Present and future perspectives of powertrain refinement

The consideration given to incorporating specific vehicle noise and vibration reducing features into the base powertrain design has increased significantly in recent years, to the extent that many new engines are both structurally optimized and contain a wide range of additional or enhanced components, all aimed at noise and vibration reduction. This paper reviews the status of recent powertrain noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) reduction technology and looks forward to the threats and opportunities presented by forthcoming developments in the automotive industry. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the impact of future gaseous emissions requirements on engine NVH and also the opportunities presented by emerging gasoline and diesel fuel combustion technologies. The paper concludes with the author's view of the anticipated critical target areas for future powertrain noise and vibration development programmes.