Saw this new combustion technology vehicle over at hybridcars.com. Seems that GM has recently created a couple of prototypes (Saturn Aura and Opel Vectra) powered by its new HCCI, or ‘homogeneous, compression ignition engine”, which has characteristics of both a diesel and conventional gasoline engine.

HCCI delivers the efficiency of a diesel engine, but without generating the smog-inducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) that are inherent in diesel combustion. HCCI also can accommodate a range of fuels, including gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, E85, and natural gas. This technology can increase the efficiency of a typical gasoline powered engine by as much as 15 to 30%.

The beauty of this kind of innovation is it can get to market in a realistic time frame.