Two leading car manufacturers have announced their intention to produce new diesel engines following the rise in demand for diesel models.

Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroen, already in partnership, aim to invest £183 million in two new 2.2-litre diesel engines, 200,000 of which will be made annually.

The companies have focused on diesel models as they offer much better fuel consumption in comparison to their petrol counterparts. PSA chairman Jean-Martin Folz told Reuters that diesel engines could perform as well as hybrid petrol engines and were cheaper to manufacture.

Executive passenger cars will benefit from the new engine, which incorporates an Extreme Conventional Combustion System (ECCS) to reduce emissions at their source, while light and medium commercial vehicles will gain an engine capable of adjusting itself to deliver maximum efficiency.

In partnership since 1998, the companies have already designed and developed several cutting-edge diesel models and this latest funding forms phase four of the programme.

Production of the diesel engines intended for commercial vehicles and executive cars will commence next month.



Ÿ Adfero Ltd