Developed explicit simulation program is used to study the effect of the cylinder wall temperature on the transient performance of a turbocharged Diesel engine. The simulation, based on the filling and emptying approach, provides several innovations, such as detailed analysis of the thermodynamic and dynamic differential equations on a degree crank angle basis, analysis of transient mechanical friction and also a detailed mathematical simulation of the fuel pump. Each equation in the model is solved separately for every cylinder of the six cylinder Diesel engine considered. The model is validated against experimental data for various load changes. The effect of the cylinder wall temperature on the transient response of the engine is studied and depicted in detailed, multiple diagrams. Special reference is made to the interesting limited cooled (adiabatic) case. It is shown from the analysis that after a ramp increase in load, the speed response as well the other important properties of the engine and turbocharger are marginally impacted by the cylinder wall temperature, affected only slightly when an adiabatic wall configuration is chosen. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.