BorgWarner's ETurbo Powers High-Voltage Hybrids

Jason R. Sakurai
by Jason R. Sakurai

BorgWarner’s eTurbo will power the high-voltage hybrid vehicle of an undisclosed major European OEM. BorgWarner’s electric boosting technology increases engine efficiency and performance while meeting emissions regulations. This will be the first application of its electrically-assisted turbocharger in a high-voltage hybrid.

“Our eTurbo with integrated power electronics is able to deliver electrified boost assistance and recuperation to a wide range of vehicles,” said Joe Fadool, President and GM, BorgWarner Emissions, Thermal and Turbo Systems.

“BorgWarner has a long history with this manufacturer, and we are excited to deliver enhanced engine efficiency and performance with this application.”

The eTurbo mechanical turbocharger has an ultra-high-speed electric motor coupled to the shaft, which can serve as either a motor or a generator. Integrated or semi-integrated power electronics are options.

BorgWarner’s eTurbo provides electrified boost assistance for enhanced response along with standard turbocharger advantages. Claiming a 200 percent faster transient boost response, the eTurbo is said to have a 50 percent reduction in time-to-torque, reducing turbo lag and aiding engine downsizing.

The turbocharger works well with Miller cycle engine concepts, delivering improved fuel economy and reduced emissions without loss of performance.

BorgWarner’s eTurbo can also serve as a generator, able to collect excess exhaust energy and convert it into electrical energy. Repurposing the energy is effective for accessory power or battery charging, enabling smaller battery size usage.

Additional benefits include its ability to decrease emissions through aftertreatment management and air-fuel ratio control.

By having the ability to increase engine backpressure to reduce emissions, the eTurbo supports on-demand exhaust gas recirculation.

High-voltage, eTurbocharged hybrid vehicle production will begin in September 2023.

Audi is one of BorgWarner’s most important customers, according to BorgWarner’s newsletter. BorgWarner Turbo Systems is the sole supplier for all turbocharged Audi compression ignition (CI) engines.

[Image: BorgWarner]

Jason R. Sakurai
Jason R. Sakurai

With a father who owned a dealership, I literally grew up in the business. After college, I worked for GM, Nissan and Mazda, writing articles for automotive enthusiast magazines as a side gig. I discovered you could make a living selling ad space at Four Wheeler magazine, before I moved on to selling TV for the National Hot Rod Association. After that, I started Roadhouse, a marketing, advertising and PR firm dedicated to the automotive, outdoor/apparel, and entertainment industries. Through the years, I continued writing, shooting, and editing. It keep things interesting.

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  • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on May 22, 2021

    It would be nice if the article defined what a "high voltage hybrid" is. Does it refer to: - the 48-volt main bus often proposed but not delivered yet (as far as I know) - the usual 360-400 volt hybrid/EV electrics - maybe the new 800 volt systems coming online in the newest EVs

  • FAHRVERGNUGEN FAHRVERGNUGEN on May 24, 2021

    I made nearly the exact same comparo in 2002 when I was looking to by a 3YO '99 off-lease. Ignored the Honda because I don't want vanilla even if competent, and burned the Massimo because it wasn't a 4DSC any longer. Wound up with a GREAT deal on an Avalon XLS Platinum that was so totally Buick it was wonderful...in all black it was a well-composed limo. Much better than the Camry, having had two already by then.

    • FAHRVERGNUGEN FAHRVERGNUGEN on May 24, 2021

      Well, screwed up THAT thread attachment. Pay no attention to that man in front of the triple monitors...

  • Akear The Germans will strip mine the company just like they did with Chrysler a quarter century ago.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Theflyersfan. Agreed, I grew up as a teenager in the late 80’s, early 90’s. My dad is a baby boomer and had the classic cars. He had a 1957 Corvette with a 283 with 2-4 barrel carbs, 68 Plymouth Belvedere with 383 V8. I had a 1973 Duster with a slant six, really wanted a 340 V8 in it. And a 74 Dodge dart custom with a 318 and last was a 1969 T- Bird with a 429. I got commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and sold all those cars. Fast forward 22 years post army retirement and I bought that Vette and had bought a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruisers. In addition to a 2002 Suzuki Hayabusa, 1989 Suzuki GS1000G, 1986 Suzuki GT750. So my boys appreciate the older cars and bikes, simplicity of V8’s, naturally aspirated non turbos. I also bought a 1970 7up vending machine and it’s still running with original compressor/condenser. So my boys appreciate the quality of American manufacturing both in cars and commercial items.
  • FreedMike An EV DeLorean definitely won't have any problems getting up to 88 and a half miles per hour. And that's a good thing - the original was a complete dog, and that was a big reason why they didn't sell.
  • ToolGuy The interesting thing about Foley's rental Bronco is how it has been retrofitted with 4-wheel steering with tiller fire truck levels of rear steering angle -- that or the world's slowest smoothest drift. (For clues to what is actually going on, notice the ride height relative to surrounding traffic, suspension movements and steering inputs with the 'in-car' shots of the daughter's convertible.) Does anyone watch anything anymore, or you all buried in your phones lol.
  • Duties Just a comment on auto names vs alpha-numerics. I totally agree names are sexier and more memorable than meaningless letters and numbers. However, coming up with fresh names based on animals or geography is harder to come by since so many are already taken. Secondly, securing worldwide copyright is difficult or don’t translate well. Remember the famous Chevy Nova (No Go). In the meantime, it’s fun to reminisce about the great names over the years: Thunderbird, Barracuda, Sting Ray, Mustang, Legend, Vigor, Integra, Toronado, New Yorker, Continental, Newport, Land Cruiser, Galaxie, Impala, Comet, LeBaron . . .
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