Swindon may be best known for its railway heritage, Honda and the Magic Roundabout, but thanks to one innovative firm, the town’s name could soon be linked across the world with cutting-edge engine technology used in motor racing.
Swindon Engines, which produces high-performance engines and components at its headquarters in Greenbridge, has opened a division in France – complete with the Swindon name emblazoned across its building. 
The new arm of the business is the result of the buyout of French firm Cupissol Moteurs, which specialises in maintaining and testing rally engines.
The operation, based in the town of Saint-Marcel-de-Careiret, near Nimes in Southern France, is managed by Oliver Volpi, who comes to Swindon Engines with 10 years’ experience as a project manager at Sodemo Moteurs, the French firm best known for tuning 2-litre racing engines for Formula 3.
Oliver said: “Joining forces with Swindon’s UK head office gives us access to high technology in the fields of design, simulation and manufacturing which will help developing our business in France.”
Swindon Engines managing director Raphaël Caillé added: “The opening of the new facility in France also heralds a new era, with the company being rebranded as ‘Swindon’ to better reflect the wider range of services offered.
“The French division is putting the Swindon name out into the rally scene and also gives our UK Engineers more scope to export their development and manufacturing capabilities to the continent.” 
Swindon Engines was last year appointed to supply a 1.6-litre turbo championship engine to the CTCC (Chinese Touring Car Championship) for the next four years.
The firm’s engineers spent six months developing the unit, which can be fitted into any touring car entered in the CTCC.
Pictured: The Swindon plant in Saint-Marcel-de-Careiret, France
