Opposed-piston engine maker Pinnacle initially targeted developing markets, with vehicles expected in 2013
April 29, 2011, Green Car Congress – Opposed-piston engine maker Pinnacle initially targeting developing markets, with vehicles expected in 2013
Startup Pinnacle Engines, the developer of a four-stroke, spark-ignited (SI), opposed-piston, sleeve-valve architecture engine (earlier post), is initially targeting lower power applications (such as tuk tuks) in developing markets in its commercialization strategy. The company has signed a licensing and joint development agreement with a major, as yet unnamed, Asian vehicle OEM, with products expected to be available in the first quarter of 2013.
Pinnacle has logged more than 500 hours of operation on its research engine so far (in multiple builds, but with the same components). Pinnacle says its engine achieves 30-50% better fuel economy in various drive cycle comparisons without the large cost penalty that can be associated with significant fuel economy improvement. The performance of the Pinnacle Engines design has been independently verified by FEV, Inc., a Pinnacle Engines development partner.