Computer Modelling of Spark Ignition Engined Cars Showing What Fuel Economy is Feasible by the Year 2000

A flexible computer model developed at the University of Durham which simulates road vehicles is used to analyse the possibility of fuel economies in passenger vehicles. The model, JANUS, is built up as a series of subroutines representing individual physical components which incorporate their own efficiency characteristics and together represent the chosen total driving train.

It is shown that by the year 2000 using present technologies economies of 50-60% are possible and that a further saving of 35% may be obtained by the translation of concepts used in research vehicles into current production models.