INNengine E-REX Sets New Standard for Automotive Innovation
INNengine, a pioneering company based in Granada, Spain, is reshaping automotive innovation with its unique engine technology. The new e-Rex engine, along with its sibling Rex-B, introduces an unconventional design that challenges traditional engine concepts.
INNengine e-Rex: Overview
The e-Rex is notable for its innovative configuration, featuring four cylinders and eight pistons that operate in pairs. This design allows for compression as the pistons move towards each other, while intake and exhaust ports are revealed as they separate. The e-Rex utilizes two thrust plates, a design concept referred to by automotive engineer Csaba Csere.
Understanding the 1Stroke Technology
Despite being labeled a “1Stroke,” the e-Rex operates on a two-stroke cycle. It separates the combustion and exhaust processes into one stroke and the intake and compression into another. INNengine adopted this terminology to distance the technology from the traditional perception of two-stroke engines, which are often associated with higher emissions and oil consumption.
Engine Performance and Specifications
- Engine Capacity: 500 cubic centimeters
- Weight: 85 pounds
- Power Output: 120 horsepower at atmospheric pressure
For practical testing, an e-Rex was installed in a Mazda Miata. The engine necessitates a supercharger primarily for the scavenging process that enhances intake efficiency, rather than increasing the compressive power of the combustion cycle.
Advantages of the e-Rex Engine
INNengine emphasizes several key benefits of the e-Rex design:
- Reduced complexity through the elimination of traditional valve trains.
- Decreased likelihood of deposit buildup associated with direct injection.
- Minimal vibrations due to the balanced configuration of opposing pistons.
This approach leads to improved emissions and efficiency levels comparable to traditional four-stroke engines, paired with the power density characteristic of two-stroke engines.
Future Applications and Vision
While the e-Rex has been tested in a sports car, INNengine envisions its use as part of a range-extending system, potentially serving as a battery charger in hybrid applications. Its variable compression capabilities make it adaptable to different fuel types, enhancing its versatility on the road.
INNengine’s e-Rex represents a shift in automotive innovation, merging the strengths of traditional engine designs with advanced technology to create a cleaner, more efficient future for vehicles.
