Internal Combustion Engines of the Future

Internal Combustion Engines for the Future

Horst Schulte, Martin Wirth

Ford Motor Company

ABSTRACT

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 airhandling/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 powertrain 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, long driving distance between two

refueling events, well established fuel supply infrastructure, and its capability to use a wide variety of fuels.

Key-words: Diesel and Gasoline Engines, Fuel Economy, Emissions, Combustion, Boosting

INTRODUCTION

Future powertrains for light duty applications have to fulfil a very complex set of requirements (Figure 1), and there is

always the question: "Will the internal combustion engine be able to cope with these challenges also in the future?"

*Price

*Resale Value

*Fuel Economy

*Maintenance Cost

*Reliability/Durability

*Driving Range

*Comfort/NVH

*Bigger Vehicles

*More Features and Equipment

*Customized Vehicles

Environment

Legal Requirements

Customer

Expectations

Business

Cost

*Market Share /Total Volume

*Manufacturing Cost

*Development Cost

*Product Variety (Niche

Products)

*Resource Usage

*Material

*Energy/Water

*Precious Metal

*Exhaust Emissions

*Fuel Consumption / CO2

*(ACEA / CAFЙ)

*Noise

*Recyclability

*Safety

Cost

of

Ownership

Product

Figure 1: Interaction between Customer Expectations, Environmental/Legal Requirements and Business Aspects

Regarding customer expectations, trends are very

similar for gasoline and diesel engines, especially in the

volume segments and markets. Customers are very

focused on total cost of ownership, which is determined

by such factors as price, resale value, fuel consumption

(and fuel price), maintenance cost, as well as reliability

and durability. At the same time, customer expectations

regarding "fun to drive" are still increasing. This

translates into a continuation of the "power and torque

race" to further improve vehicle performance and

drivability (Figure 2).

1

1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Diesel

Gasoline

?

NA Gasoline

NA Diesel

Specific Power [kW/ltr.]

Model Year

Figure 2: Development of Specific Power of Gasoline

and Diesel Engines

Advanced boosting technologies will play a major role

to further increase specific power and torque.