MCE-5 : fuel consumption reduction technology

MCE-5 is a french company, based in Lyon, developing a mechanical solution that allows the mass production of VCR (Variable Compression Ratio) engines to the required environmental standards. The MCE-5 VCR engine block is designed to replace traditional fixed-compression engine blocks. 

The MCE-5 technology is an all-in-one VCR engine block that combines power transmission and compression-ratio control. This new engine with variable compression ratio (VCR) whose interest is twofold: 

• a reduction of fuel consumption by 20% to 35% depending on the power of vehicles,
• a reduction in CO2 emissions below future Euro VI scheduled for 2015.    

  The MCE-5 integrates long-life gears and an exclusive roller-guided piston 

that is not subject to slap or radial stress. This feature ensures exceptional durability and reliability for high-loaded VCR engines on high mileages. This means that the MCE-5 meets one of the greatest challenges for downsized engines with extreme power and torque density - durability. 

The great strength of the MCE-5 VCR engine block also results from the rigidity of its crankshaft and of its main structure, which give the hydrodynamic bearings an optimum geometrical environment and a long lifespan. The MCE-5 VCR engine block has no negative effects on the other components or the vehicle. Exhaust and transmission connections are precisely the same as those of a conventional engine. 

After 11 years of research and development, and investments in excess of 30 million euros, the MCE-5 is currently the only variable compression ratio engine that can be industrialized in the medium term. Already successfully developed, MCE-5 can be mass produced as of 2016-2017 thanks to a consortium of 12 major internationally recognized european companies that have joined forces for this project, and more than 60 companies that have worked over the last eleven years to bring it to its current level of development. The MCE-5 project is supported and financed by various French and European institutions concerned with industry, transport, energy savings and pollutant emissions reductions. The sale of licenses should provide a cumulative turnover of approximately EUR 900 million between 2009 and 2012. Then provided each year from 2015 through royalties on sales in large series of vehicles. 

Source : MCE-5