11 Amazing Fun Facts About Automotive Engineering You Won't Believe!

1. Volvo's Alcolock for Sober Driving

It's happy hour for Volvo Trucks, but they're not serving up the usual drink specials: Volvo Trucks has developed the Alcolock, a high-tech breathalyzer utilizing Fuel Cell technology that prevents the engine from starting if the driver's blood alcohol level is over the legal limit. Available as a factory option for Volvo FM, FH, and FH16 trucks, and compatible with all Volvo trucks for retrofitting, the Alcolock is helping to keep the roads safe and sober in Europe, one deep breath at a time.
Source => volvogroup.com

2. Porsche's Early Electric Adventures

Before Tesla got the electric groove on, a man named Ferdinand Porsche was out there charging wheel hubs like a 1900's mad scientist: He designed the world's first hybrid car, the Semper Vivus, which had a combustion engine powering a generator for the wheel hubs, while his earlier creation, the Lohner-Porsche. debuted in 1898 as an electric vehicle with an octagonal electric motor but without the hybrid magic.
Source => porsche.com

Did you know the world's first motorcycle was actually powered by steam? Discover the intriguing story of Sylvester H. Roper and his steam velocipede that sparked a debate for ages! 🏍️💨

=> Fun Facts about Engines

3. The Floating Volkswagen Beetle

Step aside, rubber duckies: the Volkswagen Beetle could well be the most buoyant bath toy in history. You see, with its unibody floor pan and tightly sealed doors, a rust-free Beetle from the good old days could actually float on water. And this wasn't just a claim; in the 1960s and 70s, ads showcased the Beetle's aquatic talents, with one test revealing it blissfully bobbed along for an impressive 42 minutes. Just don't go attempting a Beetle-backstroke yourself – it's not particularly safe, and you'd just be the odd duck out.
Source => arnoldclark.com

4. The Mighty "Duck" of War Zones

If a hippo hitched a ride on the moon, it might just resemble the hefty yet remarkably nimble "Duck" that once waddled through war zones: The DUKW, a six-wheel-drive amphibious vehicle, weighed in at 13,600 lbs and served the U.S military during World War II and the Korean War, clocking speeds of up to 50 mph on land and 6.4 mph in the water, making it an effective transport for troops and supplies across both terrains.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Janis Joplin's Psychedelic Porsche

Before "Pimp My Ride" was even a glimmer in MTV's eye, Janis Joplin brought new meaning to "highway to heaven" with her hallucinogenic hot-rod: In 1965, Joplin bought a factory-painted "oyster white" Porsche 356C cabriolet for $3,500 and had her roadie/artist Dave Richards transform it into a kaleidoscope of psychedelic patterns featuring mushrooms, astrological signs, and flora galore. The now-iconic car, which changed hands a few times after her death in 1970, has since been restored and exhibited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Source => dedeporsche.wordpress.com

6. The Golden Submarine's Stylish Safety

In a time where classic racers looked like they were held together with chewing gum and hope, one dazzling contender entered the scene wearing the world's fanciest brass diving helmet as a body: The Golden Submarine was born in 1917. Designed by Fred Offenhauser and Harry A. Miller, this shimmering beacon of innovation prioritized safety for the driver with its enclosed roll cage and streamlined body, becoming the first race car in history to boldly zoom into both style and security.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Cadillac's Perfume-Dispensing Luxury

If you thought your car came with all the bells and whistles, buckle up, because the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham had the scent of luxury quite literally wafting through the air: Not only was it more expensive than a Rolls Royce at the time, but it boasted an array of lavish features such as power seats, power windows, automatic locks, electronic trunk opener, air suspension, color-coordinated ladies compacts, and even a perfume dispenser in the console, solidifying its place as the epitome of automotive extravagance.
Source => seattlerefined.com

8. Ford's Soy-Based Seat Cushions

Holy soy cows, has Ford been bean counting? They've brewed up a new seat cushion recipe that's more side dish than upholstery: Ford developed soy-based polyurethane foam for automotive seat cushions, reducing petroleum-based materials by 40%, potentially saving $26 million annually, and shrinking the environmental impact to just a quarter. Stepping back to the Model T days, this soy-ful dynasty has now garnered the attention of industries from agriculture to office furniture.
Source => reliableplant.com

9. The Banned Chrysler 426 Hemi Engine

In a dramatic game of "You can't sit with us," NASCAR showed the Chrysler 426 Hemi engine the door right after its stunning debut: This phenomenal piece of automotive engineering, brainchild of Tom Hoover, was banned after winning the 1964 Daytona 500 due to its remarkable performance, with the hemispherical cylinder head design maximizing power through increased air efficiency in the combustion chamber – it's still a top choice for NHRA vehicles, so it seems Hoover's ingenuity just couldn't be contained!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Astronauts' Autonomous Moon Rides

Moonwalk no more, astronauts will now moon-drive in style: Lockheed Martin and General Motors are developing autonomous lunar rovers for NASA's Artemis program, enabling exploration with or without human passengers and built to withstand the Moon's extreme environment.
Source => lockheedmartin.com

11. The Overlooked Auto Pioneers

Move over Carl Benz, there's a new old kid in town: As it turns out, it was the French inventor de Rochas who built an auto and its engine way back in 1862, long before Benz created his own, while the Austrian Siegfried Markus joined the party just two years later, and his second car was discovered intact in 1950, proving that he too contributed to the early development of the internal combustion engine.
Source => uh.edu