No Lag: Audi Speeds Up E-Turbo Plans

Audi AG will begin selling vehicles with electric turbochargers next year, marking the first time an automaker has used an e-charger system in a production model. Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi's product development chief, tells Automotive News Europe the Valeo-supplied e-charger will be introduced on Audi's next-generation Q7 crossover.

Electric turbochargers use an electric motor to drive a compressor that forces air into the intake manifold at very low engine speeds. This curbs traditional turbo lag and fuel consumption while boosting power.

Audi, which demonstrated the technology last year on the RS 5 TDI concept, previously has said it plans to eventually make electrically driven compressors standard on some turbocharged models, but it didn't provide a timeframe or other details. Electrified turbochargers also could be coupled with gasoline engines, Hackenberg tells ANE.

The electrified turbocharger increased power in the RS 5 TDI concept model's 3.0-liter V-6 diesel engine 23% to 385 hp. Carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by 7 g/km according to Audi.

Several other automakers, including Ford and Honda, are exploring the potential for electric turbochargers, ANE notes. Ford recently tested a turbocharged electrically driven compressor on its three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, increasing power 25% to 156 hp.

But insiders caution that e-boosting demand significantly more electric power and likely will require switching to a costlier 48-volt system from the traditional 12-volt system. Audi hasn't specified the electrical architecture for the upcoming Q7.

Other turbocharger suppliers such as BorgWarner and Honeywell also are developing electric turbochargers, and Eaton is developing an electric supercharger. But Valeo believes it has as much as a two-year lead over competitors in the technology.

All modern diesel engines use a turbocharger, and an increasing number of gasoline engines do too to boost output and improve fuel efficiency. Turbochargers are now used on about 70% of new vehicles sold in Europe and 21% in the U.S. IHS Automotive Inc. forecasts the use of turbochargers will grow to 38% of the U.S. market by 2021.