Research Opportunities
The future of motoring
The automobile industry is under pressure. Governments are driving through legislation that demands cleaner, green vehicles, while motorists want fuel economy without sacrificing performance. But can you ever really satisfy green groups and the car buyer?
Working alongside colleagues and students at Loughborough, with University College London (UCL), and experts in the automotive industry, such as Lotus and Siemens VDO (now Continental Powertrain), Dr Graham Wigley of Loughborough’s Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering department and the team have done just that.
Their three-year research programme, called Project HOTFIRE, produced a gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine with variable valve timing that reduces emissions, while delivering up to 15% greater fuel efficiency.
As a direct result of Project HOTFIRE, a combustion concept engine has been developed by Lotus Engineering and Continental Powertrain and installed in a low CO 2 technology Opel Astra demonstrator vehicle.
The car and engine have attracted interest from a number of large manufacturers. Project HOTFIRE has gone on to win prestigious awards, such as the 2008 Engineer Technology and Innovation Awards, for its ability to cut fuel consumption by 15%, without sacrificing power.