FEV Unveils Low-height Cylinder Head at 2008 SAE World Congress

New design complements new generation of downsized vehicles

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- FEV announced today it has
developed a new low-height cylinder head concept that allows a reduction in
the height of a classical design cylinder head by up to 15mm. The new
technology will be on display at the FEV, Inc. exhibit at the 2008 SAE World
Congress, April 14 - 17, at Cobo Center in Detroit. The announcement was made
by Dr. Joachim Wolschendorf, Vice President, Vehicle and Drivetrain
Engineering Division and CTO, of FEV, Inc.
"This technology is an example of FEV's ability to look at innovative ways
to leverage conventional technologies to overcome practical production
barriers," said Wolschendorf. "Over the years, the variation in distance from
valve seat to camshaft centerline has been minimal. This new concept offers
distinct design advantages, particularly as OEMs focus increasingly on
downsizing vehicles and going to higher specific power."
The low-height cylinder head concept represents a 15 mm reduction in head
height. This reduction enables several engine modifications, such as shorter
valves, and a narrower cylinder V-angle that provide significant additional
packaging space in the engine compartment. Benefits also include stiffer
cylinder head structure and reduced valve stem forces, providing a more robust
and durable powertrain system. Other benefits include reduced cylinder head
bending, reduced valve stem diameter, in addition to its shorter valve length.
The cylinder head was developed in Europe by FEV Motorentechnik, where
smaller, higher specific power vehicles have dominated the market for some
time. The technology is well suited for implementation in these types of
engines/vehicles. FEV has also implemented this technology in diesel cylinder
heads for high performance, where this technique contributes to the
achievement of engines with a power density greater than 100 kW/L [135 HP/L].
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, both of Rohatynski-Harlow
Public Relations, +1-517-579-0789