BorgWarner Turbochargers Boost Performance of Natural Gas Engines from Opel and VW
03 Dezembro 2009 - 11:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
BorgWarner Turbo Technology Makes CNG-Powered Vehicles Fun to Drive
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BorgWarner
supplies turbochargers for the Opel 1.6-liter compressed natural
gas (CNG) engine as well as the VW 1.4-liter TSI EcoFuel engine,
the world's first direct-injection turbocharged engine modified for
CNG operation. Both engines achieve 150 horsepower with significant
fuel economy and lower emissions. "Worldwide, nearly eight million
vehicles on the road are equipped with CNG engines. Offering the
combined advantages of clean combustion with low fuel costs, global
demand is expected to grow steadily over the next five years," said
Roger Wood, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Turbo &
Emissions Systems. "BorgWarner's leading turbocharging technology
makes CNG-powered vehicles exciting to drive. These engines allow
drivers to enjoy both fuel economy and performance." (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091203/DE20136-a) (Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091203/DE20136-b) CNG engines
offer many advantages, such as producing about 70 percent less
nitrous oxide (NOx) than diesel engines and about 25 percent less
carbon dioxide (CO2) than gasoline engines. In addition, CNG engine
emissions contain virtually no soot particles. Depending on current
retail fuel prices, CNG engines can save up to 50% on fuel costs
compared with a gasoline engine with the same power.* However,
previous CNG engines were slow to accelerate. Specially designed
BorgWarner turbochargers boost performance for CNG engines,
particularly in the lower engine speed range and at high loads,
which now gives CNG engines the added advantage of performance to
please today's drivers. The Opel Zafira ecoFlex Turbo uses 5.1 kg
of natural gas per 62 miles (100 km) and emits only 144 g/km of
CO2. This approximately equates to 31.2 MPG measured on a gasoline
equivalency basis. With a maximum torque of 210 Nm available from
2,300 to 5,000 rpm, the engine delivers powerful performance,
accelerating from 0 to 62 mph (100km/hr) in 11.5 seconds. To lower
weight and guarantee fast response, BorgWarner worked with Opel to
optimize the water-cooled turbocharger by integrating the
turbocharger housing in the cast outlet manifold, refining flow
geometry and improving materials for longer service life. The VW
Passat TSI EcoFuel uses 4.5 kg of natural gas over a distance of 62
miles (100 km) and emits only 119 g/km of CO2. This approximately
equates to 35.4 MPG measured on a gasoline equivalency basis. With
a maximum speed of 130 mph (210 km/hr), the CNG-powered Passat
accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (100km/hr) in 9.7 seconds. To ensure
higher boost pressure ratios for natural gas operation, BorgWarner
equipped the turbocharger for VW with a smaller compressor and
components specially designed to optimize air delivery and boost
pressure for a CNG engine. The turbocharger enables the CNG engine
to develop and maintain a torque of 220 Nm, up to an engine speed
of 4,800 rpm. BorgWarner Turbo & Emissions Systems is a leading
global producer of turbochargers, exhaust gas recirculation valves
and other engine air management systems for passenger cars, light
trucks and commercial vehicles. These systems are designed to
improve fuel economy, reduce emissions and enhance vehicle
performance. Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner Inc.
(NYSE:BWA) is a product leader in highly engineered components and
systems for vehicle powertrain applications worldwide. The FORTUNE
500 company operates manufacturing and technical facilities in 60
locations in 18 countries. Customers include VW/Audi, Ford, Toyota,
Renault/Nissan, General Motors, Hyundai/Kia, Daimler, Chrysler,
Fiat, BMW, Honda, John Deere, PSA, and MAN. The Internet address
for BorgWarner is: http://www.borgwarner.com/. TSI, Twincharger and
EcoFuel are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG or other
companies of the Volkswagen Group in Germany and other countries.
ecoFlex is a registered trademark of the Opel company. * Based on
CNG and gasoline cost comparisons in Germany. Statements contained
in this news release may contain forward-looking statements as
contemplated by the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
that are based on management's current expectations, estimates and
projections. Words such as "outlook," "expects," "anticipates,"
"intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," variations of such
words and similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject
to risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict
and generally beyond our control, that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those expressed, projected or implied in
or by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties
include: fluctuations in domestic or foreign vehicle production,
the continued use of outside suppliers, fluctuations in demand for
vehicles containing our products, changes in general economic
conditions, and other risks detailed in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors,
identified in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091203/DE20136-b
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091203/DE20136-a
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: BorgWarner Inc. CONTACT:
Erika Nielsen, +1-248-754-0422 Web Site: http://www.borgwarner.com/
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