This is the smallest diesel engine in the world and it's not much bigger than an M&M
Published on Mar 01, 2026 at 8:49 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Mar 01, 2026 at 8:49 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
The smallest diesel engine in the world is so tiny that it could fit into the palm of your hand – it’s not much bigger than an M&M.
Fittingly, this engine is called the Nano Bee, and it’s the work of Florida engineer Ronald Valentine.
Created back in 2011, the engine has gone on to be something of a pint-sized legend, often being photographed next to a quarter for comparison.
Sure, this won’t be powering monster trucks anytime soon, but it’s still a neat creation.
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The Nano Bee – the world’s smallest diesel engine that can fit into the palm of your hand
Piston engines of this size certainly aren’t capable of powering full-sized vehicles.
But they still have their place – primarily powering RC planes.
Valentine didn’t clarify to Jalopnik whether or not his engine has such capabilities, but it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.
The Nano Bee can spin a 1¼-inch-diameter propeller at 12,800rpm, making it potentially a must-have engine for small plane fans.
From what has been reported, it seems that most people who own Valentine’s engines do so for novelty purposes.
And can you blame them? Such a tiny little engine is adorable.
But they don’t come cheap – one user on Cox Engine Forum reported that they’d paid out $500 for the minuscule engine.
That’s admittedly a drop in the bucket compared to the astonishing price that this Concorde engine went for over on eBay.
But hey, you get what you pay for, right?
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There are some weird and wonderful engines out there
You wouldn’t usually think an engine would have personality, but believe it or not, there are kooky engine designs out there.
Take the Napier Deltic as a classic example of that, given the fact that it’s shaped like a pizza slice.
Then there’s the world’s biggest engine, which is as tall as a four-story building.
Engines, much like people, come in all shapes and sizes.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
