It can be seen without any devices that a new engine is more ecological than its predecessors. Just slight air shaking and still engine noise testify on the fact that the engine is working. It consumes less fuel, as well as nitric oxides, solid particles and CO, well known to the automobilists. Barely 1,5 percents vs four percents of the same engine of “Euro–2” standard. It can’t even be compared with its senior predecessors — they yield, at least, tenfold.The idea to reduce hazardous emission from hot automobile hearts is good in itself. If only the consumers knew, how intensely ecology protection makes an elusive engineering thought work! Since 1997 at Minsk motor plant they has been introducing the standards, recommended by the European Union. But their requirements are getting more severe from year to year. And though “Euro–4” norms enter into force from January 1, 2010, the motor plant employees have to manage to supply production to a conveyer.
— There is no doubt that serial production of a new engine will be mastered to the IVth quarter of 2009, — assures the Director General Lobach.
— Mass-Media often write that little time is left for internal-combustion engines to work, — says the chief designer Roman Kamenetsky. — However, production plants strive to construct such structures, which would minimize emission. It is very hard. When we worked out “Euro–2” engines, it seemed that such a task is simply impossible.
Realizing the importance of a new diesel construction, the plant administration allocated the best for the project. Perspective young personnel were included into the team of designers, and for the production demands the motor works bought tens of items of modern equipment. Two years designers worked without days off, staying at work after their shifts.
This was not engine’s modernization, as in case of “Euro–3” norms’ introduction, and production of a completely new construction. Design engineers realized that they wouldn’t do without electronic fuel supply control. German partners helped. Cooperation with one of the acknowledged leaders in the development of diesel engines — company “Robert Bosch” — began in 2003. Then German design engineers helped Belarusians to introduce the system of fuel supply “Common Rail” on the engines of “Euro–3” standards.
Present ММЗ development is an ancestor of the future class of “Euro–4” engines, and, probably of “Euro–5”. In the first quarter of the next year motor plant will engage in exploitation tests of the product innovation at Minsk automobile plant and Moscow plant named after Likhachev. However, if Belarusians don’t have problems with the sale of “Euro–3” engines — many Russian automobile plants willingly equip their cars with them, so it is necessary to fight with the rivals for mass future sales. You can consider that the first fight has already been won.
Besides, in 2008 the plant shall produce five thousand diesels “Tier–3” for Minsk tractor plant. Cars with such engines can be exported to Europe — a Belarusian husbandman fit well into strict ecological norms. And they continue to get more severe. Soon biofuel will replace solar oil and petrol.
According to the Deputy Minister of Industry of Belarus Valentin Gurinovich, already in 2007 “Grodno Azot” is to produce five thousand tons of biofuel with 5 percents of methylether. Such engines have already been produced at Minsk motor plant.
Ivan Tsyrulnikov
