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In this century the evolution of engines, with the integration of new technologies and the development of new engines, happens at a pace never seen before and is transversal to all car manufacturers. The main reason for this dynamic of new engines is the imposition of legislation based on greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2.
I recall that in the past century, the same engine used for a long period of time, keeping the same even when the manufacturer has presented new models of cars.
I took my driving license driving a Peugeot 404 diesel. Considering only the engine of the Peugeot 404 with the same characteristics of the usual diesel engines for that time, a delay in starting the engine for the glow plug to act, a characteristic noise of diesel engines well present in the cabin, weak accelerations but optimum torque to hold the car on hills and the engine running in a narrow field rotation, limited progression speed of the engine in correspondence to the acceleration of the car.
I took my driving license driving a Peugeot 404 diesel. Considering only the engine of the Peugeot 404 with the same characteristics of the usual diesel engines for that time, a delay in starting the engine for the glow plug to act, a characteristic noise of diesel engines well present in the cabin, weak accelerations but optimum torque to hold the car on hills and the engine running in a narrow field rotation, limited progression speed of the engine in correspondence to the acceleration of the car.
In contrast most cars had gasoline engines, where the engines of 6, 8 and 12 cylinders had a very nice sound with a progressive acceleration of the car, the engine reached far beyond that of diesel revs and when accelerating the progressive engine with increased rotation was pretty nice.
Even in this period of dominance of atmospheric engines I had the pleasure of one day drive a new VW Golf Mk1 diesel, getting amazed by the response from the engine compared to the usual diesel cars. An engine that seemed much lighter and dynamic, in terms of the response and acceleration, as well as being very economical, than anything else that the market offered.
Henceforth began turbocharged diesel engines gradually changing the behavior of diesel cars. Still appeared cars with petrol turbochargers engines, mainly sportiness cars which had huge accelerations and simultaneously turbo delay in response time (turbo lag).
Later became widespread diesel engines with turbocharger and gasoline experience a first setback for atmospheric engines for now further extend the use of gasoline engines with smaller displacement turbo compressor and sometimes with fewer cylinders (alternatively to greater volumetric capacity and a larger number of cylinder engines).
At present, in which the engines of the cars can be very diverse and including various technologies to respond to lower levels of CO2 emissions, the annual awards for best engine of the year holds even more attention of interested by cars. This year the awards of 2014 Engine of The Year will be released on June 25th. To follow news on engines consider the information provided by Engine Technology International magazine, the magazine which organizes the contest said.
The links provided to access the magazine and the results of the competition are presented:
Published by José MealhaHenceforth began turbocharged diesel engines gradually changing the behavior of diesel cars. Still appeared cars with petrol turbochargers engines, mainly sportiness cars which had huge accelerations and simultaneously turbo delay in response time (turbo lag).
Later became widespread diesel engines with turbocharger and gasoline experience a first setback for atmospheric engines for now further extend the use of gasoline engines with smaller displacement turbo compressor and sometimes with fewer cylinders (alternatively to greater volumetric capacity and a larger number of cylinder engines).
At present, in which the engines of the cars can be very diverse and including various technologies to respond to lower levels of CO2 emissions, the annual awards for best engine of the year holds even more attention of interested by cars. This year the awards of 2014 Engine of The Year will be released on June 25th. To follow news on engines consider the information provided by Engine Technology International magazine, the magazine which organizes the contest said.
The links provided to access the magazine and the results of the competition are presented:
Português:
Neste século a evolução dos motores, com a integração de novas tecnologias, bem como o desenvolvimento de novos motores, acontece a um ritmo nunca antes visto e é transversal a todos os fabricantes de carros. O motivo principal para esta dinâmica de novidades nos motores é a imposição de legislação baseada nas emissões de gases, nomeadamente, de CO2.
Bem me recordo de, no século passado, o mesmo motor ser utilizado durante um largo período de tempo, mantendo o mesmo até quando o fabricante apresentava novos modelos de carros.
Tirei a minha carta de condução ao volante de um Peugeot 404 diesel. Concentrando-me somente no motor do Peugeot 404 o mesmo tinha as características dos motores diesel habituais para a época, um tempo de espera no arranque do motor para a vela de incandescência actuar, um barulho característico dos motores diesel bem presente no habitáculo, acelerações fracas mas um óptimo binário para aguentar o carro nas subidas e o motor funcionando num estreito campo de rotação do mesmo, limitado na progressão das rotações do motor em correspondência à aceleração do carro.
Em contrapartida a maioria dos carros tinham motores a gasolina, onde os motores de 6, 8 e 12 cilindros apresentavam um barulho bem agradável e progressivo com a aceleração do carro, o motor chegava a rotações muito superiores às dos diesel, e em aceleração a progressividade do motor com o aumento da sua rotação era bem agradável.
Ainda neste período de predominância dos motores atmosféricos tive o prazer de um dia conduzir um novo VW Golf Mk1 diesel, ficando maravilhado com a resposta do seu motor comparativamente aos usuais diesel. Um motor que parecia bem mais leve, e dinâmico, isto em termos de reposta do mesmo e acelerações, além de ser muito económico, do que tudo o resto que o mercado oferecia.
Daqui para a frente começaram a aparecer os motores diesel turbo alimentados alterando gradualmente o comportamento dos diesel. Apareceram ainda os carros com motores a gasolina com turbocompressores, essencialmente em carros de cariz desportivo, que tinham acelerações enormes e em simultâneo atraso no tempo de resposta até o turbo estar em condições de entrar em pleno funcionamento.
Depois generalizaram-se os motores diesel com turbo compressor e nos motores a gasolina houve um primeiro recuo para os motores atmosféricos para agora voltar a alargar-se a utilização de motores a gasolina com turbo compressor de menor cilindrada e por vezes com menor número de cilindros (em alternativa aos motores de maior capacidade volumétrica e de maior número de cilindros).
No actual momento, em que as motorizações dos carros podem ser muito diversas e incluindo diversas tecnologias para darem resposta aos menores valores de emissão de CO2, os prémios anuais de melhor motor do ano prendem ainda mais a atenção dos interessados pelos automóveis. Este ano os prémios de 2014 do Engine of The Year irão ser divulgados no dia 25 de Junho. Para acompanhar as novidades sobre motores nada melhor do que acompanhar a informação disponibilizada pela revista Engine Technology International, revista esta que organiza o concurso referido.
Os links fornecidos para acesso à revista e aos resultados do concurso são apresentados.