Lotus 2-stroke omnivore engine
 

Geneva Motor Show: Lotus Completes Omnivore Engine, Feeds It Alcohol

2-stroke, multi-fuel, direct injection, variable compression ratio. Discuss.

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/image...60209lotus.jpg

needs more numbers, like weight, power, efficiency....otherwise it's the just the worlds most overcomplicated engine

I agree it does need numbers, but would they really be developing it if the numbers weren't some kind of goal? even if only theoretically??

Power should be great it's a 2 stroke. Efficiency would be hard to determine, because again it being 2 stroke trying to compare to a world of 4 strokes. If it can run on other fuels so easily though it seems highly promising.

The weight should be down due to the monoblock, if the head and block don't need to be fastened you can improve the design of the cast for support and weight, and you don't have the weight of fasteners and it seems at least a little likely it'd be cast of aluminum. The variable compression mechanism is an unknown in the weight department though. But, like the rotary if it can produce more power with less size the weight will be minimal.

it looks like a test engine.

Is it a great concept? Yes. Will it be in production within the next 10 years? No.