The cylinder block is made from an aluminum-silicon alloy by a low-pressure chill casting process that achieves a high standard of 
homogeneity. The high proportion of silicon makes the cylinder walls extremely resistant to wear.

Silicon is a chemical element, the basic stuff of which microchips are made. Silicones are plastics and other materials containing 
silicon, the most commonly discussed example being silicone breast implants. Less used by the general public is “silica”: an oxide 
of silicon.