Audi's New Four-Cylinder Engine Could Match Larger Engines' Smoothness

 As carmakers work to meet stricter global emissions
standards, engine downsizing has become an important
strategy for increasing efficiency. That's why more four-
cylinder engines are turning up in luxury cars. However,
while modern four-cylinders can often match the power of
larger engines (usually with turbocharging), they often aren't

as refined as the larger six- and eight-cylinder engines most
luxury car buyers are used to.
To solve that problem, Audi is reportedly looking to a clean-
sheet design for future four-bangers. According to Autocar,
the German company is planning a four-cylinder engine that
will run as smoothly as a six- or eight-cylinder. The engine
would use a non-conventional layout to avoid generating the
internal forces that make norm
al four-cylinders un-smooth.
Audi was awarded a patent for an "internal-combustion
engine with multi-joint crank drive and additional masses on
articulated connecting rods for damping free inertia forces."
Essentially, the pistons and connecting rods would be offset
from the crankshaft, helping to dampen vibration.
In this design, the rods would be connected to the
crankshaft with a secondary set of rods, which would have
counterweights to further damp internal forces. So instead
of one connecting rod running between the crankshaft and
piston, as in most internal-combustion engines, there will be
two.
That arrangement reportedly won't affect packaging too
much. The new engine would be about as wide as a typical V
engine. Audi hasn't confirmed the engine for production, but
it would fit into a larger strategy for increased efficiency that
also includes a plethora of plug-in hybrid models and
electric turbocharging as well.

2015 Ford Mustang to Feature New Airbag System

The 2015 Ford Mustang features several new technolo

gical innovations that haven’t appeared on a production car before. One of the areas of innovation is safety. The 2015 Ford Mustang will have eight standard airbags, which is twice the amount on previous Mustangs, including a new glovebox mounted unit to protect the passenger’s knees in a crash. As you can see in the illustration, the inflatable bladder sits behind the glovebox panel and inflates during an accident. The plastic part of the panel itself is what makes contact with the legs. Because the bag is much smaller in size, it’ll inflate faster. Also, the smaller size means Ford can package it in smaller places to provide better safety. The new airbag system is also lighter than a traditional knee airbag system. Ford claims a 65% decrease in weight. In a sports car, it’s important to save every pound possible. The 2015 Ford Mustang has other new safety features as well, including new sensors to detect the severity of a crash and whether or not the car is rolling over. Also, for the first time, the Mustang will have an optional pre-collision system with radar cruise control. Unlike some manufacturers, you can also get this system with the six speed manual transmission.

Make High-Quality Gasolines a Staple in Your Engine’s Diet

With motorists keeping their vehicles longer than ever before, it’s become increasingly important to consistently take care of your engine so that its primed to carry you to summer destinations for years to come.
Let’s face it – many of us are in continuous pursuit of savings in our daily lives. However, you should think twice about cutting corners when it comes to engine health.

Different kinds of fuel can also mean varying levels of quality – much like different types of diet can have wide-ranging effects on our bodies. Using low-quality gasoline can cause gunk to form on intake valves and fuel injectors in as little as 5,000 miles. Gunk acts like a sponge, absorbing and trapping gasoline, making the combustion less efficient. Industry data shows that gunk can present potential engine performance problems, and indicates that a cleaner engine can perform as originally designed, making it more fuel efficient with lower emissions.

All three grades of Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines contain the patented and exclusive Shell Nitrogen Enriched Cleaning System to clean and protect intake valves and fuel injectors from performance-robbing gunk. No other gasoline protects better!

Shell V-Power Premium Gasoline is our best, most advanced gasoline that helps you get an exciting drive, which is only possible when your vehicle performs at its best. Shell V-Power removes an average of 60% of performance-robbing gunk on intake valves left behind by low-quality premium gasoline, and it starts with your very first tank. No other premium gasoline keeps your engine cleaner!

The gasolines that you find at Shell stations across the country are the products of more than 100 years in quality fuels research and development, 60+ year technical partnership with Ferrari and 120 fuel scientists located globally, including at the Shell Technology Center in Houston.

Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines have been tested extensively by these experts for more than a half-million miles in various engines. Our Shell Nitrogen Enriched Cleaning System is enriched with extra nitrogen to allow the active cleaning molecule to resist thermal breakdown to protect critical engine parts from gunk in the toughest engine conditions like turbo charged and direct injection engines. Our scientists have crafted this unique formula to go into all of our high-quality Shell gasolines.

Electric turbocharger eliminates lag, Valeo says Downsides: Cost, power consumption; Audi may use it first

French supplier Valeo has developed an electric turbocharger that it says eliminates "turbo lag." The new turbocharger is powered by an electric motor instead of exhaust gases. When not needed, the turbo's impeller, which pumps air and fuel into the cylinders, still spins at 10,000 rpm, so there is minimal hesitation or lag in engine r

esponse when the driver presses the accelerator pedal. But there are downsides: cost and power consumption. The unit requires 48-volt power, which means additional electronics under the hood. It also is a heavy user of electricity. Still, automakers are intrigued. Audi has been testing the electric turbocharger and is expected to be first to market the device. It recently tested the turbocharger on Pikes Peak in Colorado.