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Conti Debuts Market’s First Aluminum Housing for Turbocharger
Continental AG says its new turbocharger sports the industry's first aluminum turbine housing.
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Continental AG says its new turbocharger sports the industry's first aluminum turbine housing.
The system is debuting now in the 3-cylinder, 134-hp engine being introduced in the redesigned Mini subcompact coupe. Conti says the system weighs 1.2 kg (2.7 lbs), or about 30%, less than a steel-bodied turbocharger.
The aluminum unit, which is integrated into the Mini engine's exhaust manifold, runs cooler than a conventional steel-bodied turbo. But either type can be bolted to the same engine.
The new turbo's double-wall aluminum housing serves as a cooling jacket that limits the turbine's exterior and interior temperatures to 120 C (248 F) and 350 C (662 F), respectively. Conti notes that a cooler operating temperature reduces the shielding required for nearby engine components. It also eliminates the need for an internal coolant system for the turbo's bearings.
The company says its new design lowers exhaust gas temperature, which extends the life of the vehicle's catalytic converter.
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