Development of the Aprilia Ditech 50 Engine

Document Number: 2001-01-1781

Date Published: December 2001

Author(s):
Mike Ambler - Aprilia S.p.A
Antonio Zocchi - Aprilia S.p.A

Abstract:
A good scooter engine needs the following characteristics: - simplicity and low weight; - high specific power; - great fuel consumption; - reliability.

Those characteristics are in line (mostly) with the specification of a modern two-stroke engine. However, the non-stop upward spiral of anti-pollution laws has imposed new limits to scooter engines.

Three immediate solutions are capable of operating in today's legislative environment:

High-speed four-stroke engine (with or without catalyst/secondary air injection);

Two-stroke catalyzed engine (with or without secondary air injection);

Two-stroke engine with direct injection (the most revolutionary solution).

Aprilia has decided to follow the third way by presenting DITECH, a new perspective in the motorcycling world.

Obviously, as pioneer of this technology on small, high- speed engines, Aprilia has spent a great deal of time and money to solve the ""application''-related problems of the DITECH system, problems not previously encountered. The biggest design and /or development challenges during the engine's industrialization have been:

Air Fuel Rail: head and combustion chamber planning, spark plug positioning;

Lubricant distribution;

High altitude operation;

Plug fouling under extreme ambient conditions.

This project has taken Aprilia through the creation of a totally new engine, with unique characteristics. With DITECH, a tremendous reduction of oil an fuel consumption and very low emission of exhaust smoke has been possible, without sacrificing ""top end'' performance and great mid range torque of a classic two stroke engine.

The potential of this new engine technology is very high, due to the relatively simple emissions package required to meet coming anti-pollution laws.

File Size: 114K
Product Status: In Stock

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