CARS OF THE FUTURE

Evening Star, Issue 21993, 1 April 1935, Page 15

CARS OF THE FUTURE

DIESEL ENGINE OR PETROL? Several of the leading motor car manufacturers of the world are conducting experiments with two and i'ouvcyUnder Diesel engines with the object of introducing them at the earliest opportunity as power units for their cars. One of the most important factories, the products of which have won a splendid reputation in Australia, has placed the engine at the rear of the chassis, with a front-wheel drive. The advantage claimed is that the arrange-

ment removes the noise and fumes of the engine from in front of the passengers, while it retains an even distribution of weight. The simple construction of the Diesel engine, its good'performance, and the cheapness and safety of fuel oil make it suitable to use in cars. In the past the weight of this type of engine has debarred its use in any except the heavier types of road vehicles. An advance in the study of metallurgy ana design has largely overcome this duhculty, and engineers expect the introduction of Diesel engines for cars within the next two years. It is interesting to note that car designers are concentraing on investigating the possibilities of placing engines at the rear. That system was more common than the present arrangement until shortly before the war. As late as 1910, out of thirty-seven cars displayed at the Chicago Exhibition fourteen had engines at the rear, six had them slightly behind the centre, seven had them in the centre, of the chassis, and only ten had them in front In the ’nineties such well-known makes as Daimler, Benz, Peugot, De Dion, Opel, Ford, Lancaster, Cadillac, Duryea, Winton, Oklsmobile, and Packard were all rear-engined.