Economark

Led by Ricardo, this precompetitive programme carries out a series of in-depth, benchmarking assessments of the fuel economy, CO2 and regulated exhaust emissions and performance of passenger car products that are considered representative of the current technological state-of-the-art.

The benchmarking exercise is based on three key elements:

1. Vehicle testing

• Emissions & fuel economy
• Cost down evaluation
• Performance

2. Engine testing

• Detailed engine mapping
• Friction breakdown
• Performance

3. Engine design benchmark

Features of the Consortium:

• In-depth study at Vehicle and Engine level
• Multiple parties sharing pre-competitive benchmark information
• Flexible content within defined project phases
• Vehicles and content agreed by members

Benefits:

• Cost effective - in depth results with shared cost
• Detailed results of leading product attributes
• Flexibility to adapt scope to member interest
• Current planned activity focused on low CO2
• Data confidential to participating members

The consortium is open to all interested parties including OEMs and suppliers.
Vehicle selection for the EconoMark consortium is driven by the interests of participating members, based for example on considerations of vehicle performance and the technical attributes included in its specification.
Members rank candidate vehicles and final selection is based on the collective view of their priority for evaluation. The benchmarking process will include a full in-depth study at the vehicle and engine level with flexible content to be agreed on a case-by-case basis by the participating consortium members.

Typically, vehicle testing of emissions and fuel economy will be carried out together with performance and coast-down evaluation. Engine testing will include detailed mapping, performance testing and friction breakdown assessment. A full engine tear-down will then be used as the basis of a thorough design evaluation. Each vehicle studied by the EconoMark consortium will be the subject of a detailed report – exclusively available to the participating members – outlining the results of the benchmarking process. The first vehicle selected for evaluation by the EconoMark consortium was the VW Golf Mk6 BlueMotion. Consideration is being given to a study based on the Mercedes C250 CDI BlueEfficiency.

The detailed proposal and agreement document is available for review by prospective EconoMark consortium members. For further information please contact Adrian.Greaney@ricardo.com