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Starting with NECAR 1 in 1994 DaimlerChrysler has developed a series of fuel cell (FC) concept vehicles to prove the practicability of FC technology in mobile applications. Within the next two years the first buses (2003) and passenger cars (2004) will be given into customer hands indicating the start of a new phase within FC technology development. Among DaimlerChrysler's concept vehicles, Necar 3 and Necar 5 are using methanol as fuel. Methanol is an interesting option, because its storing is much easier than the storage of pure hydrogen. In a rather simple process and at low temperature it can be reformed into a hydrogen rich gas. This paper is dealing with the simulation and the design of methanol FC powertrains with Matlab/Simulink®. The results are fuel consumption with special regard to the operating strategy and the dimensioning of the FC powertrain's components.

This paper is looking both at testing and simulation of tyres under stationary and dynamic operation conditions. The new dynamic ika tyre test rig will be introduced and its particular advantages in tyre testing are explained. First results are shown and the reproduction of measured tyre properties with an efficient tyre model is demonstrated.

In the past ten years there were two important developments in passenger vehicles which were virtually independent of each other: 1) the anti-slip control systems 2) the four-wheel drive. Since nearly two years we can see a focus in the development of another chassis control system, that means 3) active suspension. Each system has its own benefits to the customer, but it seems to us that a functional integration of these systems might have additional benefits. The first stage of getting benefit is the common usage of sensors. The sensors used in traction control and in active suspension are not congruent. The next stage of getting benefit is the functional integration of different control systems. Therefore, this paper reviews the actual development situation of the single systems and tries to evaluate the possible advantages by combining the systems. Measurements were made to show some advantages by the functional integration.