Ricardo-engineered FED Vehicle Featured on "Jay Leno's Garage"

Ricardo-engineered FED Vehicle Featured on "Jay Leno's Garage"

Late-night comedian test drives military vehicle that showcases Ricardo's expertise in armored vehicle design and fuel efficiency improvements

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich., March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ricardo-engineered Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED) vehicle is featured in a web video posted today on "Jay Leno's Garage." During the segment, the late-night comedian takes a test drive of the FED, which represents the ideal application of armored vehicle design expertise and fuel efficiency improvements by Ricardo, Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Ricardo PLC, a multi-industry consultancy for engineering, technology, project innovation and strategy.

"Ricardo has been working for many years to help the U.S. Department of Defense increase the fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleet, and it is an honor to have Jay Leno give recognition to the achievements the FED has made in armored vehicle design and fuel efficiency improvements," said Tom Apostolos, president of Ricardo, Inc.

Ricardo worked with the U.S. Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) to design, develop, manufacture and test the FED. Completed in 2011, the FED is a military demonstration vehicle that shows how to maximize fuel economy on the battlefield while maintaining the capability and performance of light tactical wheeled vehicles. The vehicle showcases Ricardo's total vehicle system methodology, which combines advanced powertrain technologies with vehicle mass reduction, improved rolling resistance and driveline improvements to increase fuel economy.

The FED visited Jay Leno's garage in Burbank, Calif., this past February to film the test drive. The vehicle was accompanied by Gen. Dennis L. Via, commanding general of Army Materiel Command (AMC), and Grace Bochenek, Ph.D., AMC's chief technology officer, who provided Jay with an overview during the segment.

The FED features numerous fuel-saving designs, including:


-- Cummins I4 engine to which Ricardo added a supercharger and recalibrated
specifically for tactical vehicle fuel efficiency using military fuels
in Ricardo's DTC engine dynos
-- Goodyear Fuel Max low rolling resistance tires specifically designed for
the FED
-- Lightweight aluminum structure, armoring and underbody blast shield that
support and protect the vehicle while reducing weight; developed in
conjunction with Alcoa Defense
-- Improved driveline that utilizes a unique carrier and differential
assembly from Ricardo and AxleTech International, including nongeared
hubs and REM Chemicals' isotropic superfinished gears to reduce friction
between gears and increase fuel efficiency
-- Accelerator feedback pedal and fuel economy display to inform drivers
how to operate the vehicle to produce the best fuel economy
The "Jay Leno's Garage" segment featuring the FED can be seen at http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/trucks/us-army-fed/index.shtml#item=279983.

About Ricardo PLC
Ricardo PLC is a global, world-class, multi-industry consultancy for engineering, technology, project innovation and strategy. With almost a century of delivering value, we employ over 1,900 professional engineers, consultants and staff. Our people are committed to providing outstanding value through quality engineering solutions focused on high-efficiency, low-emission, class-leading product innovation and robust strategic implementation. Our client list includes the world's major transportation original equipment manufacturers, supply chain organizations, energy companies, financial institutions and governments. Guided by our corporate values of respect, integrity, creativity, innovation and passion, we enable our customers to achieve sustainable growth and commercial success. Ricardo's U.S. operation, Ricardo, Inc., is headquartered in Van Buren Township, Mich. For more information, visit www.ricardo.com.

About TARDEC
Headquartered at the U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Mich., TARDEC is a major research, development and engineering center for the Army Materiel Command's Research, Development and Engineering Command and an enterprise partner in the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command. TARDEC is the nation's laboratory for advanced military automotive technology and serves as the ground systems integrator for all Department of Defense (DOD) manned and unmanned ground vehicle systems. With roots dating back to the World War II era, TARDEC is a full-life-cycle, systems engineering support provider-of-first-choice for all DOD ground combat and combat support weapons, equipment and vehicle systems. TARDEC develops and integrates the right technology solutions to improve Current Force effectiveness and provides superior capabilities for Future Force integration. TARDEC's technical, scientific and engineering staff lead cutting-edge research and development in ground systems survivability; power and mobility; ground vehicle robotics; force projection; and vehicle electronics and architecture. tardec.army.mil.

SOURCE Ricardo

Ricardo

CONTACT: Laura Dillmann, Marketing and Communications Manager, +1-734-394-3916, laura.dillmann@ricardo.com

Web Site: http://www.ricardo.com


-------
Profile: intent