Chalk up another new invention for the Geneva Motor Show – as Lotus prepares to showcase its single-cylinder research engine monoblock that demonstrates the architecture of the Omnivore engine concept.
The design is the result of collaboration between Queen’s University in Belfast and Orbital Corporation Limited Australia with the idea of producing high thermal efficiency when fuelled on any alcohol-based fuel or petroleum. The engine uses a two-stroke operating cycle and includes an innovative variable compression ratio system as well as Orbital FlexDI direct fuel injection.
The engine is suited to flex-fuel operation and has a higher degree of optimisation than is possible with current four-stroke engines according to Lotus.
The monoblock construction blends the cylinder head and block together removing the need for a head gasket, reducing weight and improving durability.
According to Geraint Castleton-White, the head of powertrain at Lotus Engineering, research into these systems on four-stroke engines led to the conclusion that the two-stroke engine could solve practical difficulties and permit a much larger range of compression ratio adjustment. This offers the potential to perform at a much higher efficiency when running on renewable fuels.
Lotus Engineering is currently in the final stages of commissioning the Omnivore single-cylinder research engine.
