Improving

Fuel prices continue to increase while market demand in many countries suggests consumer preferences for better performance and larger vehicles. Yet, in many markets, cost is still a dominant driver in consumer vehicle choices. Given these obviously conflicting market dynamics, OEMs are under increased pressure to find a balance between fuel economy, performance, emissions and cost.

FEV helps its customers design, develop and integrate new technologies to improve fuel economy in powertrains and vehicles. Customers meet future needs with us, and our wealth of experience, capabilities and facilities support improvements in fuel economy for both conventional and alternatively fueled concepts.

FEV’s methodologies help meet aggressive fuel economy targets for future gasoline fueled engines. Our engineers continually work on new combustion system concepts, including conventional PFI and direct injected concepts, as well as various charging techniques and combustion system improvements.

New diesel engine and fuel injection concepts are developed continuously at FEV, as are new technologies for dramatically improving fuel economy (e.g. hybrid vehicle concepts and fuel cells). These, and our electronic and mechatronic capabilities, offer customers vast opportunities for cost-effective solutions.

FEV engineers offer a variety of CAE capabilities to model powertrain features critical for fuel economy, such as the friction, lubrication, cooling and accessory drive systems. FEV helped pioneer mechanically variable valvetrain technologies and cylinder deactivation systems. Advanced concepts like highly boosted, downsized powertrains and emerging technologies like electromechanical valvetrain (camless) technologies are under continuous development at FEV.

FEV has created the world’s largest engine friction database (benchmarking data from more than 300 modern engines), as well as advanced 1D and 3D simulation packages and sophisticated measurement techniques for testing and troubleshooting.

Regardless of technology or product, FEV analysts work closely with customers to find ways to harness additional fuel consumption benefit by reducing heat transfer, pumping losses and friction, and increasing thermal efficiency.

FEV's engineers are busy today, preparing practical solutions for tomorrow’s vehicles. Please “contact us” for more information.