Abstract:

 The progresses achieved in the past 30 years are reviewed in the technologies and products of light-duty automotive gasoline engines. The revolutionary diversifications happened in the past 20 years of automotive powertrains are also summarized including hybrid, pure electrical and fuel cell ones. And the future development trend is foreseen of internal combustion engines for light-duty vehicle applications. Remarkable advances have been achieved in the gasoline engine technologies and products indicated by the significant improvements in the power density, thermal efficiency (fuel economy), emission levels and so forth. Based on the predictive researches of the diversified powertrain options, it is concluded that internal combustion engines will continue to play important roles in the future automotive, and at least 60% of light-duty vehicles will be equipped with internal combustion engines in the future 30 years. However, the dominant role of an engine will gradually change such that a car powered by a single engine will shift to be powered by a combination of an engine and a motor or motors. The role of an engine will change from Solo to Duo. The future development of light-duty vehicle gasoline engines will be focused on the design of hybrid-dedicated engines, improvement of thermal efficiency and the application of low-carbon fuels such as natural gas. The technological means are finally discussed for improving the engine’s thermal efficiency up to 45%.

Key words: automotive powertrain ,  internal combustion engines ,  gasoline engines ,  thermal efficiency ,  electrification