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The combination of enhanced powertrains and adapted vehicle concepts can reduce the energy demand of vehicles significantly, especially when energy conversion efficiency rises and at the same time driving resistances decrease. In addition, new powertrain concepts are able to offer extra functionality due to a growing cross-linking with chassis and vehicle body. The design of highly linked vehicles and powertrain systems requires additional new development methods in order to answer interacting questions of driving dynamics and vehicle energy efficiency at an early stage of development. In the paper a database-based simulation platform is presented which was developed at the IVK of the University of Stuttgart in cooperation with the Research Institute of Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines Stuttgart (FKFS). The simulation platform is used as an example to discuss mass reducing developments for various powertrain concepts.

In the automotive industry, there is a continued need to improve the development process and handle the increasing complexity of the overall vehicle system. One major step in this process is a comprehensive and complementary approach to both simulation and testing. Knowledge of the overall dynamic vehicle behavior is becoming increasingly important for the development of new control concepts such as integrated vehicle dynamics control aiming to improve handling quality and ride comfort. However, with current well-established test systems, only separated and isolated aspects of vehicle dynamics can be evaluated. To address these challenges and further merge the link between simulation and testing, the Institute of Internal Combustion Engines and Automotive Engineering (IVK), University of Stuttgart is introducing a new Handling Roadway (HRW) Test System in cooperation with The Research Institute of Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines Stuttgart (FKFS) and MTS Systems Corporation.