In this study, the applicability of the RNG k-.epsilon. model to the analysis of the complex flows is studied. The governing equations based on a non-orthogonal coordinate formulation with Cartesian velocity components are used and discretized by the finite volume method with non-staggered variable arrangements. The predicted results using the RNG k-.epsilon. model of three complex flows, i.e., the flow over a backward-facing step and a blunt flat plate, the flow around a 2D model car are compared to these from the standard k-.epsilon. model and experimental data. That of the unsteady axisymmetric turbulent flow within a cylinder of reciprocating model engine including port/valve assembly and the spray characteristics within a chamber of direct injection model engine are compared to these from the standard k-.epsilon. model and experimental data. The results of reattachment length, separated eddy size, average surface pressure distribution using the RNG k-.epsilon. model show more reasonable trends comparing with the experimental data than those using the modified k-.epsilon. model. Although the predicted rms velocity using the modified k-.epsilon. model is lower considerably than the experimental data in incylinder flow with poppet valve, predicted axial and radial velocity distributions at the valve exit and in-cylinder region show good agreements with the experimental data. The spray tip penetration predicted using the RNG k-.epsilon. model is more close to the experimental data than that using the modified k-.epsilon. model. The application of the RNG k-.epsilon. model seems to have some potential for the simulations of the unsteady turbulent flow within a port/valve-cylinder assembly and the spray characteristics over the modified k-.epsilon. model.