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Fuel efficiency is one of the most important customer requirement in Indian market as well as very crucial to meet the upcoming regulation like CAFÉ for Indian Automotive manufacturers. Most of the technology changes to meet this challenge, always come with a cost penalty with hardware addition. To counter the above challenge, a strategy has been identified in the EMS software that will dynamically adapt the spark timing based on fuel octane rating. This strategy has resulted in fuel efficiency improvement on Modified Indian Drive Cycle on chassis dynamometer test and as well as on real life road tests using fuels with various octane number.

Fuel cell electric vehicles generally have two power sources – the fuel cell power system and a high voltage battery pack - to power the vehicle operations. The fuel cell power system is the main source of power for the vehicle and its operations are supported by the battery pack. The battery pack helps to tackle the dynamic power demands from the vehicle such as during acceleration, to which the response of the fuel cell might be slower. The battery is also used to recover the energy from regeneration during braking and can also be used to extend the range of the vehicle in case the storage tanks runs out of hydrogen. In order to maximize the fuel efficiency of the fuel cell power system it is critical that these two power sources are used in conjunction with each other in an optimal manner.

With the rise of worldwide trends towards light weighting and the move towards electric vehicles, it is now more important than ever for the automotive industry to develop and implement lightweight materials that will result in significant weight reduction and product improvements. A great deal of research has been done on how to best combine and configure honeycomb cores with the right face sheets for Truck-Mounted Container Applications. Honeycomb structures possess the ability to bring about superior structural rigidity when the core parameters are selected and optimized based on the automotive application requirements.

NVH is of prime importance in buses as passengers prefer comfort. Traditionally vehicle NVH is analysed post completion of proto built however this leads to modifications, increases cost & development time. In modern approach physical validation is replaced by CAE. There are many sources of NVH in vehicle however this article is focused about the methodology to improve NVH performance of bus by analysing and improving the stiffness and mobility of various chassis frame attachment points on which source of vibrations are mounted or attached. In this study chassis frame attachment stiffness of Engine mounts and propeller shafts is focused.

A robust process of specifying engine mounting systems for internal combustion engines (ICE) has been established through decades of work and countless applications. Vehicle vibration is a critical consideration in the early stage of vehicle development. Apart from comfort, it also affects the overall vehicle's performance, reliability, Buzz-squeak and rattle (BSR), parts durability and robustness. The most dynamic system in a vehicle is the powertrain, a source of vibration inputs to the vehicle over the frequency range. The mounting system supports a powertrain in a vehicle and isolates the vibration generated from the powertrain to the vehicle. In addition, it also controls the overall dynamic movement of the powertrain system when the vehicle is subjected to road load excitations and avoids contact between the powertrain and other adjacent components of the vehicle.

High strength aluminium alloys are an ideal material in the automotive sector leading to a significant weight reduction and enhancement in product safety. In recent past extensive development in the field of high strength steel and aluminium was undertaken. This development has been propelled due to demand for light weight automotive parts. The high strength to weight ratio possessed by Al alloy helps in reducing the total weight of the vehicle without effecting the overall performance, thereby increasing the fuel economy, and reducing the carbon emission level. Joining of high strength aluminium alloy is critical to develop durable automotive products. Joining of high strength aluminium alloy for mass production in automobile industry is a challenging task. Laser welding is recognized as an advanced process to join materials with a laser beam of high-power, high- energy density.

In today's volatile market environment, and with the change of user priorities, NVH refinement results in silent, vibration-free vehicle. The commercial vehicle industry is also starting to embrace this development in NVH vehicle refinement. There are health concerns associated with the discomfort experienced by occupants. This calls for cabins with no boom noise and less tactile vibrations. Noise within the vehicle is contributed by excitation from the Powertrain, Intake, Exhaust system, driveline, road excitations, suspension (structure borne noise) and its radiation into the air (air borne noise). This paper discusses the approach used to reduce “In-cab boom” noise in the operating speed sweep condition and seat track vibration during engine IDLE condition to improve driver comfort. In this paper NVH refinement was carried out on small commercial vehicles.

Key on/off (KOKO) Vibration plays a vital role in the quality of NVH (Noise Vibration and Harshness) on a vehicle. A good KOKO experience on the vehicle is desirable for every customer. The vibration transfer to the vehicle can be refined either by reducing the source vibrations or improving isolation efficiency. For the engine mounting system of passenger cars, the mounts are an isolating element between the powertrain and receiver. Various noise, Vibration, and harshness criteria must be fulfilled by mounting system performance like driver seat rail vibration (DSR), tip-in/tip-out, judder performance, DSR at idle and Key on/off Vibration. Out of these requirements, in the paper, the investigation is done on KOKO improvement without affecting other NVH parameters related to mount performance. Higher damping is required to isolate Vibration generated during the Key-on event, and lower damping is required during the idle condition of the vehicle.

IC (Internal Combustion) engines are evolved and refined over time to greater levels of technology in terms of emission, performance, NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness), and design philosophy. Crank-train generates a greater impact on NVH optimization due to its geometry and dynamics. Hence, more attention to mass balancing is required to minimize the negative impact on NVH. The present work demonstrates the evaluation of balancing rate of crank-train system from the first principle of couple balancing. Calculations are conducted at the concept stage to estimate an internal rotating couple balancing of crank-train system due to counterweights and rotating masses. As crankshaft weighs approximately 10-12% weight of an engine and its counter weight plays a vital role in balancing, its optimization will result in a significant impact on NVH.

In the automotive industry, silicon adhesive has become increasingly popular due to its benefits in ease of assembly and cost savings associated with material and manufacturing processes. To meet the imperative of minimizing both time and expenses during the project's development phase, it becomes essential to select the appropriate gasket material and an optimal flange design at the outset of the design process. In order to achieve stringent emission standards such as Real Driving Emission (RDE) and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) norms, a better sealing performance is an essential parameter. Various types of liquid gaskets such as silicon rubber based Room Temperature Vulcanizing (RTV) sealants and thermoset plastic based Anaerobic sealants are widely used in an Internal Combustion engine. They are commonly used for the components such as oil sump, bedplate, and gearbox housings, etc.

Underrun Protection devices (UPDs) are specially designed barriers fitted to the front, side, or rear of heavy trucks. In case of accidents, these devices prevent small vehicles such as bikes and passenger cars going underneath and thus minimizing the severity of such accident. Design and strength of UPD is such that it absorbs the impact energy and offers impact resistance to avoid the vehicle under run. Compliance to UPD safety regulations provides stringent requirements in terms of device design, dimensions, and its behavior under impact loading. Since accuracy of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) predictions have improved, numerical tools like Finite element method (FEM) are extensively used for design, development, optimization, and performance verification with respect to target regulatory performance requirements. For improved accuracy of performance prediction through FEA, correct FE representation of sub-systems is very important.

In automotive industry, testing and validation teams are highly dependent on availability of prototype vehicles for testing and evaluation of ride & comfort behavior of vehicles. Special test tracks surfaces are also used (namely Tar road, Express way and driving over a Cleat) to evaluate the ride & comfort through subjective evaluation. Ride is largely affected by transmissibility of road excitations to the driver and other occupant’s seats, influence of suspension, bushes and tire are the major contributors in the transfer path of vibrations. A configurable 1–D simulation model of a Two Axle Truck is developed for quick evaluation of the ride & comfort behavior which is need of the hour for the testing team in optimizing the number of iterations in physical testing. These simulations will help in understanding the ride & comfort behavior and its sensitivity to changes in the component’s characteristics in absence of physical test vehicles.

Climate change due to global warming calls for more fuel-efficient technologies. Parallel Full hybrids are one of the promising technologies to curb the climate change by reducing CO2 emissions significantly. Different parallel hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) architectures such as P0, P1, P2, P3 and P4 are adopted based on different parameters like fuel economy, drivability, performance, packaging, comfort and total cost of ownership of the vehicle. It is a great challenge to select right hybrid architecture for different vehicle segments. This paper compares P2 and P3 HEV with AMT transmission to evaluate most optimized architecture based on vehicle segment. Vehicles selected for study are from popular vehicle segments in India with AMT transmission i.e. Entry segment hatch and Compact SUV. HEV P2 and P3 architectures are simulated and studied with different vehicle segments for fuel economy, performance, drivability and TCO.

Road infrastructure in India is being upgraded at a rapid pace. Quality of life of people has also improved significantly in the last decade. Such trends have significantly impacted design of commercial vehicles and vehicular systems in the country. This paper deals with the design and development of a modern futuristic instrument panel for trucks. Methodology to arrive at product features and solutions which retain their novelty and appeal for a longer term has also been illustrated. Regulatory scenario, modularity, HMI, Perceived Quality, Driver Comforts, evolving technologies, trends and materials are some of the considerations which have discussed in detail. International benchmarks and customer requirement have been analyzed for setting Performance targets. A digital approach for evaluating these considerations evolved during the design and development process has been elaborated in detail.

In comparison to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, Electric vehicles (EVs) development and adoption is driven by several factors such as zero emissions, higher performance, cost effective in maintenance, smoother and quieter ride. Global OEMs are competing to provide a reduced in-cab noise for ensuring a smooth and quiet driving experience. Short project timelines for EV demands quick design and development. In initial stages of project, input data availability of EV is limited and a simplified approach is necessary to accelerate the development of vehicle. This paper focuses on simulation methodology for predicting structure borne noise from powertrain deploying Transfer Path Analysis approach. Current simulation methodology involves full vehicle model with multiple flexible bodies and full BIW flexible model which leads to complex modelling and longer simulation times.

Sustainability has evolved from being just a niche engagement to a fundamental necessity. The reduction of carbon emissions from aspects of human activity has become desirable for its ability to mitigate the impact of climate change. The Transportation industry is a critical part of the global economy – any effort to curb emissions will have a significant impact on CO2 reduction. Engine lubricant can play an efficient and key role to enhance powertrain performance that have undergone significant hardware changes to reduce emissions. As part of a significant collaborative programme between Tata Motors and Infineum, a new engine oil formulation SAE 5W-30 API FA-4 has been developed and commercially introduced for use in the modern Bharat Stage 6 Phase 2 engines.

The brake systems are given top priority by automotive OEMs in the development of medium and heavy commercial trucks and buses, which can carry increased loads. When trucks and buses are travelling at high speeds or crossing downhill, during braking operations, the friction faces (brake drum and liner) experience a significant rise in temperature due to the conversion of kinetic energy into heat energy within seconds. This lowers the friction coefficient at the interface, resulting in distortions, thermal cracks, hub grease burning, and overheating. Drum brake system designs must be improved and optimized to dissipate more heat from the brake drum assembly and prevent brake failure. Nowadays advance transient numerical simulations assist in the design, development and optimization of the brake system to visualize 3D flow physics and temperature variations throughout the brake duty cycles. In the current study, different Cases of drum brakes to improve cooling efficiency are evaluated.

This paper highlights the transition of multi-axis suspension test rig from fixed reacted type to semi-inertial type and the benefits derived thereof in simulation accuracies. The critical influence of ‘Mx’ and ‘Mz’ controls on simulation accuracies has been highlighted. The vital role of ‘Mz’ control in the resonance of wheel pan along ‘Z’ axis and thereof arresting unwanted failures modes in spindle has been duly emphasized. Finally, the role of constraints and boundary conditions on simulation accuracies has been demonstrated by replacing the reaction frame with vehicle body.

The goal of reducing fuel consumption and CO2-Emission is leading to turbo-charged combustion engines that deliver high torque at low speeds (down speeding). To meet NVH requirements damper technologies such as DMF (Dual Mass Flywheel) are established, leading to reduced space for the clutch system. Specific measures need to be considered if switching over from SMF (Single Mass Flywheel) to DMF [8]. Doing so has an impact on thermal behavior of the clutch system, for example due to reduced and different distribution of thermal masses and heat transfer to the surroundings. Taking these trends into account, clutch systems within vehicle powertrains are facing challenges to meet requirements e.g. clutch life, cost targets and space limitation. The clutch development process must also ensure delivery of a clutch system that meets requirements taking boundary conditions such as load cycles and driver behavior into account.

Air intake system (AIS) plays a major role in reducing the noise level in passenger car compartment, which has become an important requirement due to increasing customer expectation for better in cab noise. The ideal air intake system design should have minimum possible noise at snorkel entry point which ultimately contributes in cabin noise. There are different techniques that are implemented for an air intake system noise reduction e.g. choosing proper location of air entry suction point in engine bay compartment, suitable design for air filter box (volume), duct designs etc. Further design improvement are possible with an addition of tuned resonators in the system. An addition of resonator have major effect seen in reducing air induction noise and to meet target Sound Pressure Levels (SPL). But at the same time, selecting the correct type of resonator, its position & volume, frequency/s band at which resonator is tuned are important parameters.