Qoros and FreeValve partner on camless technology; new Qoros concept uses FreeValve PHEA
29 April 2016
At Auto China in Beijing, Qoros Auto unveiled a concept car showcasing a new Qoros “Qamfree” engine featuring FreeValve’s Pneumatic-Hydraulic-Electric-Actuator (PHEA) technology. FreeValve and Qoros also announced a partnership for the continued development of the camless technology. FreeValve AB is a sister company to Koenigsegg Automotive.
FreeValve’s PHEA technology replaces the conventional camshaft and associated hardware, and allows the engine management system to have full control over each valve. Where camshaft technology has been limited to the relationship between the valves and the camshaft position, FreeValve’s fully variable valve actuation allows independent control over every valve’s precise opening/closing position and timing throughout the whole combustion cycle.
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| Qamless engine. Click to enlarge. |
For any engine load criteria, the timing of intake and exhaust can be independently programmed. The system can then determine, based on driving conditions, how to maximize performance or minimize fuel consumption and emissions. This allows a greater degree of control over the engine which in turn provides significant performance benefits.
Previous fully variable valve actuation engines use either electro-magnetic or electro-hydraulic to open the poppet valves. Instead of using these actuator types, FreeValve uses electro-hydraulic-pneumatic actuators combined with advanced sensor techniques.
FreeValve says that the system has a verified fuel consumption reduction of 12-17% compared to a state-of-the-art four cylinder two liter engine with DI and variable cams.
We believe that one day in the very near future, the arrival of FreeValve PHEA technology will represent as big a transition, or bigger, than the move from carburetors to direct injection.
—Christian von Koenigsegg
Established in December 2007 and headquartered in Changshu, Jiangsu (also its manufacturing base), Qoros Auto has an initial annual capacity of 150,000 autos and maximum annual capacity of 300,000. With its operation center in Shanghai, Qoros Auto has established design centers, technical centers and engineering R&D centers in both Munich, Germany and Shanghai, China.
At present, Qoros Auto has four major models: the Qoros 3 Sedan, Qoros 3 Hatchback, Qoros 3 City SUV and Qoros 5 SUV. Qoros also unveiled the Qoros 3 Q·LECTRIQ EV concept car at the Beijing Motor Show with plans for release in 2017.
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