Demonstration vehicles

The developments or adaptations of conventional or hybrid engines represents an important part of IFPEN's work and is aimed at reducing pollutant emissions and fuel consumption.

Examples of vehicles developed by IFPEN

Flex fuel 3G, a 0 to 100% ethanol vehicle using the "indirect injection scavenging"

Drawing on its combined expertise in engine technology and fuel development, IFPEN has already demonstrated the value of a bioethanol/gasoline blend as an alternative fuel solution in terms of CO₂ footprint and energy diversification. Today, the Flex Fuel 3G demo car, the result of collaboration between Valeo, Cristal Union and IFPEN, has made it possible to validate improved efficiency and performance, using the “indirect injection scavenging"principle. > For futher information
 

EASI Concept: Ethanol alternative for a sustainable diesel vehicle developped by IFPEN

Running a diesel vehicle with ethanol: an alternative and innovative solution using ethanol/diesel blend (for reducing the fossil fuel dependency and the global CO₂ emission balance).
IFPEN expertise in innovative fuel formulation combined with engine and vehicle calibration, control strategy, have allowed a good potential towards low NOx/low smoke performance and an improvement of the engine efficiency. > For futher information
 

Smart VEHGAN – Small hybrid urban vehicle

This project, partially funded by the ADEME and conducted in collaboration with GDF Suez, Valeo and INRETS, is based on optimized “mild hybridization” using the Stop & Start system and brake energy recovery.
 
For almost 10 years, IFPEN has been applying the concept of downsizing to controlled ignition engines, especially those running on gasoline. In particular, the Vehgan vehicle has been optimized for Natural gas stoechiometric operation, at the rotating assembly, turbocharger and after-treatment system levels adapted to this fuel. > For futher information

Renault VelSatis – Turbocharged gasoline vehicle

IFPEN's work has focused on approaches related to the combustion mode, to cylinders management and downsizing that consists in reducing the displacement of the engine, combining adapted turbocharging to maintain a level of performance comparable to that of the original engine. This demonstration vehicle offers a 20% saving in CO₂ emissions over a standardized cycle in comparison with a conventional gasoline powertrain.
The project was conducted in partnership with Faurecia Système d'Echappement and Honeywell Turbo Technologies and with the contribution of Renault. > For futher information

Toyota Prius natural gas hybrid

IFPEN and GDF SUEZ have developed a natural gas Toyota Prius based on a serial production vehicle. This demonstration model won won a prize at the 2006 Bibendum Challenge, thanks to the CO₂ emission levels of 75 g/km. This extremely low level for a vehicle of this size represents a saving of almost 50% compared to a gasoline vehicle in the same category. > For futher information

Natural gas-powered Smart – A serial production small urban vehicle that runs on natural gas

In partnership with GDF Suez and ADEME (Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Énergie), IFPEN has developed a natural gas prototype based on a serial production Smart.
 
Reliable and comfortable to drive, the Smart GNV meets the requirements of urban consumers driving in a urban environment while simultaneously protecting the environment. > For futher information

Clever – a new ecological vehicle concept for the urban environment

This prototype has been realised within European project, with the participation of BMW.
 

+ IFPEN research on hybrid vehicles

+ Press release (July 4 2006): Record fuel efficiency for the first all-natural-gas hybrid prototype developed by IFPEN and Gaz de France

+ Press release (April 29, 2008) :
> Ethanol for a sustainable diesel vehicle: an IFPEN solution
> Reducing the consumption of gasoline vehicles - IFPEN is developing a new prototype based on the Renault Velsatis
> Vehgan urban vehicle: achieving low CO₂ through downsizing & NGV hybridization