P... neutral methanol like Vulcanol or any mix thereof, it is at least as CO 2
- neutral as a pure electric car running on a‘ good’ electric source. Essentially, the TFG is future-proofed, given its extreme performance, reduced fuel consumption and lowered emissions. In the meantime, until these secondgeneration renewable fuel sources become more readily available, the Gemera can also be run happily on E85 or even normal pump petrol.
At the core of the Gemera’ s Tiny Friendly Giant( TFG) engine is the revolutionary technology developed by Freevalve which allows independent and fle�ible control of the en�ine�s inta�e and e�haust flows� �here �re�ious en�ines with fully variable valve actuation used either electro-magnetic or electrohydraulic control to open the poppet valves, Freevalve uses electro-hydraulicpneumatic actuators combined with advanced sensor techniques. It not only offers a low CO 2
-footprint, but also substantially hi�her ener�y efficiency and lower emissions.
Freevalve technology also enables many other initiatives, such as a unique twin-turbo concept and unlimited
10
cylinder de-activation, resulting in a reliable power output of 300 hp per litre combined with un�aralleled fle�ibility�
�ith inde�endent control of the inta�e and exhaust valves, the timing of intake and exhaust can be independently adjusted for any engine load criteria. The system can determine how to operate the valves according to driving conditions, allowing a high degree of control over the engine in order to maximise power output, minimise fuel consumption or regulate emissions, providing both performance and en�ironmental benefits�
Since there is no throttle, the �ree�al�es im�ro�e en�ine efficiency at part load by eliminating throttle losses, and by deactivating cylinders with Frequency Modulated Torque it further reduces fuel consumption to a level that is 15 to 20 per cent less than a typical modern four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine with direct injection and variable camshaft timing.
Freevalves are also capable of running the so-called Miller cycle, which is why the high boost twin-turbocharged TFG engine can run with a relatively high static compression ration of 9.5:1 and
ABOVE: Freevalve technology enables a unique twin-turbo concept and unlimited cylinder de-activation, resulting in a reliable power output of
�00 �� �er �itre com�ined �it� un�ara��e�ed �e�i�i�it�
achie�e both a hi�h le�el of efficiency and high power output at the same time. All factors considered, the TFG is one of the most frugal and most powerful production engines in the world, for its size.
Freevalve also provides another important advantage, compared with traditional combustion engines with mechanical camshafts which give out most of their �ollution durin� their first 20 or so seconds of cold start, due to cold cylinders, cold catalytic converters and poor fuel mixing at idle.
Only when the traditional engine heats up, do the cylinders and catalytic converters become warm and far less polluting, although there is still poor fuel mixing at idle. Given how good modern catalytic converters have become, these engines are virtually clean when warm and during normal driving.
The TFG overcomes two of the three issues directly at start-up, by heating up and provoking turbulence of the fuel mixture back and forth through the intake and exhaust valves. This muchimproved cold combustion also leads to much faster catalytic converter heat