A new patent from Porsche shows that its engineers are not afraid to push the limits of automotive technology. The automaker has placed an order for a new “space-optimized” W-shaped combustion engine that it envisions as having 18 cylinders — six per set — but that could fit in a variety of potential products.
According to DepositAn engine can have a different number of cylinders. That means Porsche They could build engines with 9 or 15 cylinders – three sets of three or five – with a relatively short engine block.
The patent shows a true W-shaped engine as well, unlike previous designs like Bugatti’s. the Chiron It features an engine with two narrow V-shaped banks containing eight cylinders each, sharing a single crankshaft.
Porsche’s design features straight engines angled to share a common crank. The design allows Porsche to route the exhaust between and below the cylinders, with the air inlets placed above the individual cylinders to keep the intake air as cool as possible.
Photo by: Porsche
According to the (translated) patent, the main advantage of this design “is to reduce the frictional loss of the airflow” and that it creates “a clear separation between the air inlet and the exhaust gas exhaust device so that fresh air that would otherwise be sucked in cannot be heated by the wall heat.”
Cool air “results in an increase in achievable performance.” Porsche also said the engine could accommodate two turbochargers per bank, resulting in a triple-turbocharged W-18 engine that’s as long as a straight-six.
While the patent is interesting to think about, Porsche may not have any plans to produce such an engine at all. Automakers file many patents designed to protect intellectual property, not to preview future products.
Porsche doesn’t provide any specific details about the engine in the patent. We don’t know its displacement or output, but anything with up to 18 cylinders and three turbochargers should be powerful.
Combustion engines are far from dead, although automakers, including Porsche, are betting big on electric cars. Porsche’s upcoming luxury SUV will now do just that Launch as a hybrid instead Of pure EV, that The arrival of new 718 gas aircraft has been confirmedSo it is possible to produce a new W-18 engine. we hope.
