Synthetic Engine Concept and Modularity for a 3-Wheeler 2008-28-0001

Small engines in small lightweight vehicles represent a good compromise between performance, comfort and environmental-oriented design. This becomes an issue worldwide. In big cities, lightweight vehicles have a great potential and advantages with regard to these issues. To reduce emissions in some big cities, governmental regulation requests the local cars being operated on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas). This gives bi-fuel (petrol and CNG) or CNG-mono-fuel vehicles a chance [1, 2]. MAGNA STEYR designed a bi-fuel 3-wheeler concept car and carried out simulations to find a good compromise between small engine and good performance. Styling studies, lightweight base-frame studies and an engine concept was developed for a 3-wheeler, but a module system should allow a taxi or cargo variant for either a 3-wheeler or a 4-wheeler. A main part of this paper, which was drawn up in association with the Institute of Internal Combustion Engines and Thermodynamics at the Graz University of Technology, deals with the results of a synthetic engine concept for a small single cylinder engine. The task was to develop a simulation tool that allows the determination of the emission behaviour of a 3-wheeler during a standard driving cycle. Appropriate measures for the emission reduction in compliance with Bharat Stage III Standard (India) have been taken.