VW's supercharged turbo engine
Call it a double-whammy, but VW calls it a SuperTurbo. Actually it
is 'SuperTurbo Compounding' by Eaton, the likely supplier of the system. Essentially, you have a turbocharged engine
that is also fitted with a supercharger. The complexities of handling this type of forced induction have limited its
automotive application. The supercharger provides instantaneous power. Once the turbo is providing boost, the
supercharger's clutch is disengaged and it is closed off from the induction system, allowing the turbo to take over
completely. The result is a power plant that has none of the usual performance compromises found in typical
forced-induction scenarios. The numbers are quite impressive. VW will initially offer the system in its European line
up. The first engine will be a 1.4-liter four cylinder that will produce 140 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, with a
performance version producing 170 hp and 199 lb-ft. That is crazy power out of such a small displacement engine. Fuel
economy is another benefit to this approach. VW plans to offer this power plant up against turbodiesel engines, which
could also benefit from this system. VW is also working on 1.6 and 2.0-liter versions of the SuperTurbo, which would
produce 195 hp and 240 hp respectively. While all this power sounds great, we wonder how reliable the entire system
will be. VW four-cylinders are normally very robust. We worry about the electro-mechanical reliability of the system.
What happens when the supercharger's clutch fails to disengage or engage? Obviously there are a lot of
interdependencies involved. We're hoping that Eaton and VW have developed enough 'interlocks' to prevent one failure
from jeopardizing the entire system.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Dave in MI 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Not sure VW needs to be increasing complexity when it is trying to clean up quality.
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Joseph Willemssen 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
You're worrying about reliability from a VW? What ever gave you that idea? :)
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Ntex 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Didn't Chevrolet show a concept version of the Cobalt SS with a turbo to go along with the supercharger at a SEMA-type show? It seems silly not to throw in a nitrous system once you've gone this far.
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Chris 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Do both supply Hp at the same time, or in succession? Only two instead of one thing killing the motor really.
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Stephen 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Seems like a very complicated system to eliminate turbo lag, considering there are other technologies that address this issue. Ex: Holset Variable Geometry Turbocharger
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Strom 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
People are doing this with their Mini Cooper S's - just adding a turbo to the existing supercharger setup gives a lot of power. One shop has achieved 500 hp (430 fwhp) with a "twin charger" setup. They've included nitrous with that as well.
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matt 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
woooooooooooooooooooooooow woooooow VW makes robust engines? (i think randall is german)
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Paul Allen 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
"The first will be a 1.4-liter that will produce 140 hp, with a performance version producing 170 hp. That is crazy power out of such a small displacement engine."
Uhh, not really. I had a Renault R5 Turbo2 (mid-engined, 1.4 liter turbo), and it was 160hp stock, and easily increased to 200 or more.
And that was 21 years ago.
.
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Eric 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Re: #8
Uh, yea. But he didn't say it was THE FIRST... produced. He said THE FIRST... engine to come out...
But anyway, it'll be interesting to see what develops. But like the others have said, I wish VWoA would concentrate on their quality/reliability issues first. Then bring on the whiz bang awesome new tech.
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Nick 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Actually this isn't anything new. This system was used by Lancia in the 1980s for the Delta HF Inegrale and Rally Integrale 4. The competition version used in WRC produced 480bhp at 8400rpm from 1.8L I4. The street version (Stradale) made 250hp at 6700rpm using the same 1.8L I4.
So really VW is just ripping off poor old Lancia -- and this wouldn't be the first time. The narrov V angle V6's that VW uses in the VR6 engines were really pioneered by Lancia in the early 1960s in FWD applications. They were years ahead of their time, but Lancia discontinued use after the 1970s once they were fully controlled by Fiat Auto S.p.A. Nevertheless -- that's 2 that VW owes poor, little Lancia ;-) Viva Lancisti!
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Adam 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
#10
My thoughts exactly!
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Tman 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Its true that the technology is not new, but this is the first time a manufacturer is putting it into production. And for those that complain about the output not being spectacular, they should understand that the technology is designed for economy, according to VW it would drink 15-20% less fuel than a similarly powerful naturally aspirated engine.
Even VW themselves have achieved 125hp/L in the old 1.8 turbo, compared to the 121hp/L this new engine is achieving, but power is not the Idea behind the complexity of the engine. I think with this setup, they can reduce the weight penalties of a similarly powerful diesel engine, while providing similar fuel economy.
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Paul 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
psst psst.... Nissan has been there and done that
try this link
http://autospeed.drive.com.au/cms/A_2216/article.html
or do a Google for Nissan March Super Turbo
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iQuack 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
This is the kind of silly stuff that should only be bought by somebody else.
An over-complicated car made by an incompetent manufacturer for the purpose of being fast for a few miles until it falls apart.
Anyone who buys dreck like this deserves what he gets.
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stewie's sexy parties 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
a 240hp 2.0 gti without turbo lag sounds pretty good.
and no one is claiming that supercharged/turbo was invented by vw. crawl back under your rocks, efing lunatics.
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naggs 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
BUT VW DIDNT INVENT IT !!!11!11
THEY ARE RIPPING OFF UDER PEEPSZ YO!!
chill out doglets, if it works its cool. who cares bout neting else?
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tioga 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
a real porsche killer ! Just not so good as a porsche to get girls ....
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naggs 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
BUT VW DIDNT INVENT IT !!!11!11
THEY ARE RIPPING OFF UDER PEEPSZ YO!!
chill out doglets, if it works its cool. who cares bout neting else?
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Peter W. 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
a 240hp 2.0 GTI coming from VW sounds pretty bad. They couldn't make a 1.8t that wasn't prone to shredding itself, the 2.0 with an extra super will probably just shred itself faster.
It might be a good engine, but VW needs to have a couple of years of not-sucking to get past their '80's-Jag phase.
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Viktor 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Why use a supercharger plus a turbo instead of one smaller and one bigger turbocharger like for example the RX7 and 535d?
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