Engine design contract

Russia’s largest car and SUV manufacturer, JSC AVTOVAZ, has awarded a Euro 5 engine design contract to global engineering consultancy, Ricardo.

The contract involves the design and development of the new VAZ-21176 VVT gasoline engine for a C-segment AVTOVAZ vehicles. The engines will be designed to meet Euro 5 emissions restrictions, which are due to come into effect for light passenger and commercial vehicles from September 2009.

The terms of agreement will mean that the two companies will share in design, testing and calibration skills, with AVTOVAZ engineers working alongside those on the Ricardo team.

Dave Shemmans, chief executive of Ricardo, said: ‘Ricardo is growing rapidly in the Russian market as the country’s automakers seek to use our technology and expertise to upgrade their product ranges and compete globally in terms of performance, fuel economy and emissions.

‘It is particularly gratifying therefore for Ricardo to have been awarded this important new engine design and development contract by AVTOVAZ. We look forward to working together with them on this exciting programme.’