Porsche Wants More from the IC Engine

And when it goes wrong the consumer gets hit with astronomical repair bills.

Thanks but no thanks.

also the added reciprocating weight is gonna just about negate any gains.

And when it goes wrong the consumer gets hit with astronomical repair bills.

I agree,.... if it works that is..... Sounds too complicated.

also the added reciprocating weight is gonna just about negate any gains.

Maybe to negate the extra weight, Porsche will go back to Air Cooled engines.

I agree that sounds more like complications for the sake of complications that will just make it less reliable. However, this kind of "out of the box" thinking is exactly what R&D development is supposed to do. I remember another ICE prototype (BMW?) that used electric solenoid driven intake and exhaust valves instead of a cam. This allowed for dynamic spark and every valve timing dynamics to be tested. It worked and became a great testing platform. AFAIK It never left the test lab in anything but a test vehicle. I suspect this will be the fate of this engine. It will improve engine design processes more than any single vehicle.

I agree, didn't want to rain on the parade, but the way the article was written, it should have been more of an example that Porsche willing to consider for development.

Years ago I read of an engine that at the time had the highest HP per displacement of any engine and it had variable compression ratio using a piston that the crown was extendable and retractable for this purpose. This to me would be more reliable than same feature on the connecting rod. Then again if money means nothing why not.

That's right variable compression isn't new.

The multi fuel engines in some trucks have a simple mechanism that makes the combustion chamber bigger or smaller to change the CR depending on fuel....accessable and manually set in the field.

Back in the late 1970's, GM used a variable-compression-ratio (VCR) diesel engine in their XM-1 prototype tank, so the technology is NOT new. And, more recently (2000), a VCR ICE engine using a "tipping" block was developed by SAAB before they went out of business (thanks to GM).

I like the way Porsche did it it.

Tipping the gugeon pin holder to raise or lower the off centred pin. Simple really, hydraullically controlled, so as long there's oil it should be good, a few extra oil galleires in the crank is all. Simple enough to be reliable and should it fail will not stop engine operation, clever.

Cavalier will be using this soon.