo
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Facebook Twitter Instagram RSS
    Zero2Turbo
    • Home
    • Contact
    • Videos
      Featured

      New Lamborghini Countach Gets Lowering Kit and Aftermarket Wheels

      By Zero2TurboJanuary 31, 2023
      Recent

      New Lamborghini Countach Gets Lowering Kit and Aftermarket Wheels

      January 31, 2023

      Aston Martin Reveals Most Powerful DBS Ever The DBS 770 Ultimate

      January 18, 2023

      Hennessey Reveal Track-Focused 1,817 HP (1,355 kW) Venom F5 Revolution

      January 9, 2023
    • South Africa
    • Zero2Turbo Telegram
    Zero2Turbo
    Home»News»Are Naturally Aspirated Engines Going Extinct?
    News

    Are Naturally Aspirated Engines Going Extinct?

    By Zero2TurboMay 18, 2016Updated:March 28, 2017No Comments
    Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp
    Share
    Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram

    In the race to improve MPG and cut emissions, more and more automakers are turning to forced induction engines.  Forced induction engines are basically turbocharged engines.  Some automotive journalists have prophesized that the old, naturally aspirated engine may go the way of the passenger pigeon.

    The reason for this is efficiency. For years automakers have been increasing efficiency with techniques such as variable valve timing, direct fuel injection and other techniques.  However, engineers claim they are running out of options.  Forced induction techniques, such a turbocharging, is a proven method to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions so many manufacturers are doing it.

    The staying power of the old school
    Despite falling out of vogue though, natural aspirated engines are not without their merits.  Frankly, they are simpler and cheaper to build.  They are also better down the road as the miles and years accumulate on a vehicle.  Frankly, the service techs at Ken Garff West Valley Used, a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealer in Utah, revealed to us that since turbocharged engines have more components to deal with and lots of extra plumbing, there simply is more stuff to fail as the years add up. Simply put, turbos are a lot more expensive to initially purchase (on a car) and to maintain as they age.

    That being said, some engineers see ways that naturally aspirated engines might continue to be used for at least a little while longer.  Mating a naturally aspirated engine with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) is one way. CVTs are very efficient transmissions and they allow automotive engineers to design the naturally aspirated engine attached to operate in a more optimum power range. In this limited range, emissions can be reduced and fuel economy increased.


    The hybrid salvation
    Another technique that is being worked on is pairing naturally aspirated with batteries and electric motors, in other words, in hybrid cars.  Naturally-aspirated internal combustion engines in hybrids can also be designed to run in optimum power ranges.  This allows the auto manufactures to fine tune the efficiency and emission characteristics just like the engines driving CVT-based cars.  Also, hybrids, like the Toyota Prius, can be built with much smaller engines and that helps with fuel economy and emissions also.


    New techniques
    For some manufacturers, turbocharging is clearly the way forward, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some technologies on the horizon that could be used to improve naturally aspirated engines.  One technique is called homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI), which is a technology that sort of blends the characteristics of a diesel and gasoline engine. In this type of combustion, the air-fuel mixture is highly-squeezed and ignites spontaneously under pressure without the need for a sparkplug.  Lower emissions and better efficiency can result. The problem is that HCCI is still experimental so you won’t be seeing it soon.

    So is extinction on the horizon?
    While we will continue to see more and more turbocharged engines being produced by the world’s automakers, prophesizing  that the naturally aspirated engine is going extinct is a bit premature.  Newer techniques may continue to be developed that will keep naturally aspirated engines around for a while.

    Share. Facebook Email Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram
    Previous ArticleWhy Isn’t My Car Starting?
    Next Article Fuel Economy Myths

    Related Posts

    McLaren 750S Will Be Their Last Non-Hybrid Supercar

    February 2, 2023

    Ferrari Has Filed A Patent For Performance Boosting Gas Thrusters

    February 2, 2023

    New Report Suggests Mercedes Going To Axe 19 Bodystyles Including AMG GT 4-Door Coupé

    February 2, 2023

    Bugatti Chiron Profilée Becomes Most Expensive New Car Ever Sold At Auction

    February 2, 2023

    Next Mercedes-AMG E63 Set To Drop V8 For Straight-Six Hybrid

    January 31, 2023

    New Lamborghini Countach Gets Lowering Kit and Aftermarket Wheels

    January 31, 2023

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Popular Posts
    • Next Mercedes-AMG E63 Set To Drop V8 For Straight-Six Hybrid
    • New Lamborghini Countach Gets Lowering Kit and Aftermarket Wheels
    • Audi South Africa Expands EV Charging Network Including First 200 kW Ultra-Fast Charger
    • One-Off Bugatti Chiron Profilée Heads To Auction This Week
    • Lamborghini Aventador Successor Gets Superb Looking Render

    Latest Instagram Photos
    • The Audi RS3 is one of two ultimate ‘mega hatches’, and probably the best of the breed. Its astonishing pace and theatrical engine combine with huge grip and more of a driver focus than previous generations. It’s also a brilliant daily.

Are you parting with R1.3m (or more) for one? Let us know in the comments below.

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #Z2TDriven #Audi #RS3Sportback #AudiRS3Sportback 

Are you parting with R1.3m (or more)?
    • Menacing Frozen Brooklyn Grey Metallic BMW M4 CSL sold by @bmwbryanston spotted in Linksfield recently by @thomasovitale 😎

Just 15 of these came into the country priced at R3.57m.

Would you prefer this or the freshly revealed M3 CS?

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #BMW #M4CSL #FrozenBrooklynGreyMetallic
    • The BMW i4 M50 is quite possibly the best EV we have had the pleasure of testing.

It's superbly comfortable but at the simple touch of a button, it switches from tourer to tornado and you find yourself instantly doing speeds you should not be doing.

While not all EVs will have the same refinement or scintillating performance, this was both relaxing and thrilling to drive.

The Gran Coupé is a handsome car with a sense of sleek length and disguises its hatchback as a booted saloon rear end and that M Portimao Blue metallic paint certainly garnered a lot of positive attention.

Compared with the BMW iX it’s less of a show-stopper, but comes with a much more attractive price tag – and while the i4 is still quite the financial investment (R1,6m) we feel it gives you excellent value in return.

Yes, we did have a few charging issues (Eskom) and if you don't have a Wallbox charger at home filling up with petrol is MUCH easier. However, that being said if you’re looking for an outstanding driving experience both on the twisties and on the highway, this is definitely worth considering if you have decided to make the jump to the electric car.

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #BMW #i4M50 #Z2TDriven #BMWi4M50
    • The totally bonkers Ferrari 812 Competizione was spotted in Bryanston today by Brad Ainge.

It actually makes the F12tdf look quite tame in comparison. Which would you rather have?

Priced around R14m depending on spec.

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #Ferrari #812Comp
    • Welcome the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC to SA 🇿🇦

Front and rear motors delivering 350 kW and 858 Nm of torque for a 100km/h sprint in 4.2s and a WLTP range of up to 535km.

Pricing is estimated to be R2,200,000.

#ExoticSpotSA #Zero2Turbo #SouthAfrica #MercedesAMG #EQE43
    • Our time has come to an end with the most potent version of Mzansi’s favourite bakkie, the new Toyota Hilux GR-Sport.

The 2.8-litre turbo diesel powerplant has been tweaked to push out 165kW and 550 Nm thanks to an updated ECU which also responsible for the much needed revised mapping of the six-speed auto.

The sporty Hilux gets new monotube shocks as well as stiffer coil springs which make the bakkie a lot more settled at higher speed and provide great feedback on some of the twisty bits. If you don’t have a full load at the back however, you might find it a tad too stiff and rather twitchy for day to day driving. 

Inside you get a load of sporty touches including “carbon fibre” trim pieces but the highlight has to be the race inspired front seats complete with Alcantara inserts and some GR badging on the headrests. 

For the Hilux customers, this is a welcome addition to the range as the exterior and interior aesthetics align very neatly with the GR brand.

Yours from R891,400. Are you picking this or the Legend RS?

#Z2TDriven #Toyota #HiluxGRSport #Hilux #GRSport

    Follow Us

    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS
    Designed by Zero2Turbo.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.