Wall-flow particulate filters are in the present days a standard aftertreatment system widely used in diesel engines to reduce particle emissions and meet emission regulations. This paper deals with the analysis of the macro- and meso-geometry definition of the DPF monoliths from a fluid-dynamic modelling approach. Focus is driven to the analysis of the influence on pressure drop and hence on engine fuel economy. The influence of the DPF volume on the engine performance is analysed with a gas dynamic software including both post-turbo and pre-turbo placement under clean and soot loading conditions. A swept in cell density is also considered for different thermal integrity factors. This approach allows analysing the trends in pressure drop and cell unit geometric parameters defining the monolith thermal and mechanical performance. A discussion considering constant specific filtration area and constant filtration area is performed providing a comprehensive understanding of the DPF and engine response as volume and cellular geometry are changed. Results are leading to rigorously justify known but usually empirical guidelines for DPF design in post-turbo applications. A discussion on the potential for monolith volume reduction in pre-turbo applications with respect to the post-turbo baseline is addressed. This is based on the very low sensitivity of fuel consumption and pressure drop both to volume reduction and soot and ash loading with pre-turbo DPF configuration. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.