Could power Renault's future compact models.
Among various new technology concepts unveiled at the Innovations@Renault event in Paris, the POWERFUL (POWERtrain for Future Light-duty vehicles) two-stroke twin-cylinder turbocharged and supercharged diesel engine stood out.
The two-stoke diesels engines are the powertrains of choice for massive marine vessels due their high thermal efficiency of nearly 50%. The four-stroke engines which are used in the auto industry struggle to achieve a thermal efficiency of 35%.
What kept the two-stroke diesel engines from being used in automobiles is the difficulty in successfully adopting the design in a package that is small enough to go under the bonnet. Renault is attempting to achieve this feat with the POWERFUL project which is still a work in progress.
Developed in association with 18 industrial, scientific and academic centres from France, the Czech Republic and Spain, the project receives sizable funding from the European Union.
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Renault says that the initial tests are encouraging although the performance needs to be improved to be able to power a production model. If at all the engine makes it to mass production, a small car like the Twingo would be an ideal candidate.
Details about other technologies are available in the press release below the gallery.
Renault POWERFUL two-stroke two-cylinder diesel engine - Press Release
[Head to Slideshare if you can't view the press release.]
