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The automotive field is facing increasing pressure towards the reduction of design times and costs and towards the improvement of car performance, especially with respect to fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. Aerodynamics is one of the fields where this performance improvement can be achieved, but any improvement in this area must not affect negatively other performances, like cooling or ergonomics and space for occupants. This paper presents current methods in CRF (Centro Ricerche FIAT) and FGA (Fiat Group Automobiles) for multi-objective optimization of the external shape of new models, with respect to aerodynamic and ergonomic performances, and how the conflicting requirements coming from the different disciplines can be managed in a systematic way.

The clutch is that mechanical part located in an internal combustion engine vehicle which allows the torque transmission from the shaft to the wheels, permitting at the same time gear shifting and supporting engine revolutions while the car is idling. This component exploits friction as working principle, therefore heat generation is in its own nature. The comprehension of all the critical issues related to thermal emission, and also of the principal physical parameters driving the phenomena are a must in design phases. The subject of this paper is the elaboration of an accurate, but also easy to use and easily replicable, methodology to simulate thermal behavior of a clutch operating inside its usual environment. The present methodology allows to prevent corrective actions in the last phase of the projects (real testing), such as changes in gear ratios, that likely worsen CO2 emissions, permitting to achieve the wished thermal performance of the clutch avoiding late changes.