European centers of power

With new Euro 5 emissions regulations looming and CO₂ reductions a necessity, industry executives plan for the right mix of cost-effective technologies for improved fuel economy and emissions through engine downsizing in conjunction with pressure-charging and continued emphasis on the diesel.

It is necessary to appreciate recent past and present developments in European powerplant and transmission technology to gain a meaningful perspective of their future. Two decades ago, diesel was still a dirty word in much of Europe. Fuel injection was slowly becoming a reality. Turbochargers often operated like an on/off switch, with subsequent control problems and frightening torque steer for front-wheel-drive cars, particularly in the wet. Emissions levels were anti-social, and fuel-consumption averages of gasoline-powered cars thoroughly unimpressive. Models with five-speed (rather than four-speed) manual gearboxes were still worthy of comment, and automatic transmissions, particularly for sub-2.0-L cars, were unusual. Robotized manual gearboxes were a long way off.

Now, European engine technology, spanning both the gasoline and diesel spectra, is at the forefront, urged onwards by emissions targets and legislation that are bringing fresh challenges. And diesel-essentially turbodiesel-is heading for an overall average share across the European market of 50%. “The direction of engine design was significantly changed when ACEA, the European vehicle manufacturers' trade body, committed the industry to achieving average CO₂ emissions of 140 g/km by 2008,” said Luke Barker, Director of the consultancy Integral Powertrain. “Diesel has helped, but to achieve the targets, there will also have to be a significant change in the design philosophy underlying gasoline engines.”