ad for the new honda

Its the new V6 with cylinder deactivation. Which means it only uses the cylinders thus fuel it needs for the power you need and no more. Economy gain of around 5 to say 12% over a vehicle without cylinder deactivation. Chrysler have it in their V8 and Holden before long it seems.....slvrbk

Honda (and others) have used that idea for many years. As more power is required the computer turns on the fuel injectors and sparks to more cylinders.

I had an old Datsun 1000 which did that. It would run on anything from 1 to 4 cylinders.

Not in a coordinated way though, but I saved heaps of fuel on the days when it wouldn't even run on one cylinder.

I heard that Nissan Patrols can do that - 4 cyls then all of a sudden, 3 or 2.

Have a look here, not new technology. Pt 2 explains how the Honda works.

Cylinder deactivation - pt 1

Cylinder deactivation - pt 2