Kubota’s new On-Road Euro 5+ engine underlines commitment to meeting varying customer needs for diverse applications.
A prime example of Kubota’s commitment to developing state-of-the art engine technology for a wide range of applications is the new 480cc, two-cylinder, Z482-K engine.
The Euro 5+ compliant on-road engine is operational and already in service having been developed for the French company Aixam Mega S.A.S (Aixam) which manufactures and sells licence-free passenger vehicles, on-road quadricycles in Europe.
“The development of the Z482-K typifies how Kubota is committed to innovation and matching that expertise to customer needs for a wide variety of applications,” said Daniel Grant, Manager, Marketing Intelligence, Business Unit Engines Europe.
The new power unit represents a significant move by Kubota, which has a long and successful tradition of manufacturing industrial engines for the construction and power generation sectors, construction equipment and agricultural machinery such as tractors and combine harvesters.
Kubota has supplied Aixam, based in Aix-les-Bains, with two-cylinder diesel engines for more than 20 years. But Kubota’s partnership with Aixam goes back to 1985 – almost 40 years. Aixam has sourced Kubota single cylinder engines ever since.
To comply with impending Euro 5+ on-road emissions regulations, Aixam, which was formed in 1983, asked Kubota if it could develop a new two-cylinder diesel engine which would satisfy new emissions rules which took effect from January 2025.
Grant added: “There is still demand for diesels to meet the new Euro 5 regulations and as a long-standing and trusted partner, Aixam asked us if we could develop a new Euro 5+ compliant diesel engine for its latest models.
“Therefore, we established a dedicated engineering and research team and the result is the highly advanced Z482-K engine.
“As part of Kubota’s long-standing mission to make engines which contribute towards achieving carbon neutrality, the company is constantly developing innovative new products.
“Aixam is committed to diesel but needed a Euro 5+ engine to satisfy continued consumer needs.
“Aixam approached us due to the long-established successful existing relationship and we agreed to develop a new solution. The engine showcases Kubota’s innovation, capabilities and enthusiasm to take on a challenge.
“It is a great achievement and shows Kubota’s ingenuity to take a small, two-cylinder, 480cc engine and re-design it to run with a common rail fuel injection system and with a passive diesel oxidation catalyst and to achieve Euro 5+ standards.
