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A greater understanding of where fuel energy is being demanded from a vehicle system standpoint is necessary for developing more fuel efficient vehicles. This paper presents an overview of the development and application of a vehicle energy analysis methodology and a MATLAB®/Simulink® based tool that uses empirical data and first principles to identify vehicle subsystem energy supply and demand. An accurate analysis requires the tool to be populated with chassis dynamometer drive cycle data as well as vehicle and component information. The tool can be used to investigate vehicle system energy requirements, prevailing fuel economy factors, and incremental hypothetical fuel saving scenarios that could not otherwise be measured due to inherent test-to-test variability.

The simultaneous demand for improvements to performance, drivability, emissions, and fuel economy are driving increasingly complex automotive powertrain solutions. New controls strategies are required to effectively manage and fully utilize the opportunities presented by these new powertrains. This paper outlines the advance powertrain controls development work underway within DaimlerChrysler Corporation, in support of these requirements. A powertrain coordination strategy that translates the driver demand into the most effective combination of all powertrain elements is described. A common interface to the powertrain elements is proposed.