Just when the world thought internal combustion was taking a back seat to electric power, Porsche is proving that gasoline engines still have plenty of life left in them. The German automaker recently filed a patent for an astonishing new “space-optimized” engine — one that could feature up to 18 cylinders arranged in a true W-shaped configuration.
At first glance from Porsche, the filing looks like something out of a mad engineer’s sketchbook. But beneath the wild appearance lies an intelligent, compact design that could theoretically support 9, 15, or 18 cylinders depending on the application. According to the patent, the engine could be built with three banks of three, five, or six cylinders each — creating an incredibly short yet powerful engine block.
A True “W” Engine — Not Just a Porsche Marketing Term
While other manufacturers have used the “W” name before, Porsche’s approach is different. The famous Bugatti Chiron, for instance, employs a W-16 that’s actually made up of two narrow V-8 banks sharing a single crankshaft. Porsche’s design, by contrast, uses three straight cylinder banks joined together at 60-degree angles to form a genuine W shape.
Think of it as three inline-six engines fused into one. Each bank connects to a common crankshaft, keeping the overall engine length roughly comparable to that of a standard straight-six — an incredible feat of engineering.
Cooling, Efficiency, and Power
The genius of the design isn’t just in its symmetry. Porsche’s engineers have clearly optimized airflow for maximum performance. In the patent’s translated text, the automaker explains that this layout “minimizes friction losses of the air flow” while maintaining a “clear separation between the air intake and exhaust system.”
In simpler terms: by routing exhaust gases between and underneath the cylinders, Porsche keeps intake air cooler, preventing it from absorbing heat from the surrounding metal. Cooler air is denser, which means more oxygen for combustion — and more oxygen translates directly into greater power output.
And if that weren’t enough, the patent even mentions that each cylinder bank could support its own turbocharger. That would create a triple-turbocharged W-18 capable of monumental power while still fitting into a surprisingly compact space.
No Official Specs — Yet From Porsche
Of course, this patent doesn’t come with performance figures or displacement numbers. Porsche has provided no details about horsepower or torque, and it’s entirely possible that this engine will never see production. Like many automakers, Porsche regularly files patents to protect innovative ideas that may never move beyond the concept stage.
Still, the thought of a triple-turbo 18-cylinder Porsche engine roaring down the Autobahn is enough to make any enthusiast’s heart race. Even if it never turns a wheel, the patent alone underscores Porsche’s continued investment in combustion technology.
Combustion Isn’t Dead
Despite the company’s aggressive push into electrification, Porsche clearly isn’t ready to abandon traditional engines. The brand’s upcoming ultra-luxury SUV, originally expected to debut as an all-electric model, will now launch as a hybrid. Meanwhile, Porsche has confirmed new gasoline-powered 718 models are in the works.
That makes the idea of a W-18 — even as a research or halo project — far less far-fetched. It could serve as a technological showcase or even as the beating heart of a limited-production model meant to celebrate the company’s engineering heritage.
Porsche Engineering for the Future — and the Past
What’s most exciting about this patent is what it represents: a bridge between old-school mechanical brilliance and modern innovation. While other brands chase battery range and charging speeds, Porsche is exploring how to squeeze every drop of potential from internal combustion.
Whether or not this W-18 ever makes it to a test bench, the concept alone demonstrates that Porsche’s engineering team isn’t resting on its laurels. They’re experimenting, refining, and reimagining how power can be packaged, cooled, and delivered.
In an age where silence often replaces the roar of an engine, Porsche’s W-18 patent feels almost rebellious — a love letter to the artistry of combustion. And if the stars align, maybe one day we’ll get to hear all 18 cylinders sing their mechanical symphony.
Until then, the patent stands as proof that in Porsche’s world, gasoline still has a pulse — and it’s beating louder than ever.
