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The need for low CO2 vehicles is driving engine downsizing and the adoption of reduced cylinder count powertrains, with high torque levels available at low engine speeds. These trends, in addition to low friction design features, can have a significant negative impact on the NVH characteristics. This paper will discuss the Ricardo NVH development process and technologies to mitigate these concerns and achieve competitive NVH from low CO2 powertrains, thus enabling the use of such technologies. The process includes powertrain analysis, vehicle integration and calibration optimisation. Two and three cylinder downsized engines can reach adequate levels of NVH for application in small and medium passenger cars. This fact enables the use of such engines to improve thermal efficiency and thus reduce CO2 emissions. To achieve this goal, however, it is imperative that best practice NVH techniques are used throughout the powertrain and vehicle development and integration process. This requires the consideration of NVH in all optimisation decisions, from concept through to production. Ricardo has developed significant expertise in the field of two cylinder and three cylinder engines, through experience of a wide variety of development programmes. A comprehensive tool set is now in place to meet the noise and vibration challenges.