Future emission legislation requirements especially the need for CO$_2$ reduction lead to more complex powertrain concepts with an increasing number of independent parameters to be calibrated. For gasoline engines concepts with variable valve timing, direct injection or variable charge motion are in development or already on production. Diesel engines with common rail systems offer a wide range of new injection strategies, the application of new exhaust aftertreatment systems leads to additional complexity. Furthermore a clear trend to highly sophisticated transmission concepts requires a perfect interaction of all powertrain components. While the higher complexity requires increasing test and development effort, the development duration is reduced significantly. Consequently, the potential of such systems cannot be fully utilised by traditional development and calibration approaches within the given timeframe. By introduction of intelligent methodologies f3r the calibration of modem powertrains the development becomes more efficient, faster and better in quality. However, even with standardised and automated calibration methods a differentiated brand-specific powertrain character has to be maintained comparable to a "handmade" calibration performed by highly experienced experts.