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23 April 2008
CHANGAN DISPLAYS FLEXDI™
CONCEPT ENGINE AT AUTO CHINA 2008
Orbital's recently launched FlexDI™ initiative
has received important recognition in the key Chinese market, with
Changan Auto, China's 4th largest automotive manufacturer, displaying
their CA18 FlexDI™ concept engine at this week's world-renowned
Auto China 2008 (the Beijing International Motor Show).
The concept engine - which is fitted with Orbital's
FlexDI™ combustion and direct injection systems - was commissioned
by Changan, with design and assembly by Orbital in collaboration
with the leading Chinese automotive group.
FlexDI™ was launched last October based
on the concept of 'One Engine-Any Fuel' as part of Orbital's investment
in R&D and growth opportunities being driven by stronger toxic
emissions legislation around the world and increased concerns about
greenhouse gas emissions and fuel efficiency.
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The Changan CA18 FlexDI™ Concept Engine
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The FlexDI™ Combustion System
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The concept engine on display at Auto China
2008 incorporates a high-technology twin turbocharger design to
enable very high levels of performance while maintaining a desirable
flat torque curve across a wide speed range. The combination of
engine down-sizing and the FlexDI™ combustion system can deliver
significant fuel economy benefits and offers the potential to utilise
both gasoline and other gaseous fuels in the same combustion chamber.
The concept engine is part of Changan's advanced
technology investigations, with the leading Chinese auto group continuing
discussions with Orbital on a possible feasibility assessment of
FlexDI™ technology with the objective of launching further
joint engineering activities in 2008/09.
Chinese automotive manufacturers now account
for approximately 15% of global automotive production, and are seeking
to implement cost effective technology solutions for emission and
fuel consumption control - both for export and for the rapidly growing
Chinese domestic market.
Orbital's Direct Injection technology
has been in production on non-automotive gasoline engines since
1996, and has already been implemented on more than 500,000 engines
world wide.
The FlexDI™ initiative was launched last
year as part of the continuing diversification of Orbital's engineering
capability and technology, and is creating opportunities in new
areas of the auto and non-auto market.
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