Two European car makers are “actively testing” a South African-developed petrol engine ignition system, which promises to reduce emissions and improve fuel consumption significantly.
 
A Japanese manufacturer is also showing interest, says Ambixtra CEO Deon Smit.
 
“We believe we will do a deal this year.”
 
Ambixtra is a local patent development and commercialisation company, working with the North-West University (NWU) to place the ignition innovation in the market. All intellectual property around the system belongs to NWU.
 
Both European car makers have already had negotiations with their tier-one [major] component suppliers about the system, with licensing scenarios also under discussion, says Smit.
 
“Both OEMs [original-equipment manufacturers, or car makers] have also identified specific engines with which they want to partner the ignition system.”
 
The ignition system is a variable spark ignition (VSI) that improves combustion and reduces cyclic variation, thereby reducing fuel consumption, explains Ambixtra product development VP James Mackenzie.
 
The NWU is already developing a new, more advanced system, called a plasma ignition.
 
“This is still under development. We have just finished the laboratory and test trials and are now looking at producing a prototype.”
 
Mackenzie says a recent ignition conference in Europe, attended by almost all global OEMs, indicated that the life of the single-spark ignition has come to an end.
 
Over the next three to five years multispark ignitions, such as the VSI, will make their presence felt in the market. This system will be followed by plasma ignitions or other systems.
 
Smit says he knows of four other plasma ignitions currently under development, excluding the Ambixtra/NWU product.
 
“We are well advanced, though.”
 
A large driver for the product’s development is the ever-stricter emission regulations enforced in Europe.
 
Smit says Ambixtra is continuously looking for funding opportunities for the ignition project, which he describes as being in a “more attractive funding phase now that agreements are about to be signed”.
 
MacKenzie adds that both European tier-one suppliers are looking at building pilot plants for the ignition system outside South Africa, but with a large-scale local plant possible should the system be commercialised successfully.
 
“If the South African government can offer attractive incentives options, these tier-ones may set up shop locally.”
 
Another development at NWU is that the university is looking at establishing an engine development and testing facility on campus. One OEM has already provided a commitment to occupy two cells for a year.
 
“We are the only country in the world that builds engines, but does not have a local engine development and testing facility,” notes Smit.