Koenigsegg’s 230bhp Camless Engine Debuts At Guangzhou Motor Show

The engine works by company's Pneumatically-Hydraulic-Electric-Actuator, instead of the traditional camshaft-based method. This new system lets each valve to be easily controlled and manipulated individually throughout the whole combustion cycle, delivering smaller, lighter, more powerful and precise powertrains.

This is the world's first camless engine by FreeValve which is intended for mass production. Earlier at Beijing Auto Show, Christian von Koenigsegg stated, "We believe that one day in the very near future, the arrival of FreeValve PHEA technology will represent as big a transition, or bigger, than the move from carburettors to direct injection."

The Swedish manufacturer claims that the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine will produce 230bhp and 320Nm of torque. When compared to a similar traditional engine, it offers 47 percent increase in power, a 45 percent increase in torque, and an increased fuel economy of 15 percent.

Also, the camless engine is 20 kilograms lighter, compact and cheaper to manufacture. This is because it misses a throttle body, a camshaft, pre-catalytic converter systems, the timing gear and so on.

Urban Carlson, CEO of FreeValve AB said, "FreeValve technology has taken many years of testing and refinement but the results are extremely satisfying. This production-intent engine offers Qoros significant savings in emissions, cost, and weight.

"It also offers groundbreaking benefits to vehicle owners in terms of a near 50% increase in both power and torque, while actually reducing fuel consumption."

The camless engine was showcased on a Qoros 3 hatchback. The Chinese automaker will use a number of test engines to further develop this technology.

Watch the video here