You would think that after 140 years of producing automobiles, the industry would have settled on a basic layout. After all, bicycles don't have heaps of alternative ...

Boxer engines feature flat, opposing pistons that move in opposite directions for smooth operation. Subaru and Porsche are primary modern users, benefiting from low center of gravity and performance.

When the motor car was in its infancy, engineers and designers experimented with all sorts of technologies and ideas to see which would work best. Through years of experimentation – and sometimes ...