Increasingly stringent legislation has successfully targeted significant reductions in these emissions. Attention is now turning to the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. Coupled with this is the common interest of reducing fuel consumption.
Direct injection is a key technology for developing a more efficient gasoline engine.
Ultra-lean burn operation is then obtained, and consequently unthrottled engine operation Ricardo first developed direct injection gasoline engines in the 1930s, for application in aircraft. Since then, Ricardo has been recognised worldwide as one of the key developers of direct injection technology for use in passenger cars. Ricardo have undertaken a large volume of direct injection work, on a research, collaborative and contract basis and has experience of all of the existing direct injection combustion systems. The latest development in direct injection gasoline engines from Ricardo is the Lean Boost System. The Lean Boost System combines direct injection, pressure charging and lean operation and offers a step change in gasoline engine fuel economy.