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This paper describes work done on spark-ignition engine Downsizing and Super-Charging (DSC). Substantial DSC is shown to have a potential for good fuel-economy in SI-engines especially at part-load without compromising in pollutant emission levels. Built into a 4-passenger light-weight car a fuel economy of 67 M/gal (3.5 l/100km) in the European test cycle MVEG-95 was achieved with the potential to satisfy ULEV or Euro IV emission limits.

Electric vehicles today clearly represent the only solution fulfilling the zero emission vehicles (ZEV) standard. However, they are still not an equivalent alternative to gasoline driven cars due to the well known problems of today's batteries. The concept of a parallel hybrid drive line can be an optimal combination of both principles of propulsion in that the gasoline engine guarantees a wide range operation, while electric propulsion can be used within the restricted zero emission zones [20]. The parallel hybrid drive train described here has been realized at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland. For the first time a drive line consisting of a spark ignition engine, an electric asynchronous machine, a flywheel, and a wide range continuously variable transmission (CVT) is realized. An overall control system has been developed for the drive train. This drive line has been integrated in a multi purpose van for real road testing.