Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki released a development roadmap for its proposed range of piston engines for aircraft at AERO in Friedrichshafen last weekÂ
Kawasaki intends to initially offer inline four- and six-cylinder engines both normally-aspirated and turbo-charged, with a development path that ultimately would include 9-cylinder hydrogen engines.
According to the company, the engines will be derived from their range of motorcycle engines and feature full-authority digital engine controls (FADEC), auto throttle, water cooling, fuel injection and run on unleaded gasoline.
Specifications released for the 1.0-litre four-cylinder engine show a power output of 117 hp normally-aspirated and 200 hp for the turbo-charged version. The six-cylinder range will initially include 240-hp normally aspirated and 375-hp turbo models.
Starting small and getting bigger, Kawasaki also intends to introduce 4.5-litre inline sixes putting out 405 hp normally aspirated and 680 hp turbo-charged, with 9-litre 12-cylinder engines envisaged at the high end of the range.
In parallel, Kawasaki is also working on a range of hybrid engines as part of a sustainable energy program.
"Kawasaki group are committed to carbon neutrality with the use of hydrogen fuel," the company says. "Kawasaki has invested heavily in the development of engine technology.
"The future aero piston engine range will be powered by hydrogen fuel.
"For Kawasaki, hydrogen is an important way to bring a new future to the people of the world. Kawasaki Group commits to pave the way for a hydrogen-based society."
Kawasaki believes it will have certification for the gasoline engines by 2023, with the hydrogen motors expected to be available in 2035.