How It Works
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It's easy to make 1,000 horsepower. Just add boost, and make sure your engine can handle it. The engineers at racing firm Cosworth decided to do things the hard way. They developed a 1,000-hp naturally aspirated V-12 for the Aston Martin Valkyrie. Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained offers a deep dive into how they did that. The Valkyrie engine (which is part of a hybrid powertrain) displaces 6.5 liters, meaning it develops over 150 hp per liter. It revs to 11,100 rpm (peak power is at 10,500 rpm), yet it's also fully street legal, and Aston has said it will last about 60,000 miles before...
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Deep dive: Here's how Audi's electric turbocharger worksLearn how Audi's electric turbocharger works to reduce turbo lag in the 2020 S6 and S7 models.
Stephen Edelstein -
Here's why lean engines don't run hot
If you've ever wanted to know what air-fuel mix runs the hottest, a new video explains it all.
Stephen Edelstein -
McLaren explains why the Senna GTR's wing is so big
The McLaren Senna GTR's designer reveals some of the goals he had for the track-focused supercar.
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
How Koenigsegg's 3-cylinder engine makes 600 horsepower
Koenigsegg's new Gemera makes over 1,700 horsepower, with close to a third of that figure coming from a 3-cylinder engine.
Stephen Edelstein -
More boost doesn't always mean more power
A turbocharger is a great way to add performance, but simply dialing up the boost doesn't always equate to more power.
Stephen Edelstein -
Direct and port injection can work well in tandem. Here's why.
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What's the best 4-wheel-drive system?
If you've ever wanted to know which four-wheel-drive system is best, a new video explains it all.
Stephen Edelstein -
Why gas-powered cars aren't going anywhere
Electric cars may be gaining in popularity but internal-combustion cars aren't going anywhere.
Stephen Edelstein -
Here's the problem with electric cars
The folks at Engineering Explained look at one of the biggest factors holding back consumers from switching to EVs.
Stephen Edelstein -
2020 Nissan GT-R Nismo deep dive: How it's the fastest Godzilla ever
With stickier tires, less weight, and stronger brakes, the latest version of the GT-R Nismo shows the Japanese supercar just hit its prime after a decade on the market.
Byron Hurd -
Bore vs. stroke: which makes more power?
Engineering Explained breaks down how larger bores tend to create more power and longer strokes tend to improve efficiency.
Stephen Edelstein -
Getting your car airborne off of a jump is all about the set-up to the jump, says Wyatt from the Team O'Neil Rally School.
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The difference between two-shaft turbos and sequential turbochargers
Learn everything you wanted to know about turbochargers, and more.
Byron Hurd -
The 8 differences between gasoline and hydrogen engines
Hydrogen has several efficiency advantages over gasoline, but it takes up more space
Sean Szymkowski -
What is one-pedal driving in an electric car?
For those with traditional internal-combustion engines in their cars, there's no such thing as "one-pedal" driving. For those with experience driving a plug-in hybrid or purely battery-electric car, it's a unique benefit. To explain what exactly one-pedal driving is, Jason Fenske of Engineering...
Sean Szymkowski -
Why diesel engines lose power and efficiency over time
In general, diesel engines are extremely durable and can last for hundreds of thousands miles with the proper care. But over time, even the most well-looked-after diesels will start to lose power and efficiency. Why is that? Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained headed over to a third-party test...
Drew Johnson -
Do oil catch cans really work?
Oil catch cans help reduce the build up of deposits on intake valves. Here's how.
Sean Szymkowski -
Engineering Explained breaks down the federal government's rating scale and explains how testers arrive at their scores.
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Here's how Koenigsegg's exhaust setup passes emissions
Jason Fenske of Engineering Explained shows how Koenigsegg's engineers bypass straight pipes and emissions delays to optimize power
Byron Hurd -
Why hydrogen-powered combustion engines aren't a good idea
Is hydrogen the future fuel source for the combustion engine?
Sean Szymkowski -
Can a Mercedes G-Wagen actually climb a 100 percent grade?
Engineering Explained attempted to test Mercedes' claim for the hardcore off-roader.
Drew Johnson -
How Honda gets over 700 horsepower from a 2.2-liter V-6
Honda's engine it currently runs in the IndyCar series is a 700-horsepower 2.2-liter turbocharged V-6. Keep an eye on the displacement figure. Now, realize the Honda Civic Type R features a 2.0-liter turbo-4 engine with 306 hp. Where in the world is Honda getting nearly 400 more hp from the IndyCar...
Sean Szymkowski -
How the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray achieves a sub-3-second 0-60 mph time
Engineering Explained does the math to tell us why the 2020 Corvette C8 can reach 60 mph in less than 3.0 seconds.
Sean Szymkowski
