Renault showcases two-stroke diesel engine

Renault has unveiled a turbocharged and supercharged two-cylinder, two-stroke diesel engine. This prototype version of the motor was showcased at Renault’s Innovations@Renault event in Paris. This engine is an attempt by the carmaker to halve the amount of space needed in the engine bay and not increase engine noise.

The prototype is half the size of the brand’s four-stroke 1.5-litre dCi unit. The 730cc two-cylinder engine is based on the 1.5-litre dCi but weighs less than 100kg, that’s around 40kg lighter than the 1.5-litre dCi motor. According to the company, the aim is for the engine to be around 15 percent more efficient than the equivalent four-cylinder unit. Renault has also confirmed that the engine is not fully ready yet.

No performance details for the engine have been revealed, but Renault says that the supercharged and turbocharged motor produces between 48bhp and 68bhp and up to 14.8kgm. This prototype two-stroke is currently under study and will undergo more stages of development before it goes into production.