As part of a cooperation with sports car manufacturer Porsche and mechanical engineering company Trumpf, MAHLE has produced high-performance aluminum pistons using 3D printing techniques for the first time. The pistons were successfully tested on the engine test bench for Porsche’s 911 GT2 RS sports car. Whereas standard forged pistons have reached the limits of their performance potential, it is conceivable that the power of the 700 HP Porsche engine could be boosted by 30 HP with an associated increase in efficiency. MAHLE is specifically developing its expertise in 3D printing, so that, in the future, it will also be able to support its customers in the field of alternative drives, including electric drives, by supplying suitable components for drives, thermal management, and mechatronics promptly.
