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1st
May 2009
ORBITAL AND CHANGAN - FLEXDI
CONCEPT ENGINE
PERTH, AUSTRALIA: Orbital
Corporation Limited (ASX: OEC - "Orbital") and Chongqing
Changan Automobile Co., Ltd of China ("Changan") are pleased
to announce that they have entered into a development contract to
jointly develop a concept engine.
The development will be carried out on Changan's
current gasoline engine platform with an objective to achieve a
significant fuel economy benefit utilising Orbital's FlexDI™
technology. The program is focused on fuel economy improvement while
achieving Euro IV emissions level. Orbital was selected as the technology
with the best potential to meet the aggressive targets required
for the program. If successful, it is planned to take the FlexDI™
concept engine to mass production in a Changan vehicle. Changan
will pay Orbital AU$2.4 million to carry out the proof of concept
development work in Orbital's engineering facility in Perth over
the next 18 months.
Orbital's FlexDI™ is a patented direct
injection technology utilising low pressure and air assist which
is currently applied in non automotive applications including outboard
engines, motorcycles, autorickshaws and ATV's achieving fuel economy
and emissions reductions.
Terry Stinson, Orbital's Chief Executive Officer,
commented "Changan are highly regarded in the Chinese automotive
market and we are extremely pleased to work with Changan in this
joint development program. We are confident of achieving the required
technical outcome".
Mr. Zhan Zhangsong, Vice President of Changan
Auto Research Institute, added "The Orbital FlexDI™ system
provides a significant fuel economy benefit in a gasoline engine
application. We believe that this project, if successful, will provide
Changan a competitive advantage in the Chinese market".
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