An innovative high-frequency high-energy spark discharge ignition system was designed. Then the system discharge characteristics and the influences of discharge frequency and single-discharge delay on initial flame kernel formation and earlier flame propagation were studied by using quasinanosecond voltampere testing and constant volume combustion experiment. The results showed that the highfrequency high-energy ignition system had the higher discharge current and larger ignition energy than traditional high-frequency ignition system in the same discharge duration and discharge frequency. The ignition energy was 60 mJ when the frequency was 5 kHz and 150 mJ when it rose to 15 kHz. The ignition energy increased with the increase of discharge frequency, which meant that ignition energy had a strong correlation with discharge frequency. In addition, increasing the single-discharge delay could also achieve larger ignition energy. The ignition energy was around 60 mJ when the discharge delay was 0 μs and 150 mJ when it increased to 40 μs. It was observed that the high-frequency high-energy ignition was brighter than traditional high-frequency ignition according the recorded images of fire arc variation, which meant that the referred ignition had larger ignition volume and stronger energy density. Increasing discharge frequency and single-discharge delay prolonged the ignition fire arc duration, which made it easier to show the continuous discharge characteristics. The combustion experiment in a constant volume combustion chamber finally showed that the high-frequency high-energy ignition could form a larger flame kernel volume and a more stable initial flame and the increase of discharge frequency and single-discharge delay could further improve combustion process.