World’s Most Powerful V12 Engine Uses Jet Ignition to Lower Emissions

Do you recall the Mjølner? Not the mythical hammer of Thor, but the ground-shaking V12 engine that Danish hypercar manufacturer Zenvo has been developing. Well, scratch off the “under development” label, as the first unit of the world’s most powerful road-going V12 engine has officially been completed. This new quad-turbo 6.6-liter powerhouse will produce over 1,200 hp while adhering to the stricter emission standards coming into effect soon. It will be one of three engines powering Zenvo’s upcoming hypercar.

Zenvo’s Environmental Focus with the Aurora Hypercar

The days of disregarding poor fuel economy and high emissions while prioritizing raw power and speed in supercars seem to be behind us, and it’s unlikely they’ll return. Until Zenvo revealed the first details of the Mjølner in 2023, we thought the Danish brand had faded into obscurity. However, Zenvo has been busy in the workshop developing the Aurora, an all-new hypercar that blends insane power with a modern focus on environmental concerns.

The automaker, known for creating cars with over 1,100 hp since 2008, announced on Friday that it has finished the first hand-built Mjølner unit and will begin testing the new engine ahead of the full Aurora prototype testing scheduled for later in 2025. With four turbochargers mounted V-style, the 6.6-liter V12 can produce up to 1,250 hp and reaches a redline of 9,800 rpm.

With this milestone, the Mjølner officially claims the title of the “most powerful V12 engine ever built for a road-going car,” surpassing Aston Martin’s previous record. However, Aston still holds the title for the most powerful naturally aspirated V12, an impressive achievement in its own right.

Zenvo’s Focus on Road-Car Development

Unlike the 6.5-liter Cosworth engine used in the Valkyrie, which focuses more on F1, Zenvo emphasizes that it developed its V12 specifically for road cars. It promises to strike a balance between exhilarating performance and drivability, though we doubt many will drive the $2.8-million Aurora daily—especially since only 100 units will be made.

Zenvo worked closely with Mahle Powertrain to incorporate its Jet Ignition system into the Mjølner V12. This innovative system replaces traditional spark plugs with a pre-chamber spark setup that releases jets of partially combusted material in various directions, resulting in a more efficient combustion process. This approach not only cuts emissions but also improves fuel efficiency.

Mahle has refined the Jet Ignition technology over the past decade, and the video below showcases its effectiveness.

The Jet Ignition system will help the Mjølner meet future emissions regulations while also contributing to the vehicle’s overall fuel economy. Additionally, the Aurora will feature a hybrid setup, with two different trims planned. The street version, Tur, will be equipped with 600 hp electric motors at the front, bringing the total output to 1,850 hp. The track-focused Agil will lose one motor for a lighter design, delivering 1,450 hp, which includes a 200-hp boost from an integrated rear electric motor.

Zenvo’s vision for modern hypercars includes a minimum of 1,341 hp at the driver’s fingertips.

The Future Sound of the Mjølner V12

Looking ahead, Zenvo will soon release the engine’s audio, promising a roar worthy of Thor’s hammer. Jens Sverdrup, Zenvo’s chairman, teased that sound and visceral excitement will be key aspects of the Aurora, with the engine playing a crucial role in delivering this experience.

Zenvo’s busy 2025 will begin with the completion of the V12, followed by the Aurora’s dynamic debut at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. Following that, the car will go on a world tour, visiting Europe, the UK, and the US, with another appearance at Monterey Car Week, where the prototype first premiered in 2023.

Zenvo has big plans for the Mjølner V12 and envisions it as a modular engine that they will adapt for future car models. We’re excited to see what the company has in store next.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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