Detroit’s had its fair share of comebacks, but this one might just be the wildest one yet. Meet the REV Force: a two-stroke, twin-cylinder, supercharged, direct-injected, flex-fuel internal combustion engine with claims so bold they make even Elon Musk’s Twitter (yes, I still call it Twitter. Fight me) feed sound tame.
It’s the brainchild of a startup called Alpha-Otto, and if their promises turn out to be true, this thing could flip the script on everything we thought we knew about internal combustion engines.
Yes, it’s a two-stroke. And no, it’s not 1979.
Alpha-Otto says this water-cooled inline twin isn’t your granddad’s smoky dirtbike motor. It’s supposedly clean, efficient, lightweight, and can sip everything from gasoline and diesel to hydrogen and even kerosene.
Let’s talk specs, because this engine isn’t shy. Alpha-Otto claims (remember that word: claims) the REV Force punches out 173 horsepower (127 kW), yet weighs just 48 kilos (106 lbs). That’s superbike power in a package even lighter than the already svelte Yamaha CP2. An that engine makes just around 70 horsepower at best. Even more eyebrow-raising? A claimed thermal efficiency of 50 percent. That’s better than most modern diesel engines and way better than gasoline motors, which typically max out at 35 percent. Color me impressed... if it’s real, that is.
So, how does this engine make it all happen?
Well, according to Alpha-Otto, it’s a whole shebang of tricks: a variable-compression system, optimized crankcase pressures to reduce friction, and precise control over air-fuel mix and combustion timing. It’s also got direct injection and exhaust valve control, though they’re staying mum on exactly how that last part works. Dry sump lubrication and a 2,000-hour service interval are also on the table. But again, details are scarce. We’re not saying it’s vaporware, but there’s definitely a bit of smoke around this two-stroke fire.
Fuel flexibility is yet another bold claim. The REV Force reportedly adapts automatically to whatever flammable liquid you throw at it. Got some ethanol? Great. A dash of hydrogen? Sure. Leftover diesel from your uncle’s pickup? Why not? Theoretically, this means near-zero emissions if you use renewables, and if the combustion process actually works as described. Again, that’s a lot of ifs.
But what about the RPMs? The company hasn’t disclosed engine speed, but based on the name and the screaming test bench audio, it sounds like this twin is happy to party well into five-digit revs. Makes sense if they’re shooting for generator use and lightweight transport—like, say, a motorcycle.
At 48 kg and 173 hp, this engine could turn a modest bike into a rocket ship. The kind of machine that makes two-stroke fanboys foam at the mouth. But Alpha-Otto hasn’t committed to any specific application yet. Right now, they’re casting a wide net—from aircraft to boats, bikes, and backup power. Basically, if it moves and needs a motor, they think REV Force can run it.
Of course, a few big questions remain. Namely: is this real, or just really good marketing?
CEO David Dusseau and CTO John Krzeminski are currently courting investors to bring REV Force and other projects to life. They’ve filed patents, made videos, and talked the talk. But until we see real-world validation—dyno sheets, durability tests, emissions data—it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow. Still, we’re intrigued. Skeptical, but intrigued.
Because if this wild little engine delivers even half of what it promises, it could be a game-changer. A compact, efficient, fuel-agnostic powerplant with modern emissions potential and genuine performance chops? That’s a unicorn the industry’s been chasing for years.
Sources: Alpha-Otto, Motorrad
