Among the thing to watch out at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show is this new engine concept from Lotus. Lotus will be unveiling its Omnivore Flex-Fuel Engine concept engine that will run quite happily on standard petrol or alcohol-based fuels.
Lotus will display the single-cylinder mono-block unit at the Geneva Motor Show next week. Among its claims, Lotus says that the engine has been designed for high thermal efficiency regardless of fuel type used. This is an important aspect to note as much of the energy a combustion engine produces is lost as heat.
A variable compression rate also means the two-stroke mill can operate at peak efficiency throughout the rev range. The absence of poppet valves allows the variable compression system to be implemented with greater ease than on a conventional two-stroke engine. The design of the block is such that no cylinder-head gasket is required, meaning less weight and greater durability.
(Source) The Motor Report
Tags: combustion engine, cylinder head gasket, fuel engine, fuel type, geneva auto show, geneva motor show, Lotus, peak efficiency, petrol, thermal efficiency