Breakthrough for SinterCast

First diesel engine for US light duty pick-up trucks

 

• 3.0 litre V6 EcoDiesel engine confirmed for Ram 1500 pick-up 

• SinterCast-CGI Cylinder block and bedplate production ramping-up 

Chrysler and Audi increase diesel momentum in critical US market 

 

     For pictures, see PDF

 

[Stockholm, 18 February 2013] - Following the launch of the Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 3.0 litre V6 EcoDiesel at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on 14 January, the Chrysler Group has confirmed that the EcoDiesel engine will also be available in the model year 2014 Ram 1500 pick-up truck.  Showroom sales will begin during the third quarter of 2013.  Although performance and fuel economy ratings were not disclosed for the Ram 1500, the EcoDiesel provides 240 horsepower and 570 Nm of torque in the Grand Cherokee, and 40% improved fuel economy compared to the V6 petrol engine alternative.  Ram is the first brand to announce a diesel engine in the critical half-ton pick-up sector, resulting in new competitive benchmarks for fuel economy, CO₂ emissions, driving range and torque.

The 3.0 litre V6 EcoDiesel is based on a SinterCast-CGI cylinder block and bedplate, cast at the Tupy foundry in Brazil.  Following pre-machining at Tupy, final machining and engine assembly is performed in a purpose-built manufacturing facility at diesel engine specialist VM Motori in Italy, a member of the Fiat-Chrysler Group.  Engine production has been successfully underway since 2010 for the European Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler 300 and Lancia Thema.  Series production of the cylinder block and bedplate ramped-up during the second half of 2012, in advance of the Jeep and Ram announcements in the US.  Volumes are expected to exceed 100,000 Engine Equivalents during 2013.

The diesel momentum in the US was further buoyed by Audi at the Detroit Show, announcing that it would introduce its A6, A7, A8 and Q5 diesels to the US during 2013.  The diesel options will provide an average of 30% improved fuel economy compared to the base petrol engine alternatives.  Audi announced that 36% of its current US Q7 sales were diesels, based on the SinterCast-CGI 3.0 litre V6.  Overall, when US passenger vehicles are made available with diesel options, the take rate is greater than 30%.  The diesel take rate for heavy-duty pick-ups is in excess of 60%.

"Despite media focus on vehicle downsizing and electrification, pick-ups remain the best-selling vehicles in the US.  The Ford F150 and the Chevrolet Silverado pick-ups continue to be the top two vehicles in the US and the Ram 1500 is solidly in the Top 10.  Together with Ram's impressive 2013 awards as Motor Trend's 'Truck of the Year', 'The North American Truck of the Year' and 'Truck of Texas', the first diesel offering in the half-ton sector will undoubtedly lead to increased sales for Ram, and set a competitive benchmark for the other OEMs to respond to" said Dr Steve Dawson, President & CEO of SinterCast.  "Together with the previously announced commitment for the first-ever high volume CGI petrol engine, with start of production in 2013, the Ram announcement represents a second breakthrough for SinterCast in 2013, providing a strong foundation for continued growth."

Dr Steve Dawson
President & CEO
Tel:	[phone]
e-mail:	[e-mail]

SinterCast is the world's leading supplier of process control technology for the reliable high volume production of Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI). With at least 75% higher tensile strength, 45% higher stiffness and approximately double the fatigue strength of conventional grey cast iron and aluminium, CGI allows engine designers to improve performance, fuel economy and durability while reducing engine weight, noise and emissions. The SinterCast technology is used for the production of more than 50 CGI components, ranging from 2 kg to 17 tonnes, all using the same proven process control technology.  The end-users of SinterCast-CGI components include Aston Martin, Audi, Cameron Compression, Caterpillar, Chrysler, DAF Trucks, Ford, Ford-Otosan, General Electric Transportation Systems, General Motors, Hyundai, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lancia, Land Rover, MAN, Navistar, Porsche, PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Renault, Rolls-Royce Power Engineering, Scania, Toyota, VM Motori, Volkswagen, Volvo and Waukesha Engine. The SinterCast share is quoted on the Small Cap segment of the NASDAQ OMX stock exchange (Stockholmsbörsen: SINT). For more information: www.sintercast.com

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