The EcoMotors engine is called an “opposed piston opposed cylinder” engine, or OPOC. The OPOC engine features two horizontally opposed cylinders powering a crankshaft in the center. The unique design eliminates traditional valves and cylinder heads, simplifying the engine.

EcoMotors will work to develop the engine to be used in passenger cars and trucks.

“It’s clean, it’s green,” Coletti said. “We’re talking about potentially upwards of 50 percent improved efficiency versus current turbo diesels.”

He said a 2.5 liter engine of this design delivers 350 horsepower, and it could be more affordable than conventional turbo diesels because it has half the moving parts.