Continental emerges as key supplier to Mahindra KUV100

Global automotive technology supplier Continental has said that Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has given it a mandate to supply a wide range of components for its newly launched KUV100 compact SUV.

The German supplier will provide the complete petrol engine management system (EMS), including electronic control units, injectors, fuel rail, electronic throttle control, and sensors including knock, temperature, cam and crank and temperature manifold absolute pressure (TMAP) sensor. Continental will also supply petrol fuel delivery modules, wheel speed sensors (WSS) and instrument clusters to KUV100.

The mFalcon engine family has seen downsizing in both petrol and diesel formats. A total of 72 suppliers contributed to the development of the mFalcon engines. There were 12 suppliers specific to the petrol motor and 30 suppliers specific to the diesel, with about 30 suppliers like Continental common between both petrol and diesel engines.

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The 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder, 82bhp petrol engine has 121 new parts and 60 carryover parts (including hardware). M&M engineers estimate that, thanks to a number of modular concepts, this number is lesser than in engines from other OEMs. Modular concepts in the petrol motor include the plastic intake manifold , throttle body and injector assembly, water pump and thermostat assembly and plastic cam cover with breather system.

While M&M debuted its first 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, 82bhp mFalcon G80 petrol engine with the KUV100, Continental says it has carried out the complete system integration in close partnership with the company. Continental is locally manufacturing and assembling a majority of the components across its production units in Bangalore, Pune, and Manesar.

Commenting on the same, Claude d’Gama Rose, managing director, Continental Automotive Components India, said, “This project adds a new dimension to our over 10-year history with Mahindra, strengthening our existing relationship, while allowing us to further enhance and diversify our portfolio. Continental is committed to localising both R&D and production in India, and we are delighted to be a part of this prestigious project.”

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