Trust that drives progress: Liebherr and SNAT deepen strategic partnership

SNAT has once again chosen Liebherr’s common rail injection technology for its new 16-cylinder engine platform. The successful first firing is a significant milestone in the joint development of powerful drive systems and underscores the continuity of a high-level technological partnership.

A systematic technology partnership

Right from the beginning of this partnership, SNAT has been relying on the components by Liebherr for its established 6-cylinder (25K) and 12-cylinder (12VK) platforms. Both engine series are equipped with a high-performance LI2.9 diesel injector, which offers a market leading performance-to-cost ratio with flow rates approaching those of large engine systems. The results speak for themselves: Output levels of up to 960 kW for the 6-cylinder inline engine (25-litre displacement) and 2,185 kW for the 12-cylinder V-engine (57-litre displacement) have been achieved in a series production.

“The positive experience in the performance and high system stability of these two platforms were decisive factors in our continued choice of Liebherr for the new generation of our 16-cylinder engines,” explains Liu Xinyan, platform engineering director at SNAT.

System integration at the highest level

The new platform combines a compact design with high power density supported by precisely tuned common rail systems by Liebherr. They ensure consistently high injection pressure and provide precise fuel delivery when combined with electronic control. This improves combustion, reduces fuel consumption along with emissions, and results in smoother engine operation. Multiple injections per cycle also enable enhanced power delivery, faster response and quieter operation. The integrated components make a significant contribution to the thermodynamic efficiency and operational reliability of the overall system.

Global development as a success model

This project is a prime example of Liebherr’s international development structure. A team from Switzerland, Germany and China works closely together to enable a rapid system integration and validation.

The further development of the existing platforms by long-standing partners, using proven technologies, demonstrates that continuity, quality and collaborative engineering pay off. SNAT’s decision to rely on Liebherr for the new platform confirms the strategic focus of both companies aiming at efficiency, scalability and future viability.