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The Automotive Engineering theme focuses on:

• internal combustion engines
• vehicle dynamics and aerodynamics
• support to the University of Malta Formula SAE (Formula Student) team, UoM Racing.

Modern aspects of internal combustion engines are researched through: 

• experimental campaigns that make use of LabView to monitor and control engines mounted with a number of engine dynamometers ranging from a few horsepower to 800 horsepower
• simulation using the Ricardo Wave software.

Expertise in electronic engine controls have been developed throughout the years. The latest research achievement has been the development of a common rail diesel engine control strategy based on simple speed-density.

Past projects include:

• Spark ignition fuel injection
• Turbocharging
• Camshaft design and manufacture
• Free piston engine and opposed piston engine
• Multi fuel Hydrogen enhanced combustion and Liquefied Petroleum Gas
• Pressurised Motoring Setup including Argon as working gas

Furthermore, a hot gas test stand for turbochargers is being developed.  

Support to the University of Malta Formula SAE (Formula Student) has seen the university build and participate with four vehicles in a competition in Italy.  The first car was built in 2007 and it successfully competed in the Italian competition in Fiorano 21-23 September 2017. Later vehicles were built for the 2014, 2015 and 2017 competitions. The 2017 vehicle also competed in the 2018 Silverstone Formula Student event. Vehicle dynamics and vehicle aerodynamics are relatively new research areas. Vehicle dynamics was analysed experimentally on both FSAE and a GT86 production car, while vehicle aerodynamics was analysed using CFD on both FSAE vehicles and the GT86 production car.