And now for something completely different: Behold the Wärtsilä RT-flex96C 14-cylinder diesel. With over 107,000 horsepower, the company calls it the most powerful diesel in the world.
Here at Mac’s Motor City Garage, we’ve featured many miniature and model engines. Their craftsmanship and engineering are awe-inspiring, and they’re extremely popular—like puppy and kitten videos for gearheads.
Now, because we admire horsepower, we’ve headed off in the opposite direction to show you the 14-cylinder Wärtsilä RT-flex96C, which the maker claims is currently the most powerful diesel in the world. These leviathan two-stroke piston engines are typically used to power giant container ships, where the performance criteria include vessel speed, fuel economy, and emissions. A few key stats:
+ Bore and stroke 96 cm x 250 cm, or 37.79 inches by 98.42 inches
+ Overall height approx. 26.6 meters long and 13.2 meters tall, or 87 ft. long and 43 ft. tall
+ Displacement 25,480 liters; Weight 2,300 metric tons
+ Maximum operating speed: 127 revolutions per minute
+ Total output 80,080 kW, or 107,389 horsepower; MEP 18.2 Bar
For more mind-blowing facts and images, check out the video below. Detailed specifications can be found at the company’s website.
I think it would benefit from a turbo. There’s a small penalty in fuel economy but you can make that up by being able to get in more hauls per month because of the added speed. Just don’t stand in front of the wastegate.
Curious what you would use to start it. Couple of Top Fuel Hemi’s?
That is a serious lump of engine. The noise when it was started viabrated my desk!
I would love to see the crank[s] being forged. Or for that reason just being turned.
I wonder the reason for 2 stroke? I though the reason they were dropped for trucks was emmisions?