FEV Shows VCR Mechanism for Medium, Heavy Duty Engines

2-step variable compression ratio mechanism shown for first time in U.S.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- FEV, a leading developer of
advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies, announced today that it will
exhibit a 2-step variable compression ratio (VCR) mechanism for the first time
in the U.S. at the 2008 SAE World Congress, April 14 - 17, 2008 at the Cobo
Center in Detroit. The VCR mechanism was developed for use in both gasoline
and diesel medium and heavy duty engines. The announcement was made by Gary
Rogers, FEV, Inc. president and CEO.
"This mechanism has the potential to contribute greatly to overall vehicle
fuel economy and the reduction of emissions," said Rogers. "The powertrain
continues to evolve in response to the never-ending desire for higher
efficiency. The need to explore renewable energy sources and fuels adds even
greater demands for flexibility, while still focusing on reducing greenhouse
gas emissions to the greatest extent possible. At FEV we are constantly
looking at options that can be easily and cost effectively integrated into
current technology to accelerate that evolution."
The 2-step VCR mechanism dynamically adjusts the center of the bore at the
top end of the conrod, thereby achieving compression ratios of 14:1 - 17:1,
depending on configuration, increasing engine efficiency and reducing NOx
emissions. Key to the system is its ability to be integrated into existing
engine designs due to its carry over piston and pin design. Other benefits
derived from the ability to adjust the compression ratio include improved cold
startability and the potential to optimize performance while utilizing
alternative fuels.
Designed for medium and heavy duty engines, the system currently supports
peak cylinder pressures of 180 bar and is presently completing durability
testing.
About FEV
FEV is an internationally recognized powertrain and vehicle engineering
company that supplies the global transportation industry. FEV offers a
complete range of engineering services, providing support across the globe to
customers in the design, analysis, prototyping, powertrain and transmission
development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for
advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fueled
powertrains. FEV also designs, develops and prototypes advanced vehicle /
powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that
address future emission and fuel economy standards. The FEV's Test Systems
division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test
equipment. The FEV Group employs a staff of over 1,700 highly skilled
specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents. FEV, Inc.
employs approximately 300 personnel at FEV's North American Technical Center
in Auburn Hills, MI.
SOURCE FEV, Inc.

Leah Heidt, FEV, Inc., +1-248-373-6000, heidt@fev-et.com; Marc Harlow,
marc@harlowpr.com, or Joe Rohatynski, joe@joepr.com, +1-517-579-0789, both of
Rohatynski-Harlow Public Relations for FEV, Inc.