Casey Selecman, an auto industry analyst stated that internal combustion engines would not be going away for a long time. Even though many people see hybrids, hydrogen engines, and completely electric vehicles as the answer to the world's automotive woes, Selecman explained that automotive manufacturers were working on ways to run a cleaner and more fuel efficient internal combustion engine.

Detroit has just invested way too much money in the engine to totally abandon it despite pressure to do so. Instead, they are working on the evolution of the engine as we know it. During the North American International Auto Show in Detroit January 19 through 27 they will be showcasing vehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 with a 620 horsepower engine as well as hybrids like Toyota's A-BAT hybrid concept pickup truck.

If you are looking for more information on hybrids check out this article on hybrid SUVs

The ZR-1 is everything a Corvette was meant to be. The 620 horsepower engine and 595 pound-feet of torque produce the power and energy that drivers want. The hood has a polycarbonate window to show off the engine. Power to the rear wheels is accomplished with a six-speed Tremec manual transmission.

Carbon ceramic breaks will be a standard feature and 15.5 inch rotors in front and 15 inch discs in back effectively stop the ZR-1 on a dime. Another standard feature is the Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension system.

Numerous panels on the body are made from light carbon fiber composite, allow the ZR-1 to easily attain high speeds.

Cadillac will toss their hat into the alternative fuel ring with the Provoq, a concept car. It carries two 10,000-psi hydrogen tanks, which feed a fuel-cell stack and produces up to 88kW of continuous power. That power charges a lithium-ion battery pack and spins both a 70 kW co-axial electric drive system at the front wheels and two 40 kW in-wheel motors at the rear. It includes dual battery charging ports in the left and right front fenders, a roof-mounted solar panel which boosts the electric charge, and front grille louvers that close up at high speed which significantly improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle. When it is fully fueled and charged, the Provoq will run 300 miles. It will accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour in 8.5 seconds, and it's speed will top out at 100 mph.

Seriously.

Audi introduces a 12 cylinder version of the R8. The performance diesel engine is a challenge that is difficult to overcome because of the amount of torque to control. The to overcome this the engine is manufactured totally of aluminum

The car is not only nearly silent but energy efficient as well. The V-12 us equipped with two diesel particle filters and the engine runs so smooth that it is almost not recognizable as a diesel engine. Because of the power the gear boxes had to be specially made to withstand the unusual force. During preliminary trials the transmission would drop when the gears were shifted. That, and many other obstacles have been overcome to produce this engineering miracle.

The new diesel powered Mitsubishi Concept RA has a lightweight aluminum space frame and plastic resin body panels, moving Mitsubishi away from the heavier body type they had manufactured with the Eclipse.

The Concept-RA will feature a 2.2L turbodiesel four cylinder engine that meets Tier2 Bin5 standards yet is able to generate 204 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Transmitting all that force to ground will be a torque vectoring all-wheel-drive system that includes a dual clutch transmission.

The new, high performance diesel engines that are being perfected will, according to automotive industry spokespeople, change the public perception that diesels are loud and slow. The diesels of the 21st century will be attached to exciting, sporty, and powerfully efficient vehicles, helping them to run clean and with at least 30% more fuel efficiency than in the past.