Lotus Engineering Continue Senior Fellowship With Loughborough Uni

Lotus Engineering, the world-renowned automotive consultancy division of Group Lotus plc, announces

its continued collaboration with Loughborough University through the sponsorship of the Group Lotus

Senior Research Fellowship into Laser Diagnostics. The research activities will continue to focus on

reducing internal combustion engine emissions.

Lotus Engineering originally started working with Loughborough University in 1997 and the Group Lotus

Fellowship was created four years ago to develop the cutting edge research programme HOTFIRE. This

high technology research programme, in conjunction with Siemens VDO, UCL and EPSRC, resulted in

an innovative approach to improving fuel efficiency and emissions from a gasoline direct injection

engine.

The Group Lotus Fellowship is held by Dr Graham Wigley of the School of Aeronautical and Automotive

Engineering and Systems Engineering, who will continue the research into advanced combustion using

the Lotus optical research engine and laser diagnostics. This cutting edge research is integral to Lotus

Engineering's ongoing activities into new and world leading techniques and technologies to reduce the

environmental impact of the internal combustion engine.

Simon Wood, Technical Director of Lotus Engineering said: "This collaboration provides Dr Wigley and

his team the opportunity to continue this exciting research. By using the Lotus optical access research

engine with Loughborough's laser diagnostics expertise, we are able to look inside the engine to

understand the interaction of the air motion and fuel spray in the cylinder. This keeps Lotus Engineering

at the forefront of advanced combustion technologies, which will find their way into engines of the

future."

Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus plc further commented: "I am delighted that we

will carry on working closely with Loughborough University, one of the most highly regarded educational

institutions in the United Kingdom. This is an excellent example of an industry and academic partnership

producing world-class research for the benefit of the environment, the car buyer and maintaining the

UK's position at the forefront of technology."

Dr Wigley remarked "Over the years a highly productive working relationship has been developed and

state of the art experimental facilities have been established for studying the air-fuel mixing and

combustion for advanced gasoline engine technologies. The continuation of the Fellowship helps

maintain the high level of momentum and expertise developed by the research team."