Near 40% boost for CGI engines at NAIAS

18 different vehicles powered by engines with compacted graphite iron (CGI) engines, up from 13 last year, featured at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). That is a near 40 per rise. More CGI engines are forecast.

The 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) provided several highlights for SinterCast's CGI engine technology including prestigious awards, new vehicle launches and an increased number of vehicles on display with 'SinterCast-inside'.  The SinterCast highlights include:

Ford F-Series F150 pick-up:  The all-new 2015 Ford F150 won the North American Truck/Utility of the Year award at the kick-off event of the NAIAS, held on Monday 12 January immediately prior to the opening of the show.  Highly respected throughout the industry, the honour is the only award given by an independent group of automotive journalists rather than by a single media outlet.  The Ford F150, North America's best-selling truck for the last 38 years, is available with four engine options, including the 2.7-litre V6 EcoBoost engine based on a CGI cylinder block.  The 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 is the industry's first high volume CGI petrol engine.

Ram 1500 pick-up:  The VM Motori 3-litre V6 diesel engine, with a CGI cylinder block and bedplate, won a second consecutive Wards 10 Best Engines award.  The CGI diesel was one of only four repeat winners from 2014 and was the only diesel engine to receive the coveted award in 2015.  The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel also retained the best-in-class fuel economy rating in the full size light duty pick-up sector and received the Green Truck of the Year award from Green Car Journal.  

Nissan Titan XD pick-up:  Nissan launched the 2016 Titan XD pick-up with a 5-litre V8 diesel engine designed and built by Cummins, with a CGI cylinder block.  The Titan XD is a light duty pick-up with engine performance that is uniquely positioned between the light duty and the super duty sectors.  The V8 diesel produces 32% more torque than the nearest rival in the light duty sector, providing the towing and payload capability of a super duty truck.  Nissan estimates that approximately 150,000 pick-up buyers will be attracted by the unique positioning.  Sales are expected to begin during the third quarter of 2015.

Lincoln MKX Utility:  Lincoln unveiled the 2016 MKX crossover utility vehicle (CUV) with the Ford 2.7-litre V6 CGI EcoBoost gasoline engine.  The MKX becomes the third Ford family vehicle, after the F150 and the Ford Edge, to receive the CGI petrol engine.  The new MKX is expected to arrive in showrooms during the third quarter of 2015.  Additional vehicle applications are expected for the CGI EcoBoost engine.

Audi Q7 e-tron Quattro:  Audi introduced the world's first plug-in hybrid vehicle to be combined with a six-cylinder diesel engine and all-wheel drive.  The 3-litre TDI engine, with a CGI cylinder block, produces 190kW (258bhp) while the electric motor provides an additional output of 94 kW, resulting in a total system output of 275kW (373bhp) and 700 Nm (516 lbft) of torque.  The Q7 e-tron is fuel economy rated at 1.7 litres per 100 km (138 mile/gal), emitting 50g CO₂ per kilometer (80 g/mile).  Top speed is 225 km/h (139.8 mile/h).

"In addition to these highlights and launches, the 2015 NAIAS also marked the North American debut of three vehicles that are already available in Europe with SinterCast-CGI diesel engines: the JaguarLandRover (JLR) Range Rover, the Range Rover Sport and the Porsche Macan" said Dr. Steve Dawson, president and chief executive officer.  "This year, I count 18 different vehicles with 'SinterCast-inside', up from 13 last year.  In total, our records show that 48 passenger vehicles, in 19 different brands, have now been launched with SinterCast-CGI engines.  This market presence is a wonderful achievement for those who have participated in and supported the development of the SinterCast technology."

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