The INNengine
Spain. Probably not the first place you think of on the topic of automotive innovation, but Granada-based INNengine is changing that with their “1 Stroke” engine that delivers an astounding amount of power in a compact package.
At first glance, the INNengine powerplant seems to defy the tenants of the internal combustion engine by eliminating the cylinder head, the crankshaft, the camshaft, and the valves. Yet that’s exactly what INNengine engineers have done. The result is an impressive 120 horsepower with just half a liter displacement — all in a compact, feather-weight engine that weighs in at only 85 pounds.
The configuration is achieved through the opposed-piston design. Each piston’s compression stroke is performed against a second piston located in the same cylinder bank. The unique configuration enables precise timing and enhances engine balance. The typical drawbacks of an internal combustion engine — the noise, vibration, and harshness — are all significantly reduced.
It appears the engineers at INNengine also know the answer to every automotive question ever: Miata! Where else would you put a powerful, lightweight engine?
And they’ve done just that. The company’s demo video features an INNengine-powered Miata.
The “1 Stroke” engine, despite its impressive capabilities is unlikely to find its way into traditional gear-box equipped cars. The company appears to be setting its sights on the EV market as a ‘range extender’.
