Total Vehicle Technology: How Do We Get the Innovation Back into Vehicle Design?

Based on papers, debate and discussion at the IMechE Automobile Division Southern Centre Conference on Total Vehicle Technology 2002, the work covers much of the life cycle of the modern vehicle. From concept design and visualization to the constraints of a real life vehicle design, the shape of the vehicle is examined. The powertrain remains of central importance and with a view of the longer term future, the influence of electronics and the development of new types of propulsion systems, the role of the powertrain and its development potential are covered in detail. Getting the vehicle to market is of increasing urgency and the selection of performance, driveability and exhaust emissions controls is of increasing complexity. New techniques are considered and analyzed. The selection of components is a crucial part of the vehicle design process. Trends in component - mechanical and electronic - illustrate the technical and commercial issues facing component suppliers. The papers form a useful snapshot of current vehicle development issues and document the complexity of modern vehicle design with features that include: trends in propulsion technology - the types of power source that will be used in future cars; powertrain development methods - how engines are developed and adapted for car applications; hybrid vehicle technologies - recent trends in the development of hybrid vehicle technologies; choice of components - issues in component development; vehicle design and visualization - how design is done and how a design is communicated to those who are going to make continuing use of it; and vehicle systems technologies - control, software and communications developments.