Any Future for Combustion Engines? Lessons for IAA 2021
Internal Combustion Engine of the Mercedes AMG GT 63 S (Hybrid Platform) at IAA Munich 2021. Image credit: Dr Cecile Pera
Early in September was the IAA in Munich (🇩🇪). The specialised automotive and business press reported that the exhibition was exclusively featuring EVs. Some people even said that it was synonym of “game over” for the Internal Combustion Engines. Is that true?
Yes and no, I would say and a deeper analysis of the IAA is necessary to forecast what can be the future of Internal Combustion Engines, at least in Europe.
Admittedly, there were really few Engines at the IAA but from the few that were displayed, we can imagine what the future of ICEs could be…
Engines for High Performance Sport Cars
A first category in which you still find IC Engines is the top High-Performance Sport cars such as the premium products from Mercedes AMG or Porsche. For sure, the Motorsport enthusiasts are always eager of Mechanics and other details on TurboCharger.
For example, one car on display at Porsche was the 911 GT3. One can argue that the GT3 Engine is not new, but it is a prime example of a purely thermal new car (emitting 300 gCO2/km).
Porsche 9A2evo Engine (4.0L naturally-aspirated flat-six engine) - image credit: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
Porsche GT3 at IAA Munich 2021 - image credit: Dr Cecile Pera
Another Engine presented in this vehicle category was that of the Mercedes AMG GT 63 S (see top photo). Nevertheless, the 4.0L M177 Biturbo V8 Engine was not the true “star” here because the emphasis was rather on the Hybrid Platform. Yet, this is another example of a ICE in a brand new vehicle at IAA, but leaning towards our next topic.
Engines for Hybrid Platforms
In addition of the AMG GT 63 S, Mercedes was also unveiling the M256 Engine coupled with 48-volt, to be used in the plug-in hybrid S-class. In terms of Engineering, the M256-48V Engine is one of the most advanced production Engine for premium sedans (Twin-Scroll Turbo, Nanoslide coating, etc.). The M256 uses a pancake motor which is located between the engine and the transmission, and the power electronic is positioned next to the motor.
M256 Mercedes Engine at IAA Munich 2021- image credit: Dr Cecile Pera
Renault was also displaying their Plug-in Hybrid Platform equipping the Renault Captur and Megane PHEV. The Engine (codenamed H4M within Renault and HR16DE at Nissan) is derived from a relatively old engine from the Alliance that has been given a new lease of life by the addition of 2 electric motors. None of the motors is directly linked to the engine but are interconnected through the gearbox, allowing for a clutch-free operation.
Renault E-TECH HYBRID Engine - image credit: Renault
Renault E-TECH HYBRID Plug-in-Hybrid Platform at IAA Munich 2021 - image credit: Dr Cecile Pera
Another, maybe surprising, Plug-in Hybrid platform using an Internal Combustion Engine comes from a Chinese car manufacturer: WEY. WEY belongs to the group Great Wall Motors (GWM) and focus on Premium SUV.
At IAA, GWM was presenting 2 models:
the Ora Cat, a BEV compact car
the WEY Coffee 0, a Plug-in Hybrid SUV with an impressive (for an PHEV) 150 km electric range
The WEY Hybrid platform uses an in-house inline 4-cylinder Engine, codenamed 4N20A, coupled with an e-motor. The 4N20A Engine is actually quite impressive: it has no geartrain and uses electric water pumps, electric air-conditioning compressors and electric steering gears to reduce energy consumption.
Maybe ironically, development of IC Engines by European Engineering teams might come to an end, while China will boost development exploiting the synergy between Electrification and better Engine optimisation.
WEY Hybrid Engine used in the COFFEE 01 at IAA Munich 2021- image credit: Dr Cecile Pera
Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine from KEYOU at IAA Munich 2021 - image credit: Dr Cecile Pera
Hydrogen Combustion Engines
The last example of new ICE application found at IAA was Hydrogen ICEs (not Hydrogen Fuel Cells!). H2 Engines have been in development at German OEMs for a very long time (see, for example, the BMW 7 Series more than a decade ago).
Recently, a company called KEYOU developed and highly advertised their Hydrogen Engine mainly targeted at large Engine applications (haulage, agriculture, etc.). Hydrogen Engines have the double advantage of
a high efficiency compared to Hydrogen Fuel Cells;
a CO2-free operation compared to conventional ICEs.
Nevertheless, Hydrogen Engines present quite a lot of technical challenges, but also some commercialisation difficulties due to the lack of hydrogen stations and infrastructure.
Conclusion: Are Combustion Engines Dead?
Beyond the car show, the IAA gathered a lot of professionals from the Automotive Industry. The 2 worlds of ICEs and EVs continue to fight each others. On the one side are EV enthusiasts and marketing celebration around new vehicles. On the other side is a group of irreducible defenders of ICEs continuing to advocate for cleaner powertrains and e-fuels.
Nevertheless, if you analyse the IAA from a business point of view: audience interest, media attention and business opportunities are all focussing onto EVs. On the supplier side, the companies with no offering on Electrification were in a pretty gloomy and depressing mood.
Are Engines dead? In the near future, Engines are going to survive in some specific applications:
Hybrid Platforms: yet, several OEMs such as Mercedes have already announced that they do not wish to develop further hybrid platforms because they are too expensive and less fashionable than EVs.
High Performance Engines: Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini…all these names have a legacy based on incredible Engineering on ICEs. For sure, Engines will survive some time here but at the end new brands and new EV icons are rising such as RIMAC.
Hydrogen Engines: they could become a niche development, but the lack of Hydrogen infrastructure hinders its adoption for large volume production (and so business interest in passenger cars). Large engine applications seem a more favourable environment even if Battery EVs are also gaining ground here.
