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The NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) as Project Manager of the Department of Energy's Automotive Heat Engine Program, is developing advanced gas turbine and Sterling engines for automobiles. To accomplish the program goals of improved fuel economy, reduced emissions, and broad alternative fuel capability major development programs have been undertaken for both engines. These programs are described along with the predicted characteristics of the engines under development and the key technology problems that must be resolved to achieve these objectives. NASA LeRC is also responsible for the development of the power con-version systems for the Parabolic Dish Solar Thermal Power Systems being developed for the Department of Energy by the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The requirements of this solar thermal application are reviewed and compared with the predicted characteristics of the automobile engines under development.