Thanks to the exhaust turbocharger from BorgWarner, the new 1.4 liter gasoline engine from Renault delivers the output performance of a 2.0 liter engine
Turbocharging is the key technology used by Renault in the newly developed 1.4 16V TCE engine to release performance and torque values comparable with those of a 2.0 liter engine. At the same time, the fuel consumption is below that of a 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine. Decisive for this yield is the compact and efficient KP 39 turbocharger from BorgWarner. The additional aspiration of the combustion chamber enables practically identical performance values so that the turbocharged four-cylinder in-line engine uses up to 16% less fuel than the 2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine from Renault. The efficient 1.4 liter turbocharged gasoline engine, compliant to the Euro 5 standard, is intended for use in the compact class where it will initially be installed in the Mégane and Scénic. BorgWarner already provides the turbocharging systems for the Renault Diesel engines, and with the 1.4 16V TCE, they now provide a turbocharged gasoline engine also.
Renault impressively demonstrates the benefits of downsizing with the new gasoline engine in the compact class. The turbocharged 1.4 liter 16V TCE 130 engine with the KP 39 turbocharger from BorgWarner develops a maximum torque of 190 Nm at 2250 RPM, and delivers a peak output of 96 kW (130 HP) at 5500 RPM. This equates to a remarkable power-to-displacement ratio of 69 kW (93 HP) per liter. Due to these performance characteristics, the new engine, which is manufactured in Valladolid in Spain, replaces the larger 2.0 liter naturally aspirated engine from Renault.
The basis for the downsized, but at the same time increased output performance, engine is the 1.6 liter, which is a joint development between Renault and Nissan. BorgWarner fully applied their exhaust turbocharging know-how during development of the new, optimized engines. These are members of the second so-called TCE family at Renault. The abbreviation TCE stands for “Turbo Control Efficiency” and underlines the central role that turbocharging plays in the redesign of this engine generation. Instead of conventional naturally aspirated engines, Renault is increasingly focusing on smaller engines with modern turbocharging technology. Due to the lower frictional resistances with reduced engine capacities and the shift to higher loads, there is an increased efficiency which is why the fuel consumption as well as the emissions are reduced.
Optimally tuned turbocharging
In order to master the special challenges facing smaller engines with regard to low-end torque and driving dynamics, the specialists from BorgWarner for the first time used the compact KP 39 with optimized thermodynamics for gasoline engines. Accordingly, the turbocharger responds almost without delay and assures that the new 1.4 liter engine quickly delivers its output performance.
The combination of the chosen engine design in conjunction with excellent thermodynamic characteristics of the turbocharger enabled the engineers to avoid the use of a complex twin scroll exhaust turbocharger that only merges the exhaust flows of the individual cylinders just before the turbine rotor.
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.
