Internal Combustion Engine

Future internal combustion engines for light duty applications will have to cope with a very complex set of customer, legal and business requirements. Customers are expecting further improvements in durability, reliability, drivability, fuel economy, and cost of ownership. Legal requirements are focused on significant emission and fuel consumption reductions. Additional manufacturing cost reductions will be essential to maintain, or better grow the business in a very competitive environment. The challenge for the diesel engine will be to meet the future emission standards at affordable cost, while maintaining its fuel economy advantages. Regarding the emissions, advanced diesel technologies will have to focus mainly on NOx reduction. New combustion system concepts in combination with advanced air handling/boosting and control systems offer a promising potential. The focus for future gasoline engine development will be on fuel economy improvements through improved combustion systems and reduced throttle losses at part load operation. This can be achieved through e.g. direct fuel injection with Stratified lean part load operation. Downsizing in combination with boosting offers an additional potential. Internal combustion engines still have a huge potential to deal with the challenges of the future. In comparison with alternative power train concepts, at least for the next 20 years, the internal combustion engine should be able to maintain its advantages regarding high power density, low manufacturing cost, recyclability, and long driving distance between two refueling events, well established fuel supply infrastructure, and its capability to use a wide variety of fuels. Despite the green hype, internal-combustion engines will keep powering vehicles for the foreseeable future.