The future of the diesel engine as a means of propulsion in passenger cars

Abstract

The future of the diesel engine as a means of propulsion in passenger cars 1 Abstract BMW meets future mobility requirements with a dual development. In addition to the introduction of alternative drive concepts, intensive work is under way on the enhancement of more efficient combustion drives. As a CO 2 avoidance concept, diesel engines play an important role here. In Europe, this drive principle has captured very high market shares in the last 20 years -at BMW, more than 75%. Diesel vehicles are also well accepted in regions outside of Europe. The opportunity as a CO 2 avoidance concept, however, faces stiff challenges in the form of future exhaust emissions legislation (RDE, US SULEV). This discussion points out the relevant challenges and technological solution approaches. In addition to approaches involving internal engine measures, possible exhaust re-treatment systems, a balanced engine portfolio (right-sizing), as well as efficient electrification approaches for diesel engines will also be discussed. Different packages to effectively address the challenges of the future can be compiled from the above-mentioned technology fields. With the required development boost, future passenger car diesel engines will become 'Blue Performance' drives over the long term. Introduction Rising mobility requirementApproximately 7.2 billion people currently live on our planet. In the previous year alone, the number of inhabitants of the Earth has risen by 80 million. After elementary basic needs, the need for mobility is very high in the scale of values of human beings. Despite different regional requirements for mobility solutions, individual mobility will continue to be assigned great importance in future (Fig. 1) [1]. Together with the global challenges with regard to reducing the consumption of resources and protecting the environment, this results in a very complex pattern of requirements for the future of mobility (Fig. 2). 566The future of the diesel engine as a means of propulsion in passenger cars 567The future of the diesel engine as a means of propulsion in passenger cars For vendors of mobility solutions, this means having to deal with exceedingly varied and volatile framework conditions. BMW approaches this complex environment with a dual 'both this and that' strategy. In addition to the enhancement of more efficient combustion power trains [2,3], BMW is also very rigorously devoting attention to the development of alternative drives on the basis of electric drives. With the two vehicles i3 and i8, the first two representatives of this revolutionary development direction were launched onto the market in 2014. Legal framework conditionsLegislative developments aim at reducing local pollutant emissions and global CO 2 emissions as well as conserving fossil resources. In the meantime, more than 90% of all regions of the world are regulated by corresponding legal stipulations. Influenced by historical developments and regional interests, there are also a large number of different regulations worldwide (Fig. 3). F...