MAHLE Powertrain to launch eSupercharged downsizing demonstrator car at Cenex LCV 2017

Northampton, July 19, 2017 – MAHLE Powertrain, the global leader in engine development and consultancy, has updated its downsized eSupercharged 48V engine, which will be on show at Cenex LCV, 6 & 7 September in MAHLE Powertrain’s latest demonstrator vehicle.

downsized eSupercharged 48V engine

With the introduction of the both the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) and Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing on the horizon, the MAHLE Powertrain team will be on hand to discuss how best to optimise this type of small capacity, high output engine so that it produces good fuel consumption figures and can achieve emissions compliance. As the first independent powertrain consultancy to achieve VCA approval for its real-world RDE routes, MAHLE is in a strong position to comment on the complexities of achieving vehicle approval from this perspective.

 

The VW Golf GTi based demonstrator, originally fitted with a 2.0 litre turbocharged engine, now has an optimised, eSupercharged version of the Northampton-based company’s 1.2 litre
MAHLE DI-3 engine.

 

Key highlights of this demonstrator vehicle include:

  • MAHLE’s eSupercharged, 3-cylinder, 1.2 litre gasoline engine which produces 160 kW/litre and 35 bar BMEP, and provides a significant fuel saving compared to the baseline 2.0 litre engine
  • MAHLE Flexible ECU (MFE) – a development control unit, including software, that allows extremely rapid and flexible functional integration and comprehensive implementation of processes from the first prototype to series production
  • 48V mild-hybrid electrical architecture – to take advantage of the emerging trend to utilise higher voltages across the powertrain; crucial to supplying the eSupercharger with sufficient electrical power and also providing further fuel savings
  • High engine efficiency over a wide engine operating range

Mike Bassett, chief engineer at MAHLE Powertrain, commented: “With the new test procedures coming into force, getting the most efficient performance possible out of downsized engines over a wide operating range is the key challenge over the coming years, as OEMs seek to meet forthcoming vehicle CO2 targets. 48V mild-hybridisation is very likely to be a key technology which is widely adopted to help achieve these targets.”

“Our work testing these engines provides vehicle manufacturers with valuable performance data on this new generation of hybrids, which we expect to see on European roads within the next few years.”

 

In support of this significant business growth at MAHLE Powertrain, the company is currently looking to recruit a number of engineers, technicians and apprentices across a wide range of disciplines. Further details of these exciting new positions can be found at www.jobs.mahle.com/greatbritain/en/