- + Engine boosting the key to cost-effective emissions compliance
- + OEMs choose the turbo advantage for performance and fuel efficiency
Turbocharging Into A Cleaner Future
Posted 09.04.2009
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Turbocharging is a technology for the world. As emissions standards tighten, automotive manufacturers on every continent are quickening the pace on turbo uptake to develop passenger cars and trucks that redefine the concepts of fuel efficiency and performance. Europe has been at the forefront of integrating the latest engine boosting technologies into some of the world’s most advanced and fuel efficient powertrains – but over last two years, the turbo era has dawned on the US, Asia, and the rest of the world as OEMs and consumers come to appreciate the unique benefits that turbocharging offers.
By 2020, it’s predicted that 70 percent of the entire light vehicles worldwide will be boosted by turbo technology, enabling millions of drivers to enjoy the benefits of impressive driveability, cost-effective emissions control and improved fuel efficiency.
Turbocharging is already proven to help smaller engines deliver the performance of larger ones – but with the added advantage of improvements in fuel consumption of up to 40 percent in diesel engines and up to 20 percent in gasoline engines. As a result, turbodiesel passenger vehicles are becoming more commonplace around the world, and the availability of latest generation gasoline turbo systems, matched to direct injection technology, is creating the ideal conditions for an engine downsizing strategy that doesn’t sacrifice performance.
“On every continent, automotive manufacturers are being challenged to meet increasingly stringent emissions and fuel efficiency requirements – and industry experts agree that turbocharging offers one of the most cost-effective routes to achieving the desired results, whether in gasoline, diesel or hybrid powertrains,” says David Paja, Vice President, Global Marketing for Honeywell Turbo Technologies.
US Set for Turbo Take-Off
In North America alone, engine boosting will likely grow to 25 percent of all light vehicles by 2014, driven mostly by the growth in gasoline turbocharging.
Meeting the new, much tougher US CAFE standards, which mandate that auto manufacturers will need to improve fuel economy standard by 40 percent on all new vehicles by 2016, will require a step change in engine technology. Indeed, a new survey commissioned by Honeywell (see sidebar) shows that 80 percent of American consumers were more likely to consider purchasing a turbocharged vehicle after learning that turbocharging can increase the fuel efficiency of gas engines by 20 percent without sacrificing performance or reliability.
Europe’s Turbo Delight Continues
In Europe, where over 50 percent of all new passenger cars already benefit from engine boosting, turbodiesels will remain the overriding powertrain of choice. However, there will also be strong growth in turbo gasoline engines, to the point where by 2014 close to 75 percent of all new light vehicles across the continent will be turbocharged.
Asia Prepares for Massive Turbo Expansion
China and India also stand on the threshold of massive turbo adoption.
China has attached great importance to fuel economy by imposing heavier tax on cars with bigger engines. As a result, sales of turbocharged gasoline engines will likely increase fourfold by 2014 and total turbo penetration on new light vehicles will reach 14 percent by 2014.
In India, it is expected there will be strong demand for turbodiesels, with penetration following a similar trend to Europe and significant growth in both the small and micro car segments.
“For all these reasons, we see clear evidence that turbocharging is going mainstream and global as part of the mega-trend towards engine downsizing, with the next major growth in engine boosting led by its adoption in gasoline powertrains,” says David Paja.
“We see exciting prospects for Honeywell turbo technologies right around the world – in every region and in every vehicle segment. Critically, our technology roadmap is clearly linked to the needs of our customers, with a rich and varied portfolio that meets just about every auto manufacturers’ current and future engine requirement.”
Photo Credit: Gilles Dacquin, Alain Ernoult
US Consumers Warm up to Turbo Gasoline Engines
American consumers are shifting their buying behavior towards more fuel efficient vehicles – and 80 percent now say they are more likely to buy a turbocharged car after learning that engine boosting can improve fuel consumption without sacrificing performance.
A study commissioned by Honeywell shows that fuel efficiency, reliability and overall cost (compared to hybrid engines) are the top reasons US consumers would consider buying a turbocharged vehicle. Moreover, nine in ten US consumers say they are more likely to consider buying a turbocharged vehicle after learning it increases fuel efficiency of a gas engine by 20 percent.
In addition, 84 percent of Americans said they were more likely to consider a turbocharged engine when told the boosted engines have a proven reliability track record and are tested to last 150,000 miles or ten years.
The Honeywell study was conducted in August 2009, and is based on a nationally representative random telephone survey of 1,004 adults residing in the US.
© 2009 Honeywell International Inc.