Audi has recently showcased its latest plans to implement a biturbo setup utilising an electrically powered turbocharger in its 3,0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine.
The system relies on an electrically powered compressor capable of supplying boost at far lower engine speeds than conventional turbo setups requiring redirected exhaust gases to spin a turbine powering the compressor. A standard turbocharger then kicks in to provide high engine-speed boost, much like a standard biturbo setup. Initial tests have shown that the electric biturbo system develops its optimum boost build-up noticeably more quickly than a conventional biturbo.
The electric turbocharger draws its power from the car’s regenerative braking system. This means that there’s less draw on the engine and exhaust gas that would otherwise be routed to the turbo at low speeds can now be used to get the catalytic converter up to temperature sooner, reducing emissions.
This technology will be joined by a similar system being developed by BMW to augment its recently introduced line of tri-turbo powerplants and will most likely become a more common means of forced induction in the near future.
Watch a video of Audi’s electric biturbo system in operation by clicking on the VIDEO tab to the top-right of the featured article image.
