Ricardo wins fuel efficient, low emissions engine contract with China’s Lifan

September 24, 2012: In a further extension of Ricardo’s successful collaboration with the Lifan Automobile Group based in Chongqing, China, the multi-industry consultancy for engineering, technology, project innovation and strategy, is to assist in the development of a new turbocharged gasoline (petrol) direct injection engine.

The new engine will achieve both China stage 3 fuel consumption and Euro 6 emissions regulations, offering the potential of application in both the Chinese and international markets. The project is the latest in the collaboration between Ricardo and Lifan that has extended over six years, and builds upon earlier work on between the companies on highly downsized petrol engines.

With work on the project starting in July, the first engines are due for production in late 2014. The new engine will fulfill a range of product applications for Lifan, one of China’s fastest growing and most respected indigenous automakers, providing internationally competitive standards of refinement, fuel economy and low emissions.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to sign this new contract with Lifan,” said Ricardo Asia president Gary Tan. “The Chinese market is increasingly demanding clean and fuel efficient new vehicle products and Ricardo is ideally placed to assist ambitious automakers such as Lifan with the necessary enabling technologies and high quality product innovation to achieve this. This contract is a further demonstration of the growing capability and market presence of Ricardo in China, based on our growing presence in Shanghai, and our commitment to serve our customers with the latest clean and fuel efficient technologies.”