Abstract | Table of Contents

In the two years since the previous edition of this report, the use of pressure charging techniques has continued to increase and the number of applications has grown. Pressure charging - increasing the pressure of the air flow entering the combustion chamber - is a technology for improving engine output, both power and torque.

The world-wide market for automotive turbochargers continues to increase – a trend that reflects the ability of turbochargers to improve both thermal efficiency and engine specific output, providing engineers with a choice between improved performance or improved economy, the latter achieved not only by virtue of better thermal efficiency but also of engine downsizing, leading to vehicle weight reduction.

It will remain open to engineers and product planners to decide which aspect they wish to exploit, but in either case another effect will be a reduction in noxious exhaust emissions.

More specifically, the main growth drivers for the turbocharger market include:

• A substantial growth in the demand for light-duty turbochargers world-wide, but especially in Western Europe and in mainland Asia (China and India);
• Stricter exhaust emission regulations world-wide;
• A trend towards restricted vehicle CO2 emissions world-wide; and
• Further improvements in turbocharger technology, making it even more attractive to vehicle engineers.