Text and photos by Kap Maceda Aguila

CHINA- HEADQUARTERED vehicle manufacturer Foton opens the door to a new age of mobility powered by cleaner, more powerful, yet more fuelefficient engines adhering to the more stringent Euro4 emission standard.

Marketed as Blue Energy, the new-generation engines are conceived and built for Foton by Columbus, Indiana- based diesel power plant expert Cummins. The company had signed an agreement with Foton to form the Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Co., Ltd. (BFCEC) in 2006. Today, its plant in China makes more than 400,000 engines a year.

Said Foton Motor Philippines President Rommel Sytin at the recent Blue Energy launch: “Foton is always committed to provide exceptional product lines through scientific and technological innovations, and Blue Energy is the continued expression of this promise… [It is] a product of earnest R&D that serves up a host of benefits such as power, durability, reliability, excellent efficiency and clean operation.”

The Foton initiative allows it to keep in lockstep with the government fiat for the introduction of cleaner-emission vehicles as mandated by the Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999, the Philippine Environmental Impact Statement System, and DENR Administrative Order No. 2015-04.

Two variants of the Euro4 power plants are made available locally — the Foton Cummins ISF 2.8 and 3.8. Both are engineered to promote low intake temperature, prevent abnormalities in combustion, and operate more quietly — while providing improved low-end torque pulling power. The heightened performance is complemented with fuel efficiency.

The engine is attached to a more efficient turbocharger; an improved exhaust-gas recirculation system to yield lower emission and promote more thorough burning of fuel; a new, computer- governed common rail direct injection system that results in optimized air/ fuel mix; a diesel oxidizing catalyst and particle oxidizing catalyst which basically convert carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and particulates to carbon dioxide and water; and an improved turbo intercooler. Less particulate matter is emitted, and the risk of engine damage has been slashed.

Foton Motor Philippines still has an existing portfolio of Euro3 vehicles, and the Blue Energy variants will sport a blue and silver decal to visually distinguish them. The firm says that three variations of the popular Tornado light- duty