Peugot's new 308 will be fitted with durable hi-hex platinum sparkplugs from Beru, it has been announced.

The French marque's new compact-size class vehicles will use platinum spark plugs in models with 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre engines.

Developers at Beru were able to ensure that the sparkplugs met Peugeot's lifecycle requirements by reinforcing the ground electrode and copper-core centre electrode with high-temperature-resistant platinum, which was affixed using a 100-u laser.

The firm claims that this results in the "strong bond" being maintained "over the whole lifecycle of the Beru platinum sparkplug".

Meanwhile, the sparkplugs themselves have been designed with a double hex so that the engine has slimmer sparkplug shafts, which it is claimed improves the power transmission from the sparkplug to the hex wrench and consequently the reliability of the ignition mechanism.

A pre-ignition phase also mitigates the chance of ignition problems, according to Werner Niessner, Head of Beru Sparkplug Developments.

He explained: "The corona discharge, when combined with a narrow, cylindrical insulator tip prevents any electrical shunt between the high voltage and electrical ground that can occur, especially during start-up, due to electrically conductive carbon deposits."

Peugeot expects to ship 350,000 units of its new vehicle in its first year of production, currently scheduled for 2008.

Source:

Quality, safety, innovative technology: BERU bi-hex spark plugs in the new Peugeot 308, 09/10/08
http://www.beru.com/english/aktuelles/presse/20070927-PI264_en.php

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