Chinese Concept Car Showcases FreeValve Camless Engine

Qoros Automotive Co. says its 3 GT concept crossover vehicle is the world’s first drivable prototype model to be powered by a camless engine. The Chinese carmaker unveiled the vehicle on Friday at the Guangzhou auto show.

FreeValve AB, a subsidiary of Swedish supercar-maker Koenigsegg Automotive AB, developed the technology, which it calls QamFree.

The concept car is fitted with a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Instead of a camshaft, the QamFree mill uses pneumatic-hydraulic actuators to open and close the engine valves—similar to the setup in some Formula One racecar engines.

The camless engine generates 230 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, both of which are at least 45% more than in an equivalent cam-equipped engine, according to Qoros. The company claims the design also enables a 15% reduction in fuel consumption.

Pneumatic valve actuators open the engine’s valves, which are closed by air pressure or springs. This results in much more precise and completely customizable control over valve duration and lift, FreeValve says.

In addition to the camshaft, the QamFree engine eliminates the need for a throttle body, cam drive, timing gear and cover, wastegate, pre-catalytic converter systems and direct injection systems. The design saves about 44 lbs, streamlines the production process and reduces potential mechanical failures.

Qoros and FreeValve plan to test vehicles equipped with the engine next year. The companies gave no indication of when the technology might go into production.