As increased Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards co-mingle closely with the customer desire for performance, turbo chargers are seeing a rise in popularity. Honeywell automotive systems alone has experienced a 10 percent increase in its business supplying turbo chargers to the auto industry.
A turbo can significantly boost an engine's horsepower without significantly increasing its weight, which is the huge benefit that makes them so popular with consumers and OEMs alike. Strict new CAFE standards mandate an increase in fuel economy for all new cars and trucks, demanding that they achieve 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016 (an average of 39 mpg for cars and 30 mpg for trucks). These regulations require a rapid rise in fuel efficiency while cutting four years from the previous regulation's timetable.
Turbos will soon be installed on many smaller four cylinder engines to allow them to be used in larger vehicles without sacrificing acceleration. A good example is the Chevrolet Cruze, whose base model LS comes with a non-turbo 1.8 liter engine putting out 136 horsepower, while the upscale LT and LTZ comes with a smaller 1.4 liter engine that is turbocharged. It puts out only two horsepower more, but improves fuel economy.
Buick is using a turbocharger in its new Regal and midsize LaCrosse sedans. Ford Motor Company is also looking to turbos in its gas direct-injected, turbocharged Eco Boost engine line in the form of V-6s as V-8 alternatives. Ford says EcoBoost will increase fuel economy up to 20 percent and will be available in 90 percent of Ford's models by 2013.
Hyundai and Volkswagen also are offering more turbo-charged models than ever before. Diesels have long been candidates for turbocharging, and in today's market virtually every passenger car that is diesel-powered is also turbo charged.
The turbo charger, once the "red flag" for insurance underwriters because of its appeal to fast drivers, has now become more mainstream.
Statements and opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author. They are not offered as and do not constitute legal advice or opinion of Mitchell International, Inc.
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