I think they have all had their day, the future is micro gas turbine generators[1] and electric motors. Look at the specs of the (admittedly vaporish) Jaguar C-X75[2].
Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren have high performance engines coupled to electric motors already. I think that technology will keep improving hybrid powertrains, but we won't likely see an electric car for the masses for one or two decades more. Due to the amount of politics that surround petroleum.
Now, what would like to see get more R&D is biofuel from a simple to produce source (like algae). Couple a small engine running biofuel to a generator and put a nice 200HP electric motor to the backwheels and we will have a nice every day appliance on wheels (what most people need/want).
What will keep happening is the reduction in complexity of the 4-stroke engine. We removed the hydraulic power steering pump in favor of an electric one, then comes the A/C compressor driven by an electric motor (some use it already). A bit later we will get an electric water pump. And then we will forgo camshafts and all related parts in exchange for electric actuators. Which will turn the intake manifold into a sort of thing in the past. Imagine having a 12-cylinder engine that's smaller than a 4 cylinder, but makes 3 times the power with the same efficiency. Now imagine a 4 cylinder engine that is about the size of a small box making upwards of 300HP, while getting more than 40MPG. It is very close.
Comments
I think they have all had their day, the future is micro gas turbine generators[1] and electric motors. Look at the specs of the (admittedly vaporish) Jaguar C-X75[2].
1: http://www.bladonjets.com/technology/gas-turbines/
2: http://www.jaguar.com/about-jaguar/concept-cars/cx75.html
Ferrari, Porsche, and McLaren have high performance engines coupled to electric motors already. I think that technology will keep improving hybrid powertrains, but we won't likely see an electric car for the masses for one or two decades more. Due to the amount of politics that surround petroleum.
Now, what would like to see get more R&D is biofuel from a simple to produce source (like algae). Couple a small engine running biofuel to a generator and put a nice 200HP electric motor to the backwheels and we will have a nice every day appliance on wheels (what most people need/want).
What will keep happening is the reduction in complexity of the 4-stroke engine. We removed the hydraulic power steering pump in favor of an electric one, then comes the A/C compressor driven by an electric motor (some use it already). A bit later we will get an electric water pump. And then we will forgo camshafts and all related parts in exchange for electric actuators. Which will turn the intake manifold into a sort of thing in the past. Imagine having a 12-cylinder engine that's smaller than a 4 cylinder, but makes 3 times the power with the same efficiency. Now imagine a 4 cylinder engine that is about the size of a small box making upwards of 300HP, while getting more than 40MPG. It is very close.