Engine Research and Engine Development
Brief portrait of the departments GR/VP und EP/MO (*)
The engine is the heart of the automobile. It's therefore not surprising that the inventors of the motor vehicle regard engines as a matter for the heart. In this context, two units play a key role at Daimler: Research and Advanced Development Internal Combustion Drive Systems (GR/VP) and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development Basic Engine (EP/MO). These two units serve as research and development centers that closely cooperate to create new concepts for engines and combustion processes.A good example of this collaboration is provided by second-generation gasoline direct injection, which celebrated its world premiere in 2006 in the Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CGI production vehicle. For this project, the GR/VP unit, which is headed by Erhard Rau, designed a new combustion process with outward-opening injection nozzles and piezo injectors. During the advanced development phase, the fuel-saving technology was refined until it was suitable for series production. It was then handed over to the colleagues responsible for Mercedes-Benz engine development at the Development Basic Engine (EP/MO) unit, which is headed by Peter Lückert. The engineers there had simultaneously developed the basic engine for the gasoline direct injection system. The project is an example of successful technology transfer — the engine was created at development, while the combustion process was a product of research/advanced development.
The GR/VP center is divided into seven specialist departments, all of which are located at the plant in Untertürkheim, Germany. The key task of the center’s 200 employees is to develop new technologies and innovations from the initial concept all the way to the series-production stage. The focus there is on the development of technology modules that are then transferred to series-production projects or basic engines. The declared goal of GR/VP is to “exploit the existing potential when it comes to further reducing emissions and fuel consumption.” To this end, the engine researchers headed by Erhard Rau are working hard to create innovative combustion processes, improved exhaust treatment systems, and new supercharging concepts.
The closeness of the collaboration between the engine researchers and developers is also demonstrated by the project to create a world diesel engine, which will be used in various vehicles around the globe, including vans. The basic engine for this project was designed by development engineers at EP/MO. In support, their colleagues at GR/VP developed various technological components, including innovative supercharging systems, and are already working on the combustion processes that will meet the more stringent global emissions limits of the future.
Peter Lückert's EP/MO center in Untertürkheim is responsible for developing the basic engines of gasoline and diesel drive systems. The center’s tasks include the design, testing, and approval of engines, cylinder heads, oil and water circulation systems, ventilation systems, and drive units for ancillary components. In addition, the center’s 254 employees serve as contact persons for development engineers who are responsible for the engine packaging and front-end strategies of individual vehicle series.Besides developing gasoline engines, the eight EP/MO departments and project areas focus on ensuring that the basic engines of gasoline and diesel drive systems comply with emissions legislation. To improve performance and fuel efficiency, they also adapt existing engines so that they can be used in current Mercedes-Benz Cars models.
Mercedes-Benz Cars is not willing to sacrifice customer comfort as it strives to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. Correspondingly, it develops systems such as low-friction Lanchester shafts for a smoother running engine, start-stop systems, and heat management technology. Last but not least, Lückert’s development team also addresses the standardization and modularization of powertrain components, a task that can only be performed in close consultation with the respective departments at research/advanced development. The second-generation gasoline direct injection system is clear evidence that the collaboration is bearing fruit.
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