Impact of Emission Standards on Fuel Economy and Consumer Attributes

Volkswagen had a contract with DOT-TSC to generate a data base which would yield a consistent set of information about the factors affecting fuel economy of engines especially the impact of different emission standards and their influence on unregulated emissions and consumer attributes as well. Main important standards were 0.41/3.4/1.0 and 0.41/3.4/0.4 gpm HC/CO/NOx. It was found that for setting engineering goals at least a factor of 0.5 was necessary regarding HC and CO, and a factor of 0.25 regarding NOx. The concepts achieving engineering goals mainly consistent of Volkswagen engine families are described. All fuel economy, emissions, noise, startability, driveability, acceleration performance, and gradeability data obtained with these engine families are included.