Most primitive engine in recently available vehicles

[dblshock]

Toyota's 4.0 is like 20yrs. but probably on its last leg.

 

[GR_CoB]

Toyota's 4.0 is like 20yrs. but probably on its last leg.

4Runner is the last one running it, I believe. 4.0 is turning 20 next year, so they'll probably follow the Tacoma route and stick the 3.5L in the 4Runner pretty soon. An 8 or 10 speed automatic would be nice, plus low range, crawl control, etc...

 

[ARCOgraphite]

The VW 2.0 slow is old but the GM 3800, 2.8, 3.1 and 3.4 were dinosaurs, primitive as stone, cripe they even blocked off the distributor hole.

I loved my early H.O. 2.8 with the Varajet carb and big port heads. Before GM ruined it.

Most all piston engines with poppet valves are Dinosaurs. Some more than others like the Ford Flathead V8 that s lasted WAY too long then the Y block that replaced it was no gem.

Even modern truck chassis are 100 year old antique stuff.

 

[DougR]

Hmm... I think you could say the electric motors that propel hybrid and all-electric vehicles are actually fairly primitive by your definition, since the design and construction of electric motors haven't fundamentally changed all that much over the decades. The batteries and electronics are the highest-tech parts of those vehicles.

"It's not all about batteries. They do get a lot of headline news but the motors and power management are absolutely key. Electrical vehicle development is based on three main pillars: batteries, electric motor and powertronics [the power management system]." ~Dave OudeNijeweme, head of technology trends at the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), a joint venture between the UK government and the automotive industry.

There are numerous R&D development efforts that have and will continue to produce better technology. https://www.hitachi.com/rev/pdf/2011/r2011_01_107.pdf describes historical developments and current research for just one company.