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A number of commercially available and viable diesel fuels of different specifications was tested in two passenger cars powered by advanced prototype IDI and DI diesel engines, respectively, along the FTP 75, FTP 72 hot, the new European driving cycle [ECE 15 (urban) + EUDC (extra urban driving cycle)] cold and hot, and the Japan 10.15 driving cycle (hot start test). Both engines have been developed for emission levels currently required in Europe for diesel powered passenger cars. The results of this study demonstrate that fuel quality does have a significant impact on exhaust emissions of advanced diesel engines of both, DI and IDI combustion technology. The observed differences in emissions could be correlated with cetane number, density or aromatics content of the fuels tested whereas correlations with the distillation range (90% boiling point) was rather poor.

The paper presents results of engine development and research activities demonstrating the potential of technology currently being developed to meet forthcoming emission regulations for heavy-duty diesel engines in Europe and USA. Development strategies demonstrated in the paper concentrate primarily on the reduction of NOx and PM exhaust emissions while maintaining engine fuel economy and durability. Furthermore, decisive aspects of engine competitiveness are considered, such as minimum necessary complexity of the technical solution in order to minimize production costs, and low engine noise characteristics.

The paper presents the current development status of direct injection diesel engines for passenger cars. Besides a description of the essential features of the injection and combustion system, reference is made to the performance and exhaust emissions potential of direct injection diesel engines in the light of legal requirements of both European Community countries and the U.S.A. Combustion noise and noise control are also discussed. The conclusion reached is that properly developed direct injection diesels will present a viable alternative to conventional passenger car power plants with the advantage of a substantially improved fuel economy.