Continental Corp., Auburn Hills, Mich., announces that its powertrain developers have launched series production of the first car turbocharger with an aluminum turbine housing. Integration of the unit in the three-cylinder gasoline engine for the MINI Hatch has already begun. The double-walled aluminum housing surrounds the hottest area with a cooling water jacket. The coolant flowing through this jacket ensures that the external housing surface does not get hotter than 248°F, and that the internal temperature does not exceed 662°F.
“Aluminum in a turbocharger designed for cars is a real milestone,” said Wolfgang Breuer, Head of the Engine Systems Business Unit of the Powertrain Division. “With this lightweight material, we are saving nearly 30% of weight compared to a conventional turbocharger while simultaneously reducing costs and achieving system benefits.”
Continental’s innovative turbocharger with aluminum turbine housing is making its debut in a demanding downsized application: a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 1.5 liters of cubic capacity and 100 kW of power.
“It’s not just the aluminum that makes the turbocharger special; it was also developed from being a typical add-on component to an integral part of the engine,” said Udo Schwerdel, Head of the Turbocharger Product Line, Engine Systems, Powertrain Division.
“The double-walled aluminum housing surrounds the hottest area with a cooling water jacket,” said Schwerdel. The coolant flowing through this jacket ensures that the external housing surface does not get hotter than 248°F and that the internal temperature does not exceed 662°F. At the same time, the dynamic response of the electric actuator at the wastegate ensures that the catalytic converter heats up quickly.
www.continental-corporation.com
