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25th October 2006

The Chongqing Lifan Industry Group Co. Ltd (Lifan) of China yesterday signed a Heads of Agreement with Ricardo plc to develop a new family of car engines and transmissions.

A signing ceremony, organised by UK Trade & Investment, was witnessed by Baroness Amos, Leader of the UK House of Lords, and Mr Jia Qinglin, the Chairman of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC) in London. The Heads of Agreement was signed by Yin Mingshan, Chairman of Chongqing Lifan Holding Co.Ltd, and Marcus Beresford, Chairman of Ricardo plc.

The initial focus envisaged for the collaboration is the design and development of a completely new family of engines of 800cc-2.4 litres, new transmissions, and support in manufacturing. The first contract is expected to be placed imminently.

Since its formation in 1991 the privately-owned Lifan has grown to achieve group export sales in 2005 of nearly US$300 million to 110 countries and regions. With its origins in the two-wheeler sector, the company has the capacity to produce 2.5 million motorcycle engines and 1 million motorcycles annually. In August 2003 Lifan announced an intention to enter the automotive sector and has now commissioned a new vehicle assembly facility on a greenfield site in Chongqing. In early 2006 Lifan went into production with its first

 

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China's Lifan launches its own developed VVT engine.

December 5, 2006. Chongqing-based Chinese automaker Lifan Automobile recently unveiled self-developed 1.8L VVT (Variable valve timing) engine, which makes it the first Chinese automaker to develop such technology on its own.

"Lifan has been committed to developing its own engines and this furthers our efforts to deliver new engine technology to customers, "said Hu Qi, general manager of Lifan Sales Company, adding that the newly developed engine will be equipped on various Lifan models.

The company has signed a Heads of Agreement with Britain Ricardo PLC to develop a new family of car engines and transmissions starting October 2006. The collaboration aims at providing Lifan with internationally competitive powertrain products and technologies to facilitate its continued expansion.

As one of China's biggest private motorcycle manufacturers, Lifan obtained automobile production license from government in 2005. By October this year, the company has sold 40,000 vehicles and it expected to sell 50,000 this year. Lifan has set up assembly lines in Russia, Vietnam, Egypt, Iran and Ethiopia.

source: Gasgoo.com

Lifan have created what is being billed as the first domestically created VVT engine! The 1.8l VVT is the first of its kind from a Chinese company, and its getting the fanfare that it deserves.

The engine was apparently made in cooperation with Ricardo, who have been helping various Chinese car makers over the past few years (Roewe, Chery, etc) with their engines and redesigns. Lifan now has 1.3, 1.5 and 1.8 motors - all of which are self designed. Previously Lifan used BMW acquired engines that they got from BMW Brazil.

The new 1.8 is a 4 cylinder engine, water cooled, giving 100kw/172 N.m/r, it also meets Euro 3 emissions standards. Lifan say their new 1.8 is on par with international technology standards, and will be in production by the middle of 2008.

source: China Car Times

 

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Lifan and Ricardo 2010 working on bigger motors

Lifan and Ricardo 2010 are working on bigger motors.

Lifan and Ricardo 2010 have hooked up to create a range of larger engines to use in future models. Lifan is reportedly making a whole host of motors, ranging from MINI like hatchbacks to larger MPVs. Ricardo and Lifan are currently working on motors ranging from a miniscule 800cc (a future kei car?), to a larger 2.4l.

Lifan tell us they are working on a 1 to 1 ratio of engineers in this new cooperation, for every engineer Ricardo assigns, Lifan will assign one to work with them. Lifan is aiming to have an engine that meets with Euro 5 emissions specifications by 2008.

Ricardo have helped quite a few Chinese car manufacturers with their engine designs, notably, Roewe, if Ricardo can help Lifan in the same way then no doubt Lifan can charge their way into Europe ahead of their rivals.

source: China Car Times