Cars Go Back to the Future. No, It’s Not the Flux Capacitor.

Discoblog
By Amos Zeeberg (Discover Web Editor)
Nov 26, 2007 9:42 PMNov 5, 2019 8:42 AM

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Word is that American carmakers and -buyers are now "quietly turning" (whatever that means) toward using turbo-powered cars. Turbo-charging involves re-compressing exhaust gas back into the car's cylinders, which gives an engine more power and efficiency, which lets you use a smaller, lighter engine, thereby increasing efficiency further.

Of course, turbo-charging has been around for almost a century, and according to the L.A. Times, the U.S. car market is only really coming around now because turbo was seen as a fiddly tweak for little, zippy Euro cars, not big, burly American models. And Detroit wonders why they have to give cars away...

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Recommendations From Our Store
Shop Now
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2024 Kalmbach Media Co.