Quite recently, many automakers announced a complete transition to electric vehicles by 2030. However, changes in the market and adjustments in government policy, especially in the US, have led to increased interest in hybrid cars and forced companies to invest more actively in the development of internal combustion engines.
Modern gasoline engines are becoming significantly more efficient thanks to new technologies. These include variable compression ratio, high-pressure direct injection systems, intelligent valve timing control, cylinder deactivation under light load, electric turbochargers, and electrified auxiliary units. As a result, the thermal efficiency of production engines has increased from approximately 20% in the early 2000s to over 40% in some modern Toyota and Nissan power units.
Chinese Geely went even further. The company announced that its new 1.5-liter gasoline engine for hybrids achieved a maximum thermal efficiency of 48.41%. According to the manufacturer, as part of the i-HEV hybrid system, under certain highway driving conditions, the car can consume fuel at about 2.2 l/100 km.
American manufacturers also continue to develop new engines. General Motors introduced the naturally aspirated 6.7-liter V8 LS6, which received higher efficiency and increased power – 535 hp versus 495 hp for the previous generation engine. The new unit will appear on the 2027 Chevrolet Corvette and will also be used on the concern's full-size SUVs and pickups.
In turn, Stellantis is developing the two-liter Hurricane 4 turbo engine, which produces 324 hp. This corresponds to a specific power of 162 hp per liter of displacement, which is a very high figure for a mass-produced engine.
Artificial intelligence is becoming another tool for engine improvement. Manufacturers, including General Motors, are already using AI algorithms in the design of new power units to optimize fuel combustion processes, increase efficiency, and reduce emissions.
At the same time, market regulation is also changing. A number of countries are reviewing the deadlines for the complete abandonment of cars with internal combustion engines. In particular, the European Union is discussing maintaining a limited role for such cars after 2035, which gives manufacturers additional time to develop hybrid technologies and increase the efficiency of traditional power units.
Today it is becoming obvious that the development of the automotive industry is proceeding in several directions at once. Along with electric vehicles, gasoline and hybrid engines continue to improve, and competition between various technologies is becoming the main factor in their further progress.