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In this paper experimental measurements and simulations of the gas flow inside the combustion chamber of a free piston engine are presented. This combustion unit is integrated into a power train concept, named free-piston linear generator (FPLG), which is designed as a new type of gasoline engine for hybrid electric vehicles. By combining a two stroke combustion chamber, a linear alternator and an adjustable gas spring the engine design aims at a highly efficient conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy. In this context a high system efficiency can only be reached if a two stroke combustion cycle is applied. Efficiency advantages are expected due to the missing mechanical link to a crank which enables a new flexibility in terms of stroke and compression ratio. Instead of scavenging ports the presented FPLG combustion unit has poppet valves which are actuated by a variable electro-magnetic valve train.