I am sure that the high petrol prices have hit everyone. What’s more entertaining is how it has changed the industry. Though I have my doubts as to why the prices shot up so riduculously in 2008, but it doesn’t change what all the industry is trying to do today. From smaller and lighter cars to efficient engines they are all in line for the next few years. Even if you are a fan of the vroom vroom, wouldn’t you rather also take advantage of the improved handling on a lighter car?

The following technologies are currently under active deployment, so that means they are already developed. Unfortunately the auto indrustry does not move as fast as the tech industry. However, the amount of changes coming up will beg to question if they aren’t going a bit faster than usual.

• Hybrids – They are already here. They have been already hear. From the Insight to the Prius to the Hybrid Fusion. They are here, coming more strongly, and from almost everyone. I say almost since not everyone is going all hybrid crazy.
• Diesels – For years diesel engines have been there with high torque and better fuel economy. However, what hits hard about these cars are the higher cost at the pump and the apparent higher maintenance costs. Even so, the 2009 Jetta TDI still managed to a lot more heads than she usually does.
• Reduced weight – For simpler and a faster way to boost fuel economy marginally, many auto-makers have taken to looking for lighter curb weight. Not that they care that much about the fuel economy but since it directly correlate to the CO2 emissions they have been forced to taken this measure to meet the new expectations.
• Start-Stop system – Basically taking a hypermilling technique from out of the drivers hand and putting it in to the engine, the new start-stop systems will conserve fuel usage by shutting down the combustion engine while idling.
• Alternative Fuel – From batteries to hydrogen, everything is getting it trial these days. Not that I see the world shifting over to a  new source over the next decade, but change is inevitable, and it can happen. Though this isn’t a reason to not buy a car now, but it is worth a mention on this list.
• Smaller engines – A lot of our favorite cards, including Ferrari’s and Lamborghini’s are cutting back on the engine size. Not that it means that you are getting reduced power, no. In fact in some cases, they are proving to be better since the makers slap on a turbo to give the same power, but now the power to weight ratio just shot up.
• Direct-injection – Though this has been around for a while now, interestingly not all new cars have it. That said, it does look like it is slowly going into every car as M-P-G is the new fad.

This is just the list that I know. I’m sure there are tons of other ones that are being worked one. Not to mention that if you are a fan of small cars (smart4two, iQ, Mini, etc), your options are going to get larger. Think about it.