FEV Presents a Wide Range of New Technologies at the Vienna Motor Symposium

Aachen-based engineering services provider focusses on technologies for the automotive future

Offers optimization potential for diesel and SI engines as well as alternative fuels: The two-stage VCR connecting rod of FEV allows the adjustment of the compression ratio in two stages during the engine operation due to its eccentrically mounted piston pin (Source: FEV GmbH).

FEV’s water-cooled high performance battery for plug-in hybrid vehicles provides a nominal energy of 10 kWh and power output of up to 200 kW (Source: FEV GmbH).

Aachen / Vienna: FEV, the widely recognized, global development services provider, will demonstrate new technologies at this year's International Vienna Motor Symposium. The featured technologies will help to make vehicles more environmentally friendly, safe and comfortable. FEV’s exhibition will focus on the optimization of the combustion process for SI and diesel engines, as well as on solutions to the specific challenges associated with the use of alternative fuels such as natural gas. Alternative drives, connected mobility, and improved NVH behavior will also be featured in the exhibit. In addition to these technological solutions, FEV will also introduce new methodologies and approaches for faster and more efficient development processes.

"The future of automotive transportation is not only a question of the drive type and its sustainability," explains Professor Stefan Pischinger, President and CEO of the FEV Group. "Topics such as connected vehicles and higher safety standards as well as comfort attributes such as improved NVH behavior or autonomous driving, become increasingly important and demand special attention."

Combustion engine concepts: Optimization through variable compression
Drive concepts with alternative fuels pose specific requirements with respect to combustion process and materials. An innovative variable compression ratio (VCR) connecting rod solution has been developed by FEV that could prove to be an important technology for adapting the engine’s compression ratio under high combustion pressure conditions. The system is suited for SI as well as diesel engines and dual fuel solutions, and reduces the combustion pressure significantly, especially at full load. The piston pin is mounted in an eccentric bearing that is hydraulically locked in its position to adjust the compression ratio. "The potential of our VCR technology is significant," summarizes Andreas Sehr, Director Business Development at FEV. "The modular concept allows straightforward integration in almost any engine configuration. The VCR system has a positive influence on the fuel consumption and also optimizes emissions for diesel engines."

Alternative drives: Modularity is the key to success
In addition to that, FEV provides solutions for foregoing the combustion engine in favor of alternative drive systems as well as the combination of combustion engines and electric drives. The engineering service provider offers experience in optimization of electric drives and has developed battery solutions for various applications. In this context, a water-cooled high performance battery for plug-in hybrid vehicles will be shown that provides a nominal energy of 10 kWh and power output of up to 200 kW.

FEV's proven expertise in the development of transmission concepts is demonstrated in form of an E-gearbox which will be featured in the BMW X1 based Zinoro E1, BMW and the Joint Venture Partner Brilliance are offering in China only. The gearbox offers a torque capacity of 250 Nm. FEV was highly involved in the development process and in addition conducted the bench and vehicle testing.

Telematics: Effective use of communication
FEV has been operating a fleet of connected electric vehicles in a field trial since 2010. This trial involves the collection and evaluation of all important vehicle parameters via cloud services. A cloud service has been realized, for example, in which the range of electric vehicles is compared on the basis of vehicle data, topographical data as well as further data that influence fuel consumption. FEV is continuously working on applications that provide functionality and allow information sharing via Car-2-Cloud and Car-2-Car communication. "We have also gained extensive experience from various projects in the development of intelligent connecting unit (iCU) platforms which allow access to the data flow of the onboard vehicle network. This represents an important foundation for further services that we can offer our clients," explains Dr Thomas Hülshorst, Vice President, Electronics and Electrification at FEV.

Software for optimized test and development cycles
FEV offers software and hardware products that reduce the number of test and development cycles and improve the results, further establishing FEV as a leader in the development services field. "Our TOPexpert Suite contains tools that make the development process more efficient by relocating work from the road to the dynamometer or, in some cases, even replacing test runs with simulation," explains Dr. Ralf Beck, Manager Calibration Methods at FEV. FEV’s "Virtual Engine" software allows dynamic simulation of not only the complete powertrain but also all of its individual and peripheral components from piston rings to the individual bearings.

FEV engineers will be on-hand to answer questions and explain the company’s capabilities at the 36. International Vienna Motor Symposium from 7 to 8 May 2015 at the Congress Centre in the Hofburg in Vienna.

About FEV
The FEV Group with headquarters in Aachen, Germany, is an internationally recognized development services provider for drive and vehicle technologies. The company offers its global transport industry customers a complete range of engineering services, providing support in the design, analysis and prototyping for powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fuelled powertrains. FEV's competencies also include design, development and prototyping of innovative vehicle concepts, powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards. The Test Systems division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment. The FEV Group employs a staff of over 3,300 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centres on three continents.