Vehicle Research & Development

Since the early days of vehicle manufacturing there has been the need for continuous development of the product to satisfy customer demands and legislative requirements.  A key focus of vehicle development since the early 1970’s has been to satisfy the increasing regulations requiring reduced exhaust emissions and demand for increased performance and fuel economy.  Today’s development engineers have to achieve this conflict with an ever increasing complexity and interactivity of vehicle systems:

• ECU calibration development
• Powertrain optimisation – including various hybrid configurations.
• Environmental testing and calibration
• Exhaust system optimisation and durability
• Emission testing to suit numerous worldwide regulations
• Fuel economy testing

Froude Hofmann produce a range of Chassis Dynamometers that provide precise, responsive road load simulation and enable the development engineer to perform these tasks in a controlled environment, accurately and repeatedly. Tests are therefore performed efficiently and with a high degree of confidence that the vehicle is tested under simulated road conditions.  Products include configurations of 48” Chassis Dynamometers as follows:

• 4x2 chassis dynamometer - vehicle testing for development and legislative testing
• 4x4 chassis dynamometers – as above but including the ability for full powertrain evaluation (including EOBD requirements)
• 4x4 independent chassis dynamometer – as above but with the added flexibility for advanced powertrain development including hybrid vehicle strategies (see below), fuel cell development etc.
• Climatic versions of any of the above enable “Cold CO” and cold start and driveability evaluation.