- Dongfeng’s new Mac Power 2.0T hybrid engine has been certified by CATARC Huacheng, reaching a peak thermal efficiency of 45.5%.
- The engine uses a new MAKC combustion system, 350-bar direct injection and low-pressure EGR to improve efficiency and reduce knocking.
- Combined upgrades like variable-geometry turbos and low-friction coatings increase its peak efficiency range by about 30%, as China’s hybrid efficiency race intensifies.
China continues to place emphasis on hybrid powertrain development. Dongfeng has announced that its new Mach Power 2.0T engine has been certified by CATARC Huacheng, an independent Chinese organization that verifies automakers’ performance claims.
In testing, the engine reached a peak thermal efficiency of 45.5 percent. The results were certified on May 22 and released publicly last week. This is particularly notable as it comes from a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine built for hybrid SUVs and larger vehicles – a segment where performance, towing capacity and efficiency all have to work together.
Better combustion, less knocking
At the heart of the engine is a new combustion design called MAKC, developed by Dongfeng to improve combustion control and reduce knock. It uses a long-stroke setup with a 1.29 stroke-to-bore ratio, helping the fuel burn more quickly inside the cylinder.
It also combines 350-bar high-pressure direct injection with a high-energy ignition system, allowing higher compression ratios while keeping efficiency strong in various driving conditions.
A cold low-pressure EGR system is also used to lower combustion temperatures and further reduce knocking. Dongfeng says this setup can improve fuel economy by about 3 to 10 percent, depending on how and where the vehicle is driven.
Less friction, more efficiency
In addition to combustion, a lot of work was also done to minimize internal losses. The engine uses an electronically controlled variable-displacement oil pump, and key components are coated in diamond-like carbon (DLC) to reduce friction.
There’s also a variable-geometry turbocharger to help maintain performance in tough conditions, like driving at altitudes up to 8,202 feet or long highway runs under load. According to Dongfeng, all this increases the engine’s high-efficiency operating range by about 30 percent compared to the previous generation.
All this comes into play in a very competitive Chinese hybrid market, where thermal efficiency of around 45 percent is becoming the new benchmark for next-generation SUVs. Brands like Geely and Chery are also hard at work with their own hybrid systems and efficiency gains.
Motor1’s Opinion: China remains a leader in hybrid vehicle and combustion engine development. This new engine is proof of that, and could be a game-changer if it reaches the market.
