And as GDI/SIDI is developed, the industry is betting this technology will inevitably lead to another important breakthrough: HCCI, or homogeneous charge compression ignition. Imagine a high-speed, high-efficiency gasoline engine with no throttle or ignition system, combustion and output controlled entirely at the injectors, and with the fuel economy of a diesel and the performance and emissions of a gasoline engine. Insiders say this technology could be on the road in the next five to ten years. Back to the immediate future: All three domestic manufacturers have direct-injection systems in production or development for their smaller engines, and it won't be long before that technology is applied to the big V-8s and we see another huge leap in performance. Seven-hundred horsepower, anyone?
'07 Ford Shelby GT500 specifications
Wheelbase: 107.1 inches
Length: 188.0 inches
Height: 54.5 inches
Front track: 61.9 inches
Rear track: 62.5 inches
Powertrain: 5.4L supercharged V-8, six-speed manual transmission
Front suspension: McPherson struts, independent
Rear suspension: Live axle, three-link with coil springs
Brakes: 14-inch rotors with Brembo four-piston calipers front, 11.8-inch rotors with two-piston calipers rear
Wheels: 18-inch cast aluminum
Tires: P255/45R18 front, P285/40ZR18 rear
Curb weight: 3,920 pounds
Ford Interceptor Concept SpecificationsWheelbase: 120.8 inches
Length: 201.6 inches
Height: 54.8 inches
Front track: 66.5 inches
Rear track: 67.8 inches
Powertrain: 5.0L Cammer V-8, E85 fuel, 400 hp, six-speed manual transmission
Front suspension: Double wishbone independent
Rear suspension: Independent, three-link
Brakes: NA
Wheels: 22-inch forged aluminum
Tires: NA
Curb weight: 4,250 pounds (estimated)
Lincoln MKR specifications
Wheelbase: 112.9 inches
Length: 195.7 inches
Height: 52.7 inches
Front track: 63.7 inches
Rear track: 63.8 inches
Powertrain: 415 hp, 3.5L twin-turbocharged V-6, six-speed transmission
Front suspension: Independent, double wishbone
Rear suspension: Independent, multilink
Brakes: N/A
Wheels: N/A
Tires: N/A
Curb weight: 4,075 pounds
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