Bosch's Cartronic software will allow car makers to include their own functions

The internal combustion engine will be around for many years yet, despite the arrival of new technologies such as the fuel cell. The question is: what avenues are still open to manufacturers to keep improving conventional powerplants if they’re to meet new efficiency demands and cut CO2?

Bosch thinks it has a few simple but effective ideas that could make subtle but important improvements - cutting fuel consumption by five percent and lifting comfort levels by controlling heating and air conditioning systems more effectively.

Radical ideas such as Saab’s Variable Compression engine concept with its unique, split-down-the-middle block, is exciting but too complex to be just around the corner. Ironically, many of the biggest improvements will consist of small changes, a rethink of things we take for granted. Bosch’s idea is simply to improve the thermal management inside the engine, to make it run more efficiently by replacing power-sapping mechanical pumps with electrical ones. Managing the heat an engine generates is crucial to its efficiency. Running too cold or hot will affect emissions, fuel consumption, performance and reliability. A thermostat controlling an engine’s heat opens or closes to increase or decrease coolant flow around the block and cylinder head. Electric cooling fans, too, are more efficient than the old mechanical, engine-driven variety because they use less power. And the latest cars, such as the new Mondeo, use engine thermostats that open and close electronically.

But Bosch plans to take thermal management even further by replacing the single thermostat with several electronic valves offering p

Bosch's efficiency plans involve samll improvements in many areas