| Powertrain firm Mahle is going
into the turbocharger business. The company has spent the last year developing
four high-tech mechatronic units for production in 2010.
Nearly all diesels now have turbos and the number of downsized turbo gasolines
is expected to increase by more than four per cent a year until 2015.
Mahle is already well established in the production of turbo components,
engine modules and system integration. Its acquisition of UK firm Cosworth
in 2005 gives it some application experience too.
Dr Armin Messerer, technical assistant to Mahle’s CEO, said: “We
still have to build up our expertise, but we have quite a big engineering
resource. Some projects, such as our engine downsizing concepts, are accelerating
our learning.”
The turbos will not be standard wastegate units. The company will draw
on its growing expertise in mechatronic actuators.
“We’re working on a mechatronic electric actuator for the
wastegate that will improve response,” said Messerer.
The company also has an electrically actuated variable flow turbine for
diesels and a fast-acting electric exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve
in development. This can produce very high EGR rates, improving fuel consumption
by 15 per cent, said Messerer.
Mahle’s initial range will consist of four turbos: two for gasoline;
two for diesel. The gasoline turbos will be suitable for applications
ranging from 50-100kW and 100 -200kW. The diesel turbos are for outputs
of 50-80kW and 70-160kW.
The smaller turbos will suit smaller vehicles produced in high volumes.
Mahle has no orders yet, but is in “intensive” talks with
several European OEMs. Production will be at one of the company’s
existing sites in Europe. |
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