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Maruti Suzuki unveils next generation
KB Engine plant at Gurgaon |
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| Gurgaon, October 21, 2008 |
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India's leading car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India Limited inaugurated
its next-generation KB-series engine plant here today. The new series
engine is another significant initiative undertaken by the Company
towards offering the latest technology to its customers.
Speaking at the occasion Mr. Shinzo Nakanishi, Managing Director Maruti
Suzuki , said, "We are happy to introduce a brand new family of petrol
engines for our customers. Maruti Suzuki is the first company to
introduce fuel-efficient vehicles in India, way back in 1983 and have
continuously improved the technologies over the years. Like all Maruti
Suzuki technology, this new engine engine is highly fuel efficient,
while offering the best in refinement and performance. It will take the
engine technology to the next level in India. |
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M.M.Singh, S.Oishi, I.V.Rao, S.Nakanishi at the inauguration of the KB
series engine plant |
He added:
"The new engine series is also an important step towards attaining the
target sales of a million units in the domestic market by 2010-11. The
operational capacities of our plants have reached the million mark."
The KB series engine will be mounted on the forthcoming model, A Star, from
Maruti Suzuki. The 998-cc engine has been carefully designed to be environment
friendly and fuel efficient with its light weight construction and innovative
technologies to improve combustion and minimise friction. The Smart Distributor
Less Ignition (SDLI) system with dedicated plug top coils, High pressure
semi-return fuel system and advanced injectors for superior atomization
provide uniform and optimized combustion for better performance.
After A Star the all new, light-weight, engine series will be progressively
introduced on other models as well over a period of next 3-5 years. The
new engine will also power the export version of the A Star. The company
plans to commence exports of this model in early 2009.
The KB-series engine, while fully complying with the prevalent BS III norms,
is ready to meet the future emission norms in the country. The Engine meets
the Euro V norms for the export model of A Star.
The KB engine plant has an installed annual capacity of 240,000 engines.
The new engine will be manufactured in the state-of the-art, fully integrated
manufacturing facility inside the Gurgaon Plant. Spread over an area of
20,300 m2, the new engine plant is part of the Rs 9,000 Crore investment
plan drawn by Maruti Suzuki and Suzuki Motor Corporation announced earlier.
The in-line plant layout consisting of Casting, Machining and Assembly processes
has high level of automation, effective material handling and inventory
reduction techniques in place, aimed for high operational efficiency. It
employs global manufacturing best practices like cold testing, 100% on line
automated checks to ensure global quality.
The company has committed to set up an R&D centre and testing ground at
par with Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan as per schedule. Besides building
capability in designing cars, Maruti Suzuki is also focussing on enhancing
R & D in engine technology. Maruti Engineers worked as part of the Suzuki
Engine Design team for the design, calibration & testing of the Engine at
India & Japan. This is a step forward in building the Engine development
capability |
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Developing a fuel efficient, high
performance, low emission, light weight engine, with lower Noise, Vibration
and Harshness
The new KB series engine is a result of enormous R&D efforts and hours of
design, validation and testing.
The engine realises the true spirit of the global design trend of optimizing
engine performance through innovative
design techniques.
Some of the salient features of the All new KB engine are: |
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All Aluminum Low weight engine for
Best in class fuel efficiency |
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Innovative rocker-less DOHC Cam
shaft, Plastic Intake Manifold & Offset crank shaft with low tension
rings to reduce losses |
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& improve fuel efficiency |
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Smart Distributor Less Ignition
(SDLI) system with dedicated plug top coils, High pressure semi-return
fuel system and Advanced |
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injectors for superior atomization
provide uniform and optimized combustion for better performance |
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Optimised Cylinder block, Light
Piston and Nut-less Con Rod for light weight configuration |
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Improved engine stiffness and use
of advanced technology like silent timing chain to improve NVH (Noise,
Vibration |
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& Harshness) characteristics |
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| These and many more innovative technologies
used in the new light-weight KB series engines helped to achieve best in
class fuel efficiency, emission & performance with reduced Noise, Vibration
and Harshness for customer delight. |
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| Operational Highlights of the KB
Engine plant: |
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| To meet the design and quality requirement,
following features have been integrated in the facilities: |
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Integrated Engine assembly and machine
shop for better co-ordination and efficiency |
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High automation levels |
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In-built fool proofing systems &
process in place. |
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| Engine Specifications: |
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No of Cylinders |
3 |
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Capacity (cc) |
998 |
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Power (Kw @ rpm) |
49.4 @ 6200 |
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Torque (Nm @ rpm) |
90 @ 3500 |
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Compression Ratio |
10 |
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Bore (mm) x Stroke (mm) |
73 x 79.4 |
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Valve configuration |
DOHC |
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No of valves (per cylinder) |
4 |
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Valve Lifting mechanism |
Shim-less tappet |
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Cam Drive |
Silent Chain |
| Engine
Oil |
Semi Synthetic |
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