Realis Simulation 2026.1
The 2026.1 release is now available to download. With the requirement to deliver lower powertrain emissions across multiple applications including motorcycle, passenger car, commercial vehicle, heavy-duty, rail and maritime - engineers need to simultaneously design for new fuel compositions and continue to optimise existing IC engines for cleaner, more efficient performance.
In this rapidly changing environment, simulation software is central to exploring multiple design options before investing in expensive physical prototyping. The new 2026.1 release further enhances the software tools to make workflows as fast, accurate and cost effective as possible, addressing a range of design challenges across fluid dynamics, structural mechanics and systems engineering.
Fluid Dynamics
Our high-fidelity 1D and 3D CFD fluid dynamics simulation tools enable engineers to optimise existing Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) for maximum efficiency and lower emissions, as well as modelling new clean combustion fuels for stand alone ICE or hybrid system installations.
Modelling new clean fuel technology
The 2026.1 release of WAVE-RT introduces support for real-time prescribed dual-fuel combustion with Diesel pilot, enabling engineers to simulate premixed and non‑premixed charge configurations using the Multi‑Wiebe combustion model. This capability supports the development of heavy‑duty and maritime engines operating with cleaner alternative fuels while maintaining stable combustion behaviour. Complementing this, VECTIS introduces new dual-fuel combustion kinetics, extending the Combustion Progress Variable (CPV) framework with tabulated chemical kinetics. This allows ignition timing and burn rate to be predicted directly from detailed chemistry, improving accuracy for advanced fuel blends such as Diesel-ammonia and Diesel-methanol.
Additionally, VECTIS now includes new exhaust manifold condensation modelling, enabling engineers to simulate condensation and wall‑film formation within intake and exhaust systems. This efficient modelling approach helps evaluate condensation risks and associated durability issues across a wide range of operating conditions.
Faster, more optimised design for cleaner internal combustion engines
The 2026.1 release also delivers enhancements that accelerate simulation workflows and improve modelling efficiency. WAVE‑RT introduces accelerated tuning with a pre‑warmed engine option, allowing calibration runs to begin from representative engine conditions and significantly reducing convergence time during tuning. This release also introduces a new physics‑based boost controller for Variable Geometry Turbochargers, which automatically adapts to operating conditions using a physics‑driven model. By removing the need for manual PID calibration while maintaining rapid response, it supports both steady‑state and transient simulations.
Further improvements include improved 3D pipe modelling for acoustics in WAVEBuild3D, simplifying geometry preparation through interactive baffle placement and enhanced meshing for complex tube configurations.
Finally, VECTIS introduces several usability improvements that streamline common workflows, including arbitrary surface and volume sensors, a diagnostic utility for identifying problematic regions within the fluid domain, and expanded undo functionality within the VECTIS plugin.
Structural Mechanics
Structural Mechanics delivers a powerful, end-to-end simulation toolset that empowers engineers to optimise for durability, NVH and efficiency across motorcycles, hybrid light vehicles, heavy-duty trucks, rail, and maritime applications. The suite enables smarter design decisions for both existing engines and next-generation clean-fuel internal combustion (IC) technologies.
Modelling new clean fuel technology
The 2026.1 release introduces multi-spark-plug combustion modelling in FEARCE-Vulcan, enabling accurate simulation of modern spark-ignited engines that use multiple ignition locations to improve combustion stability and efficiency. Complementing this capability, VALDYN now supports an enhanced valve profile design capability, allowing engineers to model advanced valve lift profiles used in modern high-efficiency engine architectures.
Faster, more optimised design for powertrain systems
Engine durability analysis becomes faster and easier with the automated piston thermo-structural durability workflow in FEARCE-Vulcan, which streamlines piston stress analysis and reduces manual setup. In PISDYN and RINGPAK, the improved wear iteration process and extended R-Desk plugin enable more realistic wear prediction and more efficient model preparation. SABR and SABR-Gear further strengthen drivetrain design workflows with improved tools for bevel gear design and enhanced loadcase load handling, helping engineers analyse complex duty cycles and mission profiles more efficiently.
Systems Engineering
IGNITE is a comprehensive systems engineering toolset that delivers faster-than-real-time system analysis across all drive cycles, enabling optimal component selection.
Supporting simulations of electric, hybrid, and combustion technologies across motorcycle, passenger car, commercial vehicle, off-highway, and heavy-duty transportation applications, IGNITE integrates seamlessly with other Realis Simulation and third-party tools. It empowers engineers to model complete systems with a strong focus on minimising tailpipe emissions and maximising overall efficiency.
Faster, more optimised design of vehicle systems for reduced emissions
The 2026.1 release introduces improvements that streamline model development and expand system-level thermal analysis capabilities. The updated environment includes an enhanced editor for Modelica user block code, providing improved parameter support, validation, and a more flexible workspace for developing custom components.
In addition, the release extends the WAVE–IGNITE co-simulation workflow with an extended coupled solution with WAVE to include heat transfer. This capability enables rejected engine heat to be incorporated directly into system simulations, allowing engineers to analyse engine thermal behaviour alongside cooling system performance for more informed design decisions earlier in development.
Application Toolkit
Our application toolkit is designed to create an infrastructure which optimises the use of simulation software making workflow processes as efficient and productive as possible. The toolkit comprises a set of pre- and post-processing tools and other utilities that are common, to facilitate effective use across the Realis Simulation suite.
The 2026.1 release introduces key improvements across workflow processes:
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New interpolation of imported data enables interpolation during spreadsheet data import in R-Map, allowing incomplete or sparsely sampled datasets to be automatically filled to create smooth, complete maps and reduce manual data preparation.
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New plot page group management introduces plot page grouping in R-Post, helping users organise related plots into structured groups for easier navigation and management of complex analyses.