The box that unleashes restricted power
Boost your engine at low cost.

The P-Tronic tuning box allows you to increase your engine's power without touching your onboard computer settings.

English translation - original article published in French by Sudpresse

For 12 years, the company P-Tronic, near Francorchamps, has been developing and selling an electronic performance chip that attaches to your engine and unleashes your vehicle's horsepower. This tuning box, the size of a hard drive, is equipped with a cable that plugs directly into the engine. An operation so simple that the buyer can do it in a few minutes at home.

TO JAPAN AND THE USA

Philippe Heeren, director of P-Tronic, tells us how it works. "This box-unit increases power on turbo-diesel engines, but also on latest-generation gasoline engines. Without touching the onboard computer settings. For example, an engine from a German brand with a theoretical power of 136 horsepower will go to 177 horsepower with the P-Tronic system."
A technology that works on all engines using this type of injection, such as tractors and yachts. "We sell a total of about forty per day, which we ship to Europe, but also to the USA and Japan."

MORE HORSEPOWER

Concretely, connecting this chip allows gaining horsepower, and therefore power. But not necessarily improving top speed. "It unleashes the engine's power that was electronically restricted by the manufacturer. The car has more torque, more smoothness. Then, this tuning box reduces fuel consumption by up to 10%. Indeed, the driver has to press the accelerator less to reach the desired speed. Finally, it can be easily removed when reselling the vehicle, then reprogrammed to be attached to another engine."

TUNING BOX VS DIRECT PROGRAMMING

The key to this technology is that it allows not touching the onboard computer settings. Direct programming is the other major technique in vogue likely to boost your engine. "We also offer this service... But frankly, we advise against it," Philippe Heeren specifies. Because it's potentially a source of trouble for the vehicle owner.
"Specialized companies do it. Most dealers know how to do it too. The problem is that if you touch the onboard computer, the manufacturer's warranty disappears, because the vehicle no longer corresponds to the original programming. When returning to the garage, this modification can be spotted by the parent company and the car placed on a blacklist. Even when resetting the computer to zero, a trace of manipulation remains. And this without even mentioning problems in the vehicle's electronics."
With the P-Tronic performance chip, and that of certain competitors (German and Austrian, for example), there would be nothing to fear on this side. "Our process is reliable, P-Tronic is a reference throughout the world. None of our customers has ever reported the slightest problem, technical or otherwise. But it's like with all technologies: beware of counterfeits and scams. Don't go to just anyone"
The P-Tronic tuning box sells, depending on car models, for a price of 549 to 995 euros VAT included, with a 5-year warranty. It's programmed, tested, assembled in P-Tronic's workshop in Francorchamps where eight people work, then sent to the buyer who only has to plug it in themselves.

CEDRIC LOBELLE

PHILIPPE HEEREN: "Legislation would be needed"

There remains the question of P-Tronic box-unit legality. Such manipulations are tolerated in the absence of being formally authorized. Yet the increase in horsepower, and therefore power, is supposed to have an influence on registration and road taxes "Up to 163 HP, it's 2,478 euros. From 164 HP it's double! Which doesn't make much sense initially. But many car brands are already illegal" explains Philippe Heeren, director of P-Tronic. "Because the same engine is sold in countries that have different taxation thresholds. When certain brands announce 163 hp in reality there are 177. Theoretical power is adapted to legislations. We've conducted extensive tests in our factory, with equipment that technical inspection stations don't have..."
In short, legislation would be needed. "We're ready to pay a tax on each chip to justify the increase in engine power. We're open to discussion with insurers, political decision-makers. We've already had them in the past." Meanwhile, boxes will continue to sell. "Certain special services of the Belgian police have been equipped by us to boost their cars and they're very happy..." P-Tronic's activities are not being questioned: "We've obtained subsidies for export assistance". C.LO.