Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Next Subaru WRX to use electric turbocharger?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/next-subaru-wrx-to-use-electric-turbocharger/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/next-subaru-wrx-to-use-electric-turbocharger/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/03/next-subaru-wrx-to-use-electric-turbocharger/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2011 Subaru WRX

Subaru has been trying to figure out the direction for its three-headed monster, as the Impreza and its WRX and WRX STI variants have grown increasingly at odds over the past two generations. Now this gets thrown into the mix: When the new WRX gets released in late 2013, it may ditch the traditional exhaust-gas powered turbocharger for a new, electric design.

That's right, according to The Sydney Morning Herald, Subaru is working on an electric turbo, shades of those computer-fan-sourced "power adders" you used to see advertised in the back pages of Sport Compact Car a decade ago. Except we would assume Subie-parent Fuji Heavy Industries is developing a design that actually works. According to the report, heat from the exhaust would be captured, but instead of using the exhaust pressure to turn the turbocharger's turbine, the heat energy would be converted to electricity, which would then spin the impellers. This could be more efficient, as well as eliminating the piping and turbo lag.

While that sounds neat and all, we're not so sure we want to see an unproven technology like this applied to one of our favorite affordable performance cars. Unless, of course, it allows for BMW M3-like performance in a $30,000 car.

Next Subaru WRX to use electric turbocharger? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2012 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric turboelectric turbochargerfuji heavy industriesimprezasubaruturboturbochargerwrxwrx stiThu, 03 May 2012 14:14:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20229968/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/03/next-subaru-wrx-to-use-electric-turbocharger/20229968/article-detail.xml 20229968 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/01-2011-subaru-wrx-review_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/01-2011-subaru-wrx-review.jpg <![CDATA[Next BMW M3 to get triple-turbo six]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/07/next-bmw-m3-to-get-triple-turbo-six/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/07/next-bmw-m3-to-get-triple-turbo-six/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/07/next-bmw-m3-to-get-triple-turbo-six/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

BMW M3 CRT
BMW M3 CRT - Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW M3 has grown cylinders over the years like a pubescent pre-teen grows in height. What started out with an inline-four then grew into a straight-six for two generations before packing a V8 into the current model. The next one is expected to set to drop a couple of combustion chambers and go back to a single bank, but don't think for one minute that'll mean a drop in performance.

According to the rumormongers at AutoExpress, the next-generation M3, due sometime around 2014 after the new 3 Series comes along, will pack - wait for it - a triple-turbo straight-six. The innovative arrangement will reportedly include two conventional spools powered off exhaust gases and a third electric turbocharger. Total output could be around 450 horsepower - a bump over the current V8 model's 414 hp - with even more carbon fiber bits than the CRT edition pictured above to help keep weight down.

Not exciting enough? BMW's M division has plenty more in the cards, potentially including an oft-rumored new M1 supercar and, once the 1 Series M Coupe is done its production run, a lightweight CSL version. An M version of the Z4 is also under consideration, but of course nothing final until the cars make their debuts.

Next BMW M3 to get triple-turbo six originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 bmw m3bmwbmw m3e-turboelectric turboeturbom3tri-turbotriple turboThu, 07 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19985802/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/07/07/next-bmw-m3-to-get-triple-turbo-six/19985802/article-detail.xml 19985802 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/web630-03-bmw-m3-crt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/07/web630-03-bmw-m3-crt.jpg -1 2