Renault Powerful 730cc Two-Stroke Inline-Two-cylinder

Renault Powerful 730cc Two-Stroke Inline-Two

A 107-lb-ft supercharged and turbocharged two-cylinder

: Courtesy of Renault

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The French company Renault is taking a different approach to making diesel engines more efficient, affordable, and cleaner for cars and light trucks. The "Powerful" (Powertrain for Future Light-duty vehicles) project is studying the feasibility of using two-stroke diesel engine technology (which is usually reserved for large ocean vessels) in passenger vehicles.

Based on the popular Renault 1.5L four-cylinder engines used in Europe, this two-cylinder 730cc two-stroke powerplant is designed to be significantly lighter, smaller, and less expensive than a conventional four-stroke diesel. All of this while producing 67 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque at just 1,500 rpm from less than one liter of displacement—and Renault says these are just preliminary output figures.

Photo 2/3   |   The 730cc "Powerful" two-stroke engine by Renault is designed to maximize efficiency while minimizing weight, space, and emissions. By using a turbocharger and a supercharger, the two-cylinder engine is able to produce 67 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque...and Renault hints that even more power and torque could be possible with this setup.

In addition to being turbocharged, the engine also uses a supercharger for constant induction into the continuously firing cylinders. Renault says this provides operating efficiencies close to 50 percent, compared to barely 35 percent for four-stroke engines currently being used in automotive applications. In addition to being 50 percent smaller than an engine with twice as many cylinders, this two-stroke is 88 pounds less than the 1.5L four-cylinder Renault dCi 110 that weighs in at a hefty 320 pounds.

Renault says that along with having improved fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions, the two-stroke design works better with emissions controls such as particulate filters and the company's NOx-Trap system. The engine is also said to rival the price of a conventional gasoline engine thanks to the reduction in the number of components, which could make diesel-powered vehicles more cost-competitive. As an added bonus, Reanult says the two-stroke two-cylinder engine produces the same sweet sound as a standard four-stroke diesel engine with four cylinders.

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Specifications

Engine: Renault "Powerful" two-stroke diesel
Displacement: 730cc (45ci)
Layout: Inline two-cylinder
Bore X stroke: 2.99 x 3.17 inches (76 x 80.5 mm)
Valvetrain: SOHC four valves per cylinder
Induction: Supercharger and turbocharger
Power: 67 hp
Torque: 107 lb-ft
Block material: Cast iron
Head material: Aluminum alloy
Weight: 232 pounds

Engine: Renault K9K dCi 110 four-stroke diesel
Displacement: 1.5L (89ci)
Layout: Inline four-cylinder
Bore X stroke: 2.99 x 3.17 inches (76 x 80.5 mm)
Valvetrain: SOHC four valves per cylinder
Induction: Variable-geometry turbocharger
Power: 67 hp
Torque: 107 lb-ft
Block material: Cast iron
Head material: Aluminum alloy
Weight: 320 pounds