IMPROVED MOTOR-CARS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14837, 14 February 1919, Page 7

IMPROVED MOTOR-CARS.

LESSORS OP THE WAR

Much interest is being! displayed by j motorists in the; development of motorengines as a result of the experience gained during the war. A correspondent of the London Times says the motor-car of the future will in most cases be a distinct advance on the pre-war prodiuction. The engine of the motor-car is nearly related to that of the aeroplane, which during the war has been improved out of recognition. In power-for-weight ratio, reliability, economy of running, specifications of materials, repetition production, and detail improvements in design great progress has been achieved. For instance, one of the principal motor manufacturing firms has already on test an engine to be put on the market which gives 260 per cent. ■ more power and weighs slightly over 1001b less than one of theirs before the war. Admittedly this 'is a special case, and an expensive production ; ■ but it shows what may be expected. The use of better materials, with the corresponding reduction in .weight of reciprocating parts, will provide not only more powerful, but more economical engines. The rest of the chassis will equally he improved. Weight will be diminished) through .the emploj rment of better materials, without a sacrifice of safety. In most better-class cars, 'as has been the case .with the aero engine, steel-lined cylinders and die-cast aluminium allo t > pistons will come into use. Greater liveliness of the engine and improved running economy will result, and durability will not be impaired'. Again, improved lubrication principles are being adopted'; here again much has been learnt from aero engines. . Another improvement is the freer adoption of roller and ball bearings in various parts, of 1 the chassis. Altogether the ohassis will, b© a distinct advance on old standards.

• Of pai'ticular interest is a new design of engine, based directly oil aero engine practice. Known, as a static radial engine, it has :its cylinders arranged in a circle round the crank case instead of in a line one behind the other. It has air-cooled cylinders, is more lively in action, and* considerably cheaper than the accepted standard types. More than one good firm' is concerned with experi % ments with this new type, and so fai the results are very promising. Apart from this, no radical alteration in engine design need be looked for, but rather a general improvement.