Quote:
Originally Posted by Martinjlm
JhonnyGTR,
In order to meet EPA regs, engines have to operate a lot more efficiently. For a whole host of reasons, that by and large means “take in a lot more air”.
Now gasoline engines are borrowing technologies from Diesel engines (direct injection being the most obvious) but are also approaching diesel levels of compression ratio and attempting to get close to diesel levels of thermal efficiency. Once you go down the path of needing a lot more air, you commit to openings like the mouth of a baleen whale. Look at the Lexus (Toyota) spindle grills, the Mazda 3 fascia, and now the grill areas of the Charger, Camaro, and upcoming GT500. All similar.
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Hard to buy the notion that large grilles are a functional necessity to provide more air. V12's, V10's, and the many auto diesels than were commonplace in Europe all seemed to breathe just fine with ordinary fronts. Even if there is merit to the theory of needing more air, the blacked out/body colored fangs look of the SS does more to drop jaws of critics than open airways for engines.