This development engines doesn't need spark plugs or a head gasket. Presented at the last Geneva Motor Show, Lotus Omnivore engine now starts its test bench. This engine two-stroke cycle, direct injection and turbocharger should optimize the combustion of fuels including a wide range of octane (gasoline, biofuels, alcohol, etc..) Thanks to a change in its compression ratio.

Unlike MCE-5 modifying the high position of the piston, the Lotus Omnivore slide is part of the breech with a cam system controlled by a stepper motor-step. This part supports the sliding injector and spark plug. The compression ratio can vary theoretically 8:1 to almost 50:1.

This engine would have a very small effect of pumping through a high internal EGR rate controlled by a valve in the exhaust. The direct injection system is the Orbital FlexDI compressed air.

It produces a lean mixture which requires the installation of a post-treatment of exhaust gases. Operation in HCCI mode is possible at low load, the engine in fact uses the same attributes that the prototype system (ARC Activated Radical Combustion) Honda had tested there in the last fifteen years.

The Omnivore engine was jointly developed by Lotus Engineering, Jaguar, Orbital Corp and Queen's University Belfast.