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[extract] The current Nissan 370Z has been around since 2008. Hence, it is about time that we should start to hear some rumors regarding the Japanese 2-door coupe

[extract] Subaru has long been known as a producer of quirky and capable all-weather vehicles, but fuel economy has never really been the automaker

The end of naturally aspirated 4 cylinder BMW engines is near. Citing inside sources from BMW, British magazine Autocar is reporting that all of the Bavarian automaker's future four-cylinder engines will benefit from turbocharging technology, with outputs up to 245 horsepower. The 2.0 liter aluminum block that made its debut on the X1 xDrive28i will be fitted with different turbocharging systems and engine mapping depending on the output variant. The range-topping 245 PS version gets a twin-scroll turbocharger while lower-powered variants will make do with a conventional turbo. The 245PS version works at pressures of up to 200 bar and benefit from double- VANOS and direct fuel injection. The aluminium block gets a new and very thin cylinder lining of only 0.3 millimeters thanks to the use of sprayed iron technology. That's a massive improvement over the classic 1.5 mm thick cast iron lining and it translates into less weight and better efficiency. The 3.0 liter straight six units will be responsible for higher output levels beyond 245 PS. It is unsure whether the 1.6 liter turbo that BMW Group uses for the MINI brand will also be employed in BMW models with lower output levels. This engine itself is a multi-times award winning powerplant too. The new set of 2.0 liter turbo variants will debut in the next generation 3 Series expected in 2012.

Soon we can all say goodbye to the high-revving V8s currently shrieking their way around the world's Formula One circuits. F1 has officially enacted new rules that require all teams to run a new turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine design by 2013. In addition, the maximum engine speed will be reduced from the current 18,000 rpm to a maximum of 12,000 rpm. With the new regulation, the racing vehicles are expected to use around 35 percent less fuel than the outgoing eight-pots while churning out very similar power numbers. While neither the FIA nor F1 organizers are willing to throw out any solid numbers, there is word that the engines will use high-pressure gasoline injectors that can inject fuel into the combustion chamber at up to 7,251 psi. At the same time, F1 is also moving to limit the number of engines that a team can use during a season. Right now, the rules allow for a stable of eight engines. By 2013, that number will drop to five before falling to four soon after. That would mean on top of nabbing better fuel economy and yielding high power, the new lumps will need to be stout enough to take the abuse of multiple races without breaking down.