THE evo BLUEPRINT ENGINES
IN PERFORMANCE CARS, THE TURBOCHARGED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE (ICE) HAS BECOME THE NORM AND LED TO DOWNSIZING. WILL THIS CONTINUE?
Dr Frank Welsch, board member for technical development at Volkswagen: ‘I call it rightsizing: there has been a trend for lightweight engines with a comparatively small displacement, not just for particularly powerful vehicles, but in general – due also to emissions reasons. Power and torque outputs that would have been almost inconceivable just a few years ago are now achieved through forced induction, intelligent injection processes and use of high-tech materials.’
Richard Moore, propulsion director at Lotus: ‘Yes, we think it will – turbocharging complexity continues to develop, with twin-turbo arrangements starting to be replaced with [electric] e-turbochargers.’
‘The downsizing trend via turbocharging is set to continue but there are applications where naturally aspirated engines make the most sense, including low-cost
