-
23. – 24. February 2027
Baden-Baden, Germany
Program Engine Congress 2027
The future of powertrains is taking shape under different conditions around the world. Regulations, CO₂ targets and regional market requirements are shaping technology strategies. What role will internal combustion engines play in the global powertrain mix? And how will electrification and sustainable fuels contribute?
Organised by VDI Wissensforum and ATZlive, the International Engine Congress brings together leading experts from industry and academia in Baden-Baden on 23 and 24 February 2027. The program examines international developments, combining strategic perspectives with in-depth technical presentations on passenger car and commercial vehicle engine technology, sustainable fuels and energy.
The focus is on different development pathways: from next-gen engines, hybrid powertrains and range extenders to the use of synthetic and biogenic fuels. The congress helps participants navigate a complex environment and provides a forum for open discussion of technological possibilities and their practical implementation.
The main topics in February 2027 are:
- Strategies for the powertrain mix of the future
- Policy frameworks and their implementation
- Realistic scenarios for the global distribution of internal combustion engines
- Carbon-neutral internal combustion engines in international competition
- Next-gen engines, hybrid powertrains and range extenders
- Development, production and use of sustainable fuels
The panel discussion “How can the new policy frameworks be implemented?” addresses a key question facing the industry. Personal conversations at the accompanying trade exhibition and the Engine Community Evening complement the technical program.
Tuesday, 23 February 2027
- 08:50 Welcome and opening of the congress as well as introduction to the program of lectures
Matthias Kratzsch, General Director of the Congress, CEO, Hirschvogel Holding GmbH
Prof. Dr. Thomas Koch, Scientific Director of the Congress, Director of the Institute, IFKM, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
KEYNOTE LECTURES I
Moderation: Matthias Kratzsch, Hirschvogel Holding GmbH
- 09:00 Lecture on politics (to be confirmed)
- 09:25 Between e and efuels – new political rules of the game for the automotive industry
Dr. Tobias Block, Chief Strategy Officer,
Co-authors: Ralf Diemer, Miklas Perl, all eFuel Alliance e. V.,
Dr. Philipp Ellett, ZF Friedrichshafen AG - 09:50 Beyond policy targets: realistic scenarios for Europe's powertrain mix to 2050
Dr. David Bothe, Executive Director,
Co-authors: Michael Zähringer, Dr. Lena Neuberg, Lennart Bolwin, all Frontier Economics Ltd. - 10:15 Panel discussion: How can the new policy frameworks be implemented?
Impulse: René Große-Vehne, Managing Director, GV Management GmbH
Moderation: Marc Ziegler, Deputy Editor-in-Chief MTZ, Prof. Dr. Christian Beidl, TU Darmstadt - 11:00 Coffee break
Parallel sessions
PC engine technology · Auditorium (Basement)
HYBRIDS AND RANGE EXTENDERS
Moderation: Dr. Christian Brenneisen, AUDI AG
- 11:45 DHE, DHT, and DHB in focus: holistic system optimization as the key for highest efficiency
Dr. Christian Martin, Global Director Product and Business Development, ICE Based Powertrain incl. Hybrid for Passenger Car & 2Wheeler Application, Co-authors: Dr. Gerhard Holy, Wilhelm Vallant, Dr. Raimund Ellinger, all AVL List GmbH, Austria - 12:15 Simulation-driven development of hybrid powertrains: from cloud-based virtual test cells to test bench validation
Dr. Krishnegowda Vijayakumar, Model Based Calibration Engineer, Horse Powertrain Limited, Sweden - 12:45 Technology packages for light-duty gasoline REEV engines
Alexander Helfrich, Engineering Emission Concepts, Exhaust Systems, Co-authors: Johannes Gömmel, Michael Frank, Dr. Alexander Hettinger, all Robert Bosch GmbH
CV engine technology · Forum (Ground floor)
NEXT-GENERATION ENGINES
Moderation: Dr. Markus Schwaderlapp, DEUTZ AG
- 11:45 MAN D08: development of an established commercial vehicle engine platform in the context of future emissions requirements
Viktor Stoyanov, Product Manager Light and Medium Duty Engines and Aftertreatments, Co-authors: Oliver-Jens Schuster, Florian Lindner, all TRATON R&D Germany GmbH - 12:15 Next-gen diesel truck engine to meet new fleet CO2 emission targets beyond 2030
Dr. Lukas Virnich, Product Manager Commercial Engines, Co-authors: Dr. Sascha Schönfeld, Dr. Jaykumar Yadav, all FEV Europe GmbH, Jannik Ehrenstein, Chair of Thermodynamics of Mobile Energy Conversion Systems (TME) and Institute of Thermodynamics, RWTH Aachen University - 12:45 China's technology mix 3.0 of the commercial vehicle industry – innovative and forward-looking – FAW's technology outlook for the CV industry
Dr. Thorolf Schatzberger, Director Validation, FAW Austria Automobile R&D GmbH, Austria, Co-authors: Liu Huishen, Dong Dalu, both FAW R&D Center Changchun, China, Gottfried Raab, FAW Consultant, Austria
Sustainable fuels & energy · Kongress-Saal 1 (1st floor)
FUEL SUPPLY & RESILIENCE
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Thomas Koch, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- 11:45 Production of hydrocarbons as fuels
Prof. Dr. Jörg Sauer, Managing Director, Co-authors: Prof. Dr. Nicolaus Dahmen, both Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology (IKFT), Dr. Olaf Toedter, Institute for Piston Machines (IFKM), all Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - 12:15 Fuel supply today and tomorrow
Prof. Dr. Christian Küchen, General Manager, en2x – Wirtschaftsverband Fuels und Energie e. V. - 12:45 Making eFuels a reality: the role of industry, policy, and investors
Dr. Marcos Marques, Chief Executive Officer, Co-authors: Dorothea Nold, Dr. Timo Wassermann, all HIF EMEA GmbH - 13:15 Lunch
Parallel sessions
PC engine technology · Auditorium (Basement)
NEW ENGINES
Moderation: Dr. Erik Schünemann, Robert Bosch GmbH
- 14:30 Development and validation of 3.0 turbocharged gasoline engine for current and future products
Glen Voice, Senior Manager Engine Design & Release, Mike Horswill, Engines Attributes Manager,
Co-Autor: Tom Matthews, alle Jaguar Land Rover Limited, Großbritannien - 15:00 Hybrid diesel options in the N1 segment: efficient powertrain concepts for LCVs and heavy pick-ups
Michael Weißbäck, Global Director Product & Business Development ICE Based Powertrain, Hybrid, Co-authors: Dr. Raimund Ellinger, Hannes Atzler, Hannes Wancura, all AVL List GmbH, Austria - 15:30 New diesel hybrid technology for pick-ups and LCVs
Dr. Shanying Yu, Chief Engineer, Weilan Power Technology (Anhui) Co., Ltd., Chery Holding, China
CV engine technology · Forum (Ground floor)
EFFICIENCY CONCEPTS AND METHODS
Moderation: Jürgen Lehmann, Daimler Truck AG
- 14:30 Enabling exploration of advanced piston cooling concepts through predictive multiphysics simulations
Dr. Pierre Hellard, Sr. Application Engineer, Co-authors: Dr. Tobias Wybranietz, both Dive CAE
dive solutions GmbH, Kenan Bagci, Edward Werninghaus, both Kolbenschmidt Pistons Germany GmbH - 15:00 Cylinder deactivation in the heavy-duty diesel engine: merits and challenges
Dr. Jonathan Borg, Leader Advanced Engineering – Engine Development, Co-authors: Fabio Ramundo, Christoph Schütte, Philip Fankhauser, all FPT Motorenforschung AG, Switzerland - 15:30 Fuel efficiency and emissions benefits of late intake valve closing Miller cycle with full VVA vs. 2-step VVA in a heavy-duty diesel engine
Robb Janak, Director Advanced Engineering, Co-authors: Dr. John Schwoerer, Parimal Saparia, all Cummins Inc., USA
Sustainable fuels & energy · Kongress-Saal 1 (1st floor)
APPLICATION OF SUSTAINABLE FUELS
Moderation: Karl Dums, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
- 14:30 Investigation of fuel mixtures based on the components MTG and bio-naphtha, which can be produced cost-effectively on an industrial scale
Prof. Dr. Thomas Garbe, Senior Manager Energy Carriers, Co-authors: Dr. Karsten Michels, both Volkswagen AG, Max Schüttenhelm, Prof. Dr. Frank Atzler, both Chair of Combustion Engines and Drive Technology, Dresden University of Technology - 15:00 Evaluation of e-diesel under modern diesel vehicle EURO 6d pick-up truck application
Prof. Dr. Gerald Ruß, Professor, Mechanical and Plastics Engineering, Internal Combustion Engines Laboratory, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Co-authors: Dr. Waleed Mustafa, Dr. Sandro Gail, Dr. François Maire, all Aramco Fuel Research Center, France - 15:30 Environmental and economic analysis of HVO100 and other alternative fuels when used in tractors, delivery vehicles, and public transportation buses
Prof. Dr. Ralph Pütz, Professor of Commercial Vehicle Technology, Internal Combustion Engines, Transmission Technology, Motorsports Technology, Co-author: Johann Lehner, both Faculty and Civil Engineering, Landshut University of Applied Sciences - 16:00 Coffee break
PLENARY LECTURES I: Powertrain strategies in Asia and Europe
Moderation: Dr. Gerhard Holy, AVL List GmbH
- 16:30 Energy security over electrification: what really drives the Chinese government's powertrain strategy
Nicole Steiger, Managing Director, JSC Automotive GmbH - 17:00 Lecture to be confirmed
- 17:30 A new V16 engine for hypercar application
Dr. Dáire Corrigan, Head of Powertrain & Emissions, Bugatti Rimac Srl, Italy - 18:00 End of the first day of the congress
- 19:00 Engine community evening
at the Kurhaus Casino Baden-Baden
Wednesday, 24 February 2027
- 08:45 Opening of the second day of the congress
PLENARY LECTURES II: BETWEEN POLITICAL REQUIREMENTS AND TECHNICAL POSSIBILITIES
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Thomas Koch, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- 08:45 On target for the environment and climate – regulation as a driver of electric mobility
Dr. Martin Lange, Head of Section Reducing Pollutants and Saving Energy in Transportation, Co-authors: Dr. Philipp Hölting, Martin Kortschack, all German Environment Agency - 09:15 When narratives beat physics: electrofocus versus climate protection
Peter Metzinger, Founder & Principal, Mr. Campaigning AG, Switzerland - 09:45 Joint discussion of both lectures
Dr. Martin Lange and Peter Metzinger
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Thomas Koch - 10:15 Coffee break
Parallel sessions
PC engine technology · Auditorium (Basement)
VIRTUAL DEVELOPMENT
Moderation: Dr. Marco Warth, MAHLE International GmbH
- 11:00 Case study for exploring the applicability of machine learning methodologies for vehicular emission prediction
Samarth Ghadge, Department Manager Powertrain Calibration, Archana Devi, Senior Associate Manager Powertrain Calibration, Co-authors: Vikram Khanna, Anoop Bhat, all Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, India - 11:30 Expanding the ICE design space: a hardware-lubricant framework for cost, risk, and performance optimization
Emmanuel Lainé PhD., EMEA Engineering Team Manager, Infineum UK Ltd., UK, Co-author: Simon Moizan, Infineum France SNC, France, Dr. Tobias Mink, Director System Functionality, Co-author: Julian Zeutzius, both APL Automobil-Prüftechnik Landau GmbH
CV engine technology · Forum (Ground floor)
COMBUSTION CONCEPTS FOR HYDROGEN ENGINES
Moderation: Dr. Christof Gietzelt, Liebherr Machines Bulle SA
- 11:00 Impact of exhaust fuel injection on transient behaviour of PFI H2 engines
Dr. Paul Christoforetti, University Project Assistant, Institute of Thermodynamics and Sustainable Propulsion Systems (ITnA), Graz University of Technology, Co-authors: Martin Wieser, AVL List GmbH, both Austria, Patrick Send, Liebherr Components Deggendorf GmbH, Peter Günther, Liebherr Machines Bulle SA, Switzerland - 11:30 Adaptive combustion engine concepts for future hybrid gas infrastructures
Jan Leberwurst, Advanced Development Engineer for the H2 Injector Project, Co-authors: Dr. Olaf Weber, Dr. Sebastian Sulzer, all Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, Prof. Dr. Thomas Müller, Chair of Carbon Sources and Conversion (CSC), Ruhr University Bochum
Sustainable fuels & energy · Kongress-Saal 1 (1st floor)
PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF SUSTAINABLE FUELS
Moderation: Martin Nitsche, FVV e. V.
- 11:00 Renewable methanol for the drive sector – the OxFA process as a competitive alternative
Matthias Schmidt, Managing Director, Co-author: Dr. Florian Kohler, both OxFA GmbH - 11:30 Sustainable alkylate fuels and modern engines as the key to defossilization
Dr. Kai W. Beck, Manager Advanced Combustion and Engine Technology, Co-authors: Dr. Jens Melder, Dr. Armin Kölmel, Dr. Holger Lochmann, all ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KG - 12:00 Lunch
Parallel sessions
PC engine technology · Auditorium (Basement)
COMBUSTION PROCESSES FOR ALTERNATIVE FUELS
Moderation: Dr. Gerhard Holy, AVL List GmbH
- 13:15 High-efficiency, low-emission renewable methanol combustion in passenger-car SI engines using direct injection and pre-chamber ignition
Dr. Metin Korkmaz, Principal Engineer Pre-Chamber, Champion Ignition
Federal-Mogul Ignition GmbH, Co-authors: Maximilian Dobberkau, Dr. Ronny Werner, Prof. Dr. Frank Atzler, all Dresden Institute of Automobile Engineering (IAD), Dresden University of Technology - 13:45 Towards understanding the details of H2 mixture formation and combustion in direct injection IC engines: a contribution from the publicly funded research project CFD4H2
Dr. Max Peters, Postdoctoral Researcher, Co-author: Dr. Benjamin Böhm, both Reactive Flows and Diagnostics (RSM), Benjamin Traut, Research Associate, Co-author: Prof. Dr. Christian Hasse, both Simulation of Reactive Thermo-Fluid Systems (STFS), all TU Darmstadt
CV engine technology · Forum (Ground floor)
HYBRID POWERTRAINS FOR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
Moderation: Dr. Andreas Broda, TRATON R&D Germany GmbH
- 13:15 Resilience through system optimization: HD range extender in BEV trucks
Dr. Simon Schneider, Expert Heavy Duty Powertrain, Co-authors: Felix Kleinheinz, both Mahle International GmbH, Markus Döhn, Michael Lohmeier, both DHL AG - 13:45 Choosing the right hybrid concept for European heavy-duty transportation
Bernhard Raser, Global Director Product & Business Development, Truck & Bus, Co-author: Anton Arnberger, both AVL List GmbH, Austria
Sustainable fuels & energy · Kongress-Saal 1 (1st floor)
MONITORING OF SUSTAINABLE FUELS
Moderation: Dr. Werner Willems, TEC4FUELS GmbH
- 13:15 Bosch Digital Fuel Twin: enabling transparency of vehicle CO2 footprint – experience from fleet demonstration projects and regulatory impacts
Dr. Marko Babic, Head of Product Area Sustainability Solutions, Co-authors: Dr. Michael Storch, Dr. Erik Schünemann, all Robert Bosch GmbH - 13:45 Assessment of biogenic carbon content in various automotive fuels blended with biofuels via accelerator mass spectrometry
Nishant Sarna, Senior General Manager New Powertrain Regulation and Fuels, Co-authors: Anoop Bhat, Tarun Aggarwal, all Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, Dr. Pankaj Baghel, Inter University Accelerator Centre, all India - 14:15 Coffee break
KEYNOTE LECTURES II
Moderation: Karl Dums, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
- 14:45 Scaling up eFuel production: developing Europe's first commercial-scale eGasoline plant
Christian Hanke, Chief Executive Officer, German eFuel One GmbH,
Co-author: Kevin Günther, eFuel Group - 15:15 Lecture title to be announced
Prof. Dr. Christian Beidl, Institute for Vehicle Powertrain Systems (FAS), TU Darmstadt
Prof. Dr. Thomas Koch, Director of the Institute, Institute for Piston Machines (IFKM), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) - 15:45 Hybrid futures
Ragnar Burenius, VP, Technical Advisor, Horse Powertrain Ltd., Schweden - 16:15 Outlook and concluding remarks
Matthias Kratzsch, General Director of the Congress, CEO, Hirschvogel Holding GmbH
Prof. Dr. Thomas Koch, Scientific Director of the Congress, Director of the Institute, IFKM, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)