Nomad Willy
Guru
Here's an interesting new engine from Renault. Both turbocharged and supercharged ... and 2 stroke. The crystal ball is always interesting.
Renault doesn't sell any vehicles in the U.S.—unless you consider some Nissans that share a global platform—but there's a reason this tiny diesel from France is interesting: it gives us an idea of how internal combustion engines will evolve under pressure to increase relative output and efficiency at the same time. The humble two-stroke might be the engine of the future. What's old is new again, right?
Renault is a major small-diesel manufacturer, and it seems likely that with what the company calls the "POWERFUL" (POWERtrain for FUture Light-duty vehicles) concept, it might be first out the gate with a small two-stroke diesel for passenger cars.
y design, a two-stroke diesel is power-dense, with a power stroke every other revolution, and inherently cleaner than a gasoline two-stroke. A major drawback is a narrow powerband. And "clean" is relative; emissions and economy standards in Europe and North America are extremely exacting for diesels. Several companies are trying to meet these challenges and produce a two-stroke engine suitable for a light automobile, but so far none have come to market.
The POWERFUL is half the size of the company's basic 1.5-liter cDi turbodiesel passenger-car engine; it weighs a full 88 lbs less, and in its current form is capable of making 48–68 horsepower out of just 0.73 liters. The POWERFUL uses both a supercharger and a turbocharger, just like other twin-charged engines. For comparison, depending on tune, the 1.5-liter cDi makes 64–110 hp. And it's not merely a 1.5 cDi cut in half, because that engine is a four-stroke diesel.
That being said, Renault's not happy with the performance of POWERFUL yet. Further development is required before it's ready for prime time. France is reconsidering its love affair with diesel as we speak, but perhaps tiny two-strokes will show the way forward.
Renault doesn't sell any vehicles in the U.S.—unless you consider some Nissans that share a global platform—but there's a reason this tiny diesel from France is interesting: it gives us an idea of how internal combustion engines will evolve under pressure to increase relative output and efficiency at the same time. The humble two-stroke might be the engine of the future. What's old is new again, right?
Renault is a major small-diesel manufacturer, and it seems likely that with what the company calls the "POWERFUL" (POWERtrain for FUture Light-duty vehicles) concept, it might be first out the gate with a small two-stroke diesel for passenger cars.
y design, a two-stroke diesel is power-dense, with a power stroke every other revolution, and inherently cleaner than a gasoline two-stroke. A major drawback is a narrow powerband. And "clean" is relative; emissions and economy standards in Europe and North America are extremely exacting for diesels. Several companies are trying to meet these challenges and produce a two-stroke engine suitable for a light automobile, but so far none have come to market.
The POWERFUL is half the size of the company's basic 1.5-liter cDi turbodiesel passenger-car engine; it weighs a full 88 lbs less, and in its current form is capable of making 48–68 horsepower out of just 0.73 liters. The POWERFUL uses both a supercharger and a turbocharger, just like other twin-charged engines. For comparison, depending on tune, the 1.5-liter cDi makes 64–110 hp. And it's not merely a 1.5 cDi cut in half, because that engine is a four-stroke diesel.
That being said, Renault's not happy with the performance of POWERFUL yet. Further development is required before it's ready for prime time. France is reconsidering its love affair with diesel as we speak, but perhaps tiny two-strokes will show the way forward.
Last edited: