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Over the last week at the
Bologna Motor show, Italian engine builder VM have
showcased their latest, technologically advanced,
diesel engine, the VR 630, which will be fitted
to new Alfa Romeo and Fiat models from next year.
As the name suggests, the VR 630 is a six-cylinder
three-litre unit. The 24 valve engine represents the
ultimate in terms of diesel engine technology, matching
refinement with power and ultra low emissions.
The flexible nature of the
engine design has enabled engineers at Fiat and Alfa Romeo
to create unique characteristics, tailored to meet the
requirements of different models. Sporty characteristics
will be extracted from the unit for the Alfa Romeo GTV
replacement and the all new 157, whilst excellent fuel
economy will enhance the value of the Fiat New Large.
The top of the range diesels
fitted with this engine will be true Autostrada cruisers,
with excellent overtaking capability, and incredible
smoothness. Acceleration will be blistering and effortless,
with up to 550 Nm of torque at only 1800 rpm.
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The flexible nature
of the engine design has enabled engineers at Fiat
and Alfa Romeo to create unique characteristics,
tailored to meet the requirements of different
models |
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Technical features include a chain-driven, double overhead
camshaft with four valves per cylinder. Each valve is driven
by finger followers.
Each cylinder has a central direct injector with cooled EGR
(exhaust gas recirculation) as an integral part of the
cylinder heads. Exhaust gas recirculation has also enabled
the engine to pass Euro IV requirements.
The vacuum pump is incorporated into one of the camshafts
for greater efficiency and the oil pump is a rotary vane
type. This engine is a true masterpiece of engineering, and
VM are quite rightly proud of what they have achieved.
A variable
geometry
turbocharger (VGT) boosts
power to 250 bhp for the Alfa Romeo range, and 240 bhp for
the Fiat New Large.
The Alfa Romeo GTV replacement featuring this engine will be
also fitted with integral all wheel drive, an excellent
combination of ingredients expected to make this particular
model a hit. Comfort and smoothness will be further refined
on the Alfa Romeo 157, with the combination of an automatic
gearbox.
The modular nature of the
engine will be exploited in the future with a four-litre V8
variant already being in the pipeline. This new, even more
powerful engine will be used by Maserati as an alternative powerplant for their luxury
Quattroporte saloon. |
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Over the last week at
the Bologna Motor show, Italian engine builder, VM
have showcased their very latest, technologically
advanced, diesel engine, the VR 630 |
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The VR 630 engine is in fact the latest stage of a long
association between VM and the Fiat Group, through its
automotive brands.
It all began at
the 1979 Frankfurt Motor Show, when the first mass
production car to be fitted with an engine produced in
Cento, was officially launched. This model was the
Alfa Romeo Alfetta, a saloon built at the famous Arese
factory.
By the middle of the next decade the automotive sector had
become of vital importance for VM.
It was down to their the
production of automotive engines that enabled the company to
overcome a serious crisis which hit the sector, which led in
the following years, to numerous mergers between various
groups of car manufacturers with a subsequent reduction in
the number of brands on the market.
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Engine |
VR
630 DOHC |
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Bore x Stroke |
83 x 92 mm |
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Displacement |
2987 cc |
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Cylinders |
6 in 60 degree V |
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Valves
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24 |
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Injection |
M-Jet Direct
Injection, Common rail CP3 |
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Aspiration |
Turbocharged, with
intercooler |
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Valve gear |
Double over head
camshafts |
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Max power |
184 KW / 250 bhp @ 4,000 rpm |
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Peak Torque |
550 Nm @ 1,800 rpm |
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Dry weight |
240 kg |
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Emissions limit |
Euro IV |
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The
VM VR 630 is a 24-valve, six-cylinder, three-litre
engine that represents the ultimate in terms of
diesel engine technology, matching refinement with
power and ultra low emissions |
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