Abstract
Thanks to the modern DI diesel's well known features, such as high thermal efficiency, excellent driveability, durability, low operating cost, the market share of diesel passenger cars in Europe has grown from 14% in 1990 to 33% in 2000 and it still continues to grow. However, the foreseeable evolution of exhaust emission legislation gives rise to the question whether the passenger car diesel engine can preserve its undeniable advantages at competitive system cost in the future. The present paper deals with the criteria decisive for market success such as engine performance, speed range and light weight design. Following is an assessment of the current and future technological elements required to meet the standards placed on both fuel economy and exhaust emissions. Based on these analyses development strategies for future passenger car diesel engines are suggested. In addition to further refinement of the well-established DI diesel combustion system, new alternative concepts of combustion system, exhaust aftertreatment and control are considered. Europe definitely is the key market for diesel passenger cars, and technologies under development offer the prospect of achieving future emission standards. The challenge for the diesel engine however lies in smart technology element combinations which allow to comply with legislative targets and still keep production cost under control.