NGK gets Lamborghini OE contract
NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd has been awarded a new OE contract by supercar manufacturer Lamborghini.
It has been selected for the prototype of the Aventador J, a roadster version of the Aventador, which Lamborghini launched last year, with both cars featuring NGK spark plugs with sensor functionality to support the engine’s combustion knock-detection system.
Both the Aventador – the successor to the manufacturer’s famous Murciélago – and the Aventador J prototype unveiled recently at the Geneva International Motor Show feature an extremely powerful 6.5-litre V12 engine which produces 700PS and 690Nm torque and has a 0-62mph time of just 2.9 seconds.
However, despite this performance, which is eight percent higher than that of the Aventador’s predecessor, the car consumes 20 percent less fuel.
Brian Childs, Deputy Managing Director, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract for such a prestigious car.
“This once again shows how as a company we work closely with the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers to produce bespoke products to satisfy their specific individual requirements.
“Our spark plugs with sensor functionality not only give a fantastic performance, but they also help to reduce the vehicle’s fuel consumption which is particularly important in today’s economic climate.”
NGK’s LMAR9AP8J spark plug was developed especially for the Aventador and features a two-ground electrode design and a centre electrode with a laser-welded platinum ring.
The use of the precious metal ensures that the electrode remains unaffected by hot-gas corrosion and spark erosion even under heavy load and extreme temperatures and pressures.
Additionally, the spark plug has a long-reaching, 26.5mm M10 thread with a 14mm hexagon. Due to this extremely slim design, it leaves more space for coolant ducts within the cylinder head, improving the cooling in this crucial area.
The LMAR9AP8J also acts as a sensor for the engine’s combustion knock-detection; the centre electrode is linked to an independent control unit which measures the ionic current between the electrodes.
This current is proportional to the degree of ionisation within the combustion chamber. With the aid of appropriate analysis, this information in turn provides an accurate picture of the combustion quality. Thanks to this system, initial stages of misfiring and detonation can be detected, enabling the engine management system to adjust its settings accordingly.