Cylinder

Cylinder deactivation has been with us for several years in big V8 engines. Both GM and Chrysler have used it and Audi now offers it on its S range. Rather firing on all cylinders during steady freeway driving, the units use cylinder deactivation to save fuel when the power demand is low, shutting...

German tuning firm Mcchip specializes in optimizing the vehicle management systems and electronic control units of cars to eke as much performance out of them as possible, and its latest product focuses on giving the new Audi TT-RS a significant boost in the performance department - not that the...

Call it EcoBoost, call it TwinForce, it's a welcome addition to the Ford lineup for many buyers, packing more power in a smaller, more efficient engine. And soon the V6 version that debuted the twin-turbo technology will be joined by a four-cylinder, 2.0L 230hp version. That's the latest word from...

About a year ago we brought you a report that BMW was looking at a four-cylinder 3-series for American sale, but that was at the height of the fuel-price crisis, and since then talk of the efficient BMW four-bangers has died down. A recent report has breathed new life into the idea, however, and...

When it first appeared in Detroit back in January the Bluesport concept stirred talk of the revival of the roadster segment, and especially the Porsche 914 and 356. Unfortunately, the Porsche's rebirth was ruled out last month, and this had led to fears that the same fate may ensue for a planned...

Finding ways to lure customers into dealerships - and once there, secure the sale - has rarely been harder for car companies. And that's why we see so many schemes afoot to do just that. Lotus is taking a tried and true approach to the situation, however, offering lots of features for less money...

Diesel engine sales have stagnated in the U.S. due largely to lingering perceptions of the clattering, foul smelling contraptions of the 1970s and earlier. It hasn’t helped that many carmakers have been reluctant to even offer them because of the relatively high cost of emissions...

Hyundai's new turbocharged 2.0L Genesis Coupe has had import tuner fanboys foaming at mouth, and their more resevered cohorts awaiting with interest, for months now. As the car begins to make the press rounds, it's starting to look like it may have more under the hood than the 210hp promised by...

The 2009 Geneva Motor Show will play host to a wide range of concepts and production vehicles, from speedy supercars to family sedans and even raw engine technologies. One of Toyota's additions to the show will be a new variant of the iQ, powered by a peppy 1.3L gasoline four-cylinder. The current...

Diesel is the way of the present in Europe, and to hear some tell it, it's the future for the U.S. as well. Either way, Volvo will be prepared with two new diesels announced in detail today. The D5 five-cylinder diesel was announced for the S80 sedan back in January, but now full details on both...

Tough times and cutbacks, or even outright cancellation of programs, are mode throughout today's motorsports programs, and while the Indy Racing League (IRL) has announced it will delay application of its new engine package until 2012, the proposed format is already drawing interest from diverse...

Diesel engine sales have stagnated in the U.S. because of lingering perceptions of the clattering, foul-smelling contraptions of the 1970s and earlier. Many carmakers have been reluctant to even offer them in America because of the cost of emissions certification and small profit margins, but...

The 2.0L turbo engine internally known as the LNF has been one of GM's unsung heroes over the past several years. Lying at the heart of the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Redline and HHR SS, the engine generates a very respectable 260hp and 260lb-ft of torque in factory trim. But GM's performance...

Shifting demand for smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles around the globe, but especially in North America, has hit carmakers hard. Even industry leader Toyota is feeling the pain, announcing shocking profit results for the past quarter on the back of flagging sales for its SUV and pickup...

A mid-year refresh brings a smaller, more efficient 2.4L four-cylinder engine to Pontiac's G6 Coupe despite tumbling gas prices. Car sales have tumbled even further, however, and fuel prices are likely to rise, so the decision is surprising only in its lateness - the G6 Coupe had previously only...

BMW is looking at reducing its U.S. sales for the first time in 16 years as the carmaker copes with a declining market and high fuel prices. One of its strategies is to take its focus away from the U.S. and instead attempt to boost sales in more profitable markets. The plan comes from BMW's new...