DETROIT – Saudi Arabian oil company, better known as Aramco, has just developed a powertrain that makes the Toyota Prius look like a 1960s muscle car.

Developed by Detroit-based subsidiary Aramco Americas, this compact naturally aspirated (NA) three-cylinder engine could offer a revolutionary way to convert existing combustion platforms to electrification, or help carmakers repurpose slow-selling electric vehicles (EVs) into plug-in models with extended range.

As reported by Carbuzz.com (19/04/2026), the most impressive aspect is that this dedicated hybrid engine (DHE) does not rely on overly complex engineering, but instead focuses on simple refinements and a highly specific combustion cycle to achieve 25 per cent greater efficiency than current petrol-electric vehicles.

[[ “Dedicated” means Aramco designed a fuel-powered engine from the outset to work directly in harmony with an electrical system (hybrid). The concept is similar to Nissan e-Power. However, Aramco’s engine was never intended to drive the wheels, but solely to act as a generator producing electricity for electric motors. This differs from most current hybrid cars, which use a conventional petrol engine paired with an electric motor. ]]

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Saving Space and Fuel

This Aramco engine is not intended to drive the vehicle’s wheels directly, but instead relies on electric motors mounted at both ends of a transverse driveshaft to power the left and right wheels.

Unlike similar powertrain layouts found in extended-range EVs or series hybrids, the DHE was designed from the outset specifically for hybrid use, eliminating the compromises inherent in adapting a pure combustion engine for electric assistance.

Even Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive relies on petrol engines originally used in non-hybrid vehicles, meaning there are inherent design compromises.

Meanwhile, the DHE operates within a very tightly defined rev range that does not depend on low-end torque or high-end power, allowing output and efficiency to be optimally balanced.

This specific use case eliminates the need for additional intake and exhaust valves, meaning the three-cylinder engine has just six valves in total, operated by low-tech yet reliable and energy-efficient pushrods.

As a result, the valvetrain is more compact, cheaper, and less complex than the four-valve-per-cylinder cam-driven layouts found in most modern small-displacement engines.

The more compact cylinder head also allows Aramco engineers in Detroit to give each cylinder a longer stroke, improving thermal efficiency.

The DHE is also a scalable engine design. In addition to the 1.6-litre inline-three prototype, the technology could easily be applied to a 1.1-litre inline-two engine. Two such units could be combined to create a 2.3-litre V4, while two three-cylinder units could form a 3.2-litre V6.

According to MotorTrend, when Aramco tested the inline-three engine in a four-door saloon roughly the size of a Camry, they found that turbocharging could be used to boost power generation without significantly compromising efficiency.

Furthermore, a dry-sump-compatible oil system allows the engine to be mounted flat, meaning it could fit beneath the cargo floor of an SUV or the bed of a pickup for all-wheel-drive traction.

Because each driven wheel receives input from its own electric motor, there is no need for a transmission, axle, or differential, further reducing powertrain space requirements.

This reduction in complexity also means less maintenance, with no axle seals, CV joints, or hub assemblies, and the highly specific engine duty cycle should also reduce wear and oil degradation.

Proof of Engineering Credibility

The idea came from Nayan Engineer, a senior internal combustion specialist in engine and fuels research at Aramco Americas.

The DHE carries multiple objectives, including easier and cheaper production, less energy lost as heat, and, of course, improved fuel efficiency.

Engineer and his team presented the DHE to French motorsport manufacturer Pipo Moteurs, which selected a small technical team specifically for the project, allowing it to come together quickly without excessive corporate bureaucracy.

“Some people love EVs, and for good reason, but what they often keep in their garages are trusted older conventional cars,” said Engineer. “Hybrid cars can bridge that gap.”

The lead technical designer praised the DHE’s impressive range flexibility and EV-like responsiveness and performance as offering the best of both worlds, although the added weight of a petrol engine does reduce overall energy efficiency compared with a purely electric powertrain.

However, recent sales trends make one thing clear: most American consumers are not yet ready to fully transition to plug-ins, preferring the flexibility of refuelling anywhere, from the end of their street to across the country.

Why Would an Oil Giant Like Aramco?

So why would Aramco, the world’s largest fossil fuel producer, want to design such an electrified powertrain that uses less petrol and requires fewer oil changes?

While it may be tempting to label the DHE’s origins as purely altruistic, the reality is that more efficient internal combustion powertrains are good business, helping keep more people using petrol rather than switching to EVs.

If future hybrid cars truly achieve the claimed 25 to 30 per cent efficiency improvement, it would mean something like a Ford Maverick achieving 48 miles per gallon or a Toyota Prius exceeding 64 mpg. Even a full-size F-150 PowerBoost could approach 30 mpg.

Those figures would make it easier for people to stick with internal combustion vehicles even as fuel prices rise, especially if it avoids the need to change habits, install home charging equipment, or search for public DC fast chargers.

Although the motivation may be clearly capitalist, a modular and adaptable internal combustion engine with this level of efficiency would still contribute to a greener future.

The transverse engine layout would allow significant flexibility in vehicle design, as it could be mounted upright in a conventional saloon or laid flat beneath the floor in a subcompact hatchback.

Meanwhile, larger variants could be used in SUVs and trucks without sacrificing towing or hauling capability, while electric torque and regenerative braking would add levels of control that petrol engines alone cannot match. Aramco’s DHE is a compelling proposition that we hope will reach the market soon. (SF/LM)

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