New Engine Cuts Fuel Consumption 27%

Your hybrid (TGW) – Engineers in the U.K. have developed a new kind of hybrid that is able to switch between being a two-stroke and a four-stroke engine, which cuts fuel usage 27%.

The improved fuel consumption essentially comes from downsizing the engine. "A smaller engine has less internal friction and delivers better fuel consumption," said Neville Jackson, technology director of Ricardo UK, which developed the engine.

The two stroke internal combustion engine differs from the more common four stroke engine by completing the same four processes (intake, compression, combustion, exhaust) in only two strokes of the piston rather than four. (Wikipedia)

Small car engines are usually based on the four stroke engine, which doesn’t offer as much power. They can be particularly problematic when operated at low speeds with a high load, such as when accelerating uphill.

This new engine, 2/4SIGHT, can switch between the two stroke and four stroke engine depending on need.

Via :: Technology Review