Table of Contents:

Introduction - the internal combustion engine, past and present
Basic principles
Efficiency
Minimising losses

Chapter 1: Fuels, emissions and consumer trends
1.1 Liquid fuels predominate
1.2 Carbon emissions and man-made climate change
1.3 Global legislation and standards on emissions regulation
1.4 Current and planned regulation
1.5 CO2 limitations
1.6 Consumer trends in engine buying

Chapter 2: Current and future SI technologies
2.1 Petrol (SI) basics
2.2 Engine construction
2.2.1 Cylinder head
2.2.2 Cylinder block
2.2.3 Bottom end and rotating assembly
2.2.4 Valve gear
2.2.4.1 Valve operation
2.2.4.2 Variable valve timing and lift
2.2.4.3 The camless engine
2.2.5 Induction and fuel system
2.2.5.1 Basic principles of mixture formation
2.2.5.2 Lean burn
2.2.5.3 Gasoline direct injection
2.2.6 Ignition system
2.2.7 Cold starting
2.2.8 Pressure charging
2.2.9 Engine management and emission control
2.2.9.1 Control technologies
2.2.9.2 Exhaust aftertreatment

Chapter 3: Current and future Diesel (CI) technologies
3.1 Engine construction
3.1.1 Cylinder head
3.1.2 Cylinder block
3.1.3 Bottom end
3.2 Induction and fuel system
3.2.1 Diesel differences
3.2.2 Turbodiesel advantages
3.2.3 Alternatives to the turbocharger?
3.2.4 Fuel injection: common rail and unit injectors
3.2.5 Injector principles - conventional and piezo
3.2.6 Engine management and emission control
3.2.6.1 Control technologies
3.2.6.2 Exhaust aftertreatment
3.3 The HCCI principle

Chapter 4: Hybrid IC powertrain technology
4.1 Hybrid principles
4.2 Petrol-electric hybrid
4.2.1 Atkinson and Miller cycle engines
4.3 Electric motors, batteries and supercapacitors
4.4 Diesel-electric hybrids
4.5 Hybrid drive management

Chapter 5: Beyond the internal combustion engine
5.1 Possible alternatives
5.2 Fuel cells
5.2.1 The fuel cell ‘engine’
5.3 Other technologies

Postscript: In the year 2025 …

Glossary

List of figures

Figure 1: Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 V10
Figure 2: Mercedes-Benz SLK 350 Sportmotor V6
Figure 3: BMW M6 V10 engine