Latest news with #hybrids
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Do Turbo Engines Need More Frequent Oil Changes?
Turbocharged engines can be great at boosting performance and efficiency, but in life, as in economics, there's no such thing as a free lunch. In other words, benefits like those come with a cost, whether it's turbo lag — which you can't really fix — or the actual cost of more frequent oil changes. Because not only do turbo engines need different oil from naturally aspirated motors, but they also need to have it replaced more often. It's a fact of life that more and more people are learning, too, since turbochargers are becoming more popular than ever in the auto industry. That may seem a little counterintuitive with the push toward electrified vehicles, but the two really go hand in hand. Hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and extended-range plug-ins all pair internal combustion engines with electric power. And for fuel-efficiency purposes, the trend is to shrink the engine size but make up for its smaller displacement with turbocharging and electricity. To let you know how fast the turbo market is growing, only about 1% of new cars sold in the U.S. in 2000 had one, but 23 years later, that mark had jumped to 37%. Today, some analysts say that's increased to 50%. That's a lot of turbocharged engines needing a lot of oil, so let's find out what's going on here. Advertisement Read more: Save Your Engine: 5 Tips For Preventing And Cleaning Carbon Buildup The History Of Turbochargers And How They Work A silver 1975 Porsche 911T - Alexandre Prevot/Shutterstock One of the best ways to understand why turbocharged engines need more frequent oil changes is to understand how they work. The concept was patented back in 1905 by a Swiss engineer named Alfred Buchi. But it took Buchi another 20 years to successfully implement the technology. And turbocharging was initially used in ships and aircraft, not automobiles. This changed in 1954, when Volvo and MAN introduced the first production trucks with turbos. Turbocharging production cars got its start in 1962, when Oldsmobile introduced the JetFire V8 for its iconic Cutlass. The modern era of turbo performance, however, began in the mid-1970s as automakers tried to balance power and fuel economy during the oil crisis caused by the OPEC embargo. This is when forced induction found its way into legends like the Porsche 911 Turbo that helped the company celebrate 50 years of turbocharging last year. In all of these vehicles, the way the turbocharger operates is that exhaust gas from the engine is used to spin a small fan-like part called the turbine wheel. It's attached by shaft to a similar component called the impeller, or compressor wheel. The exhaust gas spins the turbine, which spins the impeller, which helps suck in extra air and force it into the cylinders to enhance combustion. (Usually, turbos also have an intercooler to lower the temperature of the fresh air, making it denser and thus letting it contain more air molecules.) Why Do Turbocharged Engines Go Through Oil So Quickly? A modified car engine with a turbocharger - Mdisk/Shutterstock Turbochargers work hard to deliver higher performance, with the turbine/impeller spinning up to 350,000 times a minute. To put that into context, the redline for the Ferrari LaFerrari — considered one of the highest-revving street cars ever — is 9,250 rpm. The incredible speed of the turbo wheels is exacerbated by the heat they have to endure, especially the turbine wheel that's facing extremely hot exhaust gas. As a result, the turbine manifold can reach temperatures of 600 to 950 degrees Celsius (1,112 to 1,742 degree Fahrenheit). That can be hot enough to melt silver. Advertisement Meanwhile, excess heat is a deadly enemy to oil performance. High temperatures lead to thinner oil, preventing proper lubrication, and if the oil gets hot enough, it can start to break down. The extreme heat of turbochargers is especially problematic since the temperatures can get high enough for "coking," the creation of coke deposits on the turbo components. The point being, turbocharged engines put oil under much more stress than typical motors, causing it to degrade quicker. The only cure? Fresh oil. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Top Gear
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Stellantis has binned its hydrogen development to focus on hybrids and EVs
Stellantis has binned its hydrogen development to focus on hybrids and EVs Hydrogen-powered vans are scrapped just as production was set to start. Stellantis says 'no development prospect' for alternative fuel Skip 4 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 4 Stellantis has pulled the plug on its hydrogen fuel cell development programme, saying it 'does not anticipate the adoption of hydrogen-powered light commercial vehicles before the end of the decade'. Yep, Stellantis was hoping to lead the hydrogen revolution with vans, with medium-sized production previously set to kick off this summer in Hordain, France, while large hydrogen vans would be built in Gliwice, Poland. The carmaking MegaCorp said it'll no longer launch the vans with these powertrains, but it also made clear this 'will not impact staffing at Stellantis' production sites'. R&D spend that previously went on hydrogen tech will now 'be redirected to other projects'. Advertisement - Page continues below 'In a context where the Company is mobilising to respond to demanding CO2 regulations in Europe, Stellantis has decided to discontinue its hydrogen fuel cell technology development program,' said COO for Europe Jean-Philippe Imparato. READ MORE What is a hydrogen fuel cell car and how does it work? 'The hydrogen market remains a niche segment, with no prospects of mid-term economic sustainability. We must make clear and responsible choices to ensure our competitiveness and meet the expectations of our customers with our electric and hybrid passenger and light commercial vehicles offensive.' Stellantis, which makes commercial vehicles under the Citroen, FIAT Professional, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall brands, also called out the lack of refuelling infrastructure in place for hydrogen vehicles, and the need for stronger purchasing incentives to bring prices down. Advertisement - Page continues below Back in December last year, UK pricing was revealed for the large Vauxhall Movano in its now-canned hydrogen form (pictured above). There's no easy way to say this, but it was to start at just over £70,000 and promised a range of 311 miles, with a refuelling time of just five minutes. Reckon hydrogen propulsion still has a future? Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Motor 1
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
'Market Demands:' An Electric Honda Civic Type R Could Still Happen
The future of electric vehicles, especially in America, is more uncertain than ever, with federal tax credits and funding drying up. That's forcing many companies to reconsider their futures, including Honda . The Japanese automaker is reportedly shifting resources from EVs to hybrids as it attempts to keep up with the changing tides. But the possibility of an electric Civic Type R isn't completely out of the cards—one day. Speaking with Auto Express , Honda Prelude project leader Tomoyuki Yamagami left the door open for such a model in the future. He told the publication that the Type R could be anything the "market demands," adding that the Type R badge is "not dependent on a turbo powertrain.' According to Yamagami, Type R badge is about maximizing the car's dynamic attributes. However, a battery-powered Type R is likely still years away. Earlier this year, Toshihiro Akiwa, head of Honda's BEV Development Center, questioned how the engineers could still guarantee that an electric Type R was still a joy to drive . A battery and electric motor give a car different driving dynamics that present unique challenges, although Akiwa admitted then that Honda hasn't given up on the endeavor. But if consumers don't want electric vehicles, Honda is unlikely to build them. It has allegedly already pulled the plug on a large SUV , a segment consumers love, and we doubt Honda will want to spend the money necessary to develop a low-volume electric hot hatch. Not only is the future of electric vehicles faltering in the United States, but President Donald Trump's tariffs on Japan pose a threat to Honda's financial future. A recent report suggested the automaker is in talks to have Nissan build Honda-branded trucks at its factory in Mississippi. Here's More Honda News: 2026 Honda Prelude Near-Production Prototype Revealed The Honda Super EV Looks Like a Kei Car For Europe Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Auto Express Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Herald
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
Why Asian carmakers are staying loyal to the US market despite trade friction
The US is Toyota's biggest market in terms of vehicles. It sold 2.3-million vehicles there in 2024, including its Lexus brand, accounting for more than a fifth of its global total. As a source of revenue, North America was second only to Japan in the past financial year. Hyundai's North American revenue was the highest in almost a decade last year. Kim Chang-ho, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, estimated it generates about 60% of its profits from the US, thanks to higher vehicle prices. Mocked in the US in the 1980s for its perceived shoddy quality, Hyundai doubled down there about a decade ago, especially after tensions between Beijing and Seoul and the rise of domestic EV makers saw it start to lose ground in China. 'After years of putting in effort, our brand is gaining recognition in the US,' one of the Hyundai insiders said. 'So we will not take our hands off the US.' The US has seen a surge in demand for hybrids as consumers have become more concerned about the battery range, price and charging hassles of EVs. Fuel-efficient models such as hybrids will be a key driver to gaining market share, said Morningstar analyst Vincent Sun. Toyota, Hyundai and Kia have particularly strong hybrid offerings. So far, most legacy Asian carmakers have avoided raising prices in the US and stronger players are likely to continue to hold off doing so, despite lower profitability, analysts said. Instead, the focus will probably be on taking market share from lower margin rivals such as Nissan and Stellantis, analysts said. 'It will shape up like a game of chicken,' said Kim Sung-rae, an analyst at Hanwha Investment & Securities. 'Those who will hold up well will emerge as winners.' Over time, tariffs could be a catalyst to help drive consolidation in the industry, or at least deepen existing tie-ups. Investors wonder if tariffs could push Nissan to revive merger talks with Honda that fell apart this year. Mazda, which is 5.1% owned by Toyota, and Subaru, which is 21% owned by Toyota, could become more reliant on the bigger company.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tired of Boring Hybrid SUVs? These 10 Hybrid Cars Offer AWD and Are More Fun
As the automotive industry continues to embrace electrification, hybrids are becoming a bigger part of the mainstream car market. That means that gas-electric powertrains are no longer relegated to boring, efficiency-minded segments. A hybrid SUV may seem like a natural choice if you seek a hybrid with all-wheel drive, but we here at R&T think that cars are more fun than crossovers. Fortunately, there are both budget-priced and higher-end performance hybrid sedans, coupes, wagons, and hatchbacks that are available with AWD. Several of these vehicles also pack a big power punch to go along with their reduced emissions. Listed in no particular order, these are our favorite non-SUV hybrid models that can be had with all-wheel drive in 2025. More Car Rankings: Hybrids with the Best MPG | Best Hybrid SUVs | Most Fun-to-Drive Hybrids | Fastest HybridsA list about hybrids wouldn't be complete without mention of the venerable Toyota Prius. While the car comes standard with front-wheel drive across the lineup, Toyota does offer an all-wheel-drive option that uses an extra electric motor on the rear axle. Working with the 2.0-liter inline-four gas engine up front, total powertrain output is rated at 196 hp. It'll deliver up to 53 mpg city and 54 mpg highway as well. The Prius' AWD System Is More Hybrid Supercar Than Economy CarThe BMW M5 finding its way onto a list about all-wheel-drive hybrids would've seemed like sacrilege even just five years ago. Regardless of that, the new M5 is nothing to sneeze at. A familiar 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine provides 577 hp and 553 lb-ft on its own, but works with a single electric motor to provide a total output of 717 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. A 14.8-kWh battery pack feeds the system, providing around 25 miles of EV range. While the sedan is great, we'd have to go for the wagon, which brings up to 58 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded. You can also disable the front axle in either version of the car, giving it drifting capability and providing the best of both worlds. The only real caveat is the rather portly curb weight. Tested: 2025 BMW M5 TouringThe entire Camry lineup has gone hybrid for the 2025 model year, with Toyota offering two different powertrains to choose from. The entry-level models get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors that combine for 225 horsepower. If you want all-wheel drive, you'll need to step up to the more potent setup, which adds a third electric motor. Total output is 232 horsepower. Tested: 2025 Toyota Camry XSEIt may not have the V-8 engine of its predecessor, but the C63 S E Performance is not one to discount. A turbocharged inline-four works together with a rear-mounted electric motor to provide the AMG with 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque. That makes it significantly more powerful than its Cadillac or BMW rivals in the segment, though it does come with the penalty of weight. The all-electric mode isn't entirely useful either, achieving only around 6 miles of range from the the 4.8-kWh battery pack. It Could Soon Switch to Inline-Six PowerAfter a brief hiatus, the Mercedes-AMG E53 has returned as the mid-level sedan offering from Affalterbach. Like the C63, the E53 has adopted a hybrid powertrain across the model line, consisting of a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and a single electric motor. Total output is rated at 604 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, which sure don't sound like "junior AMG" figures. Thanks to a relatively large 21.2-kWh battery, the sedan can even go nearly 45 miles on pure electric range. Work both parts of the powertrain together and you'll turn 59 MPGe as well. There's Even a Wagon Version Coming to the Crown is the largest sedan that Toyota makes, as it serves as replacement for the Avalon. You would be forgiven for thinking that this raised four-door is a Lexus product, though, especially given its nice interior appointments. Every Crown comes as standard as a hybrid, with most trims utilizing a 236-hp all-wheel-drive powertrain. Opt for the range-topping Platinum trim, however, and you'll receive a turbocharged engine, which helps boost output up to 340 horsepower. The Platinum also ditches the lower trim's CVT for a proper automatic gearbox, which makes for a more enjoyable driving experience all around. More Info on the CrownThe Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid makes up for its mouthful of a name by delivering truly impressive performance. Up front sits a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine, which works in tandem with a single electric motor to provide up to 771 horsepower. Thanks to the rapid-shifting dual-clutch automatic transmission, the large sedan can rip off a ludicrously quick 0-60 mph sprint of just 2.8 seconds. You can drive the plug-in hybrid Turbo S in full electric mode, too with about 30 miles of EV range provided by the 21.8-kWh battery pack. The Turbo S E-Hybrid Is a 202-MPH SedanThere is a reason that the Mercedes-Benz S-class has dominated the full-size luxury sedan segment for decades. The S580e might not be the most exciting version of the S-Class, but that doesn't mean there's not a lot to love here. Power comes from a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine and a single electric motor, which combine to produce 510 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque. That sort of power allows the large sedan to hit 60 mph in as little as 4.2 seconds, which is pretty impressive for a large car capable of driving nearly 50 miles on pure electric power. The luxurious appointments certainly don't hurt, nor does the standard air-spring suspension setup. The AMG S63 Performance Version Is Also Now a HybridThe BMW 7-series may have rather polarizing styling, but it is hard to argue against the amount of luxury on offer. Optional cashmere upholstery, a 36-speaker audio system, and a 31-inch theater screen with 8K resolution are just a few highlights. For those looking to travel a bit more efficiently, BMW offers the plug-in hybrid 750e xDrive model, which is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six and a electric motor. Total output is an impressive 483 horsepower. Other 7-series models do feature a 48-volt hybrid setup, but they don't come with the added benefit of the 750e hybrid's electric-only range. There's Also an Electric Version Called the i7There is a reason that the Bentley Continental continues to make appearances at our annual Performance Car of the Year tests. The luxury coupe shares its bones with the Porsche Panamera these days, and packs a similar twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 plug-in hybrid powertrain. Output in the Speed is a healthy 771 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, which is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It delivers around 40 miles of pure electric range, allowing you to really lean into those luxury trappings. When you do put your foot down, however, the Bentley is happy to rip off a 0-60 mph sprint of just 2.8 seconds. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
