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Full speed for the environment – MBtech at the Vienna Engine symposium 2008

When the international experts present the latest drive concepts at the 29^th International Vienna Engine Symposium on the 24^th and 25^th of April 2008 then MBtech's own know-how is an essential part of the event. This year the development and consulting service provider displays an important contribution to alternative fuel concepts: A natural-gas powered SLK study by the name of CNG Demonstrator, which unites substantially reduced CO₂ emissions with sporty driving performance. In the course of the implementation MBtech’s powertrain solutions segment collaborated closely with the vehicle engineering segment.

While the number of natural gas powered vehicles has doubled in the last five years worldwide, this alternative fuel has been confined to a niche existence in western industrial countries. The savings on fuel costs are often coupled with reduced engine performance along with the large amount of space required to install the natural gas tanks and the associated additional weight. In addition many manufacturers prefer to convert vans to compressed natural gas (CNG). Using an especially demanding variant application MBtech demonstrates how innovative engineering can combine this environmentally conscious alternative with driving pleasure in a compact sports car. Introduced at this year's Vienna Engine Symposium the SLK CNG Demonstrator study distinguishes itself with a large number of advanced detail solutions.

Alone the engine-related measures prove both MBtech's development and implementation competence. In order to substantially the performance of the four cylinder compressor engine from the series model MBtech’s engineers have also realized a revolutionary 4+1 injector concept in the course of the CNG adaptation. A fifth injector has been utilized to enhance the traditional four injection valves. However this value does not inject the gas selectively into the individual cylinders but rather into the central air intake. This enables the delivery of the gas quantities required for the high cylinder performance despite strongly fluctuating gas quality. In addition the MBtech specialists also handled the development of the additional engine electronics - as a result the CNG SLK also possesses an innovative add-on sensor/actuator unit in addition to the gasoline control unit. In combination with the pistons which have been specially adapted to the specific characteristics of CNG fuel and an adjusted turbo charger translation this ensures that the CNG engine not only runs smoothly in every situation but, in fact, even better: The conversion package delivers a performance of 199 HP, allowing the CNG Demonstrator to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 244 km/h. This contrasts with the impressive fuel consumption of only 5.6 kilograms of CNG per 100 kilometers – with a CO2 emission of only 150 grams per kilometer (NEDC) putting the sports car on the level of a subcompact passenger vehicle. Combined with the low price for natural gas this reduces the burden on both the environment and the driver's wallet.

As the forward-looking engine concept can achieve optimal efficiency as a harmonized full-vehicle implementation, MBtech's engineers have also handled the complete system integration of the additional natural gas components such as the tanks, rail and pressure regulator. ROTAREX AUTOMOTIVE has provided these components for MBtech. In order to create sufficient space in the roadster's boot for the carbon composite CNG tanks the folding roof and the associated kinematic elements has been replaced with a fixed carbon roof. Using lightweight materials for both the roof and the tank not only reduces the weight but also lowers the vehicle's center of gravity - which in turn results in better driving dynamics. An adapted the rear skirt for the new exhaust system and a CNG filling connection complete the vehicle body measures.

With this concept vehicle MBtech demonstrates - regardless of the series production prospects – the innovative opportunities for transforming models currently available on the market into economical and dynamic vehicles with the help of an experienced development service provider.

About the MBtech Group

The MBtech Group is a globally active and leading international automotive engineering and consulting company. In addition to its headquarters in Germany the MBtech possess branches throughout Europe, North America and Asia.
MBtech provides development and consulting services covering the entire value creation chain in the automotive industry. The MBtech brand concentrates its products and services into four segments: MBtech vehicle engineering, MBtech powertrain solutions, MBtech electronics solutions and MBtech consulting.
MBtech develops, integrates and tests components, systems and modules from the detailed specifications to design, calculation and testing onward to series maturity. Furthermore MBtech supports the automobile manufacturers and suppliers on an individual basis from the initial idea to the production and delivery of the components or the vehicles and onward to after-sales.
In 2007 the MBtech Group with its approximately 2,500 generates a turnover of approximately 300 million euros worldwide.

Further information is available at: www.mbtech-group.com

Contact

MBtech Group
Ulrike Bless
Public Relations
Fon: +49 (0)703/ 686-4586
Fax: +49 (0)7031/686-4208
E-Mail: info@mbtech-group.com