Lotus Engineering announces its continued collaboration with Loughborough University through the sponsorship of the Group Lotus Senior Research Fellowship into Laser Diagnostics. The research activities will continue to focus on reducing internal combustion engine emissions.
04/12/2007
Lotus Engineering, the world-renowned automotive consultancy division of Group Lotus plc, announces its continued collaboration with Loughborough University through the sponsorship of the Group Lotus Senior Research Fellowship into Laser Diagnostics. The research activities will continue to focus on reducing internal combustion engine emissions.
Lotus Engineering originally started working with Loughborough University in 1997 and the Group Lotus Fellowship was created four years ago to develop the cutting edge research programme HOTFIRE. This high technology research programme, in conjunction with Siemens VDO, UCL and EPSRC, resulted in an innovative approach to improving fuel efficiency and emissions from a gasoline direct injection engine.
The Group Lotus Fellowship is held by Dr Graham Wigley of the School of Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering and Systems Engineering, who will continue the research into advanced combustion using the Lotus optical research engine and laser diagnostics. This cutting edge research is integral to Lotus Engineering’s ongoing activities into new and world leading techniques and technologies to reduce the environmental impact of the internal combustion engine.
Simon Wood, Technical Director of Lotus Engineering said: “This collaboration provides Dr Wigley and
his team the opportunity to continue this exciting research. By using the Lotus optical access research engine with Loughborough’s laser diagnostics expertise, we are able to look inside the engine to understand the interaction of the air motion and fuel spray in the cylinder. This keeps Lotus Engineering at the forefront of advanced combustion technologies, which will find their way into engines of the future.”
Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc further commented: “I am delighted that we will carry on working closely with Loughborough University, one of the most highly regarded educational institutions in the United Kingdom. This is an excellent example of an industry and academic partnership producing world-class research for the benefit of the environment, the car buyer and maintaining the UK’s position at the forefront of technology.”
Dr Wigley remarked “Over the years a highly productive working relationship has been developed and state of the art experimental facilities have been established for studying the air-fuel mixing and combustion for advanced gasoline engine technologies. The continuation of the Fellowship helps
maintain the high level of momentum and expertise developed by the research team.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Pictures of the Lotus optical access research engine can be downloaded from the media centre of the
official Group Lotus website at: www.grouplotus.com/mediactr. The image library is for registered users only. Members of the press may register for the media centre.
Lotus Engineering
The main operating subsidiary of Group Lotus plc is Lotus Cars Ltd, which has two operating divisions - Lotus Engineering and Lotus Cars. Lotus Engineering is an internationally recognised automotive
engineering consultancy based in Norfolk, UK. Its global facilities include those in Michigan, USA and
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and offices in Germany and China.
Lotus Engineering provides comprehensive and versatile consultancy services to many of the world's
OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, offering a full engineering service from initial concept and project design
through development and integration of the complete vehicle to meet all worldwide markets and
customers to full production. This includes third party 'niche vehicle' engineering and manufacture
worldwide. Lotus Cars builds and sells Lotus sports cars, Elise, Exige and Europa for global sale.
For further details please contact:
PR Department, Group Lotus plc
Group Lotus plc, Potash Lane, Hethel, Norfolk, UK, NR14 8EZ
Tel: +44 1953 608264
Fax: +44 1953 608111
Email: pr@lotuscars.co.uk
Loughborough University
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research, strong links with industry and unrivalled sporting achievement. It is a member of the esteemed 1994 Group – a set of internationally recognised, research intensive universities – and has a reputation for the relevance of its work. Its degree programmes are highly regarded by professional institutions and businesses, and its graduates are consistently targeted by the UK’s top recruiters.
Loughborough is also the UK’s premier university for sport. It has perhaps the best integrated sports
development environment in the world and is home to some of the country’s leading coaches, sports
scientists and support staff. It also has the country’s largest concentration of world-class training
facilities across a wide range of sports. In the 2007 National Student Survey, the University was voted
fourth in the UK, with 23 out of 29 of Loughborough’s subject areas being ranked in the top ten for
overall satisfaction. Loughborough is also ranked in the top five of UK universities in national league
tables and was named winner of the 2006 THES award for the UK’s Best Student Experience. In
recognition of its contribution to the sector, the University has been awarded five Queen's Anniversary Prizes – an achievement bettered by no other university.