Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Chris Bacon wrote:
I can't think of many very new ideas in engine development -
improvements made with materials, maybe.

Practical variable valve timing would be the obvious one with petrol
engines, and the removal of the throttle which causes pumping losses.
Pulsed high pressure electronic direct injection with diesels another. I'm
sure others will think of plenty more.

Not that many to be honest.

Biggest leap was electronics, to replace all that nasty carb/distributor
rubbish with a nice bit of ROM...but honestly, the rest has all been
around forever, its just not been cheap enough to be worth doing until
legislation forced it on us.

Mainly material technology has been the biggest thing, and precision CNC
machining.