NAМИ, Russia’s leading automotive research institute, is bringing two new internal combustion engines to Innoprom 2026, including a standout 2.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine pushing 299 horsepower for passenger vehicles. Alongside it, a marine-adapted V8 based on the Aurus luxury car engine will also debut. This marks a rare outing for Russian-made gasoline turbo engines for passenger cars, which have been scarcely showcased in recent years.
The highlight is the NAМИ-414320, a 2.2-liter inline-four turbocharged engine producing 299 hp and 420 Nm of torque, according to RCI News. It features a sophisticated cylinder head capable of distributed, direct, or combined fuel injection. This flexibility isn’t just marketing fluff-it allows the engine to be fine-tuned for different fuels, customer needs, and regulatory environments, addressing a significant challenge for Russian automakers competing with international standards.
What’s particularly interesting is the engine’s parts commonality with Aurus components, including the piston group. Instead of building from scratch, NAМИ is leveraging proven designs from Russia’s premium automotive brand, which have undergone rigorous durability and certification testing. This strategy reduces development risks and suggests a move toward higher-quality, more competitive domestic engines.
The second engine on display targets the marine segment: a 4.4-liter V8 NAМИ-4123-300 SU adapted from the Aurus engine for light boats. Marine engines require special cooling systems, robust environmental protection, and the ability to operate under continuous loads, so this version has been modified accordingly.
NAМИ’s participation in Innoprom signals a subtle but important shift in Russian engine technology. After Western supplier exits and shifts in vehicle assembly, the local market has largely depended on older naturally aspirated engines, licensed powertrains, and Chinese imports. Introducing a homegrown turbocharged gasoline engine nearing 300 hp is a bold step beyond the typical 1.6- and 1.8-liter units common in Russia.
Innoprom 2026 kicks off in Yekaterinburg on July 6. If NAМИ announces serial production partners for the new 2.2-liter engine, it could mark a turning point for Russian automotive engineering. Without confirmed customers, even a promising engine risks remaining a showpiece rather than a production workhorse.