Porsche has just patented a concept for a six-stroke internal combustion engine, and on paper, it looks like a stroke (or two) of genius. It's an innovative take that adds more power and compression to the traditional engine cycle, a move that could improve both efficiency and performance.

Now, let’s break it down. Most cars running on petrol use a four-stroke engine – that’s intake, compression, power, and exhaust. Here’s how it works: during the intake stroke, a mix of air and fuel enters the cylinder. The compression stroke sees the piston push that mixture up towards the top. Then, ignition happens, sending the piston back down for the power stroke. Finally, the exhaust stroke clears out the spent gases.

But Porsche has other ideas. They believe they can slot an extra compression and power stroke into the process. The official patent, filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office, refers to "six individual strokes that can be divided into two three-stroke sequences." The first sequence follows the usual pattern: intake, compression, and power. The second sequence adds in another compression and power stroke before the exhaust stroke kicks in.

The mechanics behind this are fascinating. Porsche’s patent reveals a crankshaft that operates on a special ring with two concentric circles—known as an annulus. This clever setup shifts the piston’s movement ever so slightly, altering the bottom dead center (the lowest point the piston reaches). This shift gives the engine two top and bottom dead centers, allowing the piston to compress the air-fuel mixture more effectively during these added strokes.

So, what’s the point of all this? Essentially, by squeezing in an extra power stroke, Porsche could generate more power from the same amount of fuel while burning it more completely. In your standard engine, only one out of every four strokes creates power. Porsche’s design changes that ratio to one in three, potentially boosting efficiency. It’s more complex, yes, but if it works, it could make a noticeable difference in performance and emissions.

As with any patent, there’s no guarantee we’ll ever see this on the road. However, the bigger takeaway is Porsche’s clear determination to keep the internal combustion engine relevant, even as the automotive world rapidly shifts toward electric power. In an era where EVs are stealing the limelight, this six-stroke engine is a reminder that the petrol engine might still have a few tricks up its sleeve.