Propulsion systems engineering

Over a century of propulsion design and development

Our expertise

Leveraging our deep integrated experience

Deploying innovative simulation, model and test based approaches to increase product efficiency and robustness, whilst reducing development cost and time for our global clients. 

Euro 7/VII

The next major wave of European vehicle emissions regulation presents a significant challenge for the automotive and commercial vehicle industries.

Ricardo has been at the forefront of developing methodologies and techniques to measure emissions to Euro 7 emissions regulations and has actively helped to shape the Euro 7/VII legislation through R&D projects.

Our ICE and Calibration engineering experts are supporting customers in readiness for the new emissions standards by assessing current products and development of future products to meet these standards. This includes future emissions testing, hardware selection testing and control technologies, including sensitivity studies to control new pollutants.

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Vehicle Emissions Research Centre Building

Euro 7/VII capabilities

Delivering bespoke hardware and software calibration programs for OEMs and tier 1 suppliers.

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Full-service vehicle emissions testing for ICE, HEV and EV powertrains and fluid products enabling emissions control and performance optimisation.

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Expertise in internal combustion engine design, development, build, calibration and international compliance.

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Ricardo engineers have developed leading edge simulation and analysis methods to create bespoke solutions that reduce product development time and cost, from rapid cloud-based architecture screening through to virtual calibration and validation approaches.

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End-to-end electrified powertrain testing services delivered in our state-of-the-art EPRC facility. We offer a seamless service that embraces software and simulation from concept through the product development process, incorporating physical test as an essential touchpoint at key stages.

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Innovative product engineering solutions for a wide range of applications and market sectors.

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Full-service ICE testing and development for a range of industries and sectors, from passenger vehicle to marine transportation.

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Our solutions use geofencing and electronic horizon technology to enable hybrid drivers to benefit from improved fuel economy, whilst also ensuring fewer harmful emissions are produced when in low emissions zones.

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Transmission and driveline

Ricardo offers world-class, fully integrated capabilities for driveline and transmission system design, development and production. 

We support the decarbonisation of transport through the integration of electrification systems (hybrid and BEV) in high performance applications and other high complexity drivelines.

Our experienced engineers offer extensive experience, from cost-optimised manual transmissions to advanced high performance automatic systems. 

We use tools and processes refined over a century of propulsion design and development experience to enable faster design and validation of efficient propulsion systems and reduced whole life costs.

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Transmission Closeup

Transmission and driveline systems capabilities

We are experts in the establishing flexible and stable product assembly operations which output complex products to help our clients achieve their premium product aspirations.

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Ricardo delivers a range of world-class, fully integrated services for driveline and transmission systems, including design, development, and niche manufacture.

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Ricardo engineers have developed leading edge simulation and analysis methods to create bespoke solutions that reduce product development time and cost, from rapid cloud-based architecture screening through to virtual calibration and validation approaches.

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Delivering bespoke hardware and software calibration programs for OEMs and tier 1 suppliers.

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Ricardo's precision manufacturing capability is well positioned to provide fast turnaround, high quality, torque path components for use in high performance markets. 

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Ricardo’s transmission control software provides a quick, proven, and low-risk route to develop transmission systems for OEMs and suppliers which is flexible to their requirements.

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Decarbonised ICE

Hydrogen offers a viable decarbonisation solution for transportation and Ricardo is supporting clients in this transition to hydrogen propulsion.

We offer testing and development solutions for rapid product development of hydrogen and decarbonised ICE solutions. Our purpose-built hydrogen facility has a broad range of functionality suitable for different applications including heavy-duty solutions. 

We support clients throughout the complete development process, from initial concept to design, validation and certification. Our ICE and Calibration experts are actively working on hydrogen and other sustainable fuels within the transportation sectors from small single cylinder to large bore engines for various market sectors including automotive, rail, maritime, industrial and aerospace.

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Stagecoach Hydrogen Bus

Decarbonised ICE capabilities

Delivering bespoke hardware and software calibration programs for OEMs and tier 1 suppliers.

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Innovative product engineering solutions for a wide range of applications and market sectors.

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Expertise in internal combustion engine design, development, build, calibration and international compliance.

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Ricardo engineers have developed leading edge simulation and analysis methods to create bespoke solutions that reduce product development time and cost, from rapid cloud-based architecture screening through to virtual calibration and validation approaches.

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Full-service vehicle emissions testing for ICE, HEV and EV powertrains and fluid products enabling emissions control and performance optimisation.

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Testing and development solutions for rapid product development of hydrogen ICE and hydrogen fuel cell solutions.

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Full-service ICE testing and development for a range of industries and sectors, from passenger vehicle to marine transportation.

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Calibration

Ricardo provides full turnkey calibration from single to multi-platform projects for passenger car, heavy duty and off highway market sectors. 

The Calibration team has extensive experience in delivering to global emissions standards across worldwide markets for both ICE and xEV vehicles and we offer development of performance and emissions and OBD solutions.

Our calibration service covers emissions and fuel economy, aftertreatment systems, driveability, combustion noise, climatic development, product robustness, and validation fleet testing. We offer product launch support as well as ongoing product development & in-service support to our global customers. 

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Calibration Vr

Calibration capabilities

Delivering bespoke hardware and software calibration programs for OEMs and tier 1 suppliers.

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Innovative product engineering solutions for a wide range of applications and market sectors.

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Ricardo’s transmission control software provides a quick, proven, and low-risk route to develop transmission systems for OEMs and suppliers which is flexible to their requirements.

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Control strategies that boost performance, improve fuel economy and drive up efficiency.

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Ricardo engineers have developed leading edge simulation and analysis methods to create bespoke solutions that reduce product development time and cost, from rapid cloud-based architecture screening through to virtual calibration and validation approaches.

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Special vehicle build

Our dedicated special vehicles team support the rapid realisation of prototype, demonstrators and ultra low volume vehicles. 

Ricardo offers systems optimisation, design upgrades of existing platforms and complete clean sheet vehicle design, development and manufacture.

We are able to accelerate the development process and reduce time to market for projects in electrification, hydrogen and vehicle integration.

These highly customised, special vehicle programmes are suited for special commercial, defence and police applications. Ricardo offers a complete service from conceptualisation, to engineering to product adaption and delivery as well as though-life support.

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Ford Ranger Adaption

Special vehicle capabilities

Our experts deliver innovative hybrid and electric battery pack solutions. We design, build, and integrate battery technology bespoke to their requirements of our clients.

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Expertise in internal combustion engine design, development, build, calibration and international compliance.

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Delivering functional technology demonstrators to prototype special vehicle builds.

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Supporting clients with turnkey delivery programmes to support increasing production volumes and entering additional market sectors with new and diverse product offerings. 

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Innovative product engineering solutions for a wide range of applications and market sectors.

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Ricardo engineers have developed leading edge simulation and analysis methods to create bespoke solutions that reduce product development time and cost, from rapid cloud-based architecture screening through to virtual calibration and validation approaches.

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Ricardo delivers systems integration solutions to aid clients with this critical stage in vehicle development.

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We deliver the adaptions of commercially available wheeled vehicles to meet client specified roles and requirements for specialised industry applications.

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Propulsion systems engineering

Markets

Propulsion systems engineering

Services

Ricardo delivers a range of assurance and testing services across a variety of industries.

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Find out more about our expert automotive testing solutions at our state-of-the-art facilities.

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Find out more about our expert testing solutions at our state-of-the-art facilities.

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Ricardo provides impartial evidence and analysis underpinning environmental policymaking throughout the policy life cycle.

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Ricardo specialise in high-performance, niche volume manufacturing and assembly for complex, precision, electromechanical products and offer world-class industrialisation consultancy

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We are experts in the establishing flexible and stable product assembly operations which output complex products to help our clients achieve their premium product aspirations.

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Prototype builds and vehicle adaption services for special vehicle platforms.

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As a leading industrial and manufacturing expert, we provide a world-class industrialisation consultancy service to help our clients manufacture their complex and innovative products.

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We manufacture high quality, torque path components for use in high performance markets with a fast turnaround.

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Ricardo's strategic consultancy services enables our clients to navigate complexity in a disrupted world.

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Ricardo's strategic consultancy offering enables our clients to navigate complexity in a disrupted world.

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Ricardo offers world-class technical consulting services to enable our customers to get the most from their products and services in the energy, transportation and manufacturing sectors.

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We can support your organisation with scientifically robust and high quality approaches to energy transition to deliver you value across a wide range of areas.

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Operations and maintenance services to ensure that our clients' programmes are delivered with excellence.

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Technical insights and analysis from Ricardo experts.

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Learn more about our leading engineering, design and design services.

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Our expert team support businesses with bespoke software solutions and stable software libraries for development programs.

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The most advanced equipment and capabilities in the world can become ineffective without appropriate in-service support solutions.

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Experts in delivering innovative system engineering and integration solutions towards a safe and sustainable future.

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Discover our case studies

Disruptive oil cooling for drives & emachines

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Advancing next generation of electric trucks

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Next generation of electric aircraft

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Discover our latest news

Hydrogen

Ricardo supports industry leaders to develop innovative dedicated hydrogen engine

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Metrobus Fastway Bus Brighton Hove Bus

Ricardo delivers hydrogen safety training to Brighton and Hove Buses and Metrobus

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Aviation And Airport Decarbonisation

Greener fuels, greener skies

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Meet the experts

Richard Osborne

Richard Osborne

Global Technical Expert – Sustainable Engines

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Gareth Milton BW

Dr Gareth Milton

Control Function Lead

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Tim Bassett

Tim Bassett

Head of Test

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Trevor Downes

Trevor Downes

Chief Engineer, Engines and Emissions Control

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