The initial concept engine is a small 1.8L four-cylinder, which delivers an amazing 238hp (175kW) and 400Nm of torque. Initial tests have seen fuel consumption at around 39mpg (6L/100km), and this was in a large S-class saloon. The engine works by using sparkless ignition, like a diesel, during low load conditions, and switches back to using a spark plug on cold starts and under full load.
Engineers have another trick up their sleeves. Fuel economy will improve even further with the addition of new hybrid technology, including an integrated starter-generator attached to the flywheel.