An Eight-Cylinder, Diesel-Powered Cirrus... Wowza!

Aero-News has learned of some big developments from German enginemaker Thielert.

Not only has the company recently earned FAA certification for its Centurion 2.0 diesel powerplant to be installed in Cessna 172s... but last month, Thielert also won European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for its 310 hp, Centurion 4.0 V-8 diesel in the Cirrus SR22.

Thielert let slip the Cirrus announcement in a release Monday, announcing a delay in releasing its audited 2006 financial results to investors.

According to the company, the Centurion 4.0 was approved by EASA for installation in the SR22 on February 12. Moreover, Thielert expects certification of the 4.0 for the Cessna 206 in the "next days."

Thielert states it has worked with Cirrus Design since mid-2005 to adapt the Centurion 4.0 to the SR-series. The STC is valid for all European SR22s.

According to Thielert, the 4.0-liter diesel V8 generates 310 bhp, and provides 698 ft.lb of torque to the propeller. The engine sports single- lever throttle control, and a fully electronic engine and propeller management system (FADEC). Common rail technology, direct injection, turbo charging, liquid cooling and reduction gearing round out the engine's advanced features.

Type-certified by EASA in November 2004, the Jet-A-burning Centurion 4.0 is comparable to a Continental TSIO-550-B in horsepower (350) and torque (680 lb/ft), but offers considerably better fuel economy.

While Cirrus remains mum on any plans to offer a diesel in its aircraft, it isn't tough to see the significance here. After all... the mere possibility of a future diesel engine option in the world's best-selling GA aircraft would go a long way towards validating the technology.

We can't wait to get our hands on one of these...

FMI: www.thielert.com, www.cirrusdesign.com, Learn More About Diesels In GA Planes