Different hybrid powertrains for a European mid-size passenger
car were evaluated in this paper through numerical simulation.
Different degrees of hybridizations, from micro to mild hybrids,
and different architectures and power sources management strategies
were taken into account, in order to obtain a preliminary
assessment of the potentialities of different hybrid systems for
the European passenger car market.
Both diesel and gasoline internal combustion engines were
considered: a 1.6 dm₃ Common Rail turbocharged diesel, and a 1.4
dm₃ spark ignition turbocharged engine, equipped with an innovative
Variable Valve Actuation system. Diesel hybrid powertrains,
although being subject to NOx emissions constraints that could
jeopardize their benefits, offered substantial advantages in
comparison with gasoline hybrid powertrains. Potentialities for
fuel consumption reductions up to 25% over the NEDC were
highlighted, approaching the 2020 EU 95 g/km CO₂ target.