85 Mercury Marine Mercruiser 5.7 L 350 Gm V8 260 Hp Engine Lifters Tappets on 2040-parts.com

Tomorrow’s world: Fiat's MultiAir engine tech

By Jesse Crosse Motor Industry 14 October 2009 16:50 Fiat this year launches what it claims is a big step forward in variable valve timing: MultiAir. It's the first time that a manufacturer has made a properly variable valve system a production reality, and will slowly be rolled out across most of Fiat's and Alfa's car ranges.How does Fiat's MultiAir vary from existing variable valve timing (VVT) systems?Current VVT systems rely on mechanical systems to open and close the valves. Engineers have long understood the benefits of changing valve opening and closing times to tweak an engine's power and emissions performance, depending on the need for power or parsimony.Valves are an engine's nose and mouth – it inhales through inlet valves and exhales through exhaust valves.

Chevrolet touts Corvette 427 convertible with race driver Tommy Milner

The 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 convertible doesn't need any hype--the 505-hp V8, a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed in excess of 190 mph make a strong statement. Nonetheless, Chevrolet has enlisted the help of Corvette Racing driver Tommy Milner in a trio of 90-second videos to tout the 427 convertible. In our favorite, Milner talks about the car's aerodynamics, including the optional carbon-fiber splitter, that help keep the car glued to the ground for better control.

Audi R8 range to grow – and improve

The Audi R8 Spyder V8 - just part of a bigger and improved Audi R8 range Only last week we reported on the likelihood that there will soon be a V8 version of the Audi R8 Spyder. Which makes a whole lot of sense for Audi. Now they’ve mopped up the early buyers on the R8 V10 it really is time to give a more ‘affordable’ option, if any car approaching £100k can ever be considered ‘affordable’.