 The Re.2000 was powered by a single Piaggio P.XI RC 40 radial engine, which was capable of generating a maximum of of thrust; this drove a Piaggio-built three-blade constant speed variable-pitch propeller.This engine proved to be a major weak point of the aircraft in service as it proved to be not altogether reliable.Despite the limitation imposed by a lack of suitable engines, the fighter remained a relatively compact and balanced design.