OMSI - Engine/Transmission and other questions

Hello there, as posted in the other thread, I'm extremely amazed at the detail which you guys put into this game. As I was reading though the FAQ, it briefly talks about the scripting of specifications of the bus.

I do have one question though, is the Engine Torque/Gear Ratios etc specifically specified in these scripts? How exactly does that work, I'm interested because this seems to be the first game that offers a completely realistic engine/ automatic transmission?

BTW what kind of game engine does this game use and although I know that no computer specifications are set yet. Would the game require due core computers? Where I'm am getting at is would a Single Core Processor like a Pentium 4 1.6 GHZ Processor be able to work on this sim?

All engine and transmission variables are controlled via scripts. The engine characteristic is defined by a set of constants (torque depending on RPM and throttle setting, inertia, friction, fuel pump reaction time etc). The gearbox has its specific constants as well (fixed gear ratios, clutch momentum, torque converter characteristics).

So if you push the throttle, the engine generates a certain amount of torque and thus revs according to its inertia and inner friction. The gearbox takes RPM and engine torque as well as RPM and torque of the drive shaft as input variables and calculates the interactions in each direction depending on the current gear ratio, clutch friction (while changing gears) or RPM input/output ratio (while using the torque converter). The drive axle has its own ratio and simulates the differential as well. The transmission control system provides further variables like shifting speeds depending on the throttle position, kickdown switch, retarder notches and when to use them, etc.

The graphics engine is completely self-written and does not require a multicore system.

Are there other varibles that taken into consideration as well such as the turbocharger pressure to simulate lag? It's amazing considering this appears to be the first simulator to actually be a simulator to that regard. Other simulators has a "manual" type transmission in place.

It also made reference to a hybrid drive system as well? How exactly would that work in the simulator or hasn't be implemented yet?

In fact, scripting is like programming. In your script files, you can create every variable you need and use it the way you want. There is no limit concerning the number of individual variables.
So if you need a turbocharger for instance you could create some variables like turbocharger RPM and inertia (which would already be sufficient) and use them to influence the engine characteristics, like you take the current engine RPM, throttle setting and turbocharger inertia to control the turbocharger RPM and then add a certain value of torque, based on the turbocharger RPM, to the current engine torque. OMSI itself only needs the traction moment at the wheels, so everything in the drivetrain apart from the driving wheels is done by scripting.
A hybrid drive system could be implemented the same way by creating variables for engine current, voltage, battery, generator output, etc. and using them according to the physical model.
The scripts aren't even bound to physics laws, so if you want the bus to increase speed by 5 km/h every time you press a button, then go ahead, that's possible as well