Forced induction, direct injection and volumetric efficiency have all helped to render big 12's irrelevant.

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The move has been years overdo, auto manufactures moved to fuel-injection systems year ago for greater fuel efficiency, but NASCAR feared the change could open new doors for cheating.

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It adopts the Atkinson cycle and D-4S direct injection technology to optimise both the power and fuel-efficiency benefits of Lexus Hybrid Drive.

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Automakers have been achieving incremental improvements in the efficiency of their conventional engines with new technologies like direct-injection, six-speed transmissions, turbo-chargers and start-stop systems.

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Automakers have been achieving incremental improvements in the efficiency of their conventional engines with new technologies like direct-injection, six-speed transmissions, turbochargers and start-stop systems.

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Now, it's true that amazing gains are being made in the efficiency of internal combustion engines, both gas and diesel: direct injection, cylinder deactivation, stop-start, eco-mode throttle mapping, to name a few of the recent applied technologies.

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The efficiency is thanks in part to Toyota's direct- and port-injection 3.5-liter V6 (306 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque) mated to a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.

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