Internal combustion engines have been a part of automobiles since the early days. With time, necessary changes have been made in the engine to increase its efficiency and capacity. One such attempt is the inclusion of turbochargers in cars with internal combustion engines. A turbocharger is an auto part that is used to increase the engine airflow resulting in enhanced engine efficiency.
Unlike other chargers, it is not powered by the engine motor and thus is preferred. The journey of turbochargers started first in the early 19th century when Alfred Buchi filed a patent for turbochargers. Since then, many breakthrough advancements have been made in turbochargers to make them suitable for modern vehicles.
Let’s take a closer look at the history of turbochargers.
Beginning of Turbochargers
After filing the patent for the turbocharger, Buchi launched the first mass-produced turbocharger in 1925. It was an exhaust-gas turbocharging system that could enhance the engine capacity. However, turbochargers, in their early days, were used for aeroplanes and boats. These turbochargers were responsible to maintain the boot pressure in the engine. Later, it was modified and transformed to be used in automobiles.
Along with Buchi, Gottlieb Daimler and Rudolf Diesel also played a significant role in manufacturing and advancements of the turbocharger. Their core focus was on increasing forced induction which led to the concept of turbochargers.
Journey of Turbochargers
After the successful experiment with aircraft and boat engines, turbos were introduced in the automobile industry. During its initial days, the turbocharger was used for heavy commercial vehicles powered by diesel engines. By the 1950s, turbochargers had become quite popular in commercial vehicles. This turbocharger was more refined and efficient, contrary to its predecessors.
In the 1960s, two vehicles, the Chevrolet Corvair Monza and the Oldsmobile Jetfire, were unveiled in the market with a turbocharger. However, the attempt at turbocharging in conventional cars was not well received. There are certain problems in the usage of turbochargers that are affecting the durability of vehicles. Therefore, the cars with turbochargers were called off until further advancements were made in the chargers.
The 1970s: Evolution of Turbocharging Technology
By the 1970s, enough advancements and refinements were made in turbochargers to make them suitable for passenger cars. Apart from advancements, new vehicle emission standards and the urge to reduce the carbon footprint of cars also contributed to the widespread usage of turbochargers.
When Did Turbochargers Become Popular
During this era, racing cars such as Formula 1 cars also featured turbochargers to increase engine efficiency. After this, the term turbocharger was introduced to the normal public, and people got familiarised with this technology. In fact, the turbocharger became standard in the F1 cars after that, the F1 cars for 2021 and 2022 also use this technology.
1978 to 1980s: Mercedes’ Turbocharged Passenger Car
To cater to the increasing popularity of the turbocharger, Mercedes introduced the technology in its 300 SD model series. Higher driveability, lower carbon emissions and enhanced engine efficiency were the core features of this car that contributed to its popularity.
This vehicle was a breakthrough for the appropriate usage of turbochargers in passenger cars. By the next decade, the technology was common and was available in several cars on the road. In fact, automobile manufacturers like Maserati and Bugatti began experimenting with two turbochargers to support high-power engines such as W16 and V12 engines.
The two turbocharger concept or bi-turbo was generally used for the small size engine to increase its capacity and efficiency. On this concept, BMW launched its TwinPower Turbo in the N54 engine, which was a huge success then. Besides this, BMW’s other models also have turbochargers, including M5, M6 Gran Coupe, M760Li xDrive and M4 GTS.
The 1990s to 2000s: Breakthrough Technologies
The last decade of the millennium served was the time when technological advancements were at their peak for turbochargers. A number of auto part manufacturers started manufacturing and supplying turbochargers for the brands.
A new bypass valve was introduced which prevents boost and circulates the boosted air when the vehicle decelerates. Additionally, to cater to the high temperature of the petrol or diesel engine, the turbine housing made from stainless steel was also introduced.
Apart from this, twin-scroll turbine housing was also featured in turbochargers. These new advancements utilise exhaust gases more efficiently, leading to more power generation.
The Future of Turbochargers
The turbocharger has come a long way since its initiation in the early 1900s. Today, it is widely used in vehicles for being an efficient and low-emission alternative to be used in different cars. This auto part enables small engines to increase their engine efficiency without increasing their size.
Recently, the next generation electric turbochargers are also introduced in the market. Porsche’s electric turbo is a prime example of this technology. This technology aids in securing the future of turbochargers and makes them suitable for electric and hybrid cars.
This was the complete history of turbochargers since their initiation in the 19th century. The present form of the turbocharger is nothing related to its predecessors. The recent chargers are more advanced, efficient and suitable for modern vehicles. Here is the list of 2022 model series equipped with turbochargers.
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Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on the origin of turbochargers.
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