Among several announcements made last week, Embraer revealed a significant design update for the new passenger turboprop currently under development.
The as-yet-unnamed aircraft began to display a configuration with aft-mounted engines instead of positioned on the wings, as shown by the first released renders images.
The new configuration emerged as a way to reduce the aircraft’s internal noise, explained Arjan Meijer, CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation.
“Our next-gen turboprop design continues to develop. As well as being faster, with lower op costs, and with more personal space than others on the market, the rear mounted engines reduce cabin noise for a jet like experience,” said the executive on Twitter.
As the 70-90-seat turboprop will share components with the E-Jet family, the plane will benefit from more generous interior space than current regional aircraft in the category.
However, it is in another type of aircraft that Embraer plans to offer a more economical and sustainable alternative, that of regional jets with 50 seats, including the CRJ 200 and ERJ 145.
The new configuration will also enable cheaper and faster adaptation to new hybrid technologies thanks to the engine mounts. The previous solution, attached to the wings, would likely require deeper design changes.
The new rendering, however, shows a more conventional aircraft, with simple-designed wings. Embraer did not provide performance data, but it is believed that the Brazilian planemaker should reveal more information about the project soon.
