Ricardo, Lontra and Ford Motor Company have been awarded grant funding by the UK Technology Strategy Board to demonstrate Lontra’s Blade Supercharger™. The team will integrate the unique technology with a downsized engine to create a Ford vehicle demonstrator

The Blade Supercharger™ is a novel variable flow compressor with the ability to meet the boosting requirements of heavily downsized engines. The grant support provided by the Technology Strategy Board will enable the development of the supercharger for Ford's engine package, and the integration of the boosted engine into a vehicle demonstrator. Lontra and Ricardo engineers will work together to implement the project.

Commenting on the announcement of the details of this project, Jason King, chief engineer in the Ricardo Gasoline Engines Product Group, said: "The Blade Supercharger™ shows significant potential in delivering efficiency whilst maintaining driveability. Ricardo welcomes the opportunity to bring its long experience of automotive innovation to the project."

Simon Hombersley, Business Development Director, Lontra: "Boosting of automotive engines is one of Lontra’s initial three applications for our unique energy efficient technology. We're very enthusiastic to work with such experienced partners in the automotive sector, and look forward to demonstrating the technology publicly next year."

The Technology Strategy Board promotes UK innovation, and the grant is part of its fast track funding stream, which has a streamlined application process for projects of 12 months or less. The team anticipate a vehicle demonstrator completed in 2010.

Ricardo, Lontra and Ford Motor Company have been awarded grant funding by the UK Technology Strategy Board to demonstrate Lontra’s Blade Supercharger™. The team will integrate the unique technology with a downsized engine to create a Ford vehicle demonstrator

The Blade Supercharger™ is a novel variable flow compressor with the ability to meet the boosting requirements of heavily downsized engines. The grant support provided by the Technology Strategy Board will enable the development of the supercharger for Ford's engine package, and the integration of the boosted engine into a vehicle demonstrator. Lontra and Ricardo engineers will work together to implement the project.

Commenting on the announcement of the details of this project, Jason King, chief engineer in the Ricardo Gasoline Engines Product Group, said: "The Blade Supercharger™ shows significant potential in delivering efficiency whilst maintaining driveability. Ricardo welcomes the opportunity to bring its long experience of automotive innovation to the project."

Simon Hombersley, Business Development Director, Lontra: "Boosting of automotive engines is one of Lontra’s initial three applications for our unique energy efficient technology. We're very enthusiastic to work with such experienced partners in the automotive sector, and look forward to demonstrating the technology publicly next year."

The Technology Strategy Board promotes UK innovation, and the grant is part of its fast track funding stream, which has a streamlined application process for projects of 12 months or less. The team anticipate a vehicle demonstrator completed in 2010.