The 500cc 1 Stroke Engine

“1 stroke” 84lb engine making 120 hp?

Call me weird. I like weird things like this. A company has developed a 500cc one-stroke engine that has impressive power to weight- and promptly installed it in a Miata.

Breaking the Mold: The 500cc One-Stroke Engine

Contrary to the trend of electric powertrains and hybrid systems where that’s basically all you hear about lately, a company has rekindled the spirit of traditional combustion engines with its 500cc one-stroke engine. This engine’s design departs from the conventional multi-stroke engines found in most vehicles. Instead, it operates on a one-stroke principle, where each cylinder fires only once per cycle.

Unveiling the Power Potential: The Miata Transformation

The most astonishing aspect of this breakthrough lies not just in the engine’s unique design, but in its real-world application. The company’s engineers have successfully integrated this 500cc one-stroke engine into a Mazda Miata, creating a marriage of old-school mechanics with modern engineering. The result demonstrated that traditional engines still have untapped potential.

How the One-Stroke Engine Works

At the core of the one-stroke engine’s operation. While traditional engines require multiple strokes (intake, compression, combustion, exhaust) for a single cycle, the one-stroke engine completes the entire cycle in just one stroke, resulting in improved mechanical efficiency.

The installation of the 500cc one-stroke engine in the Miata highlights several noteworthy advantages:

1. Higher Power-to-Displacement Ratio: The one-stroke engine’s simplified design contributes to a higher power output relative to its small displacement, but torque seems to be an issue with this specific design. I think this is comparable to a rotary engine.
2. Mechanical Efficiency: The reduced number of moving parts and the streamlined combustion process translate into reduced frictional losses and increased overall mechanical efficiency. This doesn’t mean that complexity is off the table. There’s got to be *extreme* forces trying to split the engine in half.
3. Compact Design: The engine’s small layout enables a more compact design, allowing for easier integration into various vehicle platforms. If/when they make larger versions of this, we can see how it scales in the approach of packaging.
4. Paving the Way for Innovation: This unconventional approach challenges the prevailing notion that complex is better. It prompts a reevaluation of traditional engine designs and their untapped potential.

Looking Ahead: Challenges and Prospects

While the 500cc one-stroke engine showcases remarkable potential, it’s not without challenges. The concept might need further refinement to address issues such as emissions, scalability, and long-term reliability. However, its success in a real-world application demonstrates a significant leap toward proving the viability of unconventional engine designs.

As the automotive industry navigates a landscape of electrification and advanced technologies, this unconventional approach underscores the importance of exploring every avenue to unleash the power of engines that have been the heart of motoring for decades. The one-stroke engine’s journey from concept to reality is a testament to the enduring potential of traditional combustion engines in a world shaped by modernity.

Alex Noll

CEO – ABR Houston

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