Review » External Combustion Kraftwagen

Now here is something you do not see every day – the $999.95 External Combustion Kraftwagen that is actually a vehicle to help you get around for your daily work. Yes sir, this is a fully operational car that is powered by an external combustion Stirling engine. As with many reliable machinery in this world, this is made in Germany from machine-tooled solid brass, stainless steel, and aluminum. How does it get to work though? Does it run on oil? No, it relies on the thermodynamic principle of a regenerative heat engine, using the expansion and compression of air to get the job done.

There is also an alcohol burner that is placed in the rear heats a cylinder, where a quick twist of its brass flywheel will set the engine’s displacement and working pistons into motion up to 2,000 rpm. Four flywheels will spin in unison to drive the couple of 3.5″ diameter rubber-bound wheels, while a third wheel located right in front is able to be manually turned 360º, letting the car to perform autonomous circles while it putters efficiently.

This is a green vehicle since it emits non-toxic exhaust fumes from a full burner of ethyl alcohol, where the engine can operate for up to 20 minutes at a go.