Next Gen Subaru WRX To Have An ELECTRIC Turbocharger?

A ground-breaking new electrically-powered turbocharger could feature on the next edition of Subaru's hero performance car, the WRX, when it finally arrives towards the end of next year.

Respected US website motortrend.com says Subaru took out a patent on an electrically-operated turbo in 2007. An unnamed source has told the website that Subaru's parent company, Fuji Heavy Industries, is working to trap heat energy from exhaust gases, generating electricity to power the turbo.

 

t_bone - 5/3/2012 11:50:22 PM

+1 Boost

This would vindicate the idea, which had been a joke in the aftermarket for years.

MorePower - 5/4/2012 4:58:47 AM

+1 Boost

The electric turbo charger idea has been kicking around the auto industry for some time. Rumors had Mitsubishi thinking about bringing one to market with the last redesign of the Eclipse, sidenote: It is sad how Mitsubishi destroyed the image and balls of that car.

That being said, using a turbo to generate electricity to power another turbo seems "interesting". Just give me the power.

vdiv - 5/4/2012 10:57:03 AM

+1 Boost

Wouldn't this technically be called turbo-powered electric supercharger or some such? So an electric air intake compressor is powered by an exhaust gas turbo spinning an alternator. To reduce the lag the electric compressor is powered by the main alternator/battery until the turbo alternator spins up. Any excess generated electrical power could then be reclaimed and stored in the battery for the next rev up. Clever.