 Research to develop an engine that maximises fuel efficiency when running on renewable fuels is continuing as Lotus announces its collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast and Jaguar Cars Ltd.
Lotus is undertaking a design study and the build of a single cylinder research engine to be completed in January 2009. The idea is that the vehicle modelling will validate the reduction in vehicle carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the engine is expected to significantly increase fuel efficiency for sustainable bio-alcohol fuels.
The design will feature an innovative variable compression ratio system and will use a two-stroke operating cycle that incorporates direct fuel-injection. Known as the OMNIVORE concept, it will be ideally suited to flex-fuel operation.
Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus Plc Mike Kimberley said: “The automotive industry is now focusing on its environmental obligations to reduce CO2 emissions and improve efficiencies and we are seeing the high technology capabilities of Lotus Engineering being in strong demand.
“Not only does our brand value of ‘performance through light weight’ fit perfectly with the necessary direction of the industry to produce lighter, more efficient vehicles, we are also working on all aspects of future fuels, investigating alternative powertrains to accommodate alcohol fuels as they enter the market.”
The project is being sponsored by Defra (Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs) and the DOE NI (Department of the Environment Northern Ireland) through the Renewable Materials LINK Programme.
