Chapter 2
The Engine
Today there are more powertrain choices on the market than ever before.
Because of the high price of oil, carmakers are offering these choices in an effort
to appeal to a wider demographic and, more important, to the people who want
to save gas and protect the environment. Let’s start by taking a look at the
different powertrains available today. (We don’t want to leave anyone out of the
party.) The most popular powertrains are the internal combustion gasoline
engines, the diesel engine, the gasoline/electric hybrids, and the EVs (electric
motor power).