3 April 2014
Diamond Aircraft is to include Centurion 2.0s engines in the existing DA42 type certificate, offering TDI owners and operators the possibility to upgrade from their 135hp Centurion 1.7 and 2.0 engines, up to a 155hp 2.0s. This offers owners the option of more power without the added weight of the Austro Engine.
With this programme, Diamond Austria supports an existing fleet of over 500 Centurion-equipped DA42 aircraft as an additional alternative to the current conversion programme. Both DA42 TDI and DA40 TDI aircraft can be retrofitted with the Centurion 2.0s kit. Centurion engines are produced by German-based Technify Motors GmbH (TMG), part of the Continental Motors Group, a division of AVIC International Holding Corporation (previously known as Thielert).
European certification is expected in July 2014. North American validation is planned but pending on demand.
”It is important to offer our existing TDI customers satisfying possibilities for an upgrade,” says Christian Dries, Diamond Austria CEO. “DA42 TDI owners now can choose between the original 135hp Centurion, the 155hp Centurion 2.0s performance upgrade, the top of the line 170hp Austro Engine, or even the conventional gasoline Lycoming option.”
“We are pleased with Diamond’s decision to offer to our mutual customers the Centurion 2.0s. It represents a major commitment to the existing customer base”, says Kenneth R. Suda, Managing Director and President of Technify Motors.
Conversions will be performed by a limited number of authorised centres that will also be able to offer major service work, inspections, refurbishment and other upgrades (like weather radar). Details, including pricing and availability, will be released as the information becomes available.
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