The next generation of Mercedes-AMG models are getting electric turbo tech. The high-performance house is working to develop an electric exhaust turbo charger.
The technology has been especially designed for the Formula 1 cars that Lewis Hamilton and Valttteri Bottas drive on the racetrack. The company is now working on implementing it into next generation passenger high-performance AMG models.
Mercedes-AMG partnered up with Garrett Motion in order to develop the system. It will come to fill the void between a small, fast-reacting turbocharger with relatively low peak performance and a large turbocharger with a high output.
The engineers will integrate a slim electric motor directly on the charger shaft. It will find its place between the turbine wheel on the exhaust side, and the compressor wheel on the fresh air side. The super compact motor will only measure about 1.57 inches (approximately 4 centimeters).
“We have clearly defined our goals for an electrified future. In order to reach them, we are relying on discrete and highly innovative components”, says Mercedes-AMG Chairman Tobias Moers. Moers will soon leave AMG for Aston Martin. Phillip Schiemer is the one who will take his place at the lead of the high-performance division.
“With this move we are strategically supplementing our modular technology and tailoring it to our performance requirements. In a first step this includes the electrified turbocharger – an example of the transfer of Formula 1 technology to the road, something with which we will take turbocharged combustion engines to a previously unattainable level of agility,” Moers adds.
Hello, AMG electric turbo tech, good-bye turbo lag!
Mercedes-AMG is pressing ahead with electrification. The electric motor then drives the compressor wheel prior to it taking in the exhaust gas flow. It thus provides immediate response from an idle speed across the entire engine speed range, to eliminate turbo lag.
As a consequence, the Mercedes-AMG models will also get a higher torque at lower engine speeds and a prompter acceleration.
“Even when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator or applies the brakes, the technology of the electric turbocharger is able to maintain the boost pressure at all times, so that a continuous direct response is guaranteed”, Moers explains.
The first AMG model to get the new E-turbo engine will be the upcoming Mercedes-AMG C 63. The E-Turbo can be integrated in a hybrid drive train since the electric motor can also work as a generator.
We can imagine a future Mercedes-AMG C63 with a two liter four cylinder (M139) with E-Turbo and an electric motor which can provide together 520 HP and 700 Nm.