Imagine if fresh oxygen was blown into your lungs as you ran along, instead of gulping and panting for air. If you can imagine running along and getting puffed out. They work by blowing the air and fuel mixture into the engine using a fan which is driven by the exhaust gases. Nowadays though, turbochargers have become an essential component in improving efficiency, lowering fuel consumption and reducing emissions. Turbo soon became a buzz word that meant the product was 'cool' or sporty. When turbochargers were first introduced in road cars back in the 1970s, they were usually only associated with sports cars. Honda calls it VTEC, BMW calls it VANOS, and Mitsubishi calls it MIVEC. It works by continuously adjusting valve control to the conditions to provide more useable power and torque throughout all parts of the rev range, helping to reduce emissions and lower fuel consumption by around seven per cent. But it has become one of the most revolutionary technologies of the modern engine. The technology is also adapted in modern diesel and turbo-diesel engines, sometimes called 'TDI' (turbo direct injection).

The amounts of fuel needed are also measured and controlled more accurately for each cylinder. The new technology has significantly improved fuel economy for modern vehicles as it is a more precise method of injecting fuel.

Regular fuel injection or electronic fuel injection (EFI), as good as an invention it is, only sprays the mixture into the intake manifold and then it is sucked into each cylinder as the valve/s opens. Direct injection works by precisely spraying air and fuel directly into each cylinder (combustion chamber). Gone are the days of the old carburetor system. Toyota, Lexus, BMW, Mitsubishi, Holden, Nissan, and Land Rover all currently offer a hybrid model in Australia, with more manufacturers jumping on board every year. This helps to significantly reduce fuel consumption. The electric motor helps the vehicle take off, and can run the car on electric power alone on the highway and in some low-load conditions. In today's market this mostly consists of a normal petrol combustion engine receiving support from an electric-driven motor, although some use a diesel engine. Hybrid simply means a combination of two power sources. We've all heard of hybrids by now, and some will know a bit about what they are and what they can provide in terms of driving efficiency. There’s also been an influx in electric vehicle technology, completely eliminating the need for a combustion engine.

Engine technology has come a very long way over the decades, from two-valve systems with gravity-fed combustion mixtures to the modern-day fuel injection systems.

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