Mahindra & Mahindra, FEV Collaborate on Diesel Hybrid Scorpio

Popular Indian-built SUV to be introduced first in Asian market

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 10 -- Mahindra & Mahindra (Mahindra), one of the leading auto manufacturers in the Indian market, and FEV, a leading developer of advanced powertrain and vehicle technologies, announced today that FEV will exhibit a diesel-electric hybrid version of the Scorpio SUV at the 2008 SAE World Congress. The Congress takes place April 14 - 17 at Cobo Center, in Detroit, Michigan. The diesel hybrid version of the vehicle was developed by Mahindra with support from FEV. The announcement was made jointly by Mahindra's Dr. Arun Jaura, Chief Technology officer, Mahindra Group, and Gary Rogers, president and CEO of FEV, Inc.

"The Scorpio vehicle is a clear indicator of the enormous implications of globalization on the changing paradigm in vehicle development," said Rogers. "A rapid advancement of technology is occurring on a global scale, and our OEM customers are increasingly leveraging FEV's global presence to ensure around- the-clock development of new powertrain and vehicle concepts. The FEV Group has successfully expanded its capabilities and international reach to accomplish shorter development times and to support these types of global initiatives for its OEM partners."

FEV contributed its expertise in hybrid powertrain systems development and integration, as well as software development to support Mahindra in the hybridization of the vehicle, the first of its kind to be marketed in the Asian market.

"FEV has been a very receptive and experienced partner in the program and is known for their HEV work across the globe. With their support, we were able to meet our aggressive targets. They have made a valuable contribution to the development of the Scorpio Hybrid Diesel SUV," said Dr. Arun Jaura, Chief Technology officer, Mahindra Group.

The Mahindra Scorpio hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) features the following characteristics:

  -- Diesel-electric parallel hybrid vehicle with four major functions:
     - Start-stop
     - Electric launch
     - Torque augmentation
     - Regenerative braking
     - Seamless but enhanced driving experience
  -- 2.2 Liter, I-4, second generation diesel common rail engine with 85 kW
     and 270 Nm ratings
  -- 6-speed automatic transmission
  -- 30 kW (peak) motor with max torque of 270 Nm (peak) and a max speed
     8500 rpm
  -- 288V, 8.4 Ah NiMH battery
  -- Quick cold start with e-motor assist

The Mahindra and Mahindra diesel-electric hybrid is representative of the type of advanced vehicle technologies under development by FEV. Further examples of this technology will be on display at the FEV exhibit.

About FEV

FEV is an internationally recognized powertrain and vehicle engineering company that supplies the global transportation industry. FEV offers a complete range of engineering services, providing support across the globe to customers in the design, analysis, prototyping, powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fueled powertrains. FEV also designs, develops and prototypes advanced vehicle / powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards. FEV is also a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment. The FEV Group employs a staff of over 1,700 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents. The FEV, Inc. North American Technical Center employs a staff of about 300 personnel.