Monday, Thielert Aircraft Engines announced at the
Berlin Air Show intent to produce a new liquid-cooled turbocharged
diesel-burning, FADEC-controlled single-lever-power 230 bhp engine, the
Centurion 3.2.
The engine is targeted for air-time in late 2007.
Frank Thielert, CEO and founder of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, said his
goal was to offer a complete piston engine product line with, "New engines
and engine integrations [that] will enable us in [the] future to cover the
entire spectrum of piston aircraft engine technology."
Those products -- the 150 bhp Centurion 1.7
(powering many Diamond DA42 Twin Star aircraft and burning 5.6 gph in economy
cruise), the coming 230 bhp Centurion 3.2, and a 350 bhp Centurion 4.0 -- are
supported by 111 service centers currently spanning 97 countries. The addition
of more service centers is a company priority, as is Thielert's intent to make
its 350 hp 4.0 available for multiple Cessnas.
The existing Centurion 4.0 350 bhp jet fuel powered
piston engine will be "integrated ... into further popular
aircraft..." said Thielert. Specifically, the company seeks to acquire
STC's for service in Cessna 206, 340, 414 and 421-series aircraft.
See the full text of the company's release, here.