Porsche patented a wild 18-cylinder “true W” engine that could power its next hypercar

In a world where engines seem to be getting smaller and smaller, Porsche has gone for broke and patented a wild 18-cylinder engine that could be for its next hypercar.

The German manufacturer has been actively working on a successor to the 918 Spyder hypercar, part of the original holy trinity.

But while you might expect it to have something like a hybrid V8 or V6, the fact that an 18-cylinder engine has been patented is a tantalizing prospect.

An 18-cylinder hypercar in a world that is full of hybrids and EVs feels something of a dream.

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What we know about the Porsche 18-cylinder engine

The patent filed shows a W-shaped engine, which has been described as ‘space-optimized.’

The engine has six cylinders per bank, different from the two banks of eight cylinders we’ve seen on a Bugatti.

Each of the straight-six engines within the Porsche W-18 shares a common crank.

The engine can have its exhaust routed between and underneath the cylinders.

This keeps the intakes on top of the individual cylinders, helping the intake air to stay as cool as possible.

The patent claims that the main advantage of this is that the friction losses of the air flow are kept to a minimum.

With a separation between the air intake and exhaust gas, fresh air is sucked in and can’t build up via the wall.

Could the new W-18 power a hypercar?

While we get a good idea of the engine from the patent, Porsche is remaining tight-lipped on the specifics.

It could be that they don’t even intend to build the W-18.

Porsche may just be seeking to protect intellectual property.

But there is an exciting possibility that it could end up in a new hypercar.

In 2023, the German manufacturer unveiled its Mission X electric concept hypercar.

While that has an electric powertrain, it doesn’t rule out a version with a combustion engine as well.

Nor does it rule out a hybrid W-18 hypercar.

There is also the possibility that a concept car could make use of the W-18 engine.

Whatever happens, the filing of the patent is incredibly exciting news.