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MAHLE has developed a heavily downsized demonstrator engine to explore the limits, and potential benefits, of engine downsizing. The 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder, MAHLE downsizing (Di3) engine, in conjunction with an Aeristech 48 V electric supercharger (eSupercharger, eSC), achieves a BMEP level of 35 bar and a specific power output in excess of 160 kW/litre. The eSupercharger enables high specific power output, good low speed torque and excellent transient response. The resulting heavily downsized engine has been installed into a demonstrator vehicle that also features 48 V mild hybridization. At specific power output levels above 90 kW/litre the engine is operated with excess fuel in order to protect the turbine from excessive exhaust gas temperatures. In this analytical study, the boosting system requirements to maintain lambda 1 fuelling, via the use of EGR, across the entire engine operating map for the eSupercharged version of the MAHLE Di3 engine, have been explored.

Gasoline engine downsizing is already established as a proven technology to reduce automotive fleet CO2 emissions by as much as 25 %. Further benefits are possible through more aggressive downsizing, however, the trade-off between the CO2 reduction achieved and vehicle drive-ability limits the level of engine downsizing currently adopted. This paper presents results showing the benefits of adding an eSupercharger to a very heavily downsized engine. Measurements are presented from a 1.2 litre, 3-cylinder, engine fitted with an eSupercharger in addition to a conventional turbocharger. The original MAHLE downsizing engine has been re-configured to enable a specific power output that exceeds 160 kW/litre. Of key importance is a cost effective, efficient and flexible boosting system.

Extreme engine downsizing is a modern solution aimed towards the goal of meeting new emissions regulations for internal combustion engines. A higher percentage downsized engine will produce less CO2. By extension, a higher boost level is required to generate high engine torque performance. The transient load step of a higher boost system at low RPM is currently an issue for conventional boosting. Aeristech has developed an electric supercharger to be matched with a conventional turbocharger to create a new type of two stage boosting system and a simpler downsized gasoline engine usable in mainstream vehicle segments. Whereas most electric pressure charging devices are capable of transient output to alleviate turbo lag. The electric supercharger is capable of steady-state air delivery. This makes the electric supercharger a dual-function device, alleviating turbo lag and also supplementing the compressor map of the turbocharger or main boost device.