I have a question about cars.

[terrya]

Cars have drastically changed over the years. Front wheel drive, the most elaborate sound systems. Power everything.

But why is it that cars today still use the same essentially basic internal combustion engine from the days of Henry Ford and the Model T?

Perhaps a stupid question, but I just don't understand why automobile technology, as far as the engine is concerned, really hasn't changed all that much.

[arcos]

1. Because they use lots of oil...

and that is good for corporations.

That will have to change soon, though...

[CO Liberal]

2. They Can Be More Efficient Today

A Model T got around 30 MPG. I had a Ford Festiva that was much more powerful than a Model T, much more comfortable, and it got 43 to 45 MPG.

[auntAgonist]

3. It's all about the oil and big Corps.

[hollywood926]

4. the reason you don't understand is because....

you're gay.

:toast:

[terrya]

5. THAT's it!

I KNEW there was a good reason. :-)

:hi:

T

[democracyindanger]

6. The internal combustion engine

is an efficient method of creating mechanical power. Even hydrogen engines are/will be internal combustion.

[EOTE]

7. There have been many advancements in engines over the years.

Variable valve timing, multiple displacements systems, common rail and direct injection, low sulfur diesel, turbos, superchargers. Engines today are a heck of a lot more advanced than they were just a mere 10 years ago.

To give you an example of how engines have advanced over the years, in the 30's, more advanced engines put out about 1/2 horsepower per cubic inch of displacement, in the 60s the goal for auto manufacturers was 1 horsepower per cubic inch. Now, in advanced engines such as the one found in the Honda S2000, engines are putting out 2 horsepower per cubic inch of displacement. Basically, this allows for a sports car that gets economy car fuel economy. I'd say engines are advancing quite a bit.

[Book Lover]

8. And let's not forget the rotary

Although they digest more oil as a part of the combustion function, Wankel, or rotary, engines represent a different way of creating and utilizing combustive energy with fewer moving parts than the IC engine.

[Schema Thing]

9. I don't think it's true to say:

...."automobile technology, as far as the engine is concerned, really hasn't changed all that much."


I guess it's just perspective. Even the "Air car" being developed in France has, in some ways, more in common with the first internal combustion engines than does the rotary engine mentioned by someone here.

The rotary, while wildly different and unique in mechanical/design/function terms, still uses an explosion of fuel to push an object into rotary motion. But no pistons. (Extremely powerful, but I don't think they've ever found a way to get good gas mileage out of it. Sure wish someone would.)

The "air car" idea is using explosive expansion of air to push pistons in order to produce rotary motion. Who knows, but I think this may change everything.

[Medium Baby Jesus]

10. I don't know where you are

but in Florida we all drive Segways