VM Engines

VM engine - Distribution in Italy 

VM MOTORI, which produces some of the best recreational marine engines on the market, has its origins in 1947, in Cento in the province of Ferrara (Italy). It was initiated by two local entrepreneurs named Vancini and Martelli: hence the acronym VM. The company soon built the first Italian air-cooled diesel engine with direct injection.

After three generations the Lorenzoni company has continued to distribute engines both enthusiastically and successfully, along with VM engine spare parts since 1961, in addition to giving the same level of service for aftersales.

Our VM Engines

Out of production



  • 70 cv HR494H10 >>
  • 100cv HR494HT10 >>
  • 170cv 692HI9 >>

Out of production


Modello MD 704 - 2.8L


165 cv MD704LI >>

170 cv MD704LS >>

200 cv MD704LH >>


Modello MD 706 - 4.2L


230 cv MD706MX – MS >>

250 cv MD706LB >>

250 cv MD706LI >>

270 cv MD706LS >>

300 cv MD706LH >>

320 cv MD706LX >>

In production


Modello MR 504 - 2.0L


115 cv MR504LB >>

130 cv MR504LS >>

150 cv MR504LH >>


Modello MR 704 - 2.8L


170 cv MR704LS >>

210 cv MR704LH >>

230 cv MR704LX >>


Modello MR 706 - 4.2L


270cv MR706LS >>

320 cv MR706LH >>

350 cv MR706LX >>

Automotive use of Marine engines  

Among the engines produced at the Cento plant you will find the new series of pre-chamber, water-cooled, supercharged and high-revving HR engines (4200 rpm).

These are the engines that at the end of the '70s found their first applications in the automotive sector, also as a result of the first serious oil crisis that occurred in the world of cars.

At the 1979 Frankfurt Motor Show the first car equipped with a diesel engine produced at the Cento plant was presented – an Alfetta produced by Alfa Romeo in Arese.

Already in the mid-80s, in addition to marine engines, the car engine industry had become very important for VM. It's thanks to this sector that they could easily overcome the difficulties that were encountered in those years. 

The numbers of a market leader

In 2000, VM MOTORI together with the Detroit Diesel Corporation became part of the Daimler Chrysler group. With a production capacity of 80,000 engines and a staff of a thousand employees, the company operates today in a factory of 85,000 square metres, 50,000 of which are covered, where they develop their research in collaboration with the most important international institutes, as well as designing new generations of propellers.

In 2011, a new product line was launched, consisting of a 3 litre engine, in a V configuration, extending the field of application of VM products to a class of vehicles such as high-end SUVs and luxurious sedans such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the new Lancia Thema.
The latest prestigious application of the V6 3 litre engine is in the Grand Cherokee for the North American market, presented with great success at the Detroit show. 

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